From Turkey to Korea: restaurateur finds success in Korea

Oh Sinan Ozturk, founder and chairman of Kervan Group, holds an interview with The Korea Times at Kervan in Itaewon, Monday. / Courtesy of Kervan Group

By Jun Ji-hye

Oh Sinan Ozturk, who was born in Turkey, first came to Korea in 1997 as a student on a scholarship from a Turkish car company and transferred to Seoul National University's Department of Industrial Engineering.

Instead of returning to his home country after finishing his studies, he decided to stay in Korea, and established Kervan Group here. The group now operates 16 restaurants presenting Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine, with its head shop located in Itaewon, a multicultural district in Seoul.

After living in Korea for more than 20 years and doing business for about a decade, he realized there are not many chances for foreign entrepreneurs to interact with Koreans.

This revelation led him to set up the Global Business Alliance (GBA), which offers opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs from over 60 countries around the world, along with diplomats and trade counselors, to share their knowledge and experience with Koreans, and do business together.

During an interview with The Korea Times, the founder and CEO of Kervan Group said the number of foreigners seeking to realize their "Korean dream" is estimated at 2.5 million, with this number expected to continue increasing, stressing that their talents and skills will contribute to making Korea a better country.

Kervan Group

In 2002 when the World Cup was held in Korea and Japan, Ozturk served as a liaison officer for the Turkish national team, coordinating the team schedule and translating for Turkish players, among other duties.

After the World Cup, he made an important decision ― he decided to give the scholarship he received back to the car company so he could remain in Korea.

"I became naturalized in Korea in 2008, and thought that I would be able to succeed in the field of the restaurant business featuring Turkish food, as Turkey is cited as one of the world's top three gourmet countries," Ozturk said. "Because I love both countries, I also thought that running Turkish restaurants in Korea would help promote friendship between Turkey and Korea."

He opened his first restaurant ― fast-food restaurant Mr. Kebab ― in Itaewon in March 2009, and the upscale restaurant Kervan at the end of 2011.

"I decided to open the restaurants in Itaewon as the district is always crowded by Korean nationals, foreigners living in Korea and foreign tourists," he said. "On the back of the popularity of Kervan, I could increase the number of stores. Kervan Group now operates 13 Kervan branches, two Mr. Kebab stores and one Sultan Kebab store in Seoul and nearby areas including COEX and Starfield Goyang."

Kervan's branch in COEX in Seoul / Courtesy of Kervan Group

As the restaurant business was one of the sectors to have been hit hard by the COVID-19 global pandemic, Ozturk has also been experiencing difficulties in recent months, suffering a 70 percent to 80 percent decrease in sales at his restaurants.

But he has never shirked work, focusing on preparations for making inroads in overseas markets with Kervan restaurants.

For the past three years, he has visited various countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam to conduct market research and meet with potential partners.

"Kervan's first overseas store will open in Taiwan within the year," he said, noting that he is aiming to open his restaurants in at least 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Global Business Alliance

Ozturk has also served as the founder and chairman of the Global Business Alliance that had a foundation ceremony in Seoul last Nov. 26.

He said the GBA is a business platform for Korean and foreign entrepreneurs, and diplomats and trade counselors from more than 60 countries, as well as international startup leaders, to share innovative ideas and create a bigger picture for their businesses.

"There are many foreign businessmen who have succeeded in Korea, including myself. I thought Korean and foreign entrepreneurs from all parts of the world can help each other in pursuing their common goal of improving their competitiveness globally," Ozturk said. "For example, they can be a great help to exporting and importing their products more effectively."

Kervan Group Chairman Oh Sinan Ozturk, ninth from left in back row, founder and chairman of Global Business Alliance (GBA), poses for a photo with founding members of the GBA during a foundation ceremony at Seoul Dragon City, Nov. 26. / Courtesy of Kervan Group

In an effort to offer networking and collaborative opportunities, the GBA runs diverse programs for its members, including Business Matching Day and Country Brand Day.

For Business Matching Day, Korean companies introduce their products to foreign entrepreneurs in a bid to seize an export opportunity.

The event was originally scheduled to take place once a month, but could not be held since January due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We plan to hold the event in June," Ozturk said.

Country Brand Day is an event for promotion of national trade. During the event slated for July, a trade counselor from the Embassy of Romania in Korea will give a presentation on what kind of businesses can be done jointly by Romanian and Korean entrepreneurs.

"In April this year, the GBA became an organization under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. I believe the GBA will contribute to the economic growth of Korea and creating more jobs here," Ozturk said.