Nestled in the heart of Campustown, The Scallion at 118 Hayward Ave., a two-week old Korean restaurant, is already seeing success.

The owners of the family business say they think their healthy selection of Korean foods will attract many Korean and American customers.

“Koreans are bringing their American friends,” said Mikyoung Lee, the restaurant’s manager. “I think they like it.”

The restaurant is a small sit-down restaurant, like many in Campustown.

Customers order and pay for their food at the front counter. When their food is ready, it is served to them at their table.

Mikyoung says it is not just Americans who are trying the new ethnic food — numerous ethnic groups have dined there.

“A lot of other Asians come to try new foods,” Mikyoung says.

As the only Korean restaurant in Ames, Mikyoung says she thinks the business will really grow in the coming months.

“I think this [restaurant] will be a success,” Mikyoung says. “There are a lot of Koreans [in the area.]”

The Korean couple close the doors to the restaurant from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to prepare dinner for their customers.

During business hours, Mikyoung works the front counter, and her husband Kyedon, the restaurant’s other manager, is the main cook.

The couple say they had the idea for the restaurant two or three years ago and judging by business, their dream is already coming true.

“We’ve already had a lot of Korean customers,” she says, “and it’s spread.”

Employees of Little Taipei, 122 Welch Ave., say they are not worried about The Scallion and do not think it will affect their business.

“It’s different food,” says Johnson Liu, Little Taipei chef.

Liu says Little Taipei’s business has gone down recently, but doesn’t believe The Scallion is the cause.

Instead, he says it is from the dining center in the new Union Drive Community Center.

Unlike other Oriental foods, Mikyoung says most Korean recipes aren’t fried and contain more vegetables, making it more healthy.

“It’s very fresh. We don’t use [monosodium glutamate] — it’s healthy food,” Mikyoung says. “We roast in a pan and use less oil.”

In addition to beef, pork, and chicken dishes, The Scallion also serves vegetarian menu items.

“I’m focusing on bimbimbop, a seven-vegetable meal with rice and red pepper paste to mix,” Kyedon says.

“It’s healthy and there’s no fat.”

Even though the restaurant is new to Campustown, Mikyoung says she is already recognizing regular customers.

“I’ve seen the same face several times,” Mikyoung says.