Former Server Alleges Wage Violations Against Korean Restaurant Chain

A former server at a popular Korean restaurant chain in New York has taken legal action against his previous employers, alleging a slew of labor law violations. Christopher Cheon filed a complaint on February 16, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Ziggle 542 Inc., Jiggle Tofu & BBQ, Inc., SGD Tofu House, Inc., and Jaeyeon Kim.

Cheon’s lawsuit details multiple allegations of unlawful employment practices during his tenure at Ziggle Tofu & Grill from December 12, 2025, to January 10, 2026. The complaint accuses the defendants of failing to pay minimum wages and overtime as required by both federal and state laws. According to Cheon, the defendants violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and New York Labor Law (NYLL) by not compensating him appropriately for his work hours. “Defendants unlawfully retained gratuities from Plaintiff,” the complaint states, highlighting that tips were diverted to non-tipped employees such as kitchen staff—a practice prohibited under both FLSA and NYLL.

The plaintiff also claims that he was not provided with accurate wage notices or statements throughout his employment. These documents are essential for employees to verify their earnings and ensure compliance with wage laws. Cheon alleges that this lack of transparency prevented him from identifying wage discrepancies in time to address them. The complaint further asserts that these actions were willful violations of labor laws, entitling him to recover unpaid wages along with liquidated damages.

Cheon is seeking several forms of relief from the court. He requests a declaration that the defendants’ practices were unlawful under federal and state law and seeks compensation for damages incurred due to these violations. Additionally, he demands an equal amount in liquidated damages due to what he describes as willful misconduct by his employers. Cheon also asks for reimbursement of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs associated with bringing this action forward.

Representing Christopher Cheon is attorney Ryan J. Kim from Ryan Kim Law, P.C., based in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The case has been assigned Case ID 26-cv-1282 in front of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.