Owner Eun Seo said the book “The Giving Tree” inspired her vision for Grutogi Bistro in Flower Mound.

“On the last page, the tree gives her stump to the boy who is now an old man,” Seo said. “He sits down to relax and be restored. I wanted to create a space where people can come in and feel better when they leave.”

The word grutogi means stump in Korean, Seo said.

Grutogi Bistro opened its doors in May 2024, providing an experience for customers with lots of plants, comfortable seating, natural light and an emphasis on service.

On the menu


Seo’s husband, Danny, who has been cooking for most of his life, created the recipes.

One of the most popular menu items is the golden garlic chicken panini featuring garlic butter chicken breast, bacon, baby spinach, house pickled red onion, tomato, provolone cheese, house cheese and spinach spread on sourdough bread. Seo said the salads are also popular because the team makes almost all of the dressings in house.

Another popular item, the lox bagel, includes smoked salmon, avocado, capers, tomato, house pickled red onion, cucumber, spring mix, house lemon dressing and plain cream cheese on toasted bagel.

When it comes to drinks, the strawberry matcha latte and the salted cloud cold brew—made with house cold brew coffee, sweet foam and sea salt flakes—are the most popular among customers.


Customers frequently order Grutogi Bistro’s chillers, which are made with sparkling water and homemade flavored syrups, Seo said.

What makes it unique

Seo said her previous career in graphic design helped her create the brand for Grutogi Bistro.

“As an owner and brand designer, there’s a lot of creativity...which is exciting,” she said.


She said she has received a lot of positive feedback from customers who enjoy the atmosphere she and the team have created at Grutogi Bistro.

“From the reviews, some guests describe it as ‘entering a whole new world,’” Seo said. “I think they love the ambiance here and the spirit they're feeling in here.”

What’s next

Grutogi Bistro’s second location in Keller is scheduled to open in mid-September at 110 Lamar St., Keller.


Seo said the Keller location, which is where Two Brothers Winery used to be, will be nearly twice the size of the Flower Mound location.

“Half of the ideas we want to do, we cannot do it here because of the space limitations, but there we can do everything,” Seo said.