Audrey Hea Kyung Yen

Audrey Hea Kyung Yen, age 79, of La Jolla, California, passed away on March 23, 2025, in her home surrounded by her family. Audrey was widely known as the owner & chef at Yen's Wok on Pearl in La Jolla, California where she and her late husband, Luis, raised four children.

Audrey (Hea Kyung) was born in Seoul, Korea, the fourth child (and fourth daughter) of Han Deok-In and Han Kuong Hwan. When her father passed away, she moved in with her auntie and cousins to continue her schooling. After the university, she worked as a receptionist at Honam Oil Company, where she met her husband, Luis Yen. They quickly married and moved to La Jolla, California near Windansea in 1966, where they built a home & community. In 1986, Audrey & Luis opened Yen's Wok on Pearl where they fed family, friends, locals and beyond for almost 20 years. She retired after her second grandchild was born in 2004 but continued to share her love of food by teaching her family & friends how to cook all her favorite recipes.

Audrey left a legacy of love for food & cooking, as well as unconditional love that will be felt for generations to come. She loved to dance, sing, cook & travel with her family & friends. She will be missed terribly.

Audrey is survived by her three older sisters, Kyu Sun Han (Los Angeles), Kyu Soon Han (San Diego), Kyu Ja Moon (San Diego). She is also survived by her four children, Will (Kristen) Yen (Palo Alto), Katherine (Mark) Jessen (La Jolla), Adrian (Miriam) Yen (Los Angeles), Justin (Yukimi) Yen (Plymouth, MN), ten loving grandchildren (Maddie, Katie, Kaiya, Mia, Sasha, Amalia, Amara, Leighton, Leila & Hana) & many nieces and nephews. Finally, she is survived by her very best friend, Marie Aguirre (La Jolla).