Jenny Segalowitz is not just a name behind one of the UAE’s fastest-growing Korean BBQ brands. She is a symbol of grace, perseverance, and divine calling. Born in Las Piñas City, Philippines, Jenny came from a childhood marked by hardship—a home with no electricity, nine siblings, and daily survival through small, humble means. By age six, she was already working to help feed her family: selling ice, picking up recyclables, washing clothes.
Though life tested her limits, Jenny’s unshakable faith and determination led her toward a remarkable future.
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Humble Beginnings to Courageous Decisions
Jenny’s OFW story begins in the Philippines, where her family faced immense financial struggles. Even as a child, she worked tirelessly to contribute to the household. Though she attempted to pursue higher education, financial limitations cut those dreams short. Clinging to her faith in Isaiah 43:1, which reminded her that she was chosen and redeemed, Jenny decided to take a leap of faith.
She moved to the UAE in 2003 with little more than hope and determination. She worked as a service crew member, earning less than 1,000 AED a month. Those early years were marked by loneliness, hunger, and self-doubt, yet she saw every hardship as an opportunity to grow closer to God and discover her life’s purpose.
As a woman alone in a foreign land, she faced countless nights of exhaustion, hunger, loneliness, and self-doubt. Yet, every struggle drew her closer to God. Each trial became a stepping stone. Each tear was a seed planted in faith. She still remembers the silent prayer she whispered in 2003, the first time she stepped onto an airplane: ‘Lord, thank You for the opportunity You have given me. Use this as a ladder to my success and help me discover my purpose.’
The Rise of Mukbang Shows Korean BBQ
Jenny didn’t have investors or powerful networks. What she had was vision, grit, and a God-given mission. In 2021, after years of saving and surviving, she launched her first Mukbang Shows Korean BBQ branch in Abu Dhabi. With zero experience in F&B, she personally trained the staff, managed the operations, and stood at the forefront of her dream.
The journey was far from smooth. Contractors abandoned projects, legal battles ensued, and debts piled up. But even in these moments, Jenny chose forgiveness over bitterness, prayer over panic. She poured herself into the business, often working 16 hours a day, trusting that God would honor her obedience.
By 2025, her brand had grown to five successful branches across Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Mukbang Shows is now not just a restaurant, but a community—a place where cultures gather, where families celebrate, and where faith fuels every flavor.
Leading with Faith, Gratitude, and Values
Jenny has made it a core value of her leadership that her staff’s salaries must never be delayed. She believes in honoring the hard work of her team by regularly increasing salaries as a gesture of appreciation. Yet she also upholds a culture of discipline and accountability, ensuring every team member stays aligned with the restaurant’s high standards and values for smooth and excellent operations.
To teach the value of hard work and legacy, Jenny brings her own children to work in the family business. She wants them to witness firsthand the dedication, humility, and grace it takes to lead with purpose. Her dream is not only to grow the business but to pass on a legacy of resilience and servant leadership.
As her journey matures, Jenny is beginning to plan her retirement from day-to-day operations, with the desire to serve full-time as a missionary. Her heart longs to devote her life to helping the poor, planting churches, and sharing God’s love globally.
Giving Back to the Community
Beyond the business, Jenny is deeply committed to giving back. She funds scholarships for over 30 underprivileged children in the Philippines, many of whom are children of pastors. She supports the construction of churches and pastoral families in rural communities. Her mission has expanded to Nepal and parts of Africa, where she aids in missions, food programs, and ministry work. Her restaurants are rooted in her desire to glorify God in every plate served, with an emphasis on integrity, gratitude, and service.
Her message to women around the world: “You don’t need a title to have a testimony. You don’t need a degree to fulfill your destiny. When God chooses you, He provides the strength, the stage, and the story. I came from nothing. But I was never unseen. I was chosen.”
Jenny Segalowitz continues to inspire not only as a restaurateur, but as a woman of deep faith, unwavering compassion, and unstoppable courage. Her life is proof that success isn’t born in comfort—it’s born in surrender. And for Jenny, this is not just business. It’s a divine assignment.
