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Popular L.A. Korean BBQ taco truck scouting O.C. streets
March 31st, 2009, 5:10 am · 16 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Nancy Luna (aka The Maven) in front of Kogi BBQ truck in L.A.
While at a Los Angeles restaurant conference last week, I ran into the founders of the much-hyped Kogi Korean BBQ. Turns out, the owners of this BBQ-to-go phenomenon have Orange County ties and are eager to bring their taco trucks to the streets of O.C.
“Tell O.C. we’re coming,” Kogi executive chef and co-founder Roy Choi told me.
For the uninitiated, Kogi is one of the hottest food stories in Los Angeles these days. Two Kogi taco trucks roam the streets of L.A. serving tacos and burritos inspired by the flavors of Korean BBQ. The most unique aspect of the business: Kogi uses Twitter to post its street locations, creating a viral following that often leads to two-hour waits for foodies craving Choi’s spicy pork or short rib tacos.
Team Kogi (click to enlarge)
If one of the taco trucks make its way to Orange County, Choi said it’ll probably hang out in the north O.C. Choi is a Villa Park High School grad (Class of 1988), while his business partner, Mark Mang
uera, is a Cal State Fullerton graduate.Manguera, who earned his chops as a seasoned food and beverage director at five-star hotels in Los Angeles, is the mastermind behind the gourmet taco ‘roach coach’ concept. Tacos go for $2, while burritos sell for $5.
I ate my first Kogi taco last week during the conference, and it didn’t disappoint. I waited about 30 minutes, alongside Kogi fan Genos Lee, 25, of Los Angeles.
Fresh & Easy's head chef, Mike Ainslie, takes his first Kogi bite.
“I’ve been following them for months, and got lucky,” said Lee, who works near the LAX hotel where Kogi set up shop Thursday afternoon.
Also in line near me: Fresh & Easy executive chef Mike Ainslie. After devouring half of his short rib taco in one bite, Ainslie (shown right) gave the meal a big thumps up.
I gobbled up my short rib taco in less than 30 seconds, thoroughly enjoying the Korean barbecue flavors that oozed from the slightly crispy corn tortilla.
I was in heaven. Kogi get here soon, because I know Orange County will love you.
- For tips on How to Order Kogi, read LA.com’
- To track Kogi’s L.A. whereabouts, follow its Tweets on Twitter.
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I wonder how the “Cucaracha” horn sounds in Korean?
Kinda hard to wait 2 hrs when you only have one hour for lunch
i cannot wait for kogi tacos!!!
Nice to see they are open to coming down. Last time I heard, they said it was the cost of gas and operating expenses that prevented them from venturing to OC.
People from Orange County would not be caught dead eating this garbage! Except maybe in Santa Ana and I think they have plenty of illegal vendors already.
I’m from OC, Irvine to be specific. I’d eat it. I wouldn’t wait two hours for it, because quite frankly I don’t wait that long for anything.
I have no problem eating from a truck. Just because it’s mobile, doesn’t mean it’s dirty. Some people know how to be clean, some don’t, others just choose not too.
I look at it this way. Is my multi-thousand dollar built in barbeque any more sanitary then my old camping portable grill? Inherently no, it just depends on the effort I put forth keeping it clean. This is no different.
So now the small eateries in OC have to loose business to a “gourmet” taco truck? If the food is that good, invest in OC by opening a place to eat. It would seriously suck to see a local place loosing busiess to this truck parked next to them.
phail
Yes please!!!! Head to the Irvine, as we are always looking for good places to eat without having to go to the Spectrum. If you bring it, I know thay will come!
As if the city of Irvine would allow it…fat chance!
Yay!!!!!!!! Kogi is coming to the OC! I can’t wait!
Thanks for telling us about your ‘multi-thousand dollar built in barbeque’ Al. That really adds to the discussion.
Illegal business or not, who cares. i won’t tell. Irvine needs more of these roach coaches around. Kogi, venta pa’ ‘ca - Kogi, get over here.
North OC? Perfect!
cash biz. i wonder if they pay all their taxes.
omigosh I can’t WAIT!
Way over hyped and way over rated. Had all the items at a private event and overwhelming majority thought it was it was just ok. Meats aren’t flavorfuland all their tacos tastes alike. I think most pple rave about because 1. Everything tastes great after a night drinking and clubbing. 2. Everything tastes great if you are hungry and have to wait lemming like, for 1-2 hours.