Kogi Korean BBQ

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Kogi Korean BBQ is a fusion food truck company based in Los Angeles, California, that combines Korean and Mexican cuisine. It was founded in November 2008 by Mark Manguera, Caroline Shin-Manguera, and Chef Roy Choi. Kogi Korean BBQ is credited with being one of the pioneers of the gourmet food truck movement in the United States. The company's signature dish is the Korean BBQ taco, which consists of Korean-style barbecue meat served in a Mexican taco.

History

Kogi Korean BBQ was started when Mark Manguera, inspired by a late-night eating session after working in Los Angeles' club scene, had the idea to combine Korean BBQ with Mexican street food. He partnered with his wife, Caroline Shin-Manguera, and Chef Roy Choi, a classically trained chef with a background in high-end restaurants and a deep understanding of Korean cuisine. The first Kogi truck, named "Kogi Taqueria," hit the streets of Los Angeles in November 2008.

Menu

The menu at Kogi Korean BBQ is a blend of Korean and Mexican cuisines, featuring items such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas filled with Korean-style meats, including short ribs, spicy pork, and chicken. The fusion extends to other dishes like the Kimchi Quesadilla and the Kogi Dog, a hot dog topped with kimchi and cheese. The use of traditional Korean ingredients, such as kimchi and gochujang (Korean chili paste), combined with Mexican food staples, has been a hallmark of Kogi's success.

Impact

Kogi Korean BBQ has had a significant impact on the food truck industry and the broader culinary landscape. It is often credited with sparking the gourmet food truck trend that swept across the United States in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Kogi's innovative use of social media, particularly Twitter, to communicate the trucks' locations to followers was revolutionary at the time and has since become a standard practice for food trucks.

The success of Kogi Korean BBQ has led to numerous accolades for Chef Roy Choi, including being named "Best New Chef" by Food & Wine magazine in 2010. It has also inspired a wave of fusion food trucks and restaurants around the world.

Locations

While Kogi Korean BBQ began with a single truck, it has since expanded to operate multiple trucks throughout Los Angeles. In addition to the mobile operations, Kogi has also established permanent locations, including a counter inside the Alibi Room in Culver City and a stand at the Whole Foods Market in El Segundo.

Cultural Significance

Kogi Korean BBQ is more than just a food truck; it represents a cultural fusion that reflects the diverse landscape of Los Angeles. It has been featured in numerous media outlets and has become a symbol of the city's innovative and inclusive culinary scene. Kogi's success story is often cited in discussions about entrepreneurship, social media marketing, and the power of multiculturalism in the culinary world.

See Also

• Food truck
• Korean cuisine
• Mexican cuisine
• Roy Choi
• Culinary fusion

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