Kogi BBQ
When I think of trends, what usually first comes to mind is stuff like Von Dutch trucker hats, faux hawks…and, uh, wearing your pants backwards (for all my 90s kids). Basically, stuff that I want nothing to do with–so when I heard about the lines spiraling around the block for this Korean taco truck, I was a bit reluctant to check it out. But it’s a relentless little truck and seeing it EVERYWHERE–including last month’s Bon Appetit and Food and Wine– started to whittle me down and soon I couldn’t deny the take over of Kogi. So I decided it was time.
I started following Kogi on twitter where they send out daily tweets letting everyone know where they’ll be that evening. It worked out rather perfect because that night they were going to be at Cahuenga and Sunset, which is pretty close to my house. Since I went there with the expectation of waiting a long time, the line didn’t end up feeling that long. Sure I waited for an hour and half but I brought my friends along and ended up talking to the people next to me–it ended up actually being fun.
When we finally got up to the line, I decided on the Korean Short Rib Burrito, Veronica got the Korean Short Rib Tacos and Johnna ordered the Korean Tofu Burrito. I tried all three and think mine took the cake. The warm tortilla was filled with seasoned hash browns, shredded short rib meat, a sort of cabbage coleslaw and lettuce. The beef was marinated in a sauce that made it sweet, tender and spicy all at the same time. The flavors are distinctly Korean, but the delivery service, i.e., burritos, tacos, quesadillas, make it very “LA”.
With any good meal, the experience never relies solely on the taste of the food. Food brings people together and we can’t forget that it is most often the people in which you share the food with that truly make the meal. Trend or no trend, my Kogi chase has reminded me that good company is a vital ingredient to every meal. Love it or hate it, it was a night to remember.
“…good company is a vital ingredient to every meal.” Didja make new friends in line? KoGi lines are awesome for meeting great company!
Thanks A! I agree 100% !! good company = good flavor at the end of a night
Caroline and I finally tried the Kogi truck and I must say the Sliders are my favorite so far! I like to let mine sit for a couple of minutes so all the juices soak into the bun a bit, not enough to make it totally soggy though.