Kogi Truck

Good to know my love for Kogi hasn't changed a bit ;)

Leggo my Chego

Yesterday, Jon's sissy Teresa tweeted about First Friday's in Venice... I felt a pinch of jealousy and starting craving Kogi. Fiending Kogi, more like. Anyways, then I thought of how I went to Chego before I left and how I hadn't yet blogged about it yet. Just giving you my train of thought here...

So, Chego. Chef Roy, of Kogi fame, opened up his first brick and mortar. A non-truck venture for the same Kogi generation. Rice bowls are the main dish at the low-key resto; same Korean fusion as Kogi but not as Mexican I would say. The price points are friendly and the food is deliciously messy :) I can't find the group shot with the lovely girls I went with, but I managed to snap a pic with "Papi" himself. Cheers!

Charred Asparagus - blueberry habanero salsa, garlic, chillies, parmesan, lemon

Kogi Fries - spiced Korean french fries

One Chubby Pork Belly - rice, fried egg, pickled watermelon radishes, water spinach, cilantro, cotija, peanuts

Tiny's Prime Rib Rice Plate - chili rubbed, fried egg, water spinach, creamed horseradish, roasted garlic serrano paste, shallots

Rock Yer Road - chocolate ice-cream, smoked almonds, caramel, brownies, melting marshmallow fluff, Luxardo cherry

Me + Chef Roy

First Friday's [1 of 3]

The best way to experience Abbot Kinney is on the first Friday of every month, aptly known as First Friday's. Art galleries, retail boutiques and other neighborhood merchants keep their doors open 'till 10pm welcoming in all the foot traffic that strolls by. Not to mention the slew of fun restaurants and lively bars that are also on Venice's most famous boulevard, they stay open 'till what's technically "First Saturdays" - lol.

The newest thang that has made First Friday's more exciting, in my opinion, is the overwhelming amount of food trucks that take over the night. Becca, Eddie and I literally went to First Friday's with only one motive in mind: street food! Looks like we weren't the only ones... The night could have been mistaken as a street food festival, trucks were taking over all metered spots and people were munching away at everything. Tacos, ice-cream sandwiches, hot dogs, mac 'n cheese, dim sum, pizza, rice bowls, you name it.

Our first stop was Kogi - yes I know, we are so predictable ;) Whatever, when I'm into something, I'm into it. For life. Haha. Yay Kogi!

Stems n Seeds

Last week's Kogi Special : Stems n Seeds

"An all beef hot dog with ooey gooey melted cheese, sesame mayo, sticky icky sweet chili sauce, sesame seeds, nori sea weed, and green scallions"

I've never been a fan of the hot dog, I wasn't raised eating them over in Asia... I feel like lots of my friends here are obsessed with any kind of sausage in a bun - but not me. Even at the Kogi truck, never have I ordered the Kogi dog; sometimes, that's the first thing my friends order when I take 'em! Nonetheless, I told myself I would try the specials, so here I am ordering my first 'dog from Kogi. Stems n seeds, you weren't my favorite, but I'm glad I tried ya...

Stems n Seeds

Kimchi Quesadilla

Spicy Pork Taco

Turkey Torta Tango

"Turkey Torta what?!" That's what we said after seeing this week's special online. Rather than drool over the Kogi website and wonder, Chris and I decided to see for ourselves what the triple T's were all about. It's best chat up the Kogi peeps, and this is what they said:

"Grilled turkey and kimchi, refried beans, cheese, salsa azul, sesame mayo, and a soft Salvadorean pillow bun."

If you thought that was mouthful, try tango'ing with such a torta!

P

C

L to R: Kogi Sliders, Kimchi Quesadilla, BlackJack Quesadilla, Turkey Torta Tango

Turkey Torta Tango

Chris made his own special... He stacked the Kimchi Quesadilla atop the BlackJack Quesadilla

Un Big Mac @ Kogi

Speaking of Kogi specials, this is one from a few weeks back with Becca. We tried... drum roll please... UN BIG MAC!! This is how Kogi described it:

Double stacked mulita mayhem! First layer of this bad boy is grilled jalapeno, short rib, and cheese with another layer of spicy pork and cheese on top. Then both mulitas are binded together by a layer of sour cream and salsa roja. And all of this comes on a sesame seed tortilla.

They need to bring this back again - anything that combines short rib and spicy pork needs to stay on the menu. For good.

One for me...

...And one for Beccs

Kogi, Brentwood

I can't help but post about more Kogi! Every time I go, I wanna share it on my blog :) Going through my Kogi posts, I know it can seem a bit redundant... It's like a new arrangement of the menu each time. Then I thought, DUH, I know what can make it different - the specials! Kogi has different weekly features on their website, and now I make it a point to order the "off the menu" item. Look below to see the weekly special that Cordelia and I tried!

Kogi Sliders

Black Jack Quesadilla

* KOGI SPECIAL* Short Rib & Kimchi Quesadilla

Kogi, Abbot Kinney

KOGI

Kogi BBQ

My love for Kogi is still goin' strong. Becca and I paid a visit last week. Sooo good!!

Mabuhay Manny Pacquiao!

Manny Pacquiao --> The dude's a champion!

Kogi Bbq rooted for the right man :)

Told ya the PACMAN special was for real...

KOGI BBQ hearts PACMAN

In honor of the big fight tonight -just a few hours now!- Rambla Vista went to line up for some Kogi Bbq in Santa Monica. This wasn't just your regular Kogi trip, this trip was to try the new Kogi special: PACMAN. Yep, we know who Kogi is rooting for :) Saweeeeetttt!

FOOD. PHILIPPINES. LOVE

Steph (thanks for holding my bag!) + Taylor + Nick

Kimchi Quesadilla

Kogi Dog


The Pacman

All 3 meats, roja + verde salsa, cheddar + jack cheese, chicharrones, sesame mayo, salad... Everything burger mash-up