Josh Kim and Sam Hong, both with successful careers in tech, pivoted to the culinary world by launching a burger venture in 2022.
Their journey began with portable griddles at a pop-up at Thank You Coffee in Chinatown.
Fast forward a year and a half, the duo has made waves by earning a vendor spot at Smorgasburg, serving 450 burgers on their first day.
Their offerings draw inspiration from their Korean American childhoods, featuring unique items like pork belly sandwiches with sesame mayo and kimchi jam.
Recently, Kim and Hong soft opened their brick-and-mortar restaurant, Softies Burger, in the USC Village on July 6.
They previously worked at Cafe Dulce, and their opportunity arose when James Choi, the owner of Cafe Dulce, recommended them to the landlord, who was impressed by their food at Smorgasburg.
“I say it’s like exploring cultural confusion,” Kim stated, referring to Softies’ menu.
Both Kim and Hong grew up enjoying Korean dishes at home, while seeking out burgers and pizza outside.
With Softies, they aim to blend those experiences into a unique culinary offering.
The new burger joint features several fresh menu items, such as a classic New York-style chopped cheese sandwich and a chicken Caesar salad enhanced with spicy panko breadcrumbs.
Their dessert selection capitalizes on childhood nostalgia, including a diner-inspired lime pie with yuzu and a miso-caramel banoffee pie.
Leading up to the opening, Kim and Hong raised over $18,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to secure restaurant equipment, furniture, and inventory.
Despite not being trained chefs, Kim sees his background in tech at OpenTable and DoorDash as instrumental to their new venture.
Their burger offerings include the Cali—a twist on the classic In-N-Out burger, which features roasted garlic and caramelized onions—inspired by Korean barbecue.
They also serve the Aji burger, a smashburger patty topped with pickled jalapeños and a cilantro, garlic, and lime mayonnaise.
Included in the lineup is a rotating third option, currently featuring the Crispy Shroom burger.
“We are very specific about the fact that we’re not chefs,” Kim reiterated.
The atmosphere at Softies Burger is designed to be welcoming, especially for USC students, fostering a casual dining experience.
The restaurant’s 2,600-square-foot space combines retro diner aesthetics with modern Korean and Japanese touches, featuring sleek white tables, wooden booths, and retro barstools next to spherical chandeliers.
Softies Burger is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 835 W. Jefferson Blvd., Unit 1710, Los Angeles.
In a similar vein of culinary excitement, the hit FX series “The Bear” has brought the Chicago deli scene into the limelight, particularly the iconic Chicago beef sandwich.
With the show’s fourth season generating buzz, Angelenos will soon have a chance to experience this delicacy at Uncle Paulie’s Deli in Beverly Grove.
On July 19 and 20, Uncle Paulie’s will host a pop-up featuring Mr. Beef—the Chicago deli that inspired the fictional Berzatto family’s restaurant within “The Bear.”
Last year’s pop-up was a tremendous success, prompting Uncle Paulie’s to host the collaboration once more.
Mr. Beef’s signature Italian beef sandwich, complete with giardiniera and dipped in au jus, will be served at Uncle Paulie’s from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days.
In the Arts District, delicious fried chicken has found a new home at Happies Hand Made, which opened on June 6.
Chef Joshua Skenes, who has a background in leading Michelin-starred restaurants, focuses on high-quality comfort food at his new establishment.
At Happies Hand Made, fried chicken is grilled and offered as a la carte, in sandwiches, or atop a crispy waffle, accompanied by tallow fries.
The menu evolves with limited drops, showcasing Skenes’ vision of comfort food.
Soft serve and unique beverages—including house-made sodas like Yuzu-Up and Kumquat Cream Top—are also available.
Happies Hand Made is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 12 to 8 p.m., at 427 S. Hewitt St., Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Smokey Chance BBQ and Jikoni have found a permanent residence at Citizen Public Market.
After nine months of selling their 14-hour-smoked brisket in the market’s food hall, Smokey Chance, led by chef Derrell Smith, is expanding its offerings.
The team, which includes pitmaster Jeff Chen and Darren Wong, will be serving sliders alongside the brisket Cuban sandwich, brisket cheesesteak, and cornbread topped with Calabrian chile honey butter.
Their barbecue sauce highlights unique flavors by incorporating gochujang and jerk.
Smith’s culinary journey is deeply influenced by his grandmother’s North Carolina roots, melding various regional influences.
Smokey Chance BBQ will operate on Friday and Saturday from 12 to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m., officially adding Thursday service starting on July 17.
Moreover, the Jikoni pop-up, spearheaded by “AfriCali” cookbook author Kiano Moju, extends its residency for the summer in Citizen Public Market.
Moju blends California flavors with dishes inspired by her Kenyan and Nigerian roots, offering meals like Swahili biriyani and coconut butter beans with chapati.
Her popular pop-up was extended due to demand after a successful initial run at Melody wine bar.
Getting the opportunity to bring her book to life has been a rewarding, albeit unexpected, experience for Moju.
Jikoni operates Wednesday to Saturday from 12 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 8 p.m.
As new dining experiences unfold across Los Angeles, both residents and visitors alike have exciting culinary adventures awaiting them at these innovative eateries.
image source from：latimes
