The Koifusion Korean taco truck has garnered a strong following since it appeared on the scene a year or so ago. Now owner Bo Kwon has decided to take over day-to-day operations at the SOLO space at 1300 NW Lovejoy.
He’s added some staff that will allow him to expand from what he has been able to offer on the trucks. Chef Joe Anderson, formerly of Carlyle will be running the kitchen, and Joshua Palmer, the bar manager from Typhoon/Bo, will be running the bar.
More from the press release,
“The biggest surprise is that Koifusion@1 will also be the only place in Oregon serving KFC – Korean Fried Chicken. This spicy, crunchy fried chicken in a tangy sauce has a cult following in places such as New York City and Los Angeles, with specific restaurants dedicated to the dish and even several fan websites. The LA Weekly called KFC, “an evolutionary leap forward — marinated in a cabinet full of spices, saturated with garlic, double-fried to a shattering, thin-skinned snap.” We are excited to bring Korean Fried Chicken to Portland.”
In the typical DIY Ninja manner you’ve grown to expect from owner KoiFusion owner Bo Kwon, Koifusion@1 will be doing things a little bit differently than other restaurateurs. Rather than taking full ownership, he’s simply taking over the day-to-day operations of SOLO.
They are currently in the soft opening phase, and will open fully to the public the second week of March.
I am thrilled that there will be Korean food in the Pearl District. Hopefully there will be more than just Korean fried chicken. I can hardly wait to try it out.
I’m excited! It’s just a few blocks from me. Hopefully there will be none of the d’bags and chaches that hung around the area when it was its previous bar incarnations. Sideways hats and skanky hos do not a customer base make….
Does anyone know what happened to Koifusion@1? The food was as tasty (albeit the service was unbelievably slooooow) but it’s gone now, without warning or explanation. In its place is some sort of tasteless Thai Mexican fusion joint.
The different parties didn’t get along, so they moved out last weekend. Koi is going to be opening another place downtown.