Jessica Wang, daughter of Qingchen Wang—a man dedicated to preserving Korean culture in China—grew up in her father’s Korean BBQ restaurant, which he opened when she was 3. The sounds of families enjoying meals together and aromas of marinated seafood and beef tartare ignited Jessica’s passion for Korean cuisine, eventually inspiring her to bring Korean-inspired dishes to the Coastal Bend.
Now the owner of the Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant Gogi Yaki, Wang combines spicy Korean flavors with sweet Japanese elements to create made-to-order meals. “Gogi means meat in Korean, and Yaki means grill in Japanese,” she explained. “Nearly everything is cooked on the grill, and we take pride in offering homemade, flavorful dishes.”
When designing the menu, Wang focused on creating affordable and healthy family-style meals with clean ingredients from Korea and Japan. “Some dishes I cook at home, while others I’ve discovered while traveling,” she said. “In my culture, we eat a lot of vegetables. I wanted customers to experience that too, so I included them in various side dishes, such as cucumber kimchi, spicy bean sprouts and corn salad. We also offer black rice mixed with white rice for added whole grains. Black rice is high in nutrients and antioxidants that help protect cells from damage.”
The vast majority—probably 98%—of Gogi Yaki’s meals are distinctively homemade. “We encourage customers to try the house special or dishes they wouldn’t normally choose,” said Manager Erick Sanchez. “Sticking to our offered flavors helps them experience the authenticity of the cuisine and culture.”
Popular menu items include Kimchi Fried Rice, Korean Spicy Rice Cake with Ramen, Teriyaki Chicken and Bulgogi Beef. Gogi Yaki also boasts a wide selection of bubble teas at some of the best prices in town. Popular options include the brown sugar boba, passion pineapple green tea and rose lychee green tea.
To maintain authenticity, ingredients such as noodles, kimchi, black rice and seasonings are shipped directly from Korea. In the restaurant, customers can immerse themselves in the culture through K-pop music and Korean and Japanese cooking shows playing on the TVs.
Whether dining in or taking out, Gogi Yaki has cultivated an attractive and distinctive cultural experience for locals. “Since our first week, we’ve established regulars,” Sanchez said. “We serve generous portions perfect for sharing, reinforcing the traditional dining style of Korea. We are set apart in the way we serve our customers. We aim to provide a unique experience with every visit.”
Gogi Yaki Is open Sun. – Thurs. from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Fri. – Sat. until 9:30 p.m | 7001 Yorktown Blvd. #12
