The first United States location of popular Korean stew chain Jomaru Gamjatang restaurant will open in San Diego next year.
Founded in 1989, Jomaru Gamjatang now has over 200 locations dotted around Korea and China, all specializing in the restaurant's namesake pork rib hangover soup. The first U.S. location will open in the Seoul Plaza Shopping Mall on Convoy Street in San Diego's Kearny Mesa, which also houses Tajima, Steamy Piggy and the incoming Friendly 3. The restaurant will be operated by local restaurateur Inho Choi, who also owns Natural Style Chicken in the Midway District and Zzan Korean restaurant and bar in Hillcrest.
The menu at Jomaru Gamjatang will feature dumplings, soups, stews, pork cutlets, noodle dishes, and appetizers, as well as offer a list of beer and soju. Expect dishes like Haejang guk, a slightly spicy soup with pork ribs, mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, green onions, and fresh pepper; and the restaurant's signature dish Gamjatang, a piping hot stew with pork ribs, potatoes, mushrooms, fresh peppers, kimchi, and Korean pasta. After a customer finishes the soup, the restaurant has a tradition of making a fried rice inside the pot.
Jomaru Gamjatang is anticipated to open by May 2022 at 4681 Convoy Street, Suite D, in San Diego's Kearny Mesa. For more information, visit jomaru.co.kr.
