A 75,000-square-foot Korean food culture market is now open in Daly City, offering a new destination for Korean cuisine and culinary traditions. The complex, named Jagalchi, combines restaurants, markets, and cultural displays under one roof.
Michelin-Starred Chef Opens Korean Restaurant ‘Pogu’
Jagalchi takes over the former JCPenney space inside Serramonte Center. At its core is Pogu, a 160-seat restaurant run by Yoo Hyun-Soo, Korea’s first Michelin-starred chef. The open kitchen offers diners a full view of the cooking process. A live tuna-cutting show will also take place regularly.
A Market with Traditional Korean Ingredients
The site includes a grocery, butcher shop, and seafood section. A Korean cosmetics corner is in the works. Inspired by the famous seafood market in Busan, Jagalchi blends tradition with upscale interiors and a lineup of unique vendors.
Cultural Hub Aims to Make Korean Food Accessible
Rather than a standard shopping center, Jagalchi is designed to be a place where visitors can explore Korean ingredients, experience the food culture, and watch it in action. “You don’t need a plane ticket to Korea,” a spokesperson said. “This is where traditional flavors meet modern style.”
Local Media Welcome the New Addition
Outlets including Mercury News and ABC7 reported on the opening, highlighting the market’s role in expanding the Bay Area’s food landscape. In a region long dominated by Chinese and Japanese cuisine, Jagalchi offers a fresh entry point to Korean food. Mercury News described it as a space for both newcomers and longtime fans.
Operated by Mega Mart, Backed by Nongshim
Mega Mart, the U.S. retail arm of Nongshim Group, operates Jagalchi. The company already runs stores in Atlanta, Sunnyvale, and Fremont. Daly City marks its fourth and largest U.S. location.
- Address: 63 Serramonte Center, Daly City, CA
BY HYOUNGJAE KIM [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]
