Kim Jong Grillin'

Kim Jong Grillin' serves Korean cuisine, including bulgogi, galbi, and japchae.{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Michael |title=Kim Jong Grillin' cart returning to Southeast Division Street |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2014/07/kim_jong_grillin_cart_returnin.html |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=The Oregonian |date=July 16, 2014 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034937/https://www.oregonlive.com/dining/2014/07/kim_jong_grillin_cart_returnin.html |url-status=live }}

Kim Jong Grillin' is owned by chef Han Ly Hwang. The food cart caught fire in 2011.{{cite news |last1=Korfhage |first1=Matthew |title=Food Cart Review: Kim Jong Grillin' |url=https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23014-food-cart-review-kim-jong-grillin.html |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=Willamette Week |date=September 2, 2014 |archive-date=November 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123084903/https://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23014-food-cart-review-kim-jong-grillin.html |url-status=live }} The business began operating again in 2014.{{cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Katherine Chew |last2=Campigli |first2=Nick |title=7 Must-Try Hot Dog Hotspots |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2021/07/best-hot-dogs-portland |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=Portland Monthly |date=July 9, 2021 |archive-date=October 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006152237/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/eat-and-drink/2021/07/best-hot-dogs-portland |url-status=live }}

According to Chad Walsh of Eater Portland, Kim Jong Grillin' sold 60–80 pounds of short ribs, 130 pounds of bulgogi, 470–500 pounds of meat, and 250 pounds of kimchi per week as of mid 2016.{{Cite web|last=Walsh|first=Chad|date=2016-06-17|title=Portland Barbecue By The Numbers|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2016/6/17/11923984/portland-barbecue-meat-statistics|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603023748/https://pdx.eater.com/2016/6/17/11923984/portland-barbecue-meat-statistics|url-status=live}} In June 2016, the business confirmed plans to close on Alberta and collaborate with Matt's BBQ.{{Cite web|last=Bamman|first=Mattie John|date=2016-06-24|title=The Groaning Board Reveals Menu for Dogs|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2016/6/24/12025144/the-groaning-board-goggie-menu-kim-jong-grillin-new-location|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603174925/https://pdx.eater.com/2016/6/24/12025144/the-groaning-board-goggie-menu-kim-jong-grillin-new-location|url-status=live}} Kim Jong Grillin' was burglarized in December 2016.{{Cite web|last=Walsh|first=Chad|date=2017-01-04|title=Food Cart Crimewave Expands to Restaurants|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2017/1/4/14148228/restaurant-break-ins-portland-renata|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030202/https://pdx.eater.com/2017/1/4/14148228/restaurant-break-ins-portland-renata|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Hwang confirmed plans to open Kim Jong Grillin' Ssam at Cartopia, a food cart pod in southeast Portland.{{Cite web|last=Bamman|first=Mattie John|date=2017-05-17|title=Kim Jong Grillin' Announces New Food Truck|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2017/5/17/15654014/kim-jong-grillin-ssam-new-food-truck|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2018-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823142435/https://pdx.eater.com/2017/5/17/15654014/kim-jong-grillin-ssam-new-food-truck|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Bamman|first=Mattie John|date=2017-06-29|title=Kim Jong Grillin' Ssam Is LIVE|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2017/6/29/15886860/kim-jong-grillins-lettuce-wrap-food-cart|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2018-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908211410/https://pdx.eater.com/2017/6/29/15886860/kim-jong-grillins-lettuce-wrap-food-cart|url-status=live}}

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim Jong Grillin' served free meals to unemployed restaurant workers.{{Cite web|last=Jackson-Glidden|first=Brooke|date=2020-03-18|title=Portland Food Carts and Restaurants Are Giving Out Free Meals In Response to Food Service Industry Layoffs|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2020/3/18/21185735/free-meals-food-industry-layoffs-coronavirus|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630011759/https://pdx.eater.com/2020/3/18/21185735/free-meals-food-industry-layoffs-coronavirus|url-status=live}} The business planned to operate a stall in the food hall at Block 216, as of 2023.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2023-01-10 |title=Blockbuster Birria Cart Birrieria La Plaza Will Open a Southeast Portland Restaurant |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2023/1/10/23548908/birrieria-la-plaza-restaurant-opening |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111201515/https://pdx.eater.com/2023/1/10/23548908/birrieria-la-plaza-restaurant-opening |url-status=live }} However, the project did not come to fruition. Kim Jong Grillin' moved to the Cart Blocks in downtown Portland and announced plans to operate a brick and mortar restaurant in Happy Valley.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Suzette |title=Update: Food Cart Kim Jong Grillin Will Move to Downtown Cart Blocks Pod |url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/food-and-drink/2024/01/27/46996646/update-food-cart-kim-jong-grillin-will-move-to-downtown-cart-blocks-pod |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=Portland Mercury |language=en |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327160910/https://www.portlandmercury.com/food-and-drink/2024/01/27/46996646/update-food-cart-kim-jong-grillin-will-move-to-downtown-cart-blocks-pod |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2024-03-25 |title=Ask Eater: What’s Going on With the Flock Food Hall Downtown? |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2024/3/25/24111859/ask-eater-flock-food-hall-update |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=March 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325220624/https://pdx.eater.com/2024/3/25/24111859/ask-eater-flock-food-hall-update |url-status=live }} The Happy Valley location closed permanently in March 2025. The Kim Jong Grillin' food cart operates on West Burnside Street, as of 2025.{{Cite web |last=Bicchieri |first=Paolo |date=2025-03-14 |title=8 Notable Recent Restaurant and Bar Closures in Portland |url=https://pdx.eater.com/2025/3/14/24385221/restaurant-bar-closures-portland-march-2025 |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328035701/https://pdx.eater.com/2025/3/14/24385221/restaurant-bar-closures-portland-march-2025 |url-status=live }}

File:Kim Jong Grillin', Portland, Oregon (2022) - 5.jpgIn 2016, Eater Portland described the restaurant as "enormously popular".{{Cite web|author=Eater Staff|date=2016-08-12|title=Portland's Korean Food Scene Is on the Rise|url=https://pdx.eater.com/2016/8/12/12214474/portland-korean-food-trend-restaurants|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108090827/https://pdx.eater.com/2016/8/12/12214474/portland-korean-food-trend-restaurants|url-status=live}} The restaurant was named in multiple Eater Portland lists in 2021, including Nick Townsend's "15 Restaurants Worth Visiting on SE Division",{{Cite web|last=Townsend|first=Nick|date=2017-05-11|title=15 Restaurants Worth Visiting on SE Division|url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/se-division-best-restaurants-portland|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429154545/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/se-division-best-restaurants-portland|url-status=live}} Nick Woo and Brooke Jackson-Glidden's "15 Outstanding Portland Food Carts",{{Cite web|last=Woo|first=Nick|date=2015-06-10|title=15 Outstanding Portland Food Carts|url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-food-carts-portland|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-09-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918081209/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-food-carts-portland|url-status=live}} and Jackson-Glidden's "The 38 Essential Restaurants and Food Carts in Portland".{{Cite web|last=Jackson-Glidden|first=Brooke|date=2018-01-09|title=The 38 Essential Restaurants and Food Carts in Portland|url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/38-best-portland-oregon-restaurants|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Eater Portland|language=en|archive-date=2021-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925020237/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/38-best-portland-oregon-restaurants|url-status=live}} The website's Nathan Williams included Kim Jon Grillin' in a 2023 list of the city's "snappiest, juiciest" hot dogs.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Nathan |date=2016-07-01 |title=Portland's Snappiest, Juiciest Hot Dogs |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-hot-dogs-portland-stand-restaurant-frankfurter |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=2022-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220152846/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/best-hot-dogs-portland-stand-restaurant-frankfurter |url-status=live }} Brooke Jackson-Glidden included the KJG Hot Dog in a 2024 overview of "iconic" Portland dishes.{{Cite web |last=Jackson-Glidden |first=Brooke |date=2015-01-29 |title=Iconic Portland Dishes That Are Actually Worth Eating |url=https://pdx.eater.com/maps/portland-iconic-dishes |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Eater Portland |language=en |archive-date=August 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820183056/https://pdx.eater.com/maps/portland-iconic-dishes |url-status=live }}

Katherine Chew Hamilton and Nick Campigli included the restaurant in Portland Monthly{{'s}} 2021 list of 7 "must-try hot dog hotspots", writing: "The KJG hot dog is a must-have if you're looking for mild heat and Korean American flair. The spicy daikon, kimchi mayo, and pickled mango are excellent additions to the longstanding American tradition of putting meat (in this case, Zenner's sausage) inside a bun."

In their book Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs, journalist, TV writer and comedian Jamie Loftus included Kim Jong Grillin's hot dog in their top five favorite hot dogs in the United States.{{Cite book |last=Loftus |first=Jamie |title=Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs |publisher=Tor Publishing Group |year=2023 |isbn=978-1-250-84774-4 |location=New York |publication-date=May 23, 2023 |page=295}}

{{Portal|Food|Oregon}}

• History of Korean Americans in Portland, Oregon
• List of food trucks
• List of Korean restaurants

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|Kim Jong Grillin'}}

• {{Official website|https://kimjonggrillin.com}}

{{Restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}

{{Richmond, Portland, Oregon}}

Category:Food carts in Portland, Oregon

Category:Food trucks in the United States

Category:Korean restaurants in Portland, Oregon

Category:Restaurants in Richmond, Portland, Oregon