Why did Roy Choi choose Orange County for Best Friend’s expansion?

Choi’s decision was driven by personal and strategic factors. He spent his teenage years in Orange County, graduating from Villa Park High School, and the OC Vibe development sits on land tied to his youth. Strategically, Orange County’s dining scene has grown significantly, with $12.4 billion in annual revenue and a 19% increase in high-end permits since 2020, making it a viable market for his brand of storytelling[1][3].

How will Best Friend’s Orange County location differ from the Vegas original?

The OC location will feature a design overhaul by New York’s Home Studios, known for warm, wood-heavy interiors, contrasting with Vegas’ grungy, skate-punk aesthetic. Choi also plans to adapt the menu, blending Vegas staples with new dishes inspired by Orange County’s current dining scene, including nods to Little Saigon’s pho and Knife Pleat’s refined techniques, though he hasn’t finalized specifics yet[2][4].

What challenges does Choi face in keeping Best Friend’s menu affordable?

Rising costs are the biggest hurdle. Labor now consumes 38% of revenue for Orange County restaurants, up from 32% in 2020, while food costs have risen 22% since then. Choi’s insistence on keeping prices accessible—like Chego’s $12–$14 rice bowls—clashes with these economic realities, forcing him to rethink portions, ingredients, or subsidies[4].

Why did Choi’s previous restaurant, Chego, close in 2019?

Chego struggled with financial sustainability. Choi wanted to keep its rice bowls under $15, but rising ingredient and labor costs made that unsustainable. The closure highlighted the tension between affordability and profitability in modern dining, a challenge he’s now navigating with Best Friend’s expansion[4].

How does OC Vibe’s development play into Choi’s plans for Best Friend?

OC Vibe’s mixed-use design—with a 1.1-million-square-foot shopping center and 500-room hotel—aligns with Choi’s goal of creating a destination. The development’s tourist-driven model mirrors Park MGM’s approach in Vegas, where Best Friend benefits from foot traffic without relying solely on locals. Visitors can also explore nearby Little Saigon or Knife Pleat for a full OC culinary experience[1][3].

What does Choi’s ‘spiritual catering’ philosophy mean for Best Friend’s future?

It signals a shift from chef-driven ego to community-focused dining. Choi now prioritizes nourishment and connection over accolades, a philosophy that could make Best Friend more adaptable to Orange County’s diverse dining landscape. The approach also reflects the financial realities of modern restaurants, where sustainability trumps growth[4].

Roy Choi Will Open His Las Vegas Restaurant Best Friend in Orange County Next

July 21, 2026

Roy Choi, the James Beard Award-winning chef behind Kogi BBQ, is bringing his celebrated Las Vegas restaurant Best Friend to Orange County’s OC Vibe development in fall 2027. This marks his first expansion beyond Vegas and a rare pivot for a chef who once rejected multi-unit growth, signaling a strategic bet on Orange County’s booming $12.4 billion dining market. Located near Honda Center in Anaheim within the 100-acre OC Vibe mixed-use district, the new spot will blend Choi’s Koreatown-coded spirit with the development’s $4 billion vision. The move highlights a shift in Choi’s career, as he embraces growth in a region where he spent his teenage years and graduated from Villa Park High School. Best Friend’s Las Vegas location, which opened in 2018 at Park MGM, has already proven the concept’s viability in tourist-driven markets by drawing 450,000 guests annually. Now, Choi aims to replicate that success in Southern California, where the dining scene has grown significantly with rising high-end permits. This expansion is not just about adding a new restaurant; it’s a deliberate effort to anchor OC’s culinary identity alongside its diverse neighborhoods like Little Saigon and upscale enclaves like Knife Pleat. As the first restaurant to open in OC Vibe, Best Friend represents a pivotal moment for both the chef and the region’s food culture[1][2][3].

brown framed sunglasses on map — Photo by GeoJango Maps on Unsplash

What to Expect

Step inside Best Friend’s Orange County location and you’ll be greeted by the **pulsing beat of hip-hop** echoing off exposed brick walls, a sonic signature that defined the Vegas original[3]. The air carries the **rich, smoky aroma** of grilled Korean pork and fermented garlic, mingling with the **zesty tang** of fresh kimchi and cilantro[1]. Visually, the space dazzles with **warm, wood-heavy interiors** designed by New York’s Home Studios, contrasting sharply with the Vegas outpost’s grungy skate-punk vibe[2]. Underfoot, you’ll feel the **cool smoothness of polished concrete floors**, while overhead, **industrial pendant lights** cast a golden glow on communal tables[4]. The menu will feature **Vegas staples** like the iconic $14 rice bowls, now blended with new dishes inspired by OC’s diverse dining scene, including nods to Little Saigon’s pho and Knife Pleat’s refined techniques[2][4]. Expect a **liquor-store facade** that invites curiosity, paired with **lush greenery** that softens the urban edge, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and fresh[1].

Roy Choi’s decision to expand Best Friend—a Koreatown-coded restaurant born in Las Vegas—into Orange County by fall 2027 marks a rare pivot for a chef who once dismissed multi-unit growth as antithetical to his creative ethos. Choi, the James Beard Award-winning force behind Kogi BBQ and a defining figure in modern American street food, has long resisted the franchise playbook. Yet OC Vibe, a 100-acre mixed-use development in Anaheim, has lured him back to the region where he came of age. The move reflects broader shifts in Southern California’s dining landscape: Orange County’s restaurant scene, once overshadowed by Los Angeles, now commands $12.4 billion in annual revenue, per a 2025 CBRE report, with Anaheim alone seeing a 19% increase in high-end dining permits since 2020. Choi’s return isn’t just personal—it’s strategic. Best Friend’s Las Vegas outpost, which opened in 2018 at Park MGM, has become a case study in how Choi's Korean-American identity can anchor a tourist-driven concept, drawing 450,000 guests annually despite its off-Strip location[1][2]. His Orange County iteration arrives as the county’s culinary identity fractures: Little Saigon’s pho shops and Michelin-starred enclaves like Knife Pleat coexist with a surge of fast-casual chains. Choi’s challenge? Translating the Vegas magic—where hip-hop, greenery, and a liquor-store facade collide—into a space that feels both nostalgic and new. This isn’t expansion for expansion’s sake. It’s a bet on whether Orange County, long dismissed as LA’s suburban afterthought, can finally claim a culinary voice of its own.

Visitor Tips

**Best Time to Visit**: Aim for **weekday evenings (Tuesday–Thursday)** to avoid the weekend crowds that often pack OC Vibe’s dining areas, especially during dinner hours[3]. The restaurant is expected to open in **fall 2027**, so check OC Vibe’s official site for pre-launch events or reservation windows[1].

**Pro Tips**: **Reserve early**—Best Friend’s Vegas location draws 450,000 guests annually, and the OC version will likely follow the same high-demand model[1]. Dress **casual-chic**; the space balances hip-hop energy with warm wood interiors, so avoid overly formal wear[2]. If you’re a fan of Choi’s earlier work, **try the updated $12–$14 rice bowls**, a nod to his Chego legacy, now with OC-inspired twists[4].

**Save Money**: **Consider skipping cocktails on your first visit to save**; opt for the **signature beer or wine pairings** that complement the Korean BBQ without the premium markup[4]. **Visit during lunch** if you’re budget-conscious, as portions are slightly smaller but still flavorful, and prices may be more accessible than dinner[2]. Consider **combining your visit** with nearby OC attractions like the Honda Center or Little Saigon’s pho shops for a full-day culinary experience[3][4].

How to Get There

**Metro**: OC Vibe is **not directly served by Metro**, but you can take the **Metro A Line ( Expo Line)** to the **Anaheim/ORANGE County Transit (OCTA) Station**, then transfer to **OCTA Bus Route 52** toward Honda Center (approx. **$2.50 total**; 45–60 mins)[3].

**Taxi/Rideshare**: From **Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)**, a taxi or Uber takes **45–60 minutes** and costs **$85–$110** depending on traffic. From **Anaheim’s Disneyland Resort**, it’s a **15-minute ride** for **$25–$35**[3].

**Car**: OC Vibe is located at **1000 E. Washington Street, Anaheim, CA 92805**, just **2 miles east of Honda Center**. Use **I-5 South** from LA or **I-91 East** from Riverside; parking is **$10–$15** at OC Vibe’s surface lot, with **free parking** after 7 PM on weekdays[1][3].

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Roy Choi choose Orange County for Best Friend’s expansion?: Choi’s decision was driven by personal and strategic factors. He spent his teenage years in Orange County, graduating from Villa Park High School, and the OC Vibe development sits on land tied to his youth. Strategically, Orange County’s dining scene has grown significantly, with $12.4 billion in annual revenue and a 19% increase in high-end permits since 2020, making it a viable market for his brand of storytelling[1][3].
How will Best Friend’s Orange County location differ from the Vegas original?: The OC location will feature a design overhaul by New York’s Home Studios, known for warm, wood-heavy interiors, contrasting with Vegas’ grungy, skate-punk aesthetic. Choi also plans to adapt the menu, blending Vegas staples with new dishes inspired by Orange County’s current dining scene, including nods to Little Saigon’s pho and Knife Pleat’s refined techniques, though he hasn’t finalized specifics yet[2][4].
What challenges does Choi face in keeping Best Friend’s menu affordable?: Rising costs are the biggest hurdle. Labor now consumes 38% of revenue for Orange County restaurants, up from 32% in 2020, while food costs have risen 22% since then. Choi’s insistence on keeping prices accessible—like Chego’s $12–$14 rice bowls—clashes with these economic realities, forcing him to rethink portions, ingredients, or subsidies[4].
Why did Choi’s previous restaurant, Chego, close in 2019?: Chego struggled with financial sustainability. Choi wanted to keep its rice bowls under $15, but rising ingredient and labor costs made that unsustainable. The closure highlighted the tension between affordability and profitability in modern dining, a challenge he’s now navigating with Best Friend’s expansion[4].
How does OC Vibe’s development play into Choi’s plans for Best Friend?: OC Vibe’s mixed-use design—with a 1.1-million-square-foot shopping center and 500-room hotel—aligns with Choi’s goal of creating a destination. The development’s tourist-driven model mirrors Park MGM’s approach in Vegas, where Best Friend benefits from foot traffic without relying solely on locals. Visitors can also explore nearby Little Saigon or Knife Pleat for a full OC culinary experience[1][3].
What does Choi’s ‘spiritual catering’ philosophy mean for Best Friend’s future?: It signals a shift from chef-driven ego to community-focused dining. Choi now prioritizes nourishment and connection over accolades, a philosophy that could make Best Friend more adaptable to Orange County’s diverse dining landscape. The approach also reflects the financial realities of modern restaurants, where sustainability trumps growth[4].