Downtown San Diego is getting a bold Korean twist, thanks to Chef Jiwoo Choi and his Asian-fusion restaurant, Choi's, tucked just steps from Petco Park. Diners are talking about a menu built for sharing, an oyster happy hour, and a young chef putting a modern spin on Korean comfort food.
A recent video segment from CBS 8 spotlighted Choi's, focusing on the chef's flavor fusion approach and commitment to local ingredients. The piece includes footage from the kitchen and clips of Choi explaining how he pairs Korean techniques with San Diego produce and seafood.
Menu And A Happy-Hour Hook
Choi's leans into shareable plates, with regular standouts that include bulgogi bao tacos, charred gochujang octopus and Korean fried chicken. The restaurant also reels people in early with a $1 Oyster & Bubbles happy hour. The restaurant's site lists the menu, hours and a seasonal rotation designed to showcase local ingredients, per Choi's.
Chef's Story
Jiwoo Choi opened the restaurant as a young operator and has been described as founding Choi's at age 23, bringing a distinctly Korean American point of view to the food. That origin story, along with the restaurant's commitment to a largely gluten-free, ingredient-driven menu, is highlighted on listings such as OpenTable.
Game Nights And The Neighborhood
The dining room and patio sit inside the Park 12 complex just off the ballpark, which feeds into the game-night buzz and late-night crowds on Padres evenings. Coverage of the Park 12 development has listed Choi's as part of the mixed-use project that brought additional restaurants and retail across from Petco Park, according to SanDiegoVille.
Practical Details
Choi's lists its address as 100 Park Plaza, Suite 161, and its hours as Tuesday through Sunday, 4 PM to 11 PM, per Choi's. The site also notes that a 20% service fee is applied to all checks, and that the restaurant offers two-hour parking validation and reservations for busy game nights.
