K-Pop Café Provides Unique Fare — and a Fun Late Night Hangout

If you’re driving through the busy Decoto Road and Fremont Boulevard intersection, it could be easy to dismiss K-Pop Café as just another quiet Asian restaurant. Don’t. 

Hidden next to the 7-Eleven gas station at 35041 Fremont Blvd., the restaurant and karaoke bar’s parking lot is in the rear, obscuring the fact that the business is almost always jumping — literally and figuratively — especially on the weekends.

On a Friday night, the restaurant is bustling. A group of young women are on the small karaoke stage singing along to Journey as a waitress brings out a platter of sweet-and-spicy and soy garlic chicken wings for a table. Another group of patrons take a round of bursting boba soju shots at the bar. When no one’s singing karaoke, “K-Pop” — Korean pop music (think Psy’s “Gangnam Style”) — music videos play on the large TV toward the back of the restaurant. 

Though it opened up in February, it’s quickly become a go-to destination for Tri-Cities residents craving both a new taste and a fun late night hangout.

“We want it to be an experience you can remember,” said owner Eddie Choi, 32.

The family-run restaurant and bar features a unique blend of traditional Korean dishes and homemade Korean fusion recipes such as their bulgogi (marinated beef) and spicy pork tacos; K-Pop Burger, a beef burger topped with kimchi and a fried egg; and Troublemaker Fries with spicy pork, kimchi, cheese and jalapenos. Choi’s aunt

Much of their diverse menu comes from Choi’s family’s unique history. Some of their menu items, like the tacos, were dishes Choi’s mother used to make at home. Their more traditional and Korean bar-style offerings — kimchi fried rice, seafood pancake, ddukbokki ramen, bulgogi and stir fry plates, among others — are courtesy of Choi’s aunt and uncle, professional chefs who man the kitchen at K-Pop Cafe.

Choi himself has roots all over the U.S. He was born in Pleasanton, moved to Queens, NY as a teen where his mother ran a diner, and spent a couple years running his own Asian fusion restaurant in New Orleans (that’s where their bulgogi po’ boy sandwiches come in) before returning to the Bay Area to work as a general manager for a restaurant chain.

Now Choi’s planting new seeds here — and making a mark.

“We’re very gracious that our customers have been loyal and generous,” Choi said. “The business is growing day by day. We feel very blessed.”

Part of that might be due to their hours. K-Pop Café is open late, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and to 11 p.m. on Sunday, a rarity for the area.

“Coming from New York, we’re used to everything being open 24/7. But here, everything’s dead by 9:30, 10 p.m.,” Choi said. “Not many people are open at these hours, so I’m happy to be contributing to Fremont’s nightlife.”

K-Pop Café also prides itself on its friendly customer service.

“We put customer service first. We want you leaving our place happy,” Choi said.

Choi and his wife, Liana, serve as the primary host and hostess, greeting customers enthusiastically, breaking down the menu items for newcomers and even explaining what in the world is going on in the crazy K-Pop music videos.

The restaurant itself is cozy. Formerly Big-I Sushi, the space is built out like a single-story home and even has a fireplace.

Though it can get loud at night — karaoke takes place from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (yes, there are American hits, from classic rock to contemporary pop and R&B) — K-Pop Café has something for everyone, Choi said.

Families typically come earlier in the evening, and younger children take a liking to their fries, tacos and chicken, Choi said.

As a token of their appreciation, the Chois keep a “wall of fame” of returning customers — and nightly drink specials and happy hour items, such as 50 cent chicken wings on Tuesdays, keep customers coming back. It’s what’s earned them a four-and-a-half star rating on Yelp, with more than 60 reviews.

“We like to think of our patrons as more of friends than customers,” Choi said.

K-Pop Café is located at 35041 Fremont Blvd. in Fremont. The restaurant and karaoke bar is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 to 11 p.m. on Sunday.

For more info, visit K-Pop Café on Facebook and follow them on Instagram.