Catering is one of KOi’s favorite ways to get out into the community and serve some K-treats for some happy occasions.

Check out some of the pics that got snapped at the last wedding KOi helped cater:

Interested in having KOi at your wedding or event?  Drop us a line at koifusionpdx@gmail.com and we’d love to fill some hungry bellies!

You asked for it North Portland, and here it is!  Come visit and get your grub on every Friday from 6-8PM.

That’s why this recent LA Times article rubs us the wrong way.  It appears that Los Angeles is cracking down on mobile food cart vendors (AKA our food cart homies) in some dubious ways.  According to the article:

“Some drivers said they were cited for minimal violations such as parking too close to the curb, or parking too far away. Others said they were ordered to pack up and leave.

Police officials said the crackdown Wednesday was part of a one-day operation to clear the area of illegal vendors.”

So now you’re thinking, “KOi peeps, have you inhaled too many grill fumes?  Of course we don’t want illegal vendors serving us food!”  But the real problem came from one of the officers quoted in the article:

“Restaurants complain because the lunch trucks are taking their business, and they don’t have [proper] permits.”

KOi’s view?  Food carts don’t “take” business from non-mobile eating locals any more than the stationary folk “take” from us.  We know you’re making choices based on the food factors that are most important to you – whether it’s local, convenience of location, price,  or degree of deliciousness.  All we (and our food cart brethren) are out to do is meet your wants the best we know how.

Picture courtesy of a Miracle Mile customer's blog post on the issue - click on the pic to read it!

This also means we know you can’t eat KOi 24/7/365 (oh that it could be so…but we digress).  You’re going to support other food vendors, and we think that’s great!  A strong dining scene, from high end fancy places to food carts, makes a stronger economy overall.  Portland has one of the most diverse food scenes you’ll ever come across, and we want to keep the community hopping as much as anybody.  The cool thing is that YOU – not the cops and certainly not us or other vendors – get to decide what to support and what to eat.  It’s all about consumer choice.

So, for the record, we want you all to know that KOi Fusion supports our mobile vendor peeps in LA. They create jobs, start independently owned businesses, and bring positive and active uses to somewhat stale and empty parts of the city. Food cart vendors also provide good food that is affordable to just about everyone. The City of Los Angeles should take note.

What do you think about the role of food carts in the PDX economy?  Leave a comment and let us know!

This person is named Ghostface. He is the man.

Photo courtesy of Kogi's Eric Shin. He is also the man.. much love to Kogi!

YO! Good morning ktaco family. I hope all you had a, um, healthy and productive friday night yesterday, and you’re up bright and early on this Saturday morning like I am. Don’t worry, I come bearing good news.

That’s cause KOi is gonna be at not one, but two events around the city today.

1. For all you suburb peeps who love rib tacos but hate driving into downtown, we got you. The KOi team is partnering up with the fine gentlemen behind 503 Motoring for their annual block party TODAY, from 12-6 in Beaverton. You’ve probably seen their work on half a dozen Portland Trailblazer’s cars, as well as countlessly wealthy, but non-famous Portlanders.

The block party is about to pop. Aside from featuring a ridiculous amount of expensive and custom cars, the Portland food elite will be in full effect, with Voodoo Donuts, 50 Licks, and the Lebron James of street food, KOi Fusion, all slated to appear. Blazer guard Martell Webster will be kickin it with us from 2-4, and there’s gonna be prizes, givaways, a DJ… what more do you want? Come down today and say whatup! We’ll be there from 11-6.

Address: 5703 SW Artic Drive, Beaverton, OR, 97005

Event #2:

2. For all you downtown Portlanders, hipsters, families, and nature enthusiasts, we’ve also got you covered. That’s cause we’re bring the second truck out (AKA lil’ ghetto KOi) for the 2nd annual RiverFest festival, held on the banks of the gorgeous Willamette River.

From the Riverfest site: “Popular attractions from last year return, including The Freshwater Trust Portland Triathlon, Portland Audubon events, the Festival at South Waterfront, Kayak Tours, and the SOLV Cleanup. We have also added many new and exciting events for the whole family to enjoy. Join us this summer to celebrate the river on the river.”

They forgot to mention that KOi is the main draw of the event, but oh well. We’ll be there in full force today and hope to see some of the k-taco familia out there to keep us company. 2 events, 2 cities, multiple hours, no excuses. Come and say hi!

WHEN? This week! Thursday 8/6 starting around 7:00 PM

WHERE? Lizard Lounge at 13th and NW Irving

If you haven’t checked out First Thursday in the Pearl yet, well…how long have you been in Portland?  But really, petty insults aside, we’ve got a few very good reasons for you to check out FT this week.

1. KOi will be there (as if you didn’t know!)

The ultimate charmer doing what he does best

Trust me, it's a good trade.

2. Support the awesome folks at Lizard Lounge (@lizardloungepdx)

They lend us the space, and we try our best to deliver the goods.  This month, they’re featuring Arsenio Torres (@arsenio77).

3. Feel the PDX love.

Widmer Brothers (@widmer_brothers) and Fifty Licks (@fiftylicks) handmade ice cream will be there to round out the fun, and that’s just in our corner of the bash.

Visit us and all the great artisans and food purveyors of First Thursday!