A celebrity chef is bringing Korean food, along with drinks from a national barista champion, to a new neighborhood market.
Chef Debbie Lee, who is known for appearances on “Food Network Star,” “Chopped,” and “Morimoto’s Sushi Master,” has just opened Mokja, a Korean market and café in Highland Park near her respected Korean American restaurant, Yi Cha.
“This is inspired by the quintessential Korean convenience store in Seoul,” said Lee, who recently opened the new 1,400-square-foot space in partnership with Be Bright Coffee‘s Michelle and Frank La. Frank was the winner of the 2024 US Barista Championship.
“So the idea for my Mokja is to bring what we consider a modern Korean American take,” she added.
The name is inspired by the Korean word for “let’s eat” and the market is billed as “your neighborhood k-markettë,” which, according to a release, is “a name that’s both a nod and a wink” because it mirrors how Korean speakers naturally soften “market” into “marketeu.” It includes 12 seats and a standing bar.
On the food side, one of the highlights is the make-your-own ramen bar, where customers can pick their noodle packet and self-cook at the counter. Other menu items include a braised oxtail hand pie, a Korean Cobb with gochu shredded chicken and crispy pork belly, and a mayak egg sando on milk bread as well as kimchi, seasonal banchan, KBBQ plates and steamed mandu.
“The idea is basically a little bit of everything for people to grab,” Lee said. “We really feel this is the new wave of casual dining,” she said.
Drinks include Korean-style lattes like the Misugaru Latte and other Asian-inspired beverages like the Hojicha Latte and sparkling water drinks made with Korean Omija berry syrup.
“The notion behind this was that he could actually build upon the style of what he feels the ideal Korean coffee should be,” Lee said, referring to La’s drink menu.
Besides food and drinks, the market sells cookbooks, Korean pantry goods, tote bags, and branded hats, alongside goods from brands including Seoul Sausage, Rooted Fare, Woon Kitchen, and Valerie Confections, among others. And it will host pop-ups, K-beauty classes, kids’ art workshops, and cooking classes.
Mokja is located at 5715 N Figueroa St., Highland Park. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. For more information, go to eatmokja.com.