Korean-American star chefs Roy Choi and Debbie Lee are set to open new restaurants in OCVibe, a massive $5 billion mixed-use entertainment complex currently under development in Anaheim, Orange County.
The two chefs will bring a diverse range of menusβfrom kalbi tacos to Korean seafood dishes and street foodβjoining a lineup of world-class culinary talents to help shape Anaheim’s newest dining destination.
SFκ²μ΄νΈ recently highlighted the major dining brands and participating chefs joining the project. Developed by the Samuelri family, owners of the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks, the initiative spans approximately 100 acres near the Honda Center and will open in phases starting early next year.
Among the standout figures is star chef Roy Choi, who will open the second location of his Las Vegas-based Korean-inspired restaurant ‘Best Friend’ next fall. The menu will feature signature items like Kogi kalbi tacos and buttermilk fried chicken.
Born in Seoul and raised in LA and Orange County, Roy Choi also has personal ties to the area, as his parents previously ran a Korean restaurant in Anaheim. He expressed a deep desire to open a restaurant in Orange County that reflects his roots and local culture.
LA-based chef Debbie Lee will introduce two Korean concepts to the large food hall ‘Katella Commons.’
‘Pado’ is a restaurant combining traditional Korean seafood with California ingredients, offering sashimi and fish dishes, while ‘Mokja’ blends Korean convenience store culture with street food, serving chicken, sandwiches, and coffee.
Scheduled to open early next year, Katella Commons is a 50,000-square-foot two-story building featuring 21 restaurants and 6 bars and lounges. The developers plan to support initial investments and store operations so that chefs can focus purely on culinary and menu development.
Other world-class chefs are also joining the project. Tim Hollingsworth, an alumnus of the Michelin three-star restaurant ‘The French Laundry,’ will open a wood-fired hearth restaurant next year. Renowned chef JosΓ© AndrΓ©s is also slated to open a restaurant at the Cienna Hotel, scheduled to open in 2029.
Beyond dining facilities, OCVibe will feature a 5,000-capacity theater, hotels, commercial spaces, and parks. The developer aims to cultivate the area into a premier dining and cultural hub in Southern California, attracting local residents as well as sports and concertgoers and tourists alike.
