Korean corn dog shop opens in Turlock after yearlong wait. What’s on the menu?
A love of Korean-style corn dogs had some hopeful customers lined up outside of a new takeout food spot in Turlock for nearly seven hours.
Corn’d Kitchen held its grand opening Tuesday evening at 2677 Geer Road in University Plaza.
More than 100 people stopped by to try the street food first popularized across Asia and introduced to the United States by way of social media.
Though the shop’s doors opened at 5:30 p.m., customers including Turlock resident Amanda Alfaro began claiming their spots in line at 11 a.m.
Alfaro’s motivation? She just really likes Korean corn dogs, she said.
Who owns new Turlock takeout restaurant?
Eight childhood friends from Turlock came up with the idea for Corn’d Kitchen.
They wanted to give back to the community they grew up in by delivering good food, a welcoming environment and more late-night options.
Led by Romeo Esho, who’s dubbed the “face of the business,” the group of owners includes Banipal Oushana, Matt Saroukhanoff, Elvis Khoshabin, Romsin Oushana, Andrew Narsi, Albert Toma and John Oushana.
Their business has been in the works since early 2023.
“It’s been a long year,” Esho said.
Corn’d Kitchen theme is out of this world
As if extravagant corn dogs aren’t enough, Corn’d Kitchen features an orange-and-green color scheme and otherworldly decor, including astronaut mannequins and statues.
There’s even an Instagram-worthy photo backdrop with greenery and a neon sign displaying an astronaut sitting on the moon, a telescope and mini spaceships.
The space theme was inspired by the shop’s motto: “Sending taste buds to the moon.”
Corn’d Kitchen is a takeout-only shop.
You can order a single dog for $5.55, a three-pack box for $14.99, a five-pack box for $22.99, a single dog combo for $11.11 or a three-pack combo for $22.22. Combo packs come with a side and a drink of choice.
The restaurant also serves Moon Tots — tater tots drizzled with a secret sauce — and kimchi fries. Each side is $4.44.
Corn’d Kitchen’s signature drinks, including Moonade, Moonchata and Cyber Punk and Hibiscus-flavored Moonade, are $3.99.
What about the corn dogs?
At Corn’d Kitchen, Korean corn dogs are customizable with various fillings, toppings and sauces.
There are nine menu options:
- Retro American: Nostalgic state fair flavor with ketchup, mustard and a mysterious “hint of Kanye” possibly inspired by rapper Kanye West and his obsession with all things sci-fi.
- Potato Dog: Signature Moon Sauce corn dog rolled in crispy potato cubes topped with Cheeto dust
- Cheetos Dog: Moon-spiced corn dog rolled in Hot Cheetos drizzled with signature Moon Sauce
- Umami Dog: Classic Korean corn dog with umami sauce and ranch
- Takis Dog: Moon-spiced corn dog drizzled with signature Moon Sauce and topped with Takis dust
- Jalapeno Ranch: Corn dog drizzled in signature jalapeno ranch
- Ramen Dog: Corn dog rolled in Top Ramen and drizzled with ancho chipotle sauce and ranch
- Classic Korean: Korean corn dog with ketchup and mustard and sprinkled with sugar
- Garlic Sweet Chili: Corn dog drizzled in sweet chili sauce and garlic aioli
You can choose your filling from a 100% beef frank, mozzarella cheese, half frank and half mozzarella, half mozzarella and half cheddar cheese or a 100% beef hot link. Plant-based frank and cheese options are coming to the menu soon.
When is Corn’d Kitchen open?
Corn’d Kitchen has extended business hours to serve community members seeking a late-night food fix, Esho said.
It opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The shop closes at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
This story was originally published February 17, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
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