Korean Barbecue Concept Anchors OCVIBE's Culinary Program Chef Roy Choi will bring Best Friend, his acclaimed Korean barbecue restaurant, to Anaheim's OCVIBE district with an anticipated opening in fall 2027. The announcement marks the first chef-driven signature restaurant to anchor the 100-acre mixed-use development surrounding Honda Center. Best Friend currently operates a flagship location at Park MGM in Las Vegas. The Anaheim outpost will be only the second permanent Best Friend restaurant in the country, bringing the award-winning concept home to Southern California. Choi, a James Beard Award winner, was born in Seoul and spent his formative years in Los Angeles and Orange County, including part of his childhood in Anaheim, where his parents owned a Korean restaurant.
Restaurant Tailored to Orange County While Best Friend's Las Vegas location celebrates Southern California's spirit, the OCVIBE location will evolve to reflect Orange County's distinct character and diversity. The restaurant will incorporate thoughtful design elements, locally inspired storytelling, and collaborations celebrating Orange County's cultural identity and art. Guests can expect exclusive menu offerings and seasonal features inspired by the region, creating an experience rooted in Anaheim while maintaining the vibrant energy that made Best Friend nationally recognized. "Orange County has always been an important part of my life and my career, and opening Best Friend at OCVIBE feels incredibly meaningful," said Choi. "I've always wanted to do something big in Orange County that represented not only my own roots here, but the voices of all that live here. I feel like OC's got something to say to the world! Best Friend is perfect because it has built an incredible following with guests from across Orange County, and now we have the opportunity to create something that's truly for this community and by this community. This restaurant will celebrate the neighborhoods, cultures and people that make Orange County special, and I couldn't imagine a better place to do that than OCVIBE."
Part of Broader Culinary Destination OCVIBE's culinary program will include a curated collection of chef-driven dining concepts, with additional acclaimed chefs and restaurant partners to be announced in coming months. The signature restaurants will complement Katella Commons, a 50,000-square-foot chef-driven market hall opening in early 2027, creating a district with more than 35 food and beverage experiences. "Roy Choi has fundamentally changed the way people think about food, culture and community," said Anthony Olheiser, Senior Vice President of Hospitality at OCVIBE. "From the beginning, our vision for OCVIBE has been to partner with chefs whose restaurants represent more than great dining experiences, they tell authentic stories, celebrate the communities they serve and create places where people genuinely want to gather. Best Friend embodies that philosophy, and we're incredibly proud to welcome Roy as the first chef to join our signature restaurant collection." Recognized as one of the country's most influential culinary innovators, Choi first transformed the dining industry through Kogi BBQ, the food truck that helped ignite the modern food truck movement. He has since earned international acclaim through acclaimed restaurants, bestselling books, and television shows. Best Friend has become one of Las Vegas' most celebrated restaurants, earning praise for its vibrant atmosphere, innovative Korean barbecue-inspired menu, and immersive guest experience.
Why It Matters
The Best Friend opening represents a significant culinary anchor for OCVIBE and signals the developer's commitment to recruiting established restaurant brands with national recognition. The focus on chef-driven concepts and community-rooted storytelling reflects broader industry trends in experiential dining and destination hospitality, particularly in mixed-use developments competing for leisure and entertainment spending.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
