The K-Burritos food truck has set up shop next to the town clock on East St in Ashburton - and owner Jaeyong Jang says he is excited to bring his take on burritos to the public.
It’s Jang’s first business venture but he has plenty of experience in the kitchen after working as a chef in Queenstown.
Due to family commitments and wanting less stress and better work/life balance, Jang left the chef job and worked for Air New Zealand in Queenstown, before he relocated to Ashburton with his family just over a year ago.
He decided to revive his love of cooking and follow a childhood dream of having his own food truck.
“This was a business I dreamed about as a kid, you know, its sort of romantic, you can drive wherever you want to go, but it was difficult to make it come true, it was a bit of a process, and finally I’m here,” Jang said.
The burrito idea came about from Jaeyong wanting to twist Korean flavours into something "and I thought of burritos, I can enhance the flavour, all the meats are marinated by Korean inspired flavours".
It is parked next to Tu meke BBQ food truck on East St. Tu meke, which has been trading for a while, welcomed the new business.
Jang praised the Tu meke owners.
"They are already successful, so thanks to them as well."
He has a mouth-watering selection of burritos on offer, including beef bulgogi; thinly sliced beef marinated in a soya sauce base with pears, garlic, ginger and sauteed with vegetables.
“Bulgogi is a traditional dish, if you’re having a birthday or if your grandma is happy she’ll make bulgogi for you,” Jang said.
Jang is enjoying being back in the kitchen, but running his own business brings new challenges.
“I haven’t worked in a kitchen for around five years, but it’s not the cooking, you’re dealing with suppliers, computer work, costings things like that,” he said.
Feedback from hungry customers has been positive.
“I remember one guy, who is a local chef, he ordered a burrito and went away, then he came back and said ‘I have to tell you this is amazing, it’s so good!”
The orange K-Burritos food truck is open Tuesday-Friday, 10.30am-2pm, and Friday nights from 5-7pm. Pre-orders can be made on 021 251 5185.
-By Daniel Tobin
