In the land of the cheesesteak, the KoJa cart is king

by Jesse Rogers, 34th Street Magazine (3/15/07)

KoJa's Friday special - where all meals go for $4 - has drawn cost-conscious foodies to 38th and Walnut Streets for years. The cart's Korean and Japanese-inspired fare is easily the best of any food cart, and maybe even among the best food on campus. Think spicy, intricate beef and noodle offerings and steaming stir-fries, served with just enough rice not to crowd them out.

For those new to Korean food, try the beef bulgoki - a heaping portion of thinly sliced steak in a sesame-soy and onion sauce - which also comes with two chicken dumplings. Coming in at a close second is the udon soup: thick, wheat noodles in a scallion-miso broth. Both are excellent choices, and you can sub chicken, pork or tofu for the beef. While the Fridays-only Kimbap (a Korean take on sushi) is good, it is a little plain compared with the fiery bulgoki and the salty and pleasant Udon. All dishes come served in a crisp Styrofoam box - not the most glamorous of Philly's specials. But, at $4, you can eat cheap and eat with dignity. 

Koja Grille in the Press

• Philadelphia Inquirer

Koja Truck in the Press

• 34th Street Magazine
• The Philadelphia Inquirer