Fast Casual Nation - EP43: Marination Ma Kai

In this episode of "Fast Casual Nation," brought to you in part by Simplot Harvest Fresh Avocados, host Paul Barron heads to Seattle, joining Roz and Kamala to learn how Ma Kai is upscaling fast casual in terms of food, service and ambiance; how the pair overcame challenges of being early adopters in the local food truck scene; why they chose to offer alcohol at this location; and, of course, to give viewers a taste of Ma Kai's blended menu (kimchi quesadillas! street tacos! oh my!). Marination Ma Kai is a Hawaiian-Korean fusion fast casual inspired by Roy Choi's famous L.A. food truck, Kogi. But don't get it twisted: while both menus are inventive, Marination Ma Kai is certainly doing its own thing. And while the Marination brand does include a food truck, it's also got some brick-and-mortar locations, the first of which came into fruition about a year and a half after the food truck opened.