Marketing Gimmicks

LaBan Questions Myung Ga’s Koagie Claim

Behold the Koagie
Behold the Koagie Photo: Myung Ga

Buried within the chatter in Philly.com’s online chat with Craig LaBan this week, a reader chimes in on “koagies” - that’s Korean + Hoagie - a Korean interpretation of Philly’s signature sandwich (sorry cheesesteaks), served up at Cherry Hill’s Myung Ga. Like Korean tacos and Korean Fried Chicken, the koagie is the product of the melting pot, where Asian ingredients are tempered with a South Philly-American lunch staple. Think of it as a Korean answer to bahn mi. At Myung Ga, which not only claims it’s the inventor of the koagie, it has registered the word as a trademark, they are served with bulgogi (marinated barbecued beef), chicken or spicy pork, seved on a seeded roll. The sandwiches are topped with kimchi, cucumbers and/or slaw.

Both person who posted about the sandwiches in the chat and the restaurant claim that Myung Ga are the originators of the Korean hoagie. But LaBan dimises the claim and quickly points out that KoJa in North Philly serves something similar. [Craig LaBan Restaurant Chat]

LaBan Questions Myung Ga’s Koagie Claim