A Pub Serving Korean Soul Food Arrives in the UTC Area | Eater San Diego

"I'm reporting on a new fast-casual spot serving Korean soul food paired with Korean beer and soju that opens in University City's Renaissance Towne Center this Saturday, May 11. Named “honey jam” after the Korean slang gguljem (loosely meaning “having a good time”), the menu features multiple flavors of fried chicken including a 'Honey Jam' seasoning with smoky honey butter sauce and a Saigon-style version with fried onions. Other comfort dishes include spicy and carbonara tteokbokki, kimchi pasta, beef bulgogi, and kimchi fried rice, alongside drink-friendly snacks like stir-fried sausages, chicken gizzards, and cheese buldak. The bar will offer Korean beer, an assortment of soju, and soju-based cocktails such as a Soju Sunrise and Yogurt Soju. Owners Jin Park and John Tran have been working to open Honey Jam since 2020—Park managed AYCE Korean barbecue restaurants for 12 years (including Cham Soot Gol in Buena Park and Garden Grove) and Tran currently owns the Arteazen bubble tea shop in the same complex—and they see Honey Jam as a bridge between UTC and Convoy with plans to expand to other San Diego neighborhoods. The restaurant has plenty of seating, bright yellow honeycomb decor, and three large screens for e-gaming tournaments, sports, movies, and music videos; initial hours will be 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5 p.m.–11 p.m., with plans to eventually operate 11 a.m.–11 p.m. on weekdays and until 1 a.m. on weekends." - Helen I. Hwang