Chef Daniel Son is the brainchild behind the semi-regular Katsu Sando pop-up location that runs every Sunday in West Hollywood. The location became an immediate success, attracting consumers with flavors that Son loved as a child. The menu features items such as the insignia-singed bread, flattened pork, mushroom sandwiches, Muen-stuffed deep-fried chicken and even an A5 wagyu chateaubriand.
Son was born in LA and raised in Los Angeles, but moved to Tokyo to study the artistry of Japanese cuisine. There he discovered the Katsu sandwich and wanted to create the same flavor when he returned to Los Angeles. Son went through 13 recipes over the span of three months to concoct the perfect Katsu sandwich recipe to serve at the Katsu Sando location.
Chicken Sandwich Pop-Ups
Daniel Son's Katsu Sando Delivers Some of His Favorite Childhood Flavors
Trend Themes
1. Pop-up Restaurants - The success of the Katsu Sando pop-up location demonstrates a growing trend of temporary dining experiences that create a sense of exclusivity and excitement for consumers.
2. Global-inspired Flavors - Chef Daniel Son's fusion of Japanese and American flavors in his Katsu sandwich creations highlights a trend of consumers seeking unique, globally-inspired tastes in their dining experiences.
3. Artisan Bread - The use of signature-singed bread in Katsu Sando's sandwich offerings highlights a trend of consumers valuing handcrafted, artisanal bread in their dining experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The success of Katsu Sando and other pop-up restaurants highlights opportunities for innovation in the food and beverage industry to create unique, globally-inspired flavors and dining experiences.
2. Hospitality - Pop-up restaurants like Katsu Sando present disruptive innovation opportunities for the hospitality industry to create temporary dining experiences that appeal to consumers seeking a sense of exclusivity and excitement.
3. Bakery - The trend towards artisan bread in dining experiences presents opportunities for innovation in the bakery industry to create handcrafted breads that enhance the overall taste of dishes.