Los Angeles-based Korean gastropub Inssa, translating roughly to “social butterfly” in Korean, is bringing the party to Northeast Portland, according to a liquor license application. The forthcoming location is set to open on 914 NE Broadway.
Inssa Korean Gastropub was founded in March 2024 by In Hyuk Choi in Chino Hills, a city in the Greater Los Angeles area. Inssa serves an inspired menu of traditional Korean food, like seafood tteok-bokki, and fusion concepts, like its bulgogi carbonara pasta.
Choi was looking for a second location when one landed in his lap. A friend of his in Portland was looking to sell his restaurant, and Choi gladly accepted the opportunity. The upcoming Portland location is especially fortuitous because, as Choi says, “I love Portland.”
Choi immigrated to the U.S. from Korea with his parents when he was in 6th grade, moving to Southern California, where he has spent most of his life. However, he has a long-standing fascination with Portland — enjoying everything form the nature to the people, the fashion and the relaxed vibes. When he was in his late 20s, Choi worked a rigorous job that only gave him one-day weekends; he’d spend his one day off traveling to Portland. “I’d take a 7 a.m. flight up to Portland, and fly home that evening,” he says. Choi even brought his girlfriend (now wife) up to Portland to propose to her.
Lots of restaurant owners say they love the city they’re opening a restaurant in. But when Choi says he loves Portland, frankly, I believe him. There is a pretty good chance he loves Portland more than you do. Inssa PDX will be a testament to this love. Choi is a designer by trade, and designed an interior that will pay tribute to the city he has spent so much time in, mixed with Inssa’s signature neon aesthetic.
Inssa Korean Gastropub is aiming to open on April 2. There is much to look forward to, but perhaps nobody is more excited than Choi himself, who gets to spend more time in Portland.
