Inside Gogi Seoul Kitchen: Jolly Pumpkin's Surprising Leap into Korean Street Food
By Alexander Ross
The venture traces its roots to Northern United Brewing Company, the hospitality collective founded by Jon Carlson, Greg Lobdell, and brewmaster Ron Jeffries. Known widely across the Midwest for Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, North Peak Brewing Company, and Grizzly Peak, the group had already mastered the art of rustic pub concepts. Their sprawling taproom on South Main Street in Royal Oak drew consistent crowds for oak-aged sour beers and truffle fries.
Yet downtown Royal Oak was evolving rapidly. Diners increasingly wanted lighter, customizable, and quick dining experiences that did not require a two-hour sit-down commitment. Rather than simply adding rice bowls to an existing pub menu, Northern United carved out a dedicated footprint. They branded the concept as Gogi Seoul Kitchen, establishing a standalone identity centered entirely on Korean-inspired street food.
The decision reflected a broader appetite across Metro Detroit for vibrant, fermented, and umami-heavy profiles. Korean flavors, once relegated to regional hubs in Troy and Ann Arbor, were ready for high-traffic suburban high streets.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
