SOUTHINGTON — For the owners of COji Kitchen, their new restaurant on Queen Street is a chance for a new beginning while still continuing to serve the mix of Asian cuisine their customers have grown to love.
Husband and wife owners Cais Tee Tran and Tuan Tran previously owned Koji in Hartford with a partner for about 13 years. They closed in 2018 and looked for a new spot to open a restaurant that would be strictly food, a transition from the Hartford bar and nightlife scene they had cultivated. They changed the restaurant named just slightly because they wanted a start fresh, but didn’t want to lose recognition from longtime customers.
The new restaurant, at 1230 Queen St., opened last Monday, Jan. 6. It sits next to Southington Pawn Shop and A Wild Side Tattooing.
Keith Labbe, owner of A Wild Side Tattooing, said he’s been loving the new food next door.
“I’ve eaten almost everything on the menu in the last week,” he said.
The Thai Shrimp and Curry Chicken Spring Rolls top the list of his favorites.
Cais Yee Tran said she wants people to have a fun dining experience when they come in. The menu is a mix of Asian cuisine inspired by food from countries like China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Cais Yee Tran is Malaysian and Tuan Tran is Vietnamese but grew up in Simsbury.
Some of the most popular menu items are the Josh Noodle, with roast pork stir-fried with noodle and baby spinach; the Basil Chicken Spicy with veggies stir-fried wit hot peppers and oyster sauce; and the Koji Fried Chicken, boneless chicken deep fried with a light batter and spicy mayo sauce.
“These three things people come back in and eat, repeat and repeat,” she said.
Tuan Tran said he keeps the cooking fun and easy, “nothing crazy.”
“We're just very fun,” he said. “When you walk in it’s just a fun environment.”
James Cyr was in the tattoo shop with a friend Thursday and tried the Beef and Broccoli lunch. He said the food seemed fresh and healthy.
“Simple taste, but very flavorful,” Cyr said.
The restaurant was previously a vape shop, and a deli before that.
With some help, the two spent about a year renovating the space. The tables, chairs and front counter were made by Tuan Tran himself.
They plan to add some new items to the menu soon, as well as set up a delivery service through UberEats and DoorDash.
COji Kitchen is open every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
bwright@record-journal.com
203-317-2316
Twitter: @baileyfaywright
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January 20, 2020 at 09:46PM
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COji Kitchen opens with a mix of Asian cuisines in Southington - Meriden Record-Journal
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