Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 28, 2016)
Fusion Frenzy Kun Fusion Grill blends Mexican and Korean flavors By Amy Schneider Monroe@11th T here’s nothing else quite like Kun Fusion Grill in Eugene, and that’s the point, says owner Shawn Werner. Take Kun Fusion’s rice bowl, for example, resplendent with savory chicken, crunchy veggies and mounds of rice topped with a fried egg. It’s fusion food at its very best, combining Korean and Mexican cuisines to delicious effect. Imagine hefty burritos filled with sumptuous Korean barbecue meat, rice and vegetables, and you’re getting close to picturing just how delightful this cultural combination can be. Werner, who opened the food truck with his family in December 2014, says he’s currently looking for a restaurant location to set up shop. The right partnership hasn’t come along yet, so in the meantime customers can seek out the food truck on Tuesdays and Fridays, oftentimes across from the Costco parking lot off Coburg Road. Kun Fusion’s roving nature doesn’t dissuade the truck’s followers — at lunchtime, Werner says, up to 50 people might wait for a quesadilla or Kyro, Werner’s tangy, Korean-influenced take on a gyro. It’s no wonder Kun Fusion won third place for best food cart in Best of Eugene 2015. Werner, a former spokesperson for NASCAR, says that opening a food cart has long been a dream of his, and when he grew tired of the traveling life as a NASCAR employee, he came back home with the mission of bringing something unique to Eugene. To accomplish this, Werner asked himself, “Where is the best food truck in the U.S.?” The answer: Kogi Korean BBQ, a suite of fusion food trucks in Los Angeles that regularly garners long lines. Werner tracked down the trucks, waited in line for three hours, waited another 45 minutes after ordering and, upon tasting Kogi’s spicy pork burrito, he knew what he wanted to bring back to Eugene: Mexican-Korean fusion. So what is Mexican-Korean fusion, exactly? “The foundation is Korean barbecue meat,” Werner says, describing the Korean aspect as the core of Kun Fusion’s flavor profile. Kun Fusion offers a handful of protein choices, including tofu, chicken and pork. The Mexican part manifests in the wrapping — tortillas for making tacos and burritos — as well as using salsa and cilantro to round out the flavor. VALID MONDAY TO THURSDAY ONLY 8th@Charnelton Buy One Get one lunch combination FREE of equal or lesser value with purchase of 2 beverages Not Valid on Mariscos Seafood Plates or on Daily Specials. No split checks. Other restrictions may apply. Limit 1 per Table Not valid on Holidays, Not valid on to go orders. cannot be combined with other offers exp: 3/28/16 VALID MONDAY TO THURSDAY ONLY 541-688-3642 4712 Royal Ave Eugene 541-726-2110 Way Happy Hour 2 CHOW WINTER 2016 3pm-5pm Daily 495 Harlow Rd. Springfield Buy One Get one dinner combination FREE maximum value $8.95 of equal or lesser value with purchase of 2 beverages Not Valid on Mariscos Seafood Plates or on Daily Specials. No split checks. Other restrictions may apply. Limit 1 per Table Not valid on Holidays, Not valid on to go orders. cannot be combined with other offers exp: 3/28/16 EUGENEWEEKLY.COM/CHOW PHOTOS BY TODD COOPER SHAWN WERNER SHOWS OFF KUN FUSION'S MASSIVE BURRITO
