Bringing Flavor to the Boardwalk: MOGO’s 13-Year Mission of Food, Music & Community
For our latest Culture Coverage feature, we stopped by MOGO, the Korean fusion taco spot that helped shape the flavor, rhythm, and heartbeat of the Asbury Park boardwalk. Co-founder Sam walked us through how a simple idea grew into a community pillar, blending bold Korean flavors with Jersey Shore culture in a way only MOGO can.
From Asbury Park Roots to a Jersey Staple
When Sam and his team launched MOGO 13 years ago, their mission was clear: introduce Korean flavors to the community they loved. What started as a small taco stand on the iconic Asbury Park Boardwalk has grown into a beloved fast-casual destination known for its fresh ingredients, signature marinades, vibrant sauces, and “eat with your hands” fun.
But MOGO was never just about tacos. It was about belonging.
As Asbury Park evolved, shifting, rebuilding, reinventing, MOGO stayed grounded in the city’s culture, serving beach-goers, locals, and visitors from all over who came hungry for something bold, different, and undeniably Jersey.
Music at the Core of Community
Ask Sam what makes Asbury Park special, and he’ll say the same thing every time: music.
Music has always been a foundational pillar of the city, and MOGO has spent the past decade finding ways to celebrate that legacy. Back in 2014, the team helped launch a weekly live music series on the boardwalk, designed to bring the city’s talent directly to the public– no tickets, no stage doors, just open-air performances for anyone walking by.
Now celebrating its 10th season, the event is a collaboration between MOGO, Watermark, Lakehouse Music Academy, and the Asbury Park Music Foundation. Together, they’ve built a platform that showcases local musicians while giving back in a meaningful way. Every donation and every dollar raised goes toward music education for underprivileged youth, helping nurture the next generation of Asbury Park artists.
Expanding the Mission, One Neighborhood at a Time
After years of serving locals and visitors in Asbury Park, MOGO recently opened a new location in Pier Village, bringing Korean fusion tacos to another vibrant community on the Jersey Shore.
And they’re not stopping there.
Sam emphasizes that wherever MOGO goes, the mission remains the same: serve great food, uplift the community, and create experiences that go beyond the plate. Whether it’s supporting local music, building partnerships, or finding new ways to give back, MOGO’s impact extends far past the kitchen.
MOGO Moments That Matter
At its core, MOGO, which means “eat” in Korean, is about more than eating. It’s about experiencing culture, community, and creativity in every bite. It’s about walking the boardwalk on a Wednesday night, hearing live music drift through the summer air, and grabbing a taco that tastes like tradition remixed with something new.
It’s about belonging to a place that’s always moving, always changing, and always full of heart.
Where to find MOGO
📍 850 Ocean Ave POPUP #1, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
📍 632 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
📍 10 Centennial Dr #1, Long Branch, NJ 07740
🌐 Website: eatmogo.com
📲 Instagram: @eatmogo