Kao Kao Grill is a new Chinese fusion grill coming soon to Berkeley. The fast-casual concept is awaiting permits and licensing in the former Trattoria La Sicilliana at 2993 College Ave. in Elmwood, where they are expected to open by the end of this summer.
Kao Kao Grill is brought to us by father-son duo Jimmy and Anthony Huang, the former of which reopened Huangcheng Noodle House at Swan’s Market in Old Oakland in early 2021. Speaking with What Now San Francisco, Anthony says that Kao Kao Grill takes the family’s restaurant journey in a new direction.
“The idea for Kao Kao is inspired by the food my father used to grill when I was growing up,” Anthony says. “As first-generation Chinese, I recall my parents were always working but Thursdays were the day that they both mutually had off. On those days, they’d pool their resources to buy meat and invite aunts and uncles to enjoy a barbecue together. In China, they typically cook with convection ovens so when my dad came to America, he loved cooking over a charcoal grill.”
A couple of years ago, Anthony told his dad that he missed the food and flavors from the barbecues of his youth. Since then, they’ve been working together to bring this memory to life with a new restaurant.
Items like Pork Char Siu will be prepared using traditional recipes passed down from generations of the Huang family tree, then grilled over a special blend of charcoal and wood. In addition to Chinese-inspired flavors, the menu will also include influences from all over Asia, such as Tandoori Chicken.
The Huangs are still fine-tuning all the details, but hope to be open by September at the latest. Until then, follow @kaokaooakland and @huangchengnoodles for any updates.
