Two Iconic LA Food Spots Just Landed at LAX: Kogi BBQ & Marathon Burger

Roy Choi's legendary Korean-Mexican street food and Nipsey Hussle's Marathon Burger are bringing a taste of Los Angeles culture to Terminal 1 and giving travelers something to look forward to before takeoff.

Airport food just got a serious LA upgrade.

If you're flying out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this holiday season, you might want to arrive with an appetite. Two of the city's most recognizable food brands Kogi BBQ and Marathon Burger officially opened inside Terminal 1 on October 26, 2026.

One helped revolutionize LA's food truck culture. The other carries forward the entrepreneurial legacy of one of South Los Angeles' most beloved cultural figures.

Together, they're turning an ordinary airport food court into a celebration of the flavors, creativity, and community that make Los Angeles unlike anywhere else.

And for locals in Inglewood, Long Beach, Carson, Gardena, and the South Bay, there's something especially meaningful about seeing these hometown brands take their place on an international stage.

🌮 Kogi BBQ: The Korean-Mexican Food Truck That Changed LA

Before food trucks became a full-blown culinary movement, chef Roy Choi was already doing something different.

In 2008, Choi and his partners launched Kogi BBQ, combining Korean barbecue with Mexican street food in a way that felt distinctly Los Angeles.

The concept was simple but groundbreaking: tender Korean barbecue meats tucked into warm tortillas, layered with bold sauces, fresh toppings, and flavors inspired by the city's diverse neighborhoods.

What began as a single food truck grew into a cultural phenomenon, helping redefine how Angelenos experience street food.

Now, Kogi is bringing those signature flavors to LAX Terminal 1.

What's on the menu?

Travelers can expect a lineup of Kogi favorites, including:

• Korean BBQ short rib tacos: Tender, flavorful short rib served taco-style.

• Spicy pork tacos and burritos: Gochujang-marinated pork with a delicious kick.

• Sweet garlic teriyaki chicken: A savory-sweet option for chicken lovers.

• Kimchi quesadillas: A creative combination of kimchi, cheddar, and Jack cheese.

• Loaded kimchi fries: Fries topped with kimchi and melted cheddar.

• Short rib sliders: A handheld take on Kogi's signature barbecue.

• The Kogi Dog: A hot dog topped with caramelized kimchi and sesame mayonnaise.

• Tofu tacos and burritos: A meat-free alternative.

What we'd order: Start with the Korean BBQ short rib tacos, then add a kimchi quesadilla to share. It's the kind of combination that made Kogi famous in the first place.

Fun fact: This isn't Kogi's first appearance at LAX. The brand previously operated in Terminal 4 from 2014 to 2015, making its Terminal 1 opening a homecoming of sorts.

🍔 Marathon Burger: Nipsey Hussle's Legacy Takes Flight

For South LA, Marathon Burger represents something bigger than a great burger.

The restaurant is rooted in the vision of the late rapper, entrepreneur, and community advocate Nipsey Hussle, who founded The Marathon lifestyle brand in 2010.

Beyond music, Hussle believed in ownership, economic opportunity, and investing in the neighborhoods that shaped him.

Following his death in 2019, his brother, Samiel “Blacc Sam” Asghedom, continued building on that legacy.

In 2024, Asghedom introduced Marathon Burger as a pop-up, bringing the brand's entrepreneurial spirit into the restaurant industry.

Today, Marathon Burger has expanded to locations across Los Angeles, including Long Beach, West Hollywood, Venice, and Canoga Park.

Its newest location at LAX marks the brand's first airport restaurant.

What's on the menu?

Marathon Burger specializes in indulgent, made-to-order comfort food.

Highlights at the LAX location include:

• Signature Wagyu double smash burger: Two beef patties with grilled onions and the brand's signature sauce.

• Crispy fries: A classic burger companion.

• Hot wings: Perfect for travelers craving something savory.

• Breakfast options: Including breakfast sandwiches and burritos for early flights.

• Beer, wine, and cocktails: Available for travelers looking to unwind before boarding.

There's also a Marathon merchandise pop-up inside Terminal 1, giving travelers an opportunity to take a piece of the brand home.

What we'd order: The signature double smash burger with fries. Sometimes, the classics are exactly what you need before a long flight.

✈️ Why These Two Openings Matter for Los Angeles

Los Angeles has never been a city defined by just one cuisine or culture.

Our neighborhoods are shaped by generations of entrepreneurs, immigrants, artists, chefs, and community leaders who have built businesses around their passions.

Kogi BBQ represents the creative blending of cultures that defines LA's food scene.

Marathon Burger represents the power of entrepreneurship, ownership, and reinvestment in the community.

Both brands began with local roots and grew into something much larger.

At the October 26 grand opening, city officials, chef Roy Choi, and Samiel Asghedom celebrated the restaurants' arrival alongside performances by the Crenshaw Marching Band and the LA music collective 1500 or Nothin'.

The celebration was a reminder that Los Angeles culture extends far beyond Hollywood.

It's in our neighborhoods, our restaurants, our music, and the people who continue building something meaningful here.

With Los Angeles preparing to welcome visitors from around the world for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, these openings are part of a broader effort to showcase authentic local businesses at LAX.

And that's something worth celebrating.

📍 Where to Find Kogi BBQ & Marathon Burger at LAX

Location: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Terminal 1 Main Food Court, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Opened: October 26, 2026

Airlines: Terminal 1 serves airlines including Southwest and JetBlue.

Dining Options: Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, Wagyu smash burgers, breakfast, and drinks.

Hours: Check current airport restaurant hours before traveling.

Access: Located in the terminal's main food court beyond security. Travelers should confirm terminal access before making plans.

More Information: Official LAX Website

A quick travel tip

If you're flying out of Terminal 1, consider leaving a little extra time to enjoy a proper meal before boarding.

Both restaurants offer familiar LA favorites in an airport-friendly format, making them convenient options whether you're heading out on vacation or returning home.

Just remember that airport restaurant hours, menus, and availability may change.

❤️ The Best of LA Is Always Local

What makes these openings exciting isn't simply that two restaurants have arrived at LAX.

It's that two businesses deeply connected to Los Angeles culture are introducing their stories to travelers from around the world.

From the streets of Koreatown to the entrepreneurial spirit of Crenshaw, these brands represent the creativity, resilience, and ambition that make our communities special.

And that's exactly why we love spotlighting local businesses.

Whether you're discovering a new restaurant in Long Beach, supporting an independent business in Gardena, exploring Inglewood's growing food scene, or catching a flight out of LAX, there's always something worth discovering close to home.

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