On the first day of class this quarter, many students chose to spend the day’s twilight hours socializing and snacking on munchies from some of Los Angeles’ most popular food trucks, all within a short walk from campus.
Hanoolim, the Korean Culture Night production team and the Korean American Student Association (KASA) united students from all backgrounds through the medium of food when they collaborated in hosting Thursday’s Bruin Food Truck Night at the food truck lot on Gayley and Le Conte Avenue.
At 6 p.m., hungry visitors, mostly UCLA students, began forming lines in front of the food trucks. Many flocked to Jogasaki and Kogi, popular trucks offering fusion delicacies. Fry Fry, Phantom, Steamed Bun Munchies and Chicken and Rice Co. also produced delicious smells, helping students to unwind. The juicy, overflowing burritos and other standard food truck fare represented a blend of food types, catering to a wide range of tastes.
While some visitors were already food truck fans, many were having their first encounters with LA’s unique food trucks. Some first-timers had trouble deciding between trucks, while others said they had heard good things about certain food trucks.
Around 7 p.m., The Boba Truck rolled in and set up camp; students gradually switched to dessert mode, enjoying their favorite flavors of boba and CVT Soft Serve.
During lunch and dinner hours on a regular day, about three or four food trucks can be found at the lot. For this event, eight food trucks were arranged in a circle surrounding the small lot.
The idea for the Bruin Food Truck Night was conceived by Eric Lim, a third-year economics and political science student and external finance advisor of the Korean Culture Night production team. While the Korean Culture Night takes place in April, Lim said he wanted to host a fundraiser social earlier on to help spread awareness about the event and the Korean cultural groups, Hanoolim and KASA.
Lim said the Korean Culture Night production team will continue hosting similar food-related events throughout the year. He said the turnout to Bruin Food Truck Night was higher than he had expected.
Lim said aside from creating a zero week event that would attract potential new members, the groups also wanted to support Westwood’s food truck business.
Barry Fogel, promoter of Book That Truck, a company that manages the lot, said the collaboration between the Korean groups and food trucks had been one that benefitted all participants.
Fogel said UCLA’s summer session had brought foreign students and sports camp attendees to the food truck lot, but after several weeks of slow business, Thursday’s event brought a surge in customers.
“It’s a good welcome back for everyone,” Fogel said.
Compiled by Eileen Li, A&E contributor.