Lotteria: The Korean Fast Food Chain That Just Landed in the U.S.

 When it comes to fast food in South Korea, Lotteria is more than just a burger chain—it’s a cultural icon. Known for its Bulgogi Burger, Shrimp Burger, and rice-bun creations, Lotteria has been a household name across Asia for decades. And now, in 2025, it’s finally here in the United States.

On August 11, 2025, Lotteria opened its first American location in Fullerton, California, with a grand opening on August 14. The launch has generated massive buzz, with locals lining up for hours to taste Korea’s most famous fast-food burgers.

So what makes Lotteria different from McDonald’s, Burger King, or In-N-Out? Let’s dive in.

🌏 A Brief History of Lotteria

  • Founded in 1972 in Japan by Lotte Group founder Shin Kyuk-ho

  • Expanded to South Korea in 1979, where it became one of the most popular fast-food chains

  • Today, Lotteria operates over 1,600 stores worldwide, including South Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and now the U.S.

  • The name combines “Lotte” and “cafeteria”

In Korea, Lotteria isn’t just fast food—it’s part of everyday life. From late-night cravings to quick lunch breaks, millions of Koreans have grown up with it.

🍔 Signature Menu Items

Lotteria’s strength lies in combining Western fast food with Korean flavors. Their U.S. menu keeps that same DNA, with a few twists.

  • Bulgogi Burger – A beef patty marinated in Korean bulgogi sauce, served with lettuce, onions, and mayo on a sesame bun

  • Shrimp Burger – A crispy shrimp patty topped with creamy tartar sauce

  • Bibim Rice Burger – Instead of bread, the bun is made from pressed rice, filled with beef, egg, and spicy gochujang sauce

  • K-BBQ Bowls & Chicken Rice Bowls – A nod to Korean comfort food beyond burgers

  • Shake It Fries & Chicken – Fries or popcorn chicken tossed with flavored seasoning powder, shaken in a bag (a Korean favorite)

  • Cup Bingsu – A shaved ice dessert topped with fruit or red beans, straight from Korean cafés

Prices start around $6.49 for burgers and about $12–13 for combo meals, making Lotteria competitive with other premium fast-food chains.

📍 Why Fullerton, California?

Lotteria chose Fullerton in Orange County for its U.S. debut for a reason. The area has a large Korean-American community, making it the perfect launchpad. The store is located on W. Orangethorpe Avenue, near Costco, Walmart, and Target, ensuring high visibility and foot traffic.

During its opening week, people waited up to two hours in line, with staff handing out umbrellas and water to manage the California heat. Social media quickly blew up with photos of Lotteria burgers and Hangul signs, bringing even more attention.

🇺🇸 How Lotteria Stands Out in the U.S.

While America already has dozens of burger chains, Lotteria brings a few unique selling points:

  1. Authentic Korean flavors – Bulgogi, gochujang, rice buns, and shrimp patties aren’t common in U.S. fast food.

  2. Asian-style fast food culture – The “Shake It” fries, bingsu desserts, and seasonal menu items bring novelty.

  3. Global reputation – With decades of history and dominance in Asia, Lotteria already has credibility.

  4. K-Wave appeal – Korean culture is booming in the U.S. (K-Pop, K-Dramas, K-Beauty). Lotteria taps into that same cultural wave.

🚀 What’s Next for Lotteria in America?

Lotteria has made it clear: Fullerton is just the beginning. CEO Jungwook Lee shared plans to expand across Southern California before moving into other major U.S. cities.

If the launch goes well, we can expect to see Lotteria in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and beyond—bringing Korean fast food to a much wider audience.

🎯 Final Thoughts

Lotteria’s U.S. debut is more than just another burger joint opening—it’s the arrival of a K-Food powerhouse. For Korean-Americans, it’s nostalgic comfort food. For curious Americans, it’s a fresh taste of Korea’s fast-food culture.

Whether you’re craving a Bulgogi Burger, curious to try a Shrimp Burger, or just want to see what all the hype is about, Lotteria is worth a visit. And with its first store already packed with excited customers, it’s safe to say the K-Burger revolution has officially begun in the States.

🔑 Keywords for SEO

Lotteria USA, Lotteria Fullerton, Lotteria California, Korean fast food in America, Bulgogi Burger, Shrimp Burger, Lotteria menu, Lotteria U.S. opening, K-Burgers, Korean burger chain

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