Do you remember the hype of Korean-style street hotdogs and corndogs back in early 2023?
In the West End, Chung Chun was the sole spot for the item until 2 other chains – SSong’s Hot Dog and Juicy & 88 Hotdog – joined the battle for Korean hotdog supremacy.
Well, we discovered that 2 of the 3 joints – SSong’s Hot Dog and Juicy & 88 Hotdog – have quietly shut down.
Who is Juicy & 88 Hotdog and SSong’s Hotdog?
Juicy & 88 Hot Dog, a smoothie bar and snack spot from South Korea, made its Canadian debut in March 2023.
Known for its 800 stores in South Korea, Juicy 88 offered a mix of Korean style corndogs, rice cakes, fresh fruit juices, and smoothies.
SSong’s Hotdog, which started in 2013, was known for revolutionizing the ordinary hotdog. Ms. Ssong’s concept involved offering an extensive range of hotdogs in various sizes, shapes, and flavours.
With over 20 menu items and a global footprint, SSong’s opened its first Canadian outpost in the West End in 2022.
Plans for expansion across the lower mainland were on the cards, but, unfortunately, they didn’t seem to materialize.
The Quiet Closures
Both Juicy 88 and SSong’s Hotdog have shuttered their doors, with little fanfare or official announcements.
Juicy & 88 Hotdog’s Robson Street location is marked as Permanently Closed on Google, and their social media has been silent since November 2023.
Similarly, we walked by SSong’s on January 15th and saw the windows shrouded in 3M plastic wrap, its interior gutted and cleared of all its bright branding.
Despite being listed as ‘Temporarily Closed’ on Google, there’s been radio silence on their official social media since June 2023.
The last customer shared their experience on Instagram in December 2023.
These closures leave Chung Chun as the sole Korean hot dog chain in the West End.
Considering that the lines at Chung Chun, another popular Korean-style hot dog brand, have died down, the hype for such items has sailed.
For more new and upcoming food spots in Metro Vancouver, take a peek at our tracker here, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.
Ssong’s Hotdog:
Address: 795 Jervis Street, Vancouver BC
Juicy & 88 Hotdog:
Address: 1-1725 Robson St, Vancouver BC V6G 1C9