Jagalchi

Across the U.S., big-box retail vacancies have created challenges and opportunities. These vacant anchors, with expansive floor plates and high ceilings, offer untapped potential for reinvention. When JCPenney left Serramonte Center, Daly City’s de facto downtown lost a key anchor and community gathering place. International Korean grocery chain Mega Mart seized the opportunity to fill this gap by creating the largest Korean food experience in the U.S., where Korean culture and cuisine are accessible to all.

Named after South Korea’s oldest and liveliest seafood market, Jagalchi positions itself as a healthy culinary destination in Northern California, home of the slow food movement. Rooted in the concept “Food is Medicine,” the design expresses this philosophy through a clear brand identity that celebrates fresh seafood, vegan temple cuisine, and rice-flour baked goods. Natural materials and skylights reduce VOCs while increasing daylight and lowering energy use. One of Korea’s first Michelin-star chefs brings ancient food wisdom to life through modern family recipes.

A compelling example of repositioning big-box vacancies, Jagalchi delivers meaningful social, economic, and environmental impact. The restaurant serves approximately 500 guests daily, and Saturday foot traffic at Serramonte Center has surged 30% since opening. The project has created more than 200 local jobs while diverting an estimated 550 tons of CO₂ through adaptive reuse of the existing structure. As an inclusive, multisensory destination, Jagalchi meets the rising demand for experience-driven retail in an evolving landscape.