From Dubai to Korea to Pennsylvania, owners Shea Roggio and Alice Chang finally found a home for a Korean fried chicken restaurant: Phoenixville.
The pair spent 8 months in Korea, even preparing for their first child. For Shea, the experience was transformational.
“I completely fell in love with Korean fried chicken. And not just the food itself, but the culture, the late-night gatherings, and the energy around it. I started dreaming of bringing that experience back home to the U.S,” he said.
When it came time to return to the states, they searched for the perfect spot that had a balance of accessibility and community. Phoenixville made sense due to it being a vibrant, tight-knit town that values local restaurants and creativity.
There are lots of ups and downs when it comes to starting your own business, and they certainly had quite the journey preparing for their opening. Challenges included starting in the middle of a post-pandemic economy, not knowing if people would even show up, supply chain issues, and the regular day-to-day stress of keeping things going. But next to hardships, good times also prevailed.
“The most rewarding part is seeing it all come to life. For me, it’s watching a room full of people enjoying Korean fried chicken, cheering for their favorite Philly team, or bringing their families in for a night out. Those moments remind me why we built Soko Bag in the first place,” said Shea. “It’s not just about the food, it’s about creating a space where people feel connected, energized, and part of a community.”
Owning a business means everything to the couple. Creating food is one thing, but building something from the ground up is a testament to who they are and what they care about. Understandably, responsibility is also a big part of a business as employees rely on Soko Bag for their livelihoods and customers hope their time and money are well spent.
“it’s incredibly fulfilling,” he said. “I get to see ideas turn into reality, meet people who become regulars and friends, and create a place that blends food, culture, and sports into an experience.”
As Soko Bag has easily become the neighborhood chicken spot, Shea and Alice have some of their own favorite places to eat in the area. They named Boardroom, Stable 12, Root Down as local go-to’s, along with Montesano Bros for sandwiches and Giovanni’s & Sons Pizzeria in Royersford.
As they come up on their two-year anniversary in January, this is just the beginning of the Soko Bag reign. They want to grow the restaurant beyond Phoenixville, into Philadelphia and other cities, with an international expansion always in a background tab.
“Whether it’s new menu items, new locations, or creative projects such as our limited-edition trading cards, we want people to know they can always expect something different and exciting from us,” concluded Shea.
Dig into a ½ pound of white cheddar-flavored chicken, grab some Gochujang sauce, and sip on craft beer the next time you visit Phoenixville; you won’t be disappointed.
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