Myungrang Hotdogs soft opening today

One of South Korea’s famous hotdog franchises will debut on Saipan today, when Myungrang Hotdogs makes its soft opening at I Love Saipan in Garapan, just in time for the Fourth of July.

AC Pacific LLC president Alex B.K. Youn said the franchise is already popular in Asia, with over 650 stores in South Korea and branches in Japan, Cambodia, and now Saipan. It also has stores in Los Angeles, California. AC Pacific owns and operates I Love Saipan and the I Love Saipan Outlet Store in Gualo Rai.

According to its website, Myungrang (pronounced myoong-rung) means cheerful, playful, and bright in Korean and the franchise’s marching orders is to “bring a positive and delightful experience for our guests after each bite of our signature hotdogs!”

Unlike the typical hotdog in a bun, I Love Saipan’s newest import is a little more challenging to describe; the best way to get an idea of what they do is to actually buy one. One way to portray it is to say that Myungrang deep-fries the hotdog until it is a crispy golden brown, then the hotdog is filled with your choice of mozzarella cheese, squid-ink, potato, etc. Still sounds undescriptive but, again, go buy one so you can see for yourself.

They also have an assortment of dipping sauces to further enhance the flavor of the hotdogs.

Myungrang Hotdogs will be sold at I Love Saipan’s “Local Food Market” where it will replace the snack joint’s hamburger, pizza, fries, fried chicken, and other fast-food offerings.

I Love Saipan’s Joel “Prinze” Salvosa said he and two other staff went to South Korea last month to obtain training at Myungrang Hotdogs’ headquarters. Joining Salvosa in the nine-day training were Helen Masga and Su Fen Tang.

Salvosa, who is I Love Saipan’s F&B Department team leader, said Myungrang Hotdogs will have its grand opening on Sunday, July 7.

Youn also revealed that Myungrang Hotdogs’ Saipan branch will unveil a unique flavor only sold on the island, which is a hotdog covered with coconut flakes. He said the new flavor would jive with Saipan’s tropical setting and gives tourists and locals alike a taste of the Marianas.

Aside from the coconut flakes-covered hotdog, the rest of the menu of Myungrang Hotdogs Saipan is made up of mozzarella, cheddar and sausage, jumbo, mozzarella and sausage, mozzarella cheddar, potato, and potato with all mozzarella.

Salvosa said fellow team leader, Manny Calilap, will be in charge of running Myungrang Hotdogs Saipan’s operations.