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Choi’s, across from Petco Park, closes as former workers say they’re owed wages

The Asian-fusion restaurant at 100 Park Plaza has closed for good. Former employees say paychecks bounced; owner Jiwoo Choi acknowledged money is still owed.

By Claudia · Oct 1, 2026

San Diego skyline at sunset

Choi’s, the Asian-fusion restaurant and cocktail bar at 100 Park Plaza across from Petco Park, has closed permanently, a little less than three years after it opened in November 2023.

Former employees told SanDiegoVille and NBC 7 that payroll checks bounced and that they are still owed wages; NBC 7 reported the claimed total is more than $100,000, and one former sous chef told the station he is owed about $15,000. Owner Jiwoo Choi acknowledged to both outlets that employees are still owed money and that checks had bounced, and said his biggest mistake was not recognizing sooner that the restaurant needed to close.

SanDiegoVille, citing state alcohol regulator records, reported that the restaurant’s liquor license was suspended May 6, 2026; some former workers allege alcohol was still served after that. NBC 7 also reported that the business never registered for a city business tax certificate and that the city plans to issue a notice of violation.

How this story was made: drafted with AI assistance, then checked line by line against the sources below by a San Diego Insight editor before publishing. Our standards.

Sources

  1. SanDiegoVille
  2. NBC 7 San Diego

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