New to Traverse City, Mich. is the Three Pigs Korean barbecue restaurant, which opened April 2026. From four to midnight everyday (except Tuesdays) at 221 Garland St D. a new cultural slice for Traverse City to experience right from Seoul, South Korea, comes alive. This restaurant shows traditional stories and meals from Korea, after its owner lived there for many years.
“[Our first food truck] ‘Heart N Seoul’ reflected the cultural connection, but it didn’t really tell people what we did. ‘Three Pigs’ is more direct and memorable and it ties into Korean barbecue, pork and the grill being such a central part of it, and it’s a name people can latch onto quickly. It feels more like a brand than just a concept. Also, the name comes from calling my three brothers pigs their whole life. So it’s really a punchline to a lifelong joke,” owner of Three Pigs, Chad Perreault said.
When the Korean barbecue food truck started, the intention was to show how amazing Korean barbecue truly is. Over time, Perreault wanted a building so that the true culture would be able to be seen better.
“Seeing people experience it for the first time. When a table goes from ‘we’re not sure how this works’ to fully engaged, cooking, laughing, and staying longer than they expected, that’s the payoff. It’s more than just serving food; it’s creating an experience people remember,” Perreault said.
At the new restaurant, customers are able to engage and cook their food by wrapping meats in lettuce and adding the sauces to the meats. At the restaurant there is also a photo booth and private karaoke rooms to show more of the true Korean culture.
“[The hanbok] came from our wedding in Korea and to share more about the culture. Korean culture is rich visually, and the hanbok adds a layer of authenticity and storytelling. Connecting with designers in Korea happened naturally through time spent there and building relationships. The designer hand stitched good luck and fortune for us and really wanted to support our endeavor,” Perreault said.
Perrault and his wife have decided to show a real piece of Korea for them inside their building. For them, the restaurant is not just about the special food, but the traditions that are in Korea as well, to show Traverse City what it is really like.
“I go back [to Korea] every year. Sometimes for 6 months or sometimes just a few weeks. Traveling back helps keep things fresh. It’s easy to drift if you’re not staying connected to the source. Seeing trends, trying new dishes, and experiencing how things evolve in Korea all feed back into how we think about the menu and the overall concept,” Perreault said.
Perreault enjoys showing off the life of Korea, from modern to traditional. The restaurant so far has been thriving, with many wait lists and familiar faces coming back.
“This wasn’t just about opening a restaurant, it was about bringing something new to Traverse City. Korean barbecue is an experience, and building that here took some risk. But the community has been open to it, and that’s what’s made it work. I’ve been to hundreds of Korean barbecues in my life and have tried Korean barbecue in 40 different countries. There are many variations and different menus to each, but I wanted to bring something super unique with our grills that only you can find in Korea. I hope people will give us a try and appreciate the story behind the flame,” Perreault said.
