business
Is Tiny's, a burger stand in South Coast Plaza, kicking off a new era in mall food?
By Gab Chabrán at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 24, 2026
· 4 min read
The konbini-style snack shop at Tiny's, stocked with imported chips, Japanese Kit-Kats and a refrigerated wall of drinks.(Gab Chabrán / LAist )Making your way through South Coast Plaza — the sleek consumer cathedral in Costa Mesa, a sort of mall of malls — past Uniqlo window displays and Pop Mar...
Key takeaway Tiny’s marks Yoon’s first venture into Orange County — a deliberately accessible entry point for a chef who has spent decades at the top of L.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The arrival of Tiny's at South Coast Plaza marks a significant shift in the mall's dining landscape, one that could have broader implications for the region's retail centers. By bringing a unique fusion of Asian convenience store and burger stand to a traditional mall setting, Chef Sang Yoon is testing the appetite for more diverse and experiential dining options in these hubs. If successful, Tiny's could pave the way for other innovative eateries to set up shop in local malls, potentially reinvigorating these spaces as community gathering points. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the incorporation of creative, chef-driven concepts like Tiny's could be a key factor in determining which malls thrive and which struggle to remain relevant. As Tiny's settles into its new home, it will be worth watching how its presence impacts the broader dining and retail ecosystem in Orange County and beyond.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: business ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The konbini-style snack shop at Tiny's, stocked with imported chips, Japanese Kit-Kats and a refrigerated wall of drinks.(Gab Chabrán / LAist )Making your way through South Coast Plaza — the sleek consumer cathedral in Costa Mesa, a sort of mall of malls — past Uniqlo window displays and Pop Mar...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gab Chabrán at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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