Creators of Namu, Bulkogi and The Can Opener debut Baekho Coffee and Ice Cream in the heart of Research Triangle Park, with another concept on the way
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. [August 18, 2025] – Research Triangle Park (RTP) employees and Triangle area coffee and dessert lovers can now start and end their day with Korean-inspired flavors at Baekho Coffee and Ice Cream. Now open at Boxyard RTP, the experiential dining and retail destination in the heart of RTP, Baekho blends modern café culture with playful, globally influenced drinks and scratch-made ice cream designed to energize the community.
Baekho serves a rotating menu of inventive drinks and locally sourced ice cream through a large walk-up window connected to the STEAM-focused maker space The Makery at Boxyard. Its bold flavors and premium ingredients include espresso drinks made with beans sourced from Durham-based Counter Culture Coffee and slushies infused with ingredients like yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit. Among Baekho’s signature beverages are the Peachy Sweet Matcha Latte and Korean Coffee Slush.
The concept is the latest venture from the team behind Triangle staples Namu, Bulkogi and The Can Opener. The group, including Charlie Ji, Joe Choi, Bo Kwon and Jin Song, has deep roots in the region’s food and beverage scene and is known for blending global flavors with local flair.
“Boxyard RTP has been Bulkogi’s home for the last four years, and we’re excited to bring something completely new to the community,” said Charlie Ji, co-owner, Baekho. “The lively atmosphere and entrepreneurial spirit at Boxyard RTP gives us the creative freedom to experiment with unique flavors and offerings. Baekho is a place to slow down, connect and enjoy something unexpected.”
Baekho enhances the Hub RTP campus experience for Frontier RTP office tenants, nearby companies, residents and visitors by meeting the need for more options to recharge throughout the day – a welcome addition that many have been craving.
“This team continues to raise the bar,” said Carolyn Coia, vice president of real estate, Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina, which owns and operates Boxyard RTP. “Baekho is what our community was missing. Whether you’re grabbing a latte for your morning meeting, recharging mid-day with a slushy or winding down your day with dessert, Baekho delivers a refreshing new way to unwind in RTP.”
In addition to Baekho Coffee and Ice Cream, the team has signed a lease agreement for another suite at Boxyard RTP, where they plan to introduce a unique concept featuring Korean corndogs, cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, kimchi french fries and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Baekho Coffee and Ice Cream is located inside The Makery at Boxyard RTP, 900 Park Offices Drive, Suite 155 in Durham, N.C. To learn more, follow @baekhocoffeeicream on Instagram.
About Boxyard RTP
Boxyard RTP is a retail and venue space comprised of 40 upcycled shipping containers located on the western side of Hub RTP, the Park’s 100-acre downtown district. Here, people can unwind and enjoy an experience unique to the Triangle region. Committed to social entrepreneurship, Boxyard RTP represents a diverse mix of vendors, offerings and events that are accessible to people in and out of RTP. First opened in 2021, the venue includes an indoor-outdoor gathering space, dog park and performance stage with a robust event program featuring music, fitness classes, comedy nights and more. For more information, visit https://boxyard.rtp.org.
About Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina
Since 1959, the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (RTF) has served Research Triangle Park in its mission to facilitate collaboration among our region’s industries, universities, and workforce and create economic impact for the residents of North Carolina by attracting the world’s most innovative companies and top-tier talent to North Carolina. Comprised of 7,000 acres, its boundaries are centrally located among Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. RTP is home to 55,000 employees and more than 375 companies and national labs, including Apple, BASF, Biogen, Cisco Systems, EPA, Fidelity Investments, IBM, LabCorp, Lenovo, Eli Lilly, NetApp, NIEHS, RTI International and United Therapeutics. For more information, visit https://rtp.org.
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