OK, I’ll confess ““ I’ve never tasted the likes of revered Kogi or Gushi Korean barbecue. In fact, even after two full years here, I’ve never dined from a food truck, nor had I even tried Korean food before my most recent food venture.
However, for those with underexposed palettes such as mine, the recently opened Bibigo restaurant serves as a quick remedy.
Nestled near the end of Broxton Avenue, the Korean chain’s first U.S. restaurant Bibigo (rooted from the Korean word “bibi”, “to mix,” according to a Bibigo press release) fits the bill for Westwood ““ it’s quick, relatively cheap and subtitled “Korean Healthy Fresh Kitchen.” (Just what degree of “healthy” is debatable, however, depending on your choice of entrees and sauces.)
Ordering is simple and modeled as a quick-service assembly line, akin to that of a typical take-out restaurant ““ make your order at the counter and take a number.
Diners customize entrees with the choice of a Bibigo Bibimbap, or rather variations of vegetable rice bowls to build from ““ “Bibigo Rice,” “Bibimbap” or “Hot Stone Bibimbap,” the latter of which includes a hot stone bowl that sizzles rice to a somewhat fried effect.
Adding to the entree plate is a choice of rice ““ white, black pearl (my favorite), sprouted brown or barley and white; a choice of topping ““ barbecued bulgogi beef, chicken or tofu (can’t go wrong), and a final choice of sauce to polish it off ““ kohot (gochujang, made from red pepper paste and definitely the hottest of the bunch), ssam (made from soy bean paste and my preferred sauce), green sesame or citron soy, each with varying degrees of flavor intensity.
I found the rice options among the most appealing and was surprised at the flavor variations. Black pearl and barley and white options allow for rice that’s a little more flavorful, and large grain variation is a step up from standard white or brown rice.
Separate side entrees range from a (pucker-inducing) ruby grapefruit salad (fans of the fruit will likely adore it more than I), japchae noodle dish, mandoo dumplings and my personal favorites ““ sweet & spicy chicken and pajeon seafood pancake, a dish consisting of a delicious melding of baked fish and veggies in a kind of crispy casserole.
One drawback is pricing. With the exception of the dumplings ““ priced at $4.99, ““ all menu items, regardless of meat or tofu choices, are universally priced at $8.99.
While it’s a tad steep in price for a take-out college-budget lunch, it is a justifiable dinner.
One added element of the restaurant’s appeal, however, is its modern interior of sleek oak, green and stainless steel decor which offers a subtle sense of chic. Seating options indoors and behind the restaurant on a tiled historical Westwood courtyard provide a small sense of privacy ““ a discrete nook for studying solo or eating with a group.
Overall, Bibigo has a modern atmosphere and is an easily accessible choice for a meal out. The flavorful variety in dishes and sauce options allow for a customized meal and offer some needed dining variety in Westwood. Pricing is inexpensive, though on the high side for fast food. However, it’s definitely worth a try.