Bibigo Finds Its Natural Home… In a Food Court

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It’s been over two years since the Korean chain Bibigo opened its first U.S. location in Westwood Village, bringing fast food bibimbap and spicy pork to UCLA students and Westwood office workers.  And while writers who got treated to free meals raved about it, those of us who spend any time in Koreatown were slightly less enthusiastic.  A great Westwood lunch option, no doubt.  But nothing to get overly excited about.

Staying true to its goal of becoming the McDonald’s of Korean food, Bibigo has opened two more L.A. locations since then,  Including a “casual dining” location in Beverly Hills and most recently an outpost at the Century City Mall food court. And even more recently they added a few new items to the menu at their Westwood location, one of which is worth checking out.

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If you’re a fan of variety, and looking to spend a bit less money, the new $8 lunchtime only bento box being offered at the Westwood location only is pretty great.  A greatest hits of sorts, you get rice, bulgogi, japchae (glass noodles), and fried dumplings plus an assortment of veggies.

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But the thing I’m most excited about in the burgeoning Bibigo empire is the new Century City Mall food court location.  The pared down menu features the exact same food as the Westwood location, but there is something about eating it in a food court that just feels so right. Admittedly, I love a great mall food court… but it also helps that the Korean place Bibigo replaced was not nearly as good.

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Plus they have the kimchi and all the sauces available at a self serve station, allowing you to try all four rather than sit at the cash register trying to decide which one to get with your rice bowl.

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I went with the relatively new spicy rice noodles in a hot sone pot ($8.99) with double meat (add $1).  Imagine a hot stone bibimbap with rice noodles instead of rice and you’ve pretty much got the idea.  You miss out a bit on the crispy bits of rice, but it’s tasty nonetheless and something I’d eat over Take a Bao or Asijen Ramen any day of the week.

Once they start replacing mall food court McDonald’s, then I’ll get really excited.

Bibigo (Multiple Locations)

  • 1091 Broxton Ave, Westwood. 310-824-0011
  • 225 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills. 310-275-0011
  • 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Century City Mall Food Court. 310-557-0011

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