San Diego’s diverse dining scene continues to flourish with the opening of Bibigo Kitchen in Fashion Valley Mall on May 24, a fine-casual concept replete with a modern Korean menu of bold flavors and customizable options designed to please adventurous palates. Given the popularity of Korean cuisine in America, Bibigo Kitchen creates a space where guests can revel in the beloved flavors of Korean BBQ in a high-end restaurant space, delivered in a fast and customizable way.

Bibigo Kitchen brings chef-driven cuisine, creativity, and modern Korean flavors to the forefront of fine-casual dining. Chef In Jun Hwang, a veteran chef with over 18 years of cooking experience, has cultivated an exciting menu for Bibigo Kitchen introducing Korean cuisine to first timers and delighting the taste buds of those already familiar with bold Korean flavors traditionally found in Korean BBQ restaurants.

“Our goal is to invite the world to enjoy modern Korean cuisine, all in a relaxed restaurant environment. The menu at Bibigo Kitchen is meticulously handcrafted, yet fun and delicious. We hope it will allow our diners to experience these unique flavors in an entirely new way,” says Hwang.

With a range of fresh flavors, Bibigo Kitchen’s menu allows diners to create their own culinary journey to explore Korean cuisine. The thoughtfully curated menu provides a cross-cultural experience for the discerning diner where guests can enjoy a familiar favorite such as Beef Bulgogi or try something entirely new, like the Octopus Kimchi Soup.

At Bibigo Kitchen, the experience is everything. From the food to the ambiance, Bibigo Kitchen embodies an upscale, yet casual vibe. With a welcoming space for friends, colleagues and families to congregate and share a meal, guests are encouraged to order from the open kitchen counter and make their selection from grill entrees, either served on a plate or a hot stone, before taking a seat to enjoy their meal.

The centerpiece of Bibigo Kitchen is the Korean BBQ prepared grill items, available on a plate or a sizzling hot stone, featuring main proteins such as the Short Ribs made with Certified Angus Beef; Bibigo Beef Bulgogi traditionally prepared with shiitake mushrooms, various vegetables and marinated in Bibigo’s proprietary Galbi sauce; and the Crispy Pork Belly prepared sous-vide style allowing the pork to remain crispy, yet juicy on the inside and drizzled with Gochujang Aioli for an extra kick of flavor.  

All grill items come with a choice of a savory base and a fresh salad. Bases include options like the Seaweed Rice, seasoned rice covered with umami seaweed specks.  Salad options include Seasonal Fruit Kimchi, a refreshing and tart kimchi salad with seasonally rotating fresh fruits.

Chef special entrees include signature Bibigo Kitchen dishes like the Seoul Bibimbap, an iconic Korean dish traditionally prepared with Beef Bulgogi, microgreens, assorted vegetables and a sous-vide egg, topped off with a house-made chili soy sauce; and the marquee BBQ Platter featuring a plethora of barbequed meats like Short Rib, Bulgogi Beef and Fried Chicken, meant to be shared with two to three people.

Bibigo Kitchen also features a selection of vegetarian options such as the Vegan Dduk Galbi, made with the Impossible Burger, black beans, corn and spices and finished with a soy Gochujang sauce; Japache Glass Noodles with mushrooms and assorted vegetables; and the Vegetable Mandu made with tofu, cabbage, celery and carrot.

Sharing is always encouraged at Bibigo Kitchen through its robust selection of house-made Mandu (Korean-style dumplings), freshly prepared behind the ordering counter where guests can get a firsthand view on the Mandu making action. The unique flavor options include the ultimate surf and turf Prime Galbi & Shrimp Mandu filled with short rib meat and whole premium shrimp; the Bibibao Mandu prepared pan-fried with chicken and showered with an in-house secret chili sauce; and the crowd-pleasing Bibigo Beef and Vegetable Mandu loaded with beef and various vegetables.

A Mandu sampler is also available for guests who want to experience a little of everything, as well as the Mandu and beer flight featuring three Mandu of choice paired with three 4oz draft beers. Bibigo Kitchen offers wine and several local beers and Korean liquors like Makgeolli, perfect for pairing with Bibigo Kitchen’s shareable menu. In addition to the alcohol program, Bibigo Kitchen also offers over eight premium teas such as Vanilla Mint Chai and Blue Jasmine.

The dining atmosphere is elegant, comfortable and welcoming, starting at the Terrazzo marble finished counter where guests can place their order while watching the chefs prepare food in the open kitchen behind giant grills and steaming Mandu stations. After ordering, guests can take a seat in the dining room or in true California spirit, catch the sunshine and cool breeze on the patio. Wood finished cabinets fill the space, offering a modern and warm vibe for the fine-casual space.