Modern Korean Kitchen Opens Friday at Fashion Valley - Eater San Diego

"Bibigo Kitchen arrives Friday, May 24 at the Fashion Valley Mall, ushering in a first-of-its-kind eatery for a global food brand that’s already a household name. Bibigo, which is known worldwide for its Korean dumplings, sauces, and other prepared foods, operates several fast-casual food court outposts throughout Southern California, including one at Westfield UTC; this new Fashion Valley location will mark the debut of its next-generation, sit-down restaurant featuring an expanded menu and a bar serving beer, wine, and Korean liquor. The stand-alone eatery, which includes a 50-seat dining room and 20-seat patio, is located in the River Plaza section of the mall below the AMC Theatres. Bringing customizable counter-style service to the tradition of Korean barbecue, Bibigo Kitchen offers plates of beef bulgogi, crispy pork belly, octopus, and more paired with your choice of sides including seaweed rice, noodles, seasonal fruit kimchi, and grill root vegetables. An open kitchen gives diners a peek at the preparation of the eatery’s fresh dumplings, or mandu, which include steamed dumplings stuffed with tofu and vegetables and pan-fried dumplings filled with beef, pork, and shrimp. Created by veteran chef In Jun Hwang, the diverse menu includes modernized versions of classic dishes, including hot stone bowls sizzling with steak kimchi fried rice and gojuchang aioli chicken, as well as octopus kimchi soup, honey-soy fried chicken, and even tiramisu made with roasted Korean bean powder. There a variety of tea plus La Colombe Coffee, draft beer, wine, and an array of Korean alcoholic beverages including soju and makgeolli, a lightly sparkling rice wine. Bibigo Kitchen is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; during the restaurant’s opening week, it will be giving away free beef or vegetable mandu appetizers to every guest." - Candice Woo