Be Bop

Sadly, BeBop is no more. Walked in the other day, sat down, and the menu was all Japanese food. Turns out Manpuku took over the space. No warning that BeBop was gone. What was confusing is that all the décor is the same, so you literally cannot tell it’s different until you sit down. Three other parties walked in after us and had the same confusing experience.
Dolsot bibimbap, I’ll miss you.

I enjoyed the location, but parking can be difficult. We managed to grab a parking spot a block away and it wasn’t too bad. I could imagine there may be certain times that parking maybe nearly impossible to find. Besides parking, I enjoyed walking around as there were different businesses on the College Avenue.
Many great restaurants are a hole in a wall and Be Bop is one of them. Don’t let it discourage you. We ordered the Bulgogi BBQ, Seafood Pancake, and Kim Chee Fried Rice. All is on the blander side, but I appreciate their approach. Too much sodium is never good anyway. Included with our order were banchan, soup (miso based), rice, and sweet cold kabocha soup which I think would be better served at the end of the meal as a dessert.
Never expected to have leftovers, but we did. We requested for to go boxes and they were the most tiniest I’ve ever seen. Initially we were given two boxes which was ridiculous. Ultimately we had to request for two more to make them all fit. I’d say common sense was not present, but we were glad that the more experienced waiter came to assure we gotten what we needed.
Overall I recommend this place. Also if you are on a budget, Be Bop is a plus. The bill was less than the usual amount when dining for Korean food.

Pretty decent bowl of bibimbop. Lots of good fresh veggies. Mushrooms are nicely seasoned.
You get the option of different sauces but I prefer places where you get a few sauces.
Service was warm and friendly. My friend and I stayed almost two hours and no one minded.

i finally got to try this place after they were closed due to renovations earlier in the month. they are open again but apparently only for dinner for now. I got the sashimi bi bim bop sans rice but $ 13. All that anticipation was well worth it. You get 3 little bon chons of broccoli, kimchee, and tofu. You also get some pumpkin soup too which was tasty. I felt slightly pressured to drink it all when the waitress saw taht i didn’t drink it all and asked if i didn’t like it.
The sashimi bi bimbop was worth the $ 13. You get a nice quantity of salmon and fish roe along with the usual triminings of a bi bim bop. I got it sans rice and they were accomodating and even gave me a samll side salad. i’ll be back to try the other bi bim bop. my neighbor

Five stars for the chef!!! the food is delicious!
Not the most exiting restaurants to go to but the food makes it worth coming over and over.

I’m still on a search to find my replacements for Los Angeles’ Koreatown even though I know it’s probably going to be a difficult journey. Be Bop unfortunately didn’t make the cut for me.
I got the Kimchi Tuna Bibimbap with regular gochujang (chili sauce). For $ 11, the dish felt overpriced. The rice was soggy and there were no crispy rice bits when I reached the end (my favorite part!). The assortment of veggies was good, but the tuna wasn’t super special; it was like canned tuna.
The complimentary pumpkin porridge was tasty, but I don’t think I’d return just based on that good point.
Overall, Be Bop is between 2.5−3 stars for me — I’ve had way better in LA, even at the 24-​hour places for $ 7 – 8, but so far in East Bay where there isn’t such a K-​town, Be Bop is OK.

The restaurant was pretty empty when I went in but service was slow. Side dish portions were really small and the entrée (pork bulgogi) was very saucy.

Been wanting to try this place for a while! They bring out complementary pumpkin soup, and I ordered the bulgogi bibimbap, all of which were delish! The bibimbap wasn’t served in a bowl like what I’m used to, but the presentation was nice. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the price was decent. If you’re craving Korean food in Berkeley, go here!

There are few places in town where I would choose a vegetarian dish over meat. Be Bop is one of them. Their bibimbop dishes (any of them, really) are to die for — my favorite: kimchi tuna (OK OK. Not really vegetarian, but close enough). I always get it with the mixed rice and an egg on top (always get the egg on top!!). The tuna is mixed in with kimchi– spicy at the right amount, and never bland. The veggies are also cooked and seasoned to perfection.
I also love the fact that they serve the most amazing pumpkin soup before serving the main dish. Side note: I have to remember to ask them for the recipe next time I’m there… Be Bop has not disappointed and I doubt they will anytime soon. I’ve taken out of towners to this little restaurant and each one always leaves feeling happy, full, and satisfied.
Haiku time!
Kimchi bibimbop
Like a party in my mouth
So delectable!

We came to the Elmwood area on Sunday (⁴⁄₂₀) intending to go to Trattoria. However, it was closed so we had to find somewhere else to eat. I had a craving for Korean food, and it looked like Be Bop had pretty good reviews.
I’m a really really big fan of bibimbap, it’s usually a great option at Korean restaurants, especially as a vegetarian. I ordered the mushroom hot stone bowl which was $ 12.95. I loved this, since you could order it with mixed grain rice (you can choose between mixed grain with chickpeas and black beans, brown rice and white rice) and came with a variety of different vegetables such as radish, spinach, mushroom etc and an egg on top. All orders also come with traditional side dishes (kimchi, eggplant and tofu) as well as pumpkin soup. I would say for $ 12.95 this was a delicious, healthy, satisfying meal. They also have different sauces that you can choose from, but gojuchang is still my favorite.
Next time, I really want to try the vegetable pancakes and the cold bibimbap.
The only thing is the service was kind of slow, but the food definitely makes up for that!

I’ve only had food truck Korean food so, I wasn’t down with the bimidee bopidee meals they serve up here. I realize now, it’s just a complicated combo plate. Still very confusing and almost too many sides for me to focus (A.D.D)
I liked their meat a lot and the spicy sauce. and their sticky brown rice.
Their chewy lotus root seeped in something fantastic is probably my favorite food item here. If I go back, I will try to order something more simple, if that’s possible.
Good stuff, but they can keep that pumpkin porridge crap… tastes like baby food. Blah!

Dropped in w/​my bestie on a rainy Sunday around lunch time. I knew I had to get the chicken noodle soup. For $ 7.00 it was pretty good, savory, and satisfying. I intended to study afterwards but ended up taking a nap. I thought this only happened when I eat phở? I’d order it again in the future but I’ll probably order it on a Monday when I’m already feeling tired rather than on national homework day when I need my energy.
Meanwhile, my bestie ordered the beef bulgogi in the hot stone bowl. I could taste the charbroiled flavor and I wanted to die. of happiness. If there’s anything that gives you wings, it should be this because I went to heaven. You cannot seriously go wrong with any dish here esp. because it comes in such large and flavorful portions. Holy bulgogi! And yes, you can eat that on Sundays. It gave my bestie a lot of energy and my soul some satisfaction. Get it? Chicken noodle soup for the soul? Man, does anyone still read those books? YUM! 4 STARS!

Delicious Bibimbap.
There really isn’t much to say besides, this place’s Bebimbop ROCKS!
All the ingredients are fresh, tasty, and blend in so well with everything. Unlike most places, this place does not make their bibimbap oily, but has just enough oil so that everything cooks awesomely.
Make sure to add their sweet/​hot red sauce to your bowl, it adds a big kick in flavor. I’ve only tried the chicken but I hear the bulgogi as the meat option is top notch.
They also have pretty good appetizers here as well but I have yet to try that.
Service here was amazing; our server checked on our table multiple times, refilled water on request, and even asked if we needed more sauce.
Parking here is terrible, there is paid parking in the lot across the street but REMEMBER to pay the machine to get your ticket or you WILL get a ticket (like me =()

Interesting bibimbop specialty shop. You can pick from just about any standard protein (chicken, beef, pork, salmon, seafood, etc). I got the chicken in the stone pot. There were elements of the meal that weren’t quite what you’d find at many of the other Korean restaurants around here, but as long as they taste good that’s really what matters, in my opinion.
While Pumpkin Soup IS a commonly accepted variety of Korean porridge (contrary to what the reviewer who mentions Panda Express says), it’s usually more of a breakfast item. But it was a nice hearty start to the meal.
Banchan is only 3 items, although the waitress was happy to refill them. When I went it was eggplant, white kimchee, and broccoli. Not the most common but all perfectly tasty, especially the white kimchee.
They let you pick different kinds of sauces. There’s gochujang, but also soy sauce, miso, or wild sesame. I went with the wild sesame and it went extremely well with the meal. Also, you can get brown rice (more of a mixed rice, although I was happy to find that it was 100% whole grain with no white rice filler.)
The waitress was very friendly and explained that since this was in a somewhat upscale area of Berkeley with a broad mix of shops and restaurants (not Koreatown) they tried to make a menu that would appeal to the audience. For instance, the kimchee they serve isn’t spicy, and they let you pick different sauces if you don’t want something spicy. I appreciate variations like these if they’re done well, which here they did. The adjustments did not dumb the dish down; they kept them flavorful and interesting and with high quality ingredients. Two thumbs up!

Be Bop is one of my favorite Korean restaurants in Berkeley. Great service and a great environment.
They first start off with complimentary pumpkin soup (: Soo yummy and a nice sweetness to start your appetite.
1. Their seafood soondobu is my mister’s go-​to — «It’s like a seafood buffet in there» Decently sized shrimp, calamari pieces, and whole scallops with soft tofu bits all in a sizzling bowl of spicy soup.
Side dishes are small but totally refillable upon request — yes to the eggplant!
Kim chi yum :)
2. Amazing lunch specials — bulgogi (giant heap of delicious meat)+ salad + your choice of rice (mixed grain is yummy) + soup = little under $ 9
3. Bibimbap is soo filling and customizable. Ask for all the sauces to try them all :)
Great customer service too!
It’s also in a great location on College next to Manpuku and super close to dessert = Ici ice cream yayyyyy :))
Would recommend? YESSS :)

Fresh and delicious! I loved the veggie jeon and my spicy shrimp bibimbap (I also had plenty left over for lunch the next day). The «extras» were interesting — not necessarily dishes I would have ordered, but nice compliments to the meal. I LOVE the varied, authentic and relatively healthy menu. Especially that you can get tons of quality veggies, and can have brown rice or even a wild rice/​bean mix.
Some reviewers commented on the service not being great, but honestly I thought it was fine — just more of a cultural translation issue than a service issue. But that makes the experience even more legit!

I get sick of mediocre kimchi tofu stews, greasy japchae, and poor quality grilled meat plates when I go to standard Korean places. Very few restaurants I come across actually make good, authentic Korean food, not something thrown together with cheap ingredients meant to deceive those who aren’t familiar with what it’s supposed to taste like.
Be Bop wins because their food is fresh, and their dishes are almost fusion style, refreshing and unique.
It’s small, clean, and modern, featuring minimalist décor and a lovely open kitchen. The storefront is all window, so it’s bright and spacious. The square/​rectangular plates and small dishes adds to the modern look. Add the colorful and aesthetic food, and it’s Instagramlicious.
You get a complimentary pumpkin porridge, stew-​like soup, and side dishes (consisting of spicy stewed tofu, light non-​kimchi-​like cabbage, pickled lotus root, and assorted pickled vegetables). So much food! I was almost full by the time I finished all these appetizers.
The bibimbap features a lot of different vegetables and also comes with a spicy cole slaw. I’ve tried grilled chicken and bulgogi, both of which were good. The mixed grain rice costs extra, but it’s hard-​core, intensely purple rice – like the expensive dark varieties you find at Whole Foods.
The seafood pancake is great, not too much breading filler and a lot of seafood. No fusion elements for this dish, but the quality is good so overall it’s even better than the ones I’ve had at traditional places.
Service was good: attentive and courteous.
IMO a much nicer version of Crunch, for about the same price.
Caution: beware of Unilocal pictures that are not to scale! I thought the plates would be small, but they are HUGE! Come with an appetite :)
Why 4 stars and not 5? Because I came here after finishing supersized boba from Mr. Green Bubble –_​_​-​;; Too much food in my stomach @@ My fault – maybe it would have been a 5-​star experience for me had I been smarter about omnomnom-​ing.

To be honest, I am a complete sucker for presentation and came here after seeing the nicely plated cold bibimbap plates in pictures. I think in general, things are a bit pricey here but not without some reason.
The first starter is the pumpkin appetizer, which I thought was pretty delicious and a good, light, appetizer. My mom would be so proud — she’s always trying to get me to eat various forms of squash. We were also given some seaweed soup. Both were complimentary.
However, I noticed that Be Bop does not offer as many side dishes as other korean restaurants in my area, which is a shame. Everyone loves side dishes!
not as many side dishes as other restaurants
I got the cold bibimbap which was quite delicious but kind of confusing to eat sometimes — I never knew what to eat next (but that was my own fault because I didn’t want to mix it all up like I would have with a hot dolsat bibimbap, so I was just eating bites of everything and constantly rotating between the stuff on my plate hahaha).
My boyfriend got a hot meat platter and was very satisfied because it came with a ton of meat.

My friend and I decided to try Be Bop instead of going to our usual place ManPuku next door and I have to say that I was a bit disappointed.
We got the hot pot bibimbap and I felt like it wasn’t that flavorful. I feel like I’ve definitely had better hot pot bibimbap in other Korean restaurants so Be Bop didn’t convince me to come back for that dish.
We also got the seafood pancake which was good, but the pancake was quite uneven because the pancake dough was all on one side and the other side was basically all of the seafood. The uneven nature of the seafood pancake didn’t take away from the taste though, if you do visit Be Bop I’d recommend getting the seafood pancake. ($ 9)
It is true when the other reviews say that they give you a three course meal with soup, side dishes, and the entrée. They had this special pumpkin purée (I’m not sure if this was seasonal or not) that was very bland and it just didn’t fit my tastes personally. The soup was good. I wasn’t a huge fan of the side-​dishes which are different from traditional Korea restaurant dishes.
Overall, I don’t think I’d come back to Be Bop but the atmosphere and décor were very nice and the service was good as well.

Along the same vein as Bowl’d on Solano, Be Bop is a BiBimBop (Korean rice bowl topped with veggies and other things like meats or tofu) focused Korean restaurant with 9 bibimbap (BBB) options (
). I’ve been here twice, once close to opening and just recently.
Be Bop has a smaller overall menu vs. Bowl’d. In addition to the BBB they have 4 BBQ items, 10 jeon (fried battered or pancake type items), and have added a handful of things since opening like kimchi mandu, soon dubu, and galbi (
).
They start you off with a small cup of pumpkin /​squash soup (
) which I enjoyed.
Just 3 banchan delivered with very light or no spiciness (
). It was augmented with a plate of spicy kimchi that came with my makkoli (unfiltered rice wine
). The waitress said I got this because of the booze, but it couldn’t hurt to ask, if you’re going sober and are craving kimchi.
The meal also comes with another vegetarian soup (
)
I’ve gotten the Bulgogi Dolsot BBB both times I’ve been. This last time, they now give an option for an egg where it wasn’t offered when they first opened! It comes runny sunny-​side up (
) You can also choose white, brown, or mixed grain rice for your BBB.
Toppings include sprouts, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, julienned carrots & radish, shredded lettuce & cabbage, and quinoa along with your protein of choice. They’ve given a good amount of lean and tender bulgogi both times. I chose mixed grain rice this time (first was white) and that was a mistake for two reasons: 1) the mixed grain rice mixture was very moist so didn’t crisp up against the hot stone bowl, 2) the pat (azuki beans) in the rice were plentiful and very sweet, which I didn’t like with the rest of the BBB.
Kimchi Bin dae duk (kimchi mung bean pancake) from first visit was slightly over-​fried, but still tasty with the kimchi inside (
).
Food so far has been maybe 3.5 stars overall, but rounding up for the friendly and efficient service.