The interior is earth-toned with large window panels spanning the north wall, a towering wooden-overhang, stony walls, five TVs presenting nature sights with serene music to help muse patrons to ease.
There’s also really cute knick-knacks and paintings.
On one of the shelves there’s an old payphone with a rotary dial; far in the back, four small Totoros sit under a pondering Jack Skellington; a trio of rusty copper fans hang from the ceiling near an odd looking book-pillar, and finally, a massive unhung painting sits near an inexhaustible amount of paintbrushes.
If you do decide to visit, then there’s one important rule: a minimum of two people per party.
Once seated you’ll be treated to scorched rice soup, a large rice bowl, sweet pumpkin soup, and fried seaweed. The preset menu includes perilla seed and chicken soup, soybean paste with cabbage, acorn jelly salad, soybean paste stew, pickled veggies, freshwater snail with vinegar, kimchi pancake and banchan brought in a bamboo basket.
Have you been to Borit Gogae?
If there’s one place in Koreatown I can go to and know I’ll feel rejuvenated and nourished, it’s here.
Borit Gogae is a DIY bibimbap restaurant that lives on 8th and Hobart, hidden away in a secret plaza without a front entrance.
By peering into the entrance, patrons get a glimpse of the vibrant interior a poster-sized impressionist painting fo trees with red, yellow, and green leaves under a varied blue sky, alongside two statues— one holding a “Come in, We’re Open and Awesome” sign, the other gazing at a photo of Borther’s BBQ
You also can add a variety of meats and seafood for an additional cost.
My personal favorites were the perilla seed and chicken soup for its creamy consistency, the kimchi pancake with its delicate crunch and the snails sprinkled with chives, onions and a spicy sauce.
At the end of the meal you’ll be provided with sweet plum juice and dried persimmon and walnut.
Leftovers are certain so utilize the to-go boxes, and if you’re not in a rush, take a small tour of the interior. Maybe you’ll find a favorite knick-knack and/or painting.
Written by Jason Escobar | Illustrated by Rina Shin