Food is a way to cultural understanding, says Eunju Baek Kim, a native of Korea and owner of KBBQ on West Kingsbridge Road.  

Think about it, we all have to eat. Why not explore other cultures by trying their food?  

Before opening KBBQ last fall, Kim worked for the Korean government for 10 years, researching ways to introduce Korean food to the rest of the world.  In other words, she not only knows authentic Korean cuisine, but she’s trained to bring her country’s food to Bronxites.  

When you walk by KBBQ, succulent-looking barbeque chicken and ribs are on display in the window, enticing you to come on in. Inside, the restaurant décor is very tasteful. The dark wood tables and black leather chairs make the narrow space seem larger than it is, and elegant.  There are also plenty of stools to sit on at the bar, a highly-recommended seating options, as Ms. Kim has plenty of stories about Korean food to tell.

The dining room smells fantastic – slightly sweet and smoky, with a faint whiff of sesame oil.  To the left when you walk in, the restaurant has a display featuring a hot and cold buffet of Latin and American food, including everything from plantains, beef and chicken to cold macaroni salad.  

None of those items, however, explain the aroma. It is then that you notice the cheery chalkboards that tout Korean fare. That day’s lunch special: bulgogi, bibimbap or japchaebap.  

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, Kim appears and smiles. “Have you been here before?  Have you ever tried Korean food?” she asks. With her warm welcome and the intoxicating smell, the real question is:  how could a person resist?

The first dish I tried, bulgogi, is Korean barbecue and is considered a national dish. It is a thinly sliced beef that is typically marinated in a soy sauce, sesame oil and green onion sauce before it is grilled or cooked on the stovetop. Kim’s is sweet and smoky and melts in your mouth.  

The second dish, bibimbap, is a version of stir-fry with rice. Kim’s is a beautifully displayed mixture of carrots, zucchini, squash, shitake mushrooms, mung beans, ground beef and rice, sautéed in sesame oil.  It is served with a generous side of gochujan, a spicy Korean condiment that Kim has altered to suit the American palate. Americans tend to like things more sweet than spicy, she says.

If you are not yet convinced to try Korean fare, don’t worry, there is a large menu of familiar American breakfast, lunch and dinner items. You will find sandwiches, wraps, quesadillas, salads, a variety of chicken, pork and beef dishes, a juice and smoothie bar, and breakfast items from bagels and cream cheese to omelets.

When you visit, ask Kim about Korean Space Food. You’ll learn about kimchi, the traditional Korean staple that is eaten with nearly every meal, and how, last month, it accompanied the first Korean astronaut into outer space.

KBBQ is located at 119 W. Kingsbridge Road.