Location: SW 5th and Oak
The Story:
One of our oldest cart pods is seeing some new blood arrive this year. The pod at SW 5th between Stark and Oak has seen three new carts arrive since the holidays and Boolkogi Korean BBQ is the most recent addition. A bright yellow Step-Van that use to sell Brazilian food opened a few weeks ago and has had a crowd ever since.
Portland was first introduced to Korean style tacos by Koi Fusion, a mobile truck that took Portland’s cart scene to the next level in 2009 and is still going strong. Earlier in the year, we saw the opening of Bulkogi Korean just down from Boolkogi on SW 5th and Stark. What makes a Korean taco different from a traditional taco is the seasonings and preparation of the pork and beef. At Boolkogi, as with the others, they serve boolkogi beef (their spelling as I know others spell that differently,) spicy pork, spicy chicken and tofu in a corn tortilla with shredded cabbage, a little sprig of cilantro and a signature Korean sauce. All in all, a good taco with a flair.
Boolkogi Korean BBQ has been open now for two weeks and has been doing brisk business. I can only surmise that once Portland was introduced to the Korean taco, they now can’t get enough. They are competitively priced and you can try three tacos for $5 and get one of each to see what your favorite may be. Welcome to the streets Boolkogi! When you visit, let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.
Sample Menu:
- Tacos: choice of boolkogi beef, spicy pork, spicy chicken or tofu – $2 or 3 for $5
- Rice bowls: choice of meat with rice – $6
- They also do pot-stickers, teriyaki chicken and beef and combination plates
Hours: Monday thorough Saturday, lunchtime
Phone: 503 810 8968
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Okay, it’s good. But is it better than Koi Fusion? What’s your fav so far?
Steven,
I think both have their merits. Koi uses kimchee which for me makes it a totally different experience. Boolkogi’s sauce was savory, sweet and spicy. I don’t have a favorite, I just eat.
I ate here right around the time they opened and it took literally 30 minutes to serve the 5 or 6 people in front of me. Have they figured it out yet?
I just got a beef bulgogi burrito at this cart, and it is delicious! Not as garlicky or spicy as Koi’s offerings with kimchee, but still good. And the wait time was pretty much average for a cart … There were four people in front of me, and I got my order in about 10-12 minutes. I’ll be back!
Is this on 10th and Alder now?
This yellow cart on SW 5th (near SW Oak) is no longer Boolgoki Korean Taco. It is now Korean Twist. There have been different owners/operators in the cart for a few months.
Went today and the sign at the 5th and Oak cart said Boolkogi Taco. I had the spicy chicken tacos: they were bland.
I miss Koi Fusion; wish they would bring their truck back to Old Town.