Kim Jong Grillin'
CLOSED
Location: SE 48th and Division
Hours: T-Sat, 11am-7pm
The Story:
Korean BBQ has been making its inroads into Portland’s culinary scene over the last few years and I’m pretty sure we loves the new choices. Kim Jong Grillin’ with its catchy name joins the ranks and brings their version of the cuisine to SE Portland.
In a mobile kitchen at a burgeoning pod at the corner of SE 48th and Division, Han, a young tattooed man with a chef’s knife in hand creates the tasty Korean dishes we love. Many in Portland have been introduced to Korean BBQ with the fusion taco carts in the city like Koi Fusion and Korean Twist. While Han is doing bulgogi, he isn’t just another fusion taco cart. He decided to do full plates and sandwiches. Plates include sticky rice, kimchee and your choice of different types of BBQ meat including Bulgogi (marinated beef,) Galbi (Korean short ribs,) Samgyeopsal Gui (spicy pork,) or Dak Bulgogi (spicy chicken.)
Han Mi from Kim Jong Grillin'
Being in a hand food mood like wraps or sandwiches, I ordered the Han Mi sandwich, Han’s version of the Vietnamese Banh Mi. The small Vietnamese baguette baked just down the street was filled with Bulgogi and pickled carrots, dikon radish and cilantro. At first bite, I now understand the importance of the bread. That baguette with a crunchy outside and soft inside soaked up the juices from the meat and veggies creating an enjoyable mix of flavors. I didn’t want to put the sandwich down for fear my lunch mate would steal it. Such a great sandwich. For $5.50, the sandwich was a solid meal, with a generous portion of meat and veggies.
Asked why Portland’s food cart scene is so special, I respond, “because the owners keep raising the bar or providing something new.” That is the case here at Kim Jong Grillin’. Han knows his game and plays it well with some flavorful and well prepared food. He even partners with other carts in the lot do expand the fusion – like Korean duck on Leroy’s BBQ. Check their Facebook page for ongoing specials. I also love the logo with a tiger in the shape of the Korean peninsula. The pod at SE 48th and Division now has four carts and continues to evolve, so cruise on down and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.
Sample Menu:
Korean BBQ comes with sticky rice and seasonal kimchee
- Bulgogi: marinated strips of beef – $8
- Galbi: grilled Korean short ribs – $8
- Samgyeopsal Gui: Korean style spicy pork – $8
- Dak Bulgogi: Korean style spicy chicken – $8
- Combo with any 3 – $10
Other items:
- Japchae: vegan stir fried potato noodles and vegetables – $5
- Bibim Box: stir fried potato noodles with rice, kimchee, sprouts and choice of meat with a fried egg – $8
- Taepodong Hot Dog: Sabrett hot dog, kimchee aioli in a toasted baguette – $5.50
- Han Mi Sandwich: choice of meat on toasted baguette with pickled carrots, dikon and cilantro – $5.50
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-7pm
Phone: 503 926 2868
Facebook: Kim Jong Grillin’
This cart is so good! It’s easily the best Korean food I’ve ever eaten. Korean food is always intense and full of flavor, and this is no exception. It’s very intense food, yet somehow it has a lot more subtle complexity than I’m used to. No single flavor overwhelms the senses. Powerful, but well balanced. The owner is a great guy too. Highly recommended food cart! The Bi Bim Box is my favorite.
While you are there, also check out the other carts in the pod (Havana Cafe, Leroy’s BBQ, and some mexican cart I forget the name of) which are all awesome! The pod on 48th and division is quickly becoming my favorite food cart pod in Portland, yet oddly it never seems very busy. It may be one of the Southeast’s most well kept secrets. Check it out!
This place is the shiznitz! I can not say enough for the owner and his product, simply the best!
Had the Bibimbox from here…really good. An enormous pile of food and veggies with chapchae noodles and crunchy bits of rice mixed in with your choice of protein and lots of veggies and kimchi, topped off with spicy-sweet gochujang sauce…at least a pound and a half of food. Enough for two meals at least!
Kim Jong’s Grillin makes a really tasty ‘Han Mi’ sandwich. I had it with the beef and enjoyed every bite. My only criticism is that the sandwich needs to be somewhat larger. I guess I’m spoiled as when I lived in San Francisco many Vietnamese sandwich shops and small restaurants offered a similar version that was larger and a bit less costly. I don’t know the cost involved in Portland to run a food cart so maybe their size:price ratio is reasonable up here.
The kim chi was spicy to me though to be fair I am not one to go for the spicy foods.
Prior to moving to Oregon, I used to eat Korean food frequently and I lived in a neighborhood with several Korean delis so I got to try some unique Korean foods. I haven’t yet tried a full plate special at Kim Jong’s Grillin, however, my take on the food is that this cart seems traditional in its approach to cooking Korean food.
I will go back sometime to try out a full plate special.
OMG! Han is rockin it!
i stopped by right about closing time and Han was kind enough to still hook me up.
i went all out with the beef bibim box and 1 of each of the rice balls (plum and smoked salmon).
as Han cooked we chatted it up. I found out that his family is from the same city in Korea that i lived in. this just got me more excited since each region has different flavor profiles. i was so ready for a taste of korean comfort food.
so i trekked back up to NoPo with my box of goodness. OMG! Han hit it out of the ball park. each bite was flavor and memory packed for me.
i havent stopped telling folks about his delicious food.
Hans food is truly: maeshesigho! (that’s korean for delicious)
thanks for the fireworks in my mouth.
I will be back!
UPDATE from facebook
Dear Everyone, Thank you for the well wishes and comments. We miss you all too! So, with that being said, I have news. The cart is gone and will not be coming back. Unfortunately the timing is what killed it….