Location:

The Story:

Portland was first introduced to the Korean taco by Koi Fusion in 2009. Now we have a new cart on SW 5th offering them up without you having to know where they will be from one day to the next. Welcome Bulkogi Korean BBQ.

Korean tacos are usually defined by how the meat is cooked (Korean style with different methods of preparation) and what other toppings are included. For most, the uniqueness is from the kimchi that is added as filler. Mix these two together with some spice and you have a truly unique taco experience.

At Bulkogi, I ordered and enjoyed a Korean Chicken and Korean Beef taco. On their menu, they don’t list kimchi per se, but do let you know you are getting a “healthy Korean salad topping” with your taco. The tacos were a good size, two would be sufficient for lunch. The meat was well prepared and flavorful, yet what I liked the most was the Korean salad topping. It was made with shredded cabbage, finely chopped red onion, some lettuce and cilantro. It was all held together with a light spicy sauce that, when paired with the cilantro, gave the entire taco a zing. I love cilantro, but know it can sometimes overwhelm a dish. While there was a lot of cilantro here, it didn’t overwhelm, but complemented the taco nicely. I enjoyed both tacos and look forward to returning in a few weeks after they get in their groove to see if they are any different.

Bulkogi Korean BBQ is in the space where Dreamer’s cafe use to be, using the old Dreamer’s cart. They have modified it significantly with a front attached to the cart to create the serving counter you see here. Bulkogi is a family business, so like with most every cart, you’re ordering from the owner and chef and chief dishwasher. Lately, I have begun to appreciate that aspect of the carts so much more and enjoy having small chats with them about their stories. Check out Bulkogi next time your down there and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

All tacos come with Korean Salad topping

• Korean Chicken breast taco – $2
• Korean Beef – $2
• Korean Pork – $2
• Korean Tofu – $2

Hours: Lunchtime, weekdays
Contact: unknown

Koi Fusion has been a unique and fun addition to Portland’s Food Cart scene and we’re glad to see them succeed so well. I for one am excited to try what will be showcased at KoiFusion@1 – KFC – Korean Fried Chicken. Described as spicy, crunchy fried chicken in a tangy sauce – doesn’t that make your mouth water?

KoiFusion@1 is open now and are working out some of the minor kinks. They will be open 4pm-12am Tuesday through Saturday. Check them out at NW 13th and Lovejoy.

KoiFusion@1 and Studio 1
1300 NW Lovejoy
(503) 220-0080
www.koifusionpdx.com
@koifusionpdx on Twitter!

dosirak lunch cart

Location: SW 4th and Hall

Description:

A coworker and I needed something hearty for lunch and wanted to try something new. We saw the shiny yellow cart named dosirak and decided to give it a try. Talk about simple ordering. This cart offers up one dish and one dish only – marinated chicken over rice with a salad and some dumplings called mandoos. That’s it. The cart is aptly named – dosirak translates to lunchbox.

dosirak lunchbox

The “lunchbox” comes with a generous portion of sticky white rice covered with amazing marinated charbroiled chicken and a couple of mandoo (little dumplings.) The salad has a unique miso flavored dressing that is perfectly matched with the chicken. The lunch was great. A perfect portion with great tastes and wonderfully simple. I especially like the mandoo as they had a texture and flavor that melted in your mouth.

If you’re out looking for a new take on marinated chicken and rice, visit dosirak and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Menu:

• The Lunchbox: marinated chicken charbroiled to perfection; fresh green salad with miso dressing and mandoo (little dumplings – $6
• Mandoo (dumplings) – small order 6 pieces – $3; large order 10 pieces – $4

Contact: unknown
Website: unknown

Location: SW 4th and Burnside; SW 6th and College; PGE Park and all over the city

Description: Koi Fusion burst on the scene a month or so ago on Twitter. By the time they had their “soft opening,” there were lines 30 people deep. Now that is marketing. Koi Fusion’s ace in the hole is that they are food cart that is truly mobile. Koi Fusion does Korean tacos.

I was out last week on a foodcart binge and while we were taking in some Grilled Cheese Grill, I saw a tweet that Koi Fusion was open up by PGE Park for the Timbers game. No way was I going to miss out on the Korean tacos on this glutenous day. We headed out in the rain and braved predatory tow trucks to try them out. I had met Bo, the owner, about a month ago while wandering around the 10th and Alder carts. Bo is one of those individuals who exudes excitement about what they offer. I got a contact high just from talking to him. I actually feel bad that I hadn’t visited sooner. When we arrived, Bo shouted welcome from behind the counter to everyone walking by. With such a welcoming gesture. I knew it would be a good night.

We decided to try everything on the menu except for the burrito. On Thursday night, Koi Fusion was offering up Soul Sliders- traditional sliders made with their spicy pork. A plate of those and a mixed plate including beef bulgogi tacos, spicy chicken tacos and spicy pork tacos and we were set. When I think of tacos, my mind goes to the traditional tacos the Mexican carts offer – smaller in size, but full of carne or pastor and maybe some lettuce. Koi Fusion’s tacos are similar in that they aren’t full of extraneous stuff, but I would say they are a bit larger.  Bo’s mom is in there making the tortillas by hand. She has her own tip jar. Once you taste one of the tacos, you’ll know why. The sliders were great. The spicy pork isn’t spicy until the back end, kind of a creeper heat, but not overwhelming. There were bean spouts on the top which gave it a little crunch, mixing with the pork for an perfect taste. The tacos were the real treat. Hefty with either spicy pork or beef bulgogi on freshly made tortillas, you just can’t go wrong. They too are topped with a little slaw, some bean sprouts and fresh cilantro so you get numerous flavors while eating a single taco.

Koi Fusion moves around, so you you need to keep up with them on Twitter – @koifusionpdx. They announce any specials and location every day. Most recently they have been parked up by PSU and by PGE park for different events. I wouldn’t be surprised if they show up at some street fairs over the summer. Keep on the lookout.

Sample Menu:

• Beef Bulgogi taco – $1.50
• Spicy Chicken taco – $1.50
• Spicy Pork tco – $1.50
• Tofu taco – $1.50
• Burrito – $5

Hours: Lunchtime at SW 6th and College; evenings at PGE Park (follow Twitter stream for updates)

Contact: Twitter @Koifusionpdx or via their website KoiFusionpdx.com

Description: Oh Number 1 Bento, how you perplex me but still manage to draw me in. See, I know you are not Corn USA, as advertised on the side of your cart. I know you do not serve corn (updated: I guess they do sell corn afterall), nor are you located on Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles, California. I also happen to know that you aren’t really a bento stand. Oh how you tease and intrigue me!

You coy and coquettish little yellow cart. I would have never known you serve my favorite cuisine of all time, had I never bothered stopping by to look at your little menu.

Wait, is it what I think I see? Could it really be a CART THAT SERVES KOREAN FOOD? In downtown Portland? Hell yes. This makes Number 1 Bento the only Korean food cart in Portland.

Sure, Number 1 Bento is selling things like generic “teriyaki,” “fried dumplings” and “grilled chicken” served with short grain rice and a miso ginger dressed salad. But hold on there, because Number 1 Bento is also serving Kimchee, Kalbi Korean beef ribs and my absolute all time favorite of rice, beef, egg and vegetables: Bi Bim Bop. Praise the food cart gods and pass the hot sauce.

Kalbi Grilled Korean Beef Ribs

Korean favorite Bi Bim Bap

So what’s the deal? It seems they just opened and haven’t yet had a chance to paint over their cart or add a new sign. The nice woman behind the counter also told they will be adding more Korean specialties like Chap-Chae noodles, seasoned Bulgogi beef and even the Korean sushi known as Kimbap. Now, if they’d only wise up and serve Korean Fried Chicken, I’d be in heaven.

Prices seem very reasonable, and portions are HUGE. Keep an eye on this cart – it could turn out to be one of the better carts in downtown.

The Bi Bim Bap Bop with Kim Chee

Sample Menu:

(kimchee served upon request)

Bi-Bim-Bop, seasoned vegetables, beef, and fried egg on rice – $5.50

Kalbi grilled beef ribs, served with rice and salad -$6.50

Chicken Teriyaki with rice and salad – $5.50

Chicken potstickers with rice and salad – $5.50

Seasoned grilled chicken with rice and salad – $5.50

Hours: Lunch to about 6PM hours Mon-Sat

Phone: Unknown

Website: Unknown