Bunsik 88 — Review by RainaisCrazy
Rowland Heights, United States — Korean
Bunsik 88 in Rowland Heights specializes in Korean street food including kimbap with various fillings, fried sausages, rice cakes, and coin pastries. The reviewer loved the freshness and texture of the kimbap, particularly the tuna variety, and praised the quality of all the sides and coin fillings. This is a must-visit spot for authentic Korean street food.
What was great: The kimbap with fresh vegetables and various filling options, the fried sausages and rice cakes with crispy texture, the tuna kimbap with excellent flavor, the tempura seaweed filled with glass noodles, the red bean coin with thick red bean and amazing batter
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The reviewer started with the original kimbap, highlighting what sets it apart from sushi with its abundance of fresh vegetables and varied textures including crispy carrots. They sampled multiple kimbap varieties including spicy pork, tuna with spam, tempura, and pork fish combinations. The tuna kimbap emerged as a favorite with its well-balanced flavor profile. The reviewer also tried the sausage and cheese kimbap, noting it paired well with the spicy sauce. The tempura seaweed filled with glass noodles was highlighted as a signature street food item that deserves to be dipped in sauce. The coin pastries, particularly the red bean coin, served as a perfect ending to the meal with its thick red bean filling and amazing batter texture, reminiscent of a red bean pancake sandwich. Deep fried sausages and rice cakes rounded out the menu with their crispy exterior and satisfying texture.
The Experience
The atmosphere appears casual and food-focused, typical of a Korean street food establishment. The reviewer enjoyed a social dining experience while discussing the cultural significance of various Korean dishes, including the prevalence of tuna in Korean cuisine and the common placement of dumboki in Korean street food stands.
Value & Pricing
Specific pricing was not mentioned in the transcript, but the variety of items sampled suggests reasonable value for a street food establishment.
Notable Moments
There's a lot more vegetables. It's a lot more texture-wise. I love the carrots, a lot of fresh veggies. I love the crunch.
I think my favorite one is actually the tuna one. I think the tuna one had a really good flavor. Oh, that's so good. It's like Korean spice is like a good burn. Like it's spicy, but all Korean spicy also pairs with sweetness. So like it's a sweet spicy burn.
I feel like dumboki is like the bread and butter cuz in Korea all the street food stands always have this somewhere and if you don't dip your stuff in here it's just like you're missing out.
The Verdict
Bunsik 88 delivers authentic Korean street food with exceptional quality and variety. The restaurant is highly recommended for anyone in the Rowland Heights area seeking genuine Korean cuisine, from the fresh and crunchy kimbap options to the perfectly fried coin pastries. This establishment is ideal for Korean food enthusiasts and anyone curious about exploring traditional Korean street food offerings.