Over the summer break, Gogobop Korean Rice Bar opened its doors to the USC community. Students walked onto campus to find the new restaurant where KoBunga Korean Grill once was.
One month since its opening, the Korean Rice Bar is already making a lasting impression with Trojans.
Despite it being his first visit, Kevin Yin, a petroleum engineering major, decided that Gogobop is “the best bowl in the village” for him.
His bowl was topped to the brim with purple rice, chicken and other toppings.
“After I took the first bite, I think, ‘oh it’s so Korean,’” Yin said.
Gogobop opened its first location in Koreatown in 2017, later opening locations in Westwood and Monrovia. USC marks Gogobop’s fourth location in California.
According to their website, Gogobop’s mission is to “deliver an unforgettable fusion of flavors, blending the bold tastes of Korea with speed and convenience.”
Inside Gogobop, customers can build their own bowl, choosing the base, protein, topping and sauce options.
Base options include white rice, glass noodles and salad. The protein options include beef bulgogi, gochujang chicken, spicy pork and pork belly. Customers can also pick from a wide variety of toppings from corn to green onions to shaved carrots.
Gogobop is most known for its build-your-own protein bowls, but also offers pan-fried dumplings and hotteok, a Korean dessert that’s not commonly seen in other restaurants on campus.
To Alexandra Tjandra, a junior biopharmaceutical sciences student, Gogobop has been her go-to food stop since they opened at the village in early August.
“The portions are really huge. I didn’t even finish my lunch today so I can take it home for dinner,” Tjandra said as she packed up her leftover gochujang chicken, vegetables and purple rice.
Bowls start at $11.95, and students say it’s worth the price because of the quality and quantity of food.
“I think it’s the average price, but you have the best experience in the village,” Yin said.
Kayla Branson, a senior psychology major, was excited when she saw that Gogobop was going to open at USC Village.
“A lot of the main dishes that I got, at least, like the bulgogi and kimchi are things that I’ve had from my Korean grandma,” said Branson. “So when I saw this place was opening I was really excited to try it.”