Last updated on November 9, 2022 by Jeremy
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As it concerns Pittsburgh Food Trucks are concerned, it is difficult to beat the Korean truck, Mr. Bulgogi.
We enjoyed this truck’s delicious beef and spicy pork bulgogi bowls (as well as plenty of mandu dumplings) at Pittsburgh Breweries for years and always wondered when the owners would open a permanent restaurant in the city because, let’s be honest, we can always use more good Korean in Pittsburgh.
Ultimately, the answer was 2022 when the team here opened K-Town Snack Bar right in the heart of Oakland. Even better? The menu features many of the truck’s classics along with a few new dishes, all in a quick and casual setup that’s sure to delight visitors to Oakland to hungry college students looking for a quick meal on a budget.
Mr. Bulgogi Classics Find a Home at K-Town Snack Bar
For those familiar with the Mr. Bulgogi food truck menu, K-Town Snack Bar’s offerings won’t surprise you.
Classic truck dishes like spicy beef and pork bulgogi bowls can be found alongside variations of their mandoo dumplings and new dishes like ramen, Korean corn dogs, tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) and bungeoppang (goldfish cakes) to name a few.
On the classic side of things, beef and pork bulgogi bowls are virtually identical to their truckload counterparts. That is, our favorite grilled spicy pork is served over rice with salad and japchae noodles for a wonderful balance of protein, texture and flavor.
For those who love spice, the pork is grilled with a gochujang-based glaze for a slow-burning heat that, while present, isn’t terribly hot but immensely flavorful (we’d go so far as to say it’s one of our favorite international condiments – from Korea if not). But if you prefer sweet and savory, beef bulgogi will be for you. We simply order the pork every visit because, for us at least, it’s one of those rare perfect dishes that we can’t get enough of.
On the new side, we must recommend an order of tteokbokki as a starter. This dish features fluffy, almost gummy logs of rice cake bathed in a delicious (and somewhat spicy) kimchi stew. Angie often yells at me for likening this dish to a Korean version of tomato soup (partly because there are no tomatoes in it), but I always come back with the argument that it has to do with the way the flavors meld into something comforting like this classic childhood dish – although the color and spiciness certainly helps.
The only difference is that it’s made with kimchi, fluffy rice cakes, and it’s much tastier than you might expect from this description (it’s kind of a bigger dish than parties if there ever was one). Suffice it to say, if you find yourself in Oakland in the dead of winter and need something hearty to warm you up, this one should be upgraded from appetizer territory to be enjoyed as a full entree.
Finally, those who want a little more should finish with an order of bungeoppang or goldfish cakes. These are stuffed cakes made with an almost waffle texture and filled with savory red bean paste or chocolate/sweetened cream depending on your preference. Although a bit plain, they send us back to Korea’s street food stalls every time we have them for an extra bit of nostalgia with every order.
Fast and economical catering at its best
Perhaps one of the best things about K-Town Snack Bar is that it stays true to its food truck roots. That is to say, it is reasonably priced and super fast.
When we visited shortly after this one opened in 2022, we were pleased that most dishes were priced at or under $10 (on par with truck offerings), and the service at the counter made it easier to consume it. In fact, on most of our visits, we were in and out in less than 30 minutes and often spent more time looking for parking in Oakland than dining alone in K-Town.
That being said, if you’re looking for an ambiance or full dining experience (read: table service and/or bar), you won’t get that here. The focus at this restaurant should be on quick meals with stellar, authentic Korean dishes above all else (actually a snack bar rather than a full service restaurant). Yes, it’s perfect for quick college lunches, and to be honest, we’re totally okay with that due to the restaurant’s prime location in the heart of Oakland.
So if you can’t find the Mr. Bulgogi food truck at an area brewery or event, which will maintain seasonal operations in the future, don’t worry, you can head to Oakland and check out their delicious creations at K-Town Snack Bar whenever you want!
K-Town Snack Bar is located at 210 Oakland Avenue in Oakland.
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