BIBIBOP Opens In Columbia

COLUMBIA, MD — A new Korean-inspired restaurant featuring build-your-own rice, salad and noodle bowls is now open at The Mall in Columbia. BIBIBOP recently began welcoming diners in the area where the ShopHouse used to be, in the mall's open-air plaza.

At BIBIBOP, people build their own dishes and can incorporate the restaurant's signature purple rice, a superfood filled with antioxidants. It was known as "forbidden" rice since the ancient Chinese grain used to be reserved for the emperor.

Customers at BIBIBOP can choose ingredients for their dishes such as spicy chicken, organic tofu, steak, sesame kale, pineapple, sliced carrots, daikon, bean sprouts and kimchi. Sauces include Yum Yum, spicy sriracha, teriyaki, and cucumber wasabi, among others. Miso soup is complimentary.

The name of the restaurant comes from the word "Bibimbap," a Korean mix of rice, chili paste and sauteed veggies.

When the restaurant opened on Halloween at The Mall in Columbia, it marked the fourth Maryland location for the chain, which has taken over former ShopHouse locations. Others are in Bethesda and Silver Spring. Currently, there are 25 BIBIBOPs in five states.

BIBIBOP is located at The Mall in Columbia, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. See the menu. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Image provided by BIBIBOP.