There’s nothing more exciting than experiencing new respect and reverence of more cultures… except maybe when it happens nearby! During the past couple of years, dozens of Korean restaurants with full Korean family meals and BBQ options have graced the DFW eating scene, and more recently, Korean casual joints like Chick n’ Straws in Plano have popped up.

Although a bit dark, this sparse, quasi-industrial space was somewhat inviting and a nice quiet break from the bustling strip mall. Service was friendly, prompt, and precise. Since we went to lunch on a Thursday afternoon, business was slow but steady.  Our server was the only one at the time but managed to multi-task with ease.

What’s up with the name? The menu focuses on Korean chicken, bowls, BBQ plates, boba, and desserts. Not being in the mood for chicken, my son and I opted for boba (See Boba Dreams for more) and Korean BBQ bowls, which are their version of bibimbap.

My son chose the Korean Beef BBQ bowl. Beef bulgogi and pickled cabbage topped a mound of jasmine rice. The beef was sweet, and my son appreciated how it was not spicy. He actually enjoyed the crunch and sourness of the cabbage as it balanced the sweetness of the beef. The onions with the beef managed to be un-onion-like, which won tons of points with my Little, and the rice absorbed the flavors very well. He enjoyed the food so much that he finished the rest of it off before dinner.  That alone is a statement on how enjoyable the food was.

I chose the Spicy Pork BBQ Bowl with an egg. There was a solid balance of sweet and spicy in the pork, but since I like spice, it could have used more heat. In lieu of the pickled cabbage, my bowl had kimchi-style mixed vegetables with carrots, radish, onions, and jalapenos. The acid from the veggies were a nice counterpoint to the richness of the pork, but I’ve had better pickled Korean veg. These seemed a bit old, and I adore a fresher veg feel that has been given the kimchi treatment like I have had with other places’ banchan. I will also say this: I almost feel like an egg should always be part of any bibimbap-esque dish. Don’t make it optional. Certainly, don’t make us pay extra because the runny yolk from a fried, over easy, or sunny side up egg completes the unctuousness of everything that can happen with delicious bibimbap. Making the egg optional is like saying, “Nope, you don’t need the full experience of this Korean yumminess.” Making someone pay for that egg is like saying, “Nope, if you want the whole experience of bibimbap, it’ll cost you.” Just give it to us. People who can’t have it will tell you. You tell us how we should eat it. Above all, don’t give us an option to cheat ourselves. Don’t you want us craving everything that bibimbap can be?

Would I return? Yes. It was tasty. There are several desserts to still enjoy. There is a larger reason, however, too. Small Korean joints that don’t offer the full Korean menu provide more access to quality Korean chicken and bibimbap. That’s a good thing. It means something when more diverse restaurants open at strip malls. Not only are these affordable, accessible restaurants, but these businesses celebrate our rich immigrant landscape.

So go! Get out there! Try those new places that both challenge and entice your taste buds! We are lucky to diversify our palettes and share in new cultural culinary traditions.