Bumblebee’s KBBQ and Grill offers dining love at first sting in Provo
A Chicken Katsu sandwich combo with fries at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
K-Pop fries at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
A Bul-Gogi Gogi sandwich at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
Korean Bul-Gogi Tacos at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
An order of Curry Rice Balls at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill recently opened a new location in Provo.
K-Pop Fries and a Bul-Gogi Gogi sandwich at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
K-Pop Fries and a Bul-Gogi Gogi sandwich at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
Mandoo (Korean potstickers) at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
K-Pop Fries and Mandoo (Korean potstickers) at Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill in Provo.
Bumblebee's KBBQ and Grill recently opened a new location in Provo.
Though I’ve really enjoyed our family’s recent jaunts to Thanksgiving Point for mini-getaways, a couple weeks ago, we were finally able to take a real vacation and head to California for some time in Disneyland and Universal Studios. The change in scenery was excellently timed, and even the youngest of our crew basked in the fun new environment.
We were all in desperate need of a full day of sleep by the time we pulled into our driveway after the trip, but it left us eager to start finding ways to mix things up during our daily grind, starting with our next dining venture. Though we’ve loved exploring Thanksgiving Point’s restaurants and plan to finish that task in the near future, we decided to stay a little closer to home physically and buzz across the globe in a culinary way with the recently opened Bumblebee’s KBBQ and Grill.
My first real experience with Korean cuisine came a couple years ago from a restaurant called Sam Hawk in Provo. It’s when I fell in love with the savory, self-described delicacy known as Beef Bulgogi, and started dabbling in dishes such as Chicken Katsu and Mandoo (Korean potstickers).
One of the most excellent things about our visit to Bumblebee’s is it had all of that … and more. As a Korean-American fusion restaurant, Bumblebee’s sports a menu that runs from burgers and fries to hybrid sandwiches, wings, tacos and more. Though new to the Provo dining scene, the restaurant has actually been in business since 2014, with locations in Midvale and West Valley City. It’s safe to say we’re glad they came here.
Bumblebee’s is located near Macy’s, Little Caesars, Chick-Fil-A and Sonic off 500 West and Bulldog Boulevard in Provo, nestled in a tiny strip of businesses, but the bright red and yellow, ketchup and mustard color scheme makes it pretty difficult to miss. The same could also be said about the flavor of the food. When walking into the restaurant, emblazoned on the left wall are the words “Stings so good,” and though the bold and spicy flavors can be toned down and removed from most dishes Bumblebee’s offers for those with weaker palates, I’d go as far as to say the flavor is a part of the experience.
Since we were new to the joint, we took a step back and asked some fellow customers what they preferred before we took our place at the order counter, and the answer was unanimous. The one thing we just had to order was the epitome of Korean-American fusion: the K-Pop Fries.
Topped with your choice of Bulgogi beef, spicy pork or spicy chicken with shredded cheese, green onion, jalapeno mayo and spicy Sriracha sauce, the K-Pop fries are a customizable flavor experience unto themselves. Worried I wouldn’t be able to hack the spice levels, I ordered my sauces on the side, but it didn’t take long until I was dousing my fries and enjoying the subtle spice that perfectly accented the Bulgogi beef and soft, flavorful fries. My favorite kind of French fries are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and Bumblebee’s were perfect, not just in my dish, but as a side in combos for several of the others we sampled.
We also settled on the Bul-Gogi Gogi – a sandwich featuring Bulgogi beef with melty mozzarella cheese, sautéed veggies and onions, jalapeno mayo and the spicy Sriracha. If we had to compare it to anything, we’d probably say it’s a Korean-styled Philly Cheese Steak, with the flavors meshing in the most delightful way.
For the sake of sampling, we also tackled an order of Korean Tacos, with a Chicken Katsu burger for the little ones to share. The tacos were good, but the Katsu … was … amazing! Delicately sweet in the breading, crisp on the outside and a savory juiciness to the interior. With the Katsu sauce and cheese, it was a pretty big hit among the grownups as well.
For a side, we sampled the Curry Rice Balls, and weren’t disappointed. Without sauce, they were mild but well-flavored and great for the kids, and with the sauce, they had a great spicy tang that the adults also loved. The Mandoo (potstickers) were obviously a favorite as well, and it took about two seconds for our entire plate to disappear.
We finished up our culinary quest with Hoduk – a Korean dessert, which featured a Korean-style pancake topped with brown sugar, cinnamon and a heaping helping of ice cream. It was sweet, delicious and an excellent finale to an already great meal. Though we try not to eat out much, I definitely foresee a return trip, if for no other reason than there’s quite a few intriguing menu items we want to try. Bumblebee’s takes Korean-American fusion to a new and really delicious level, and I’m excited to taste the rest of it!
BUMBLEBEE’S KBBQ AND GRILL
Where: 1254 N. State St. in Provo
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday
Cost: $1.99-$9.89
Info: (801) 607-2543, bumblebeesbbq.wixsite.com