Seonghee Jeong and her family operate Borit Gogae, a restaurant in Koreatown known for its distinctive set-menu dining experience centered on boribap, or barley rice. Priced at $35 per person, the meal features a variety of dishes designed to be combined and customized by diners, similar to the way bibimbap is traditionally enjoyed.

The set menu includes an array of soups, crunchy salads, and an assortment of banchan—seasoned side dishes such as tea leaf, wild greens, eggplant, oyster mushrooms, and stir-fried peppers. The nearly vegetarian offering is complemented by options for group platters featuring marinated galbi, bulgogi, or salt-cured croaker to accommodate different tastes. Diners are encouraged to create their own bowls by selecting from the components and finishing with sesame oil and gochujang, a spicy Korean chili paste, allowing for personalized flavor combinations.

Borit Gogae’s interior presents a contrast to the typical Koreatown barbecue establishments. The space, though industrial in design, is enlivened by large colorful canvases painted by Jeong, reflecting the wholesome and thoughtful approach of the cuisine. The restaurant has established itself as a notable presence in the neighborhood over the past decade, offering an alternative to the area’s predominant barbecue-focused dining options.