 Bibibop Asian Grill inSilver Spring, Maryland in 2023 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Founded | 2013; 12 years ago (2013) |
| Founder | Charley Shin |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
Number of locations | 74 (2025) |
Area served |
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Key people | |
| Products |
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| Website | bibibop |
Bibibop Asian Grill, also known asBibibop, is an Americanfast casual restaurant chain specializing in customizable Korean rice bowls. As of 2025, it has 74 locations. Its name derives frombibimbap, a Korean rice dish made with seasoned vegetables,chili pepper paste, and sometimesegg andmeat.[1][2][3]
Bibibop has been described as "an Asian take onChipotle." It was founded in 2013 inColumbus,Ohio byKorean American entrepreneur Charley Shin, the founder ofCharleys Cheesesteaks.[4]
Shin, who had worked with his mother at her restaurants and was also inspired by his mother's cooking,[5] thought of the concept after praying. A week after, real estate developer Herb Glimcher offered Shin a deal on two real estate properties. Afterwards, an executive at Shin's company suggested creating an Asian fast-food concept. With a group of people, including his sister Chung Choe and her daughter, they toured Asian-inspired restaurants in theWashington D.C. area and decided to create a restaurant chain inspired by Korean cuisine.[6] The first location opened inGrandview Heights, Ohio in 2013. The stores are entirely corporate owned.[7][8]
In 2017, the chain was named one of the five Hot Concepts for that year byNation's Restaurant News. The chain has been described as part of the rise in restaurant chains and brands that serve Korean cuisine in the United States, including other concepts such asBibigo andSeoul Taco.[9][10]