Behind The Wheel: Bo’s Kitchen

One of the great advantages of food trucks are that owners are on the truck daily.  This bring a tight bond between the owner and their hungry patrons.  Since many of us only get that small time between ordering and grabbing our food, I wanted to help bring us together.  That’s when I got the idea, Behind The Wheel.  Gets me back to telling the story and further enjoying – being around food trucks.

This week I highlight on Bo’s Kitchen.

Bo's Kitchen
Bo preparing the Bulgogi

Bo (“Gavin”) Kwon brings one of the new Triangle trucks serving traditional Korean cuisine. It truly is a family business with Ashley, his wife, take orders and Bo cooks.  The menu is very simple, but very delicious.  My favorite is the Bulgogi, Korean marinated beef.  But, this is no ordinary beef.  Bo uses a 3-day marinated ribeye, which melts in your mouth.  If you are not in the mood for beef and a bit of heat, the spicy pork will kick start those senses.  I usually grab these meats with rice, egg, and kimchi (pickled vegetables), which brings some sweetness to the dishes.  If rice isn’t your speed, you can opt for bread.  If you want something to share, I recommend the mandu (“dumplings”).  These are pan fried bringing a little crispy  exterior packed with flavor.  As with the main entrees, these are available beef or pork.

Mandu, Pan-Fried Dumplings
Mandu, Korean Dumplings.  These dumplings are pan-fried with a nice crispy exterior filled with beef or pork.

Why did you get into the food truck business?

Bo speaks English well, so I was shocked he was born in Korea.  Back in Korea, he earned a degree in Business Management and worked multiple jobs.  He mostly did DJ promoting and work in restaurants.  Bo and Ashley met in Korea and truly had a long distance relationship with Ashley living in the US.  When Bo and Ashley got married, he came to the United States.  He likes the Triangle mentioning New York and Seoul are really big.  Since he likes to cook and likes the change of scenery, similar to his DJ promoting days, the food truck seemed a perfect fit.  He bought his truck and did all the work to get it ready for business.

The Bulgogi is a 3 day marinated ribeye beef.
The Bulgogi is a 3 day marinated ribeye beef.

What is your favorite item on the menu?

When I asked him, this when he mentioned the Bulgogi and the 3-day marinating.  I have to agree with him, this is my favorite, too.

Anything you want to add to the menu?

As I mentioned in the beginning, the menu is very simiple.  But Bo hasn’t been on the streets long. He wants to add a vegetarian option like a kimchi pancake, but he needs to perfect the preparation and maintain the quality from comissary to truck.  My eyes opened when he mentioned bibimbap, another favorite of mine.  The last item, Kalbi, which is Koean Barbequed Beef Short Ribs, but that would take a equipment upgrade by adding a grill.

Spicy Pork
If you want a little spice and change from beef, the Spicy Pork will light up your taste buds.

What would you like to see with your truck?  Where do you see it going?

A hard question to ask, when the truck has barely worn the tread of the tires.  I ask this questions, because I have found owners don’t always answer with I want a brick and mortar location.  Some enjoy the truck atmosphere.  Bo would like to do this for a few years and keeping his ideas open of another truck or restaurant.

Bo's Kitchen
Ashley, Bo’s wife, serves a hungry customer through the truck’s window.

What do you enjoy outside of the truck?

Before the truck, Bo would play poker and golf with friends.  But since the truck, he hasn’t been able to do these activities.  He really is into music thanks to his DJ background.  His stereo plays a wide variety music, but mostly cool music matching the fedora he wears. When I asked him the background of his English name (“Gavin”), he referenced his cousin gave him the name after Bush front man, Gavin Rossendale.  This where the food truck discussion leaves and we start talking about trying to guess the name of Goo Goo Dolls front man (Johnny Rzeznik).

The few times I’ve seen Bo and Ashley, even before I’ve introduced myself, they have been sweethearts.  They are very nice and the food is great.  While I am talking to Bo, a family goes out of there way before leaving to express their satisfaction of the food.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boskitchen14
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BOskitchen14

Keep Wandering,

@RUWandering


Want to be highlighted on Behind The Wheel? Email me or contact me via Twitter.

 

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