Kaya Asian BBQ & Grill
It’s no secret among my family, friends, and some readers that I love Korean food. It’s my favorite and what I would call my “last bite”. As morbid as it sounds—I will request dolsot bibimbap as my final meal.
I will also have you know that it’s the first thing I ate (that I can remember) in a restaurant when I was a child. It’s hazy but I remember sitting on my mom’s lap while she spooned fed me small bits of rice from a giant bowl of goodness!
But I digress… so let’s get back to this article, which is about the dolsot bibimbap at “Kaya”…did I mention it’s my favorite? 
I am very fortunate to live in an area that is swarming with Korean restaurants. There are more than a dozen or so places ( within a 10 mile stretch of Hwy 99) to satisfy my addiction!
Kaya’s stone bowl is more like a stone pot. It was huge and I think a better method for toasting the rice. When you order this, I suggest that you let it sizzle for a few minutes before digging in. You’ll thank me later.
But let me start from the beginning….when you enter the restaurant you’ll immediately feel that you are in a classy place. A very different impression than the outside of the establishment so don’t be distracted but the weird second story entrance.
The very friendly staff is attentive and we were seated right away. Immediately after taking our seats we were greeted with a yummy pumpkin soup. Not quite an appetizer but more of an amuse bouche…Korean style! Smooth and creamy with basic flavors.
Saba Man ordered the grilled mackerel and I, of course, the vegetable dolsot bibimbap. We were more than happy with our food and will eat here again and again.
But here’s another very important feature of Kaya as a Korean restaurant…10 banchan items including mool kimchi!
Can you say “triple threat”?
1. A pumpkin soup welcome-I don’t know anyone else who does this!
2. Outstanding dolsot bibimbap- Extra super hot stone pot to insure a perfect crispy-crunch rice crust. Toppings were good, the usual with a sunny side up egg.
3. 10 banchan items-Mool kimchi…’nuff said!
Oh and a bonus… at the end of the meal we got a tradtional cinammon flavored drink to cleanse the palatte. It was delicious; I asked for more and got a second cup!
Kaya’s atmosphere is quiet and comfortable. Their soft lighting is elegant but not good for clear photographs. This of course means that for local readers… you must go there to eat and see for yourself!
Their prices are neither higher or lower than the other neighborhood places. So I’ll skip those details. Don’t worry…you won’t be be shocked when you get your bill but if you’re on a budget, visit them for lunch for few bucks less!
There will be more Korean restaurant reviews …a sort of “bibimbap battle” if you will! And being that my wish for “my last meal on earth” is dolsot bibimbap, I better be sure to eat here often…cause you just never know!
Kaya Asian BBQ & Grill
20109 Aurora Ave N.
Seattle, WA
206.546.2848
As this series is a sort of battle… I should compare this bibimbap to another. However, the only other bibimbap review on this blog is from “Babsarang” which wouldn’t be fair competition because I did not eat Babsarang’s dolsot, just their “regular bibimbap. So I must go back!
99 is lousy with ethnic restos, as I recall! This one looks hard to beat! But you’ll have fun trying, I bet
Hi sheri! So many…TOO many to choose from sometimes. Your recall is precise!
Dol Sot Bap is one of my favorite favorite Korean dishes! I always push the rice against the stone pot with my spoon so that it gets nice and crispy.
Hi roxan, I never thought of pressing it down with the spoon. I will try that next time!
Love the crispy rice in dolsot, takes bi bim bap to another level! :9
Thanks Susan, Yep, you said it best…another level. Mmm…
I’m a bibimbap addict too. LOL I have a ceramic dolsot bowl at home. The stone ones are heavy, I’m too lazy to bring one back.
The difference in rice “koge” (burnt bit in Japanese) is not huge and it’s possible to re-use the ceramic 15 minutes later. Ideal, you need both.
Hi Gourmande, Welcome to our blog and thank you for your comments. I’ve never eaten out of a ceramic dolsot bowl before. Sounds interesting. I must hunt one down…
colourful bibimbap! Yummy!
Thanks!
Yep, I’m with Susan–the crispy rice makes dolsot bibimbap so incredible…just call me texture girl when it comes to foods I love! Great colorful pic really conveys the unique Korean aesthetic of elemental, ruggedly beautiful food and flavors
Hi Jenn, I agree, the crispy rice is of highest importance. I think we are alike in that I’m a texture girl too!
Ok, I’m hungry for Korean now. I think I’ll go buy a meat jun plate for lunch. lol
Hi Pikko, Saba Man is envious…. Meat jun is a “Hawaii thing” and is not on the menus at our Korean Restaurants here.
I’ll have to try it sometime, you gave a good review, but I’m a little far to go there for dinner.
Our Asian market is owned by Koreans, and on Saturday’s they make lunch. My daughter and I go there often and love it. There is always something new. I know they have cooking lessons on Wed, a co-worker and I are interested in that. I’ll ask about bibimbap! I wish it was Sat!
ooh that looks yummy.
i need to go to kaya!
thank god i love in the seattle metro area, YES!
Hey! That’s my neighborhood!!! Thank you SO MUCH for posting this!!!