Zippy's Korean Barbeque

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Want to sound like a sophisticated, edgy insider in the Redding culinary scene? Mention that you eat Korean Barbecue at the gas station. Food people pride themselves on discovering dining venues in unusual places. Zippy's Korean Barbeque is just that sort of place. It is conjoined to the Chevron mini market at 1750 Pleasant Street at the corner of Placer and Pleasant. Once you know it's there, it's difficult to imagine how you missed it.

 Mini Mart Entrance to Zippy's

To say that Zippy's is a charming contrast to the service station milieu would be untrue. Any effort put into decorating has long since faded away. Tables are lined up against the walls and the food is ordered at a walk up counter. The counter is cluttered with restaurant flotsam.  A partial view of the kitchen reveals an equally jumbled space. While the concept of an esthetically pleasing atmosphere may have been lost in translation, the focus is put into carefully preparing made to order dishes. Think yummy Korean food in Redding.

Husband and Wife, Owners and Cooks

The food preparation was a joint effort. The female of the pair did the actual cooking. The portions are generous. Each dish is a hearty meal-sized serving. Stock photographs of many dishes, along with helpful descriptions, flank the counter. However, do not be fooled. Your food will look so much better. I ordered Bibimbab, Mandoo, Grilled Tofu with Veggies, and Beef with Noodle. Bibimbab, a Korean diet specialty, sounds like silly nonsense. Consistent with its name, Bibimbab is eaten in a playful manner by pouring hot sauce on top and stirring it together.  I ordered my Bibimbab with beef, which was a savory complement to the crisp, fresh vegetables, soft-fried egg and rice.

Bibimbab

The Mandoo is that universal comfort food, the dumpling. The chewy dough was filled with a lightly spiced ground vegetable and beef mixture. The Grilled Tofu and Veggies was well prepared. It came with rice, kimchee, and a bean sprout salad. The rice was particularly delicious. It was soft, without being mushy, and a bit chewy. The kimchee, Korean cabbage pickle, is made in the restaurant, and for sale by the quart. If you are thinking the soggy, bright-pink Kimchee sold in supermarkets, think again. This is delicately spiced, crunchy and delicious.

Mandoo

Based on these dishes, one element of Korean food seems to be the contrast of food textures. The Beef with Noodle was stir-fried. The silky noodles were mixed with crunchy vegetables and topped with seeds. To appreciate that level of subtlety the food should to be freshly prepared. I wanted to order the Googsoo, a soup made with jumbo-sized, house-made noodles. As confirmation, I learned that Korean soups must be eaten directly after being made and are not suitable for takeout. The noodles absorb the liquid. 

Beef with Noodle

While not my first experience with Korean food, this was my favorite. Korean cuisine is different than other, more familiar, imported tastes. However, in some ways, it is more recognizable. Korean Barbecue may have an exotic sauce, but the concept is the same: marinated, charbroiled meat.  Americans, well immersed the piquant flair of Mexican food, are ready for the, albeit intentionally toned down, spice of Korean Food. 

Table Setting

If you like your food hot, you should ask for, at least, medium spice. The owners are friendly, helpful and seem eager to share Korean cuisine. Their timidity with seasonings comes from a desire not to offend unsuspecting palates. If you dine in the restaurant, informational printouts about Korean food are at each table. Additional dishes have been recently added to the menu. The Vegetable Kimchee Pancakes sound intriguing. The Tofu Stew just sounds fun. Zippy's Korean Barbecue is open Monday-Friday 11am to 7pm and Saturday 11am to 3pm. Closed Sunday.