On August 3, CHAM Korean Bistro took over the former Pasadena home of Seoul Bros. Signage promises “a revelation in Korean cuisine!”

The Seoul Bros. owners are no longer involved. Instead, Kimmy Song of !iT Jeans - who sells to retailers like Nordstrom - decided to find an outlet for her charity work, and manager Ricardo suggested food. On August 10, he shared more details, including the nugget that “cham” refers to “food for the workers” during Korea’s agricultural heyday. According to Ricardo, his boss has charitable leanings, already built schools internationally and plans to donate the bulk of earnings to help feed people.

Ricardo also said the chef used to work at A.O.C. and BOA. Her blackboard menu features options like California Bibimbap ($10) with meat, tofu or tuna; Watermelon Salad ($5) with arugula, tomatoes, feta and lime-mint vinaigrette; Rice Cakes + Beef Bulgogi ($6) sauteed in CHAM soy sauce with broccoli and mushroom; and sizzling platters of Spicy Pork Bulgogi marinated in red pepper paste and yuju; BBQ Spicy Chicken thigh marinated in red pepper paste; or bone-in BBQ Beef Short Rib marinated in CHAM Korean BBQ sauce.

If you’re looking for a smaller bite, fill your tofu pockets with ingredients like pickled seaweed, spicy tuna & pea shoots or marinated fresh crab meat. They’re also working on getting a steamer to produce Steamed Buns ($3) with Beef Bulgogi or Spicy Yuga Bulgogi.

On the back of the takeout menu, you’ll find pictorials that show how to assemble California Bibimbap, the Ssam Garden Platter - DIY sesame leaf tacos - and (strangely) how to use a Towelette.

Related Posts

1. Gyenari Introduces 3-Meat Lunch for $15
2. Huangs open ix tapa Cantina in Pasadena
3. Dish Bistro & Bar bringing Cal-Med to Pasadena
4. Equator Reborn in Old Town Pasadena
5. Dae Sung Oak – Los Angeles, CA – January 26, 2008

1. Michael JB, July 31, 2009:

   i checked out round two of their grand tasting last night. WOW is the only word i can use to describe it. great food, decent prices, and wonderful service. was worth the drive from Torrance!

2. Joshua Lurie, July 31, 2009:

   Michael,

   Worth the drive from Torrance? Sounds promising. What did you eat at CHAM?

3. Rebecca, July 31, 2009:

   The food was so tasty and eclectic. The watermelon salad was the perfect pairing with the heat from some of the dishes. I can’t wait until they open

4. Jessica I., August 4, 2009:

   The combination of garden fresh veges in clean crisp white art deco plates , just right marinated meat in sizzling hot plates, smiling staffs already makes the visit to CHAM a whole new experience of dining out. Tasting it the first time is totally a different phase of having an excellent foods that makes my taste buds tickle. WOW!! Do experience the new concept of CHAM’s selected dishes that has some Korean tradition as backbone with new breed of gourmet dishes on health awareness and great taste.

This entry is filed under LA Culinary Compass, Openings.