Kimchi + Bap is set to mark its grand opening early next month in the Lenexa Public Market in the City Center district.
The newest stall — between African Dream Cuisine and Sohaila’s Kitchen — Kimchi + Bap will serve up Korean fare, and is run by Lisa Hamblen, who spent most of her career in higher education.
“Moving forward, we’re really excited, and we’re ready,” Hamblen said.
Kimchi + Bap’s addition to the Lenexa Public Market was first announced in mid-April.
Kimchi + Bap is still ramping up to full service
- After months of preparation, the new stall started slowly with a small-scale dinner service last Thursday.
- Hamblen said she sold out Saturday at lunchtime and before the market closed on Sunday.
- Now, she’s looking to begin her soft opening on Thursday, Aug. 3.
- The official grand opening celebration, including a ribbon-cutting with Lenexa Mayor Michael Boehm, is set for Friday, Aug. 11.
- Kimchi + Bap will begin with meal service starting at 11 a.m. Thursday through Monday, and will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Kimchi + Bap serves Korean basics
- The stall’s name alludes to Korean staples kimchi — made from salted and fermented vegetables — and bap — the Korean word for rice.
- Starting out, Hamblen plans to serve classic Korean dishes like bibimbap and japchae, plus chicken bulgogi.
- Later on, Hamblen said she also wants to add seasonal offerings, like cold noodles in the summer and stews in the winter, and a rotating snack menu.
Kimchi + Bap started out as a pop-up
- Hamblen is the latest in a long line of merchants who nabbed more permanent homes in the food hall after a successful run of pop-ups in the market’s second-floor test kitchen.
- “She belongs here, and it’s a really welcomed addition to the family,” Lenexa Public Market Manager Tessa Adcock told the Post earlier this year.
- In all, Hamblen did more than two dozen pop-ups before she was offered the spot vacated by the Tasting Room.
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