![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/Pasadena/Cham/IMG_3041.jpg)
Unlike in K-town there's no refillable banchan and you have to pay for barley tea ($1.50) but the prices are pretty reasonable, the portions generous, and the taste satisfying. They have a small but good beer list as well (naturally they have Hite, but they have Lost Abbey also).
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/Pasadena/Cham/IMG_3044.jpg)
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/Pasadena/Cham/IMG_3047.jpg)
Carrots, cucumber, beansprouts, kale, meat, and egg on top of rice. Mix in as much gochujang as your heart desires.
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/Pasadena/Cham/IMG_3050.jpg)
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/Pasadena/Cham/IMG_3049.jpg)
The next time I went I tried the Sizzling Kimchi Fried Rice au Gratin ($8). Yes, kimchi fried rice topped with melted cheese, also served in a hot skillet.
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/Pasadena/Cham/IMG_3097.jpg)
Another dish of note is the topokki or rice cakes ($8).
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/Pasadena/Cham/IMG_4004.jpg)
On the lighter side, you can order one of the tofu pockets ($1.50 each) filled with rice and a topping.. You can choose between four toppings: seaweed, blue crab, spicy tuna, arugula and radish.
There's also the steamed buns, filled with either bulgogi or spicy pork ($3).
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/Pasadena/Cham/IMG_4002.jpg)
Cham brings Korean food to Pasadena in a clean, modern shop, but it's more than a bibimbap and meat shop. You can also find Korean stew, jjim, and rice cakes, topokki. It's more expensive than most places in k-town but it's of good quality and inarguable one of the best lunch options in Pasadena. And hey, if you can have your kimchi with some Maredsous or Lost Abbey, even better.
Cham Korean Bistro
851 Cordova Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 792-2474
www.chamkoreanbistro.com
![Cham Korean Bistro on Urbanspoon](http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1465135/minilogo.gif)
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Pasadena. I heart Cham! And I'm glad that you heart it too.
ReplyDeleteI like this place a lot as well. The glass noodles and beef dish is pretty good, but I've been meaning to try the kimchee rice.
ReplyDeleteLast I went they also had a "Korean tapas" menu, with french fries and things like that. Definitely want to see how they are.
I'd be all over (and under?) this place if I lived in Pasadena! I'm always so jealous when Cathy talks about it. I suppose I'll have to settle for Bibigo. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteYeahhh, I really need to go here. Especially since I am in Pas fairly regularly!
ReplyDelete