(Image: Oma Bap)
Korean food has become ubiquitous here in the time since food and drink entrepreneur Peter Pak first brought Oma Bap to Capitol Hill. Thursday marks the final day of service at the last location of the local “fast casual” chain. The neighborhood’s bibimbap and bulgogi scene lives on.
The shadows of the CHOP protests of 2020 are also part of Oma Bap’s story.
“While this chapter may be coming to a close, please know that this isn’t goodbye forever! We have made the difficult decision to take a step back in order to prioritize our families, our health, and exciting new opportunities at Microsoft,” the restaurant’s message to customers announcing the closure reads.
CHS reported here on early challenges to the lawsuit brought by Pak alleging the city of neglect and rights violations as it allowed the Capitol Hill protest zone to grow around the 11th Ave business on the ground floor of the Hugo House development across from Cal Anderson Park. Over the past year, the case was consolidated with a similar suit brought by the Molly Moon’s ice cream chain as the federal court dealt the city a series of legal victories in the case including dismissing several complaints earlier this year.
Oma Bap arrived in the neighborhood a decade ago. In a bit of an ironic twist given costs around Capitol Hill, Pak said at the time he was fleeing high rents in Bellevue when he first opened an Oma Bap on 12th Ave.
The chain began growing in 2019 when Oma Bap opened as part of the redeveloped Hugo House literary center and apartment building on 11th Ave. It grew in the space despite the protests and pandemic setbacks and continued as a relatively affordable part of the Pike/Pine food and drink scene. Meanwhile, Korean-influence cuisine exploded across the Hill powered especially by Korean fried chicken joints but also including the 2023 opening of Galbi Burger and its Korean-flavored burger options on Broadway, Imo Pocha now serving in the old Glo’s space on E Olive Way and Galbi’s spiritual cousin in the 2022-born Korean corn dog joint Korn Dog on E Pine. You might as well include the arrival of Korean grocer M2M above Capitol Hill Station on the list.
For Oma Bap, Thursday is the final day to be part of that community as it leaves the Hugo House restaurant space for a new story to begin.
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That’s a shame. They did really good food. Between delivery fees and anti-social turmoil on their doorstep, it sounds like they are giving up. Seattle loses one of the good ones.
What anti-social turmoil are you speaking of?
Perhaps if you pulled your head out of….you would notice.
I live a couple blocks from Oma Bop and walk by it every day. I don’t know what y’all are talking about. Oma Bop was popular and frequently full of people having a good time, as is the park. Maybe if you actually pulled you head out of KOMO and spent time in the neighborhood you’d understand that. Unless by anti-social you mean the presence of unhoused pople? In which case yeah, maybe just stay in Marysville.
Didn’t they also sue the city for CHOP? Got their payout and then they close?! So neighborly.
Did you not read the story?
that would require some electricity in the synapse area. i’m not optimistic.
Their door was repeatedly broken over the last few years. I’m the harassment from the neighborhood delinquents wasn’t too inspiring.
Of all the Korean places on Capitol Hill, this was the only one with substantial vegan options, so I am definitely bummed it is gone.
i promise to ask what they have for vegans at K-dining places. But once they answer I’m going all in on pork and beef!
Please add reference and links to the 21 years that Kimchi Bistro graced Capitol Hill with it’s presence serving delicious and affordable Korean staples…
https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2023/08/also-deserving-of-a-headline-kimchi-bistro-has-closed-on-broaday/
Then irony of Molly Moon being vocally Defund / anti police, to the point of refusing service to officers… then suing the city for being unsafe during CHAZ CHOP.
Molly Moon, you hate cops, you were a leader in the argument at the time to get rid of cops … you don’t get to also blame the city for what happens when cops are removed.
But of course you do. Without a hint of irony or self-awareness.
This is exactly why they get zero of my dollars any more.
Food was OK. Service was friendly. That area is still seeing some of the remnants of CHOP, especially in summer when the battle rigs start to circle the park.
I just hope a new tenant comes in because we all know what will happen with a vacant storefront.
Aww, love this place. it’s my favorite post gym lunch. Thanks for all the good times and cauliflower rice, buddies.