With 30 years experience in the restaurant business, Joanne Kim is an expert in always fresh, quality food. Kim has been the “gingerlicious” owner of Bamboo Grill and Sushi for almost five years, and it’s been full of spicy delight.
“Live well and eat healthy,” reads the window outside the stylish and modern restaurant, which is something that Joanne abides by every day, in every meal.
When you indulge in the popular mango and avocado salad entrée, you can be assured that your mango is as fresh and juicy as it can be. Every week, Kim goes shopping for mangos and handpicks the ripest fruit for her customers.
“It has to be perfectly ripe for that one salad to be fresh and delicious,” said Kim.
This kind of dedication to excellence has been a part of Kim’s life throughout.
She emigrated from Korea at the age of 28, and just one year later she had opened her own business and eventually managed 15 franchises. It was booming and thriving, until the aftershock of he 1992 Rodney King riots put a halt on her restaurant dreams.
After a rough 11 years of persistence, Kim was able to step back in the game. But it wasn’t until January 2008 when she opened Bamboo Grill and Sushi in what she now calls her hometown, Seal Beach. Kim is a 27-year resident of this tight-knit community and she appreciates all the familiar faces that visit her daily.
The strength and diligence in Kim’s character is a direct byproduct of her restaurant and its name. Bamboo, a giant woody grass that grows mainly in the tropics, is a staple in Kim’s home. What started out as one bamboo stick, grew into a forest of bamboo surrounding her home.
The expansion of the bamboo and the strength it symbolizes is what inspired Kim to bestow the name of her restaurant, Bamboo Grill and Sushi.
From young to old, everyone in the community drops by the hot spot to grab a delicious and original bite.
“The spring salad is phenomenal!” exclaimed one bypassing customer as I spoke with Kim, giving proof that this place is truly a gourmet haven.
One of Bamboo’s specialties is that they house a variety of sushi styles, from the Philly Roll and the Alaska Roll, to the very localized Seal Beach Roll, which has salmon, tuna, yellowtail, asparagus, and masago. This variety of sushi is also known as “kawari zushi,” which translates from Japanese to “non-traditional sushi.”
Recently, Kim added Soju (traditional Korean alcoholic beverage), sake and other classic beers and wines to the to the menu. To perfect her sake-making abilities, Kim attended the Sake School of America training session in Los Angeles with Master Sake Sommelier.
But the most prized possession is Kim’s original concoction, “Gingerlicious.” This one-of-a-kind dressing is made right in Kim’ kitchen to perfection, but beware of its fire. “Gingerlicious” has four different kinds of chilli peppers, making it a dressing not meant for the weak. Of course there are other ingredients in this dressing that make it unique, but Kim keeps it to herself.
“Don’t want to tell everything, it’s a secret,” Kim said.
Bamboo Grill and Sushi is located on 12340 Seal Beach Blvd, Seal Beach CA 90740 at (562) 795-6781. Open everyday 11a.m. – 9 p.m.
