Mr Bap, Kensington

MELBOURNE | South Korean-born Max Ji and Rio Yoon, moved to Melbourne in the late 90s to study at Monash University. Little did they know, that an idea that they had with two other friends, would change the course of their lives. That idea became Gami, the popular Korean fried chicken spot that has expanded across Australia. In 2024, Max and Rio were discussing their desire to get back to doing something a bit more hands on and expansive, missing the early days of Gami, which originally had a much wider focus. Enter their new venture, Mr Bap, which I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne.

Located in Kensington, on the rapidly transforming section of Macaulay Road, near Macauley train station, Mr Bap is all about fresh, balanced Korean meals that are accessible to a wide range of customers. The name is a play on Max and Rio’s initials, and the Korean word for rice. The space is small and bright space – mostly a take-away offering with a few high tables and benches for eating in. You order from a screen, with food prepared fresh to order.

The menu is centred around gimbap, bibimbap, cupbap, fried chicken, and ramyun. Gimbap, with its fresh, veg-heavy fillings and nutty, sesame oil seasoning, is a great option. For rice bowls, traditional bibimbap, and its more ‘anything goes’ cousin, cupbap, also hit the spot. Flavours include things like beef bulgogi, spicy pork, and kimchi.

Crispy fried chicken, which is gluten free is available as a cupbap, or as a snacky bowl with deep fried tteokbokki and gochujang which leans more to the sweet than spicy end of the scale.

If it’s noodles you’re craving, ramyun is available in three options – army stew, spicy beef, and spicy pork. You’re given a bowl filled with ingredients, which you take to an automated ramyun cooking machine to the side. Place your bowl on bottom, select your broth, and the machine does the rest. A few minutes later, a bowl of freshly cooked, hot ramyun awaits.

To drink, it’s a small selection of Western and Korean sodas and drinks. There’s also the option of mixed family sized boxes, and catering for large groups.

Despite only being open a few months, a steady stream of regulars, having chats with Max while waiting for their food, indicates that Max and Rio have already succeeded in building a local’s spot that’s become a part of the community.