We opened our doors in July of 2018 and are proud to be the first Korean barbeque restaurant in Springfield, Missouri. We aim to provide an immersive, authentic experience of Korean culture through the joy of food.
The Kwon family came to Springfield in 2005, leaving their Korean barbeque in California, and purchased Hinode Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi. Throughout the years, they have seen the food diversity grow, and saw the opportunity to pursue their dream, opening a Korean barbeque like the ones they loved in California. In many cultures, food is used to bring people together and the Kwon family wanted to show how Koreans do so through KBBQ.
Korean barbeques differ from other Korean restaurants by featuring a grill in the middle of the table. Guests order raw meat and cook the food right at their table. Korean barbeque is eaten family style with everyone sharing side dishes and meats being ordered for the entire table. Side dishes (called banchan) are included to be eaten with the meal. Traditionally, there are dozens of banchan variations, with kimchi, a spicy pickled cabbage, being one of the most recognizable. Side dishes can be mixed and matched with meats and sauces to create a variety of combinations and flavors. With over fourteen proteins and vegetables to choose from, Bawi has something for everyone.
Drinking is extremely social and interactive in Korea, and is usually done following rules within social hierarchies, such as age and rank. The most popular alcohol is Soju, a distilled spirit, available in a variety of flavors. Additionally, a light Korean beer is sipped in-between Soju.
At Bawi, we include small details to make the experience as authentic as possible. This includes scissors to cut the meat and small drinking cups with water bottles as commonly used in Korea. All of these things come together to create an interactive meal for family and friends.
