LooBapBap — Restaurant in Waterloo

Before I get into my review, here’s the menu (as of June 2021) for anyone who’s wondering:

Egg toast Options: Ham and Cheese ($6.99), Bacon and Double Cheese ($9.99), Shrimp ($9.49), Avoholic ($8.99), Crab and Avocado ($9.99)

KimBap Options: LooBapBap ($7.99), Veggie ($8.49), Bulgogi ($9.99), Spicy Pork ($9.49), BBQ Eel ($12.99)

Cup Bap Korean Rice Bowl Options: Tofu Bap *coming soon ($12.49), Bulgogi Bap ($13.99), Spicy Pork Bap ($12.49), Chicken Bap *coming soon ($12.99), BBQ Eel Bap ($16.49)

This review is going to be kind of long so here’s a short version: TLDR: the kimbap is a refreshing and light, but I would recommend the BBQ eel bowl! Wait times can be long and unpredictable. Call first, and order on the phone. They’ll give you a time. When you get there, enter as soon as you can, pay for your order, and make sure to ask for a receipt since they will call out order numbers.

Long version: I’ve visited LooBapBap twice. The first time, we ordered on the phone and asked for their menu since we couldn’t find it online. They listed it out so quickly that we barely remembered what they said. Since my friend is vegetarian, we ordered the veggie kimbap and I asked for the non-vegetarian version. They said it would be ready in 20 mins and hung up. I was confused because they didn’t ask for a name and I didn’t know what I ordered (there are 4 non-veg kimbaps). I’m not picky so I just went with it. 20 mins later, we arrived to a line. We weren’t sure what the protocol was because of COVID and we didn’t feel comfortable with skipping the line, so we waited for 20 more mins and then called to see if our food was ready (in hindsight, I probably should have called when we arrived). They let the phone ring for quite a bit before picking it up and the server on the line was terse with me. I asked about an order with 2 kimbaps and she said, “we’ve been waiting for you”. I let her know we were here and then we came up to pay. We asked for separate bills but she combined them. We left and realized we didn’t have any eating utensils so I skipped the line again to ask for 2 pairs of chopsticks. She gave them to me and then I left, feeling super awkward. On top of our not-so-great experience, the kimbap (I think I got the LooBapBap) was fresh and subtly sweet, but my friend and I agreed it was a little bland and not worth the hassle. I’d recommend it to those who want something healthy and light. Based on this experience alone, I probably would have given them 2 stars.

I visited them again today and ordered the BBQ eel bap. They told me it would be ready in 25 minutes. When I got there, they told me to wait for a little longer. Then I paid and asked for a receipt but never got one. For the next 10 mins, they were calling out order numbers and I had no idea which was mine. I eventually got my food, but I had to guess what my order was based on the presentation of the food. This time, there was a different server. I noticed that he was very attentive with the food and kind to customers, always asking if they needed anything else. When I got my food, he asked if I needed any utensils or napkins. So, it was a much better customer service experience the 2nd time around, although the wait times and pickup time estimates need some work. The rice bowl was delicious! It was a little on the pricey side (~$18 including tax), but it was really yummy and the portioning was stellar. They perfected the textures and the amount of each ingredient in the bowl and weren’t stingy at all with the BBQ eel. All of the ingredients were fresh and I didn’t feel dehydrated afterward! To be honest, I’d go again and order more of their bowls although they probably take the longest to make.

This restaurant just opened so it’s best to cut them some slack! They’re doing well and will do even better when they find their stride and continue to streamline their ordering process. I’m rooting for them and will come back! But please upload your menu to...

Loobapbap used to be my go-to every time I craved for Korean food, but I had a very terrible experience last night. My sister had an online order to pick up, while I ordered a separate walk-in order when we got there around 8:30. The cashier might have misunderstood that our order would be the same order, but we confirmed a couple times and what we said were very clear, so I waited for about 20 minutes until I saw they were all cleaning only to know that they did not make my order. I asked them if my order was ready, and they clearly did not intend to solve the problem, did not even apologize for missing the order or offer any compensation. I've worked in restaurants, I do not like not being understanding or make a scene in this situation. However, it is totally unacceptable that when you know you have missed an order and that the customer has already waited for 20 minutes to not get the food they have paid for. Food could've been 5-star, but I didn't have the food. Telling all my friends not to go there anymore!

Update: I texted and got no reply! It’s...

I order from LooBapBap fairly often, it's amazing food, such good quality and always delicious so I'm never disappointed. Today my husband and I ordered a late dinner and it was his first time trying anything off the menu, he got the crab/avocado egg toast. I always have tofu bap and this time I ordered the kimari as well, I've never been so glad for a split second decision! The kimari was beautifully made, chewy, crunchy, the perfect temperature, it tasted great and I wish I could have ordered 5 more, they were so good. The tofu bap is always above and beyond, you can tell how much love they put into their food not only from the taste but from how carefully they put together a bowl. My husband said his egg toast was the best thing he's ever ordered, and for a man who's gotten a lot of take out in his life that's high praise. Truly, LooBapBap is one of the best places to eat in the tri-cities, I wish I could hug the owners and employees for brightening my day each time I get another...