See Inside BJ Smith’s New Kim Jong Smokehouse, Now Open

The second location of Kim Jong Smokehouse, the American barbecue and Korean barbecue mashup by Kim Jong Grillin’s Han Ly Hwang and Smokehouse Tavern’s BJ Smith, is now open at 413 NW 21st Ave. Between fielding calls about his latest performance on this season’s Top Chef, Smith tells Eater the 22-seat Kim Jong Smokehouse 2.0 will operate daily, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Kim Jong Smokehouse replaces Smokehouse 21, Smith’s first restaurant, which he’s since expanded with Smokehouse Tavern and Smokehouse Provisions, and you can see the transformation in the photo gallery above. Like at KJS’s first location, opened inside Pine Street Market just three months ago, a giant mural by Ashley Montague dominates the design, and Smith says the artist’s work will always be a part of any KJS location.

To make sure you know all your options, here’s what’s on the menu. Like the original location, the new spot focuses on comforting Korean bibim bap bowls, with your choice of filling, including pulled pork, galbi short rib, cured salmon, and oyster mushrooms, and sauce, like gochujang or mustard barbecue sauce. That’s all served over rice with a fried egg and more. There’s also steamed buns stuffed with pulled pork and choice of sauce.

Smith says there are three available items that aren’t on the menu, too: “G.I. Stew,” a macaroni and cheese stuffed with pork and beans, hot dogs, pulled pork, American cheese, kimchi, and “smoked meat vitals”; a smoked duck som; and a pulled pork sandwich, served with kimchi and mustard sauce on a milk bun. Both the G.I. Stew and som are designed for two.

The final pieces of the puzzle are an expanded cocktail menu, with things like a Korean-style Moscow mule made with soju, and cookies, brownies, and other baked goods by pastry-powerhouse Maya Erickson.

Dina Avila/EPDX

• Kim Jong Smokehouse [Official Instagram]
• All Previous KJS Coverage [EPDX]