WOW! That is the only word I could start with, and I will explain why…read more
I recently learned that Top Bop originally started in Alaska, where it is already quite popular. It finally opened its first Washington state location a few months ago.
This new location is in Vancouver, Washington. It is a bit of a drive from the Seattle area but much closer if you are coming from Portland. Still, no matter where you're coming from, it's absolutely worth the trip!
Top Bop is located in the Hazel Dell area of Vancouver, in a modern and well-kept building with plenty of free parking. The interior is very clean and welcoming, with interesting artwork on the walls. There are two self-service kiosks where you can browse the full menu with pictures and place your order without needing to talk to a staff member. It might feel unfamiliar at first, but once you try it, you will see how simple and convenient it is. I personally enjoy using the kiosk because it clearly shows all the customization options and makes the ordering process smooth and easy.
Okay, let's talk about the food. As you can see from the photos I took, Top Bop uses a build-your-own-bowl format. It is similar to how Chipotle works. You start by picking your protein. Then you choose two free toppings. Next, you select your desired spice level for the sauce. Finally, you can add optional extras to your bowl.
As a poke lover, I chose poke for my protein. They offer both salmon and tuna. I could not decide which one to go with, so the friendly staff allowed me to do half salmon and half tuna. Perfect! My friend almost chose the Beef Bop (because, let's be honest, you can't go wrong with Korean bulgogi), but ended up getting the Shrimp Katsu Bop instead. Let's save the Beef Bop for next time.
Once we placed our orders, it took about 7 minutes for the food to be ready. Everything is made fresh to order and fully customizable. The portion size was very generous. One bowl could easily be enough for both lunch and dinner.
Now back to the WOW. The taste was outstanding. I got the poke bowl with two free toppings for only fourteen dollars. That is incredibly rare in today's market. The bowl was packed with fresh salmon and tuna. I could really taste the quality and quantity of the fish. I chose calamari salad and seaweed salad for my toppings, and they paired perfectly with the poke. The signature sauce at Top Bop is another highlight. I selected Level 3, as recommended, and it elevated the entire bowl to the next level.
I also tried a couple of bites of the Shrimp Katsu. It was crispy and flavorful.
From the menu variety, to the prices, to the taste, Top Bop truly delivers on every level. It is my number one pick for a restaurant this year so far. I genuinely hope they open a location in Seattle or Bellevue soon so I can visit more often. I will definitely come back soon to try the Beef Bop, Spicy Pork Bop, and of course, another bowl of Poke!