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Han Ly Hwang at the proposed location for his Bhap Sang brick-and-mortar, which fell through. The chef plans to re-open his old food cart, Kim Jong Grillin', on Southeast Division Street this summer.

(The Oregonian/file)

The prodigal cart returns.

Kim Jong Grillin' owner Han Ly Hwang, who was celebrating his 2011 Eat Mobile awards when he learned his prize-winning Korean food cart had burnt to a crisp, plans to reopen in Southeast Portland later this summer.

For Hwang, the cart revival puts an end to three years without a permanent home for his Korean cooking skills, a period that included unrealized plans for a brick-and-mortar restaurant, and a Kickstarter campaign that failed to launch.

Now, Hwang plans to return to Southeast Division Street -- just a block from his cart's former home -- with a menu that looks much as it did before the fire: galbi, bulgogoi, japchae and his signature bi bim box. Hwang is also toying with a recipe for true Korean fried chicken, which could appear later.

The new Kim Jong Grillin' cart is a 22-foot truck bought from Hwang's friend Bo Kwon, the Koi Fusion owner. It will live, Hwang says, in the parking lot of the New West Technologies building, 4606 S.E. Division St., right across from the Woodsman Tavern.

On July 23, Hwang plans to host a dinner at Koi's Southeast Division Street brick-and-mortar, 3040 S.E. Division St. Keep an eye out for more details on the pop-up dinner and the Kim Jong Grillin's reopening here.

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-- Michael Russell