Kosmo
407 N 5th Ave,1st Fl, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
Kosmo Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Ann Arbor for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ann Arbor for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
407 N 5th Ave,1st Fl
Ann Arbor, MI, 48104 - Phone (734) 668-4070
- Website https://kerrytown.com/kosmo
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 7:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Abby C.
After learning that my original review (I left this in tact below) caused a lot of ruckus on mlive.com , I would like to address a couple of things from my original review and from the mlive.com article and related comments. I also want to state that I had no idea that there was an article done about Kosmos and on mlive.com until my friends came back from a trip to Kosmos and told me that I had inadvertently created a hoopla. I then looked at the article and its subsequent comments. I did not post any comments on mlive.com nor do I know anybody who did. This is all a big surprise to me. I GENUINELY LIKE THE FOOD AT KOSMOS, and I would recommend the food to anyone. In fact, I've considered nominating Kosmos to be on that Food Network show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I stand firm on my original review that I liked everything I've ordered and that the prices are reasonable. If you are looking for some tasty food and a low price, this is a good place to go based upon the bang for the buck. I will retract the statement that I made that the tips do not go to the staff and instead go to the profits of the business. I apologize for leaving misinformation on Yelp. I will not retract saying that Don harassed my friends even though in the comments that Don posted on mlive.com , Don says he did not harass them. The reason I will not retract this statement is that my friends definitely felt harassed and even moreso embarrassed. They sincerely did not know that they were supposed to be tipping. While harassment comes in various forms and degrees, if a customer feels harassed, then the customer feels harassed. As a business owner or just someone providing customer service, you have to accept that and then do your best to rectify the situation. I have 4+ years in management/leadership roles in retail, which is extremely customer service oriented, so I feel informed enough to make such a statement. I will not lie, I'm still not convinced more than 60% that the service provided at Kosmos warrants a tip, but I also understand that the people working at Kosmos rely on their jobs there and partially on tips to go forth and spend which is important in these economic times. I figure tip 10% which is the minimal amount to tip to be polite and probably only amounts to $1 or $1.50 (if that) to keep the economy rolling. I will say that the customer service that I personally experienced at Kosmos has never been bad but it also has never been outstanding. I don't necessarily expect outstanding at a diner-style place, but I also think the fact that I am not saying that the customer service has at least been good says something. I also think that all of this hoopla that's resulted in my original review on Yelp proves that every single customer is important because the bad experiences are the ones that get passed on and the only ones that will have a negative effect on business. My friends that were regular customers (as in averaged eating there once a day, meaning days that they didn't go were made up for by going more than once in other days) do not go to Kosmos like they once used to and it's not for lack of opportunity to eat out. This part of my review and the original review on Yelp were not written out of anger or frustration. These were written in the spirit of what Yelp is meant to be which is a website for real people (and not restaurant critics) to rate/review restaurants and other businesses. I will not change my rating from 3 stars because that's what I originally rated it and that's what I believe it still deserves. ***********ORIGINAL REVIEW*********** I like the food at Kosmo's. It's a bit of a fusion place as it's not completely Korean and it's definitely not American food. I haven't had anything on the menu that I didn't like, and the prices are very reasonable. I will only give this place 3 stars because the guy who runs this place, Don, doesn't seem to fully understand the concept of customer service. Tipping is apparently mandatory, although unless you sit at counter seats, a server doesn't come to take your order (you put it in at the register and then go find a table). An employee will bring your food out to you, but if you need refills on a drink or anything like that, you need to go up to the counter. I'm not sure all of this warrants a tip, but Don did harass my friends who have been regulars once about not tipping when they were unaware that tipping had suddenly become mandatory because there's not a sign or anything to notify you of that. Also, the tips don't go to the employees; the tips just go towards the profits of the business. One of my friends also ordered a tucker burger once only to notice that the bun had mold on it. Don didn't want to refund her money that she had paid for an inedible item. Overall, tasty food, questionable owner/boss.
(3)Joe G.
Service: 2/5. Food: 3/5. Want bop!
(3)Jakub B.
One of my favorite places to eat when I visit the Farmer's market in Ann Arbor. Always stop by here (I arrive hungry just to eat @ Kosmo's). Both my lady and I enjoy their style of Bibimbap (with various combinations) and the Twiggum (deep fried veggies -- yum!). Not much I can say that hasn't been said in other reviews. Kosmo's has been here awhile and I hope it stays for many more years, with excellent 'korean / hipster' like fashion. Great location and have no complaints about the food or service.
(4)Karly C.
You really can't go wrong with their signature dish - the bi bim bop. I was first introduced to Kosmo when they started having it on Mondays at the University of Michigan Hospital and I was SO happy to get my fix on the weekend. Everything is cooked to order, I had the bi bim bop with marinated beef on a bed of real brown rice (not the pre-cooked, sticky stuff), vegetables, topped with a ever-so-perfectly over easy egg. After topping the dish with some sriracha, I cut into the egg and the yolk just oozes over the entire dish. Personally, I love mixing everything together and the infusion of the pulled beef, fresh carrots, sauteed broccoli, and kimchi had my tastebuds singing. It was the optimal blend of spicy that you have to take of sip of water but you can't wait to get back to the next bite. I'll definitely be back and as much as I'd love to say I'm going to expand my horizons and try something different, the bi bim bop was hard to forget.
(4)Vivian L.
Their Seoul dog is so not worth the $4. I'd rather get a hot dog from a street vendor. I don't care for the cheese and it seems like they just threw together this hot dog. There was no care into presentation and my hot dog was cold by the time it got to me. What gets me the most is that the bun wasn't warm at all.... For making you wait 20 mins you would think they could at least throw the bun onto the grill and toast it a little bit. I am a huge hot dog lover but will never be ordering the Seoul dog again. I am able to give 2 stars for their bibimbap is decent. Nothing remarkable about it, but the dish itself isn't anything fancy and it's not intended to be fancy. This Korean dish was simply made because Koreans have a lot of side dishes in their fridge and sometimes have to eat it all before it goes bad. So they throw it all in a bowl, add some meat, and bam you have bibimbap. Of course at restaurants they're not going to use veggies that are about to go bad so don't worry about that. I chose to get the beef bibimbap with spinach, carrots, kimchee, and an over easy egg (extra charge but worth it!) They have chicken and tofu as options as well. They put it all over white rice and add sesame oil on top. They give you a bottle of sweet hot sauce (gochujang). Don't be shy and try some of it, it's not too spicy and it compliments the dish so well. The seating is limited. If there's a line to order have a friend sit at a table while you order or vice versa. I wasn't sure what to do with my dish afterwards since there were no trash cans, so I just took it back to the counter since there was someone waiting for our table. It does get busy. I personally don't think it's worth a 20-30 min wait but if it just takes 10-15 mins it's worth it. If it wasn't for the bibimbap I would have given kosmo a hard 1 star. If the owner is reading this please talk to your chef to insure that every customer gets the same Seoul dog. I have seen pictures of others but mine was clearly not that. I went to kosmo on Saturday March 28 around noon. I am very disappointed in the Seoul dog that was given to me. Would you want to eat something like that? (refer to picture I posted)
(2)Lindsey S.
YAy! I'll totally be back to Kosmos, the non dolset hot stone bowl didn't even bother me! I was wary of trying Kosmos Bimbimbap prior bc of the lack of stone bowl ... ! The Chicken is real ! and really yummy !! I got spinach ( yum) carrot cucumber(marinated in something delicious and refreshing),and broccoli(burnt and yum), the egg on top ! LOVED It ! very quick and easy to order, options of both brown and white rice, you could add on other things like kimchi or satueed mushrooms - but im not that itno those items. the red sauce isn't too spicy
(4)Alyssa R.
** I am updating the stars from a 1 to a 3 because of courtesy and good business practices. The Kosmo owner definitely appreciates customer feedback. I will completely update the review once I eat here again for a more accurate depiction of the Kosmos experience. ** Another, "just based on service" review. I always liked eating at Kosmos when I was in college. This was a third stop as most places in the area were closed or they close and open again at random times. I wanted to go to Monahans but they stop serving food at 3pm, but are open until 5pm... So that was disappointing. I decided to try Kosmos instead. The Bulgogi Hoagie sounded good (because bulgogi always sounds good). I waited in line. I ordered it. I added special add-ons. Crafted my sandwich and anticipated greatness. My friend ordered the bi bim bap (chicken). We paid. She then decided after only a minute that she really should have gotten the bulgogi on the bim bap. When she asked the register person if she could switch he said "no". That was the service response. Then after we sat there for ten minutes he comes out and asks if it's ok that my bulgogi Hoagie was chicken instead... Umm...just like he told my friend, "nope". He then offered me a hamburger. I asked for a refund and he looked upset and frazzled that I would even want my money back. He made us wait back in the line to refund us and then asked us for two dollars for the drinks we purchased because he couldn't charge just a small amount to a credit card. Maybe this seems small... But he should have offered the drinks to us for free because of the inconvenience and bad service. Kitchen and front need to communicate better on what's available and what's not. I know this is a college town and they mostly get the college crowd, but service should be quality regardless. E2
(3)Dug S.
Korean diner fusion. Their flagship bi bim bop is reconfigurable by rice (white or brown), veggies ( "standard" lineup or other non-traditional options), and choice of protein (beef, chicken, tofu) - a quick-service, diner-like take on the classic. Their loyal teenage clientele from Commie (Community) High across the street often go for their smaller, cheaper dishes like the lightweight bogey hoagie (try Broadway Cafe just over the bridge for a glorious take on this); salty/sloppy kimchi/bacon dog; and oily, crunchy twigim (random deep fried veggie bits) to dip in a sweet, fruity sauce. The staff doesn't seem much older, actually, and don't do much more than yell you name and bring your food. Like I said, quick-service. Their teriyaki is dry chicken bits sprinkled with sesame seeds, carrot twigs, and some broccoli florets - a spartan, nearly paleo dish. Go across the street to Teriyaki Time for a more sauced-up, but equally student-quality take on this. It's a small menu, catering to a fast, quick-turn crowd in the market. Bop is where it's at, and it's served them well for many years here.
(4)Amy C.
This Korean food snob was pleasantly surprised by Kosmo's simple and tasty "Old School" Bi Bim Bop with rice, runny egg, pickled cucumber, carrots, tofu, and gochujang ($9.50). 8/2013
(4)Patrick R.
This pains me to write, because I love Kosmo. Well, I loved Kosmo. I don't want to kick a good restaurant when it is down, but I get the feeling that something is up at Kosmo. And it isn't good. In Ann Arbor, you get used to rapid turnover with restaurants, because under the best conditions the restaurant business is hard. And Ann Arbor's outrageous rents and rapacious landlords must make it very, very difficult. Over the past year or so, I get the feeling that my beloved Kosmo is struggling- perhaps even circling the drain. They had a fountain for drinks. Then they didn't. Then they cracked down on the way they served their sauces- their lovely, lovely sauce- then they backtracked on that. A couple visits back I noticed that the robot themed installation was gone. Then the fryer was out of order. Then... most horribly... the fryer was no more. No more good bang for buck egg rolls and most tragically, no more Twigim- one of my favorites. It's getting more streamlined. Less personality. Less consistency. Weird experiments with serving containers. Maybe they are trying to make it more expansion friendly or turn it into some sort of a more franchise-friendly concept... Our last visit, when we found out that the fryer was deep-sixed, we got there at just before 6:30 p.m. They close at 7. However, it was pretty clear that they were closing at that point, and they weren't interested in taking our order. Sadly, at that point, I wasn't interested in giving it. I just hope the next time I show up there that it hasn't been replaced by yet another goddamned homogenized brewpub.
(3)Candace H.
The food was great! The bowls are amazing! We ordered two and they were both great! Also the chicken teriyaki sandwich was delicious as well! Try this place! We will defiantly go back when we are in the area!
(5)Beth H.
Late in the afternoon and the counter was pretty empty; which was a first for me. The place is always packed when I have been thru there before. After having stopped in at Kerrytown, Everyday Wines, I bellied up to the counter for bibimbop: beef, mushrooms, cucumber, and zucchini. A very friendly Don greeted me and took my order. I told him it was my first visit and since I was it, we chatted about Korean food. Very pleasant and engaging conversation, but even better bowl! The sauce was outstanding. I really like the concept of getting to choose your toppings. I just haven't seen that anywhere else. Great food and experience. I will definitely be back to try the grilled kimchi Don recommended. Yummy!!!!
(5)Shingo B.
I ordered the bogie today and it was so frickin delicious, juicy and cheeeeesy. Graham is the man in the kitchen.
(4)Shane M.
Good and fast service, good bibimbap for pretty cheap. Definitely a cool vibe to this place
(4)LR P.
Unique Korean food. Staff was friendly and offer recommendations to help you enjoy your experience. Would def come back.
(4)Chris B.
Located in a nice little collection of shops, this diner doesn't stand out for any reason other than an ugly exterior. Setting that aside, the food is relatively good, if they happen to remember what you ordered and in what quantity, and you don't die of old age while waiting for it.
(2)Faye Z.
EXCELLENT bibimbop. Very satisfying at a good price ($9 with no add-ons). Quick, no-frills service. I always get the beef, egg, old school toppings, and a good squeeze of that *very* tasty sauce. Clean, healthy, tasty meal. Zero complaints. Been here three times, and am planning to return again and again for a perfect lunch.
(5)Jenica A.
Food was okay, staff was nice. Small menu though dish was decent, could have had more favor, had bim bop with chicken and beef. Pricey for what it was.
(3)Michael K.
Kosmo was surprisingly good! I didn't really expect much as it wasn't an authentic Korean restaurant, but more of a fusion. The Seoul dog was amazing and the bibimbap definitely was better than I expected. For its price range, I would definitely recommend Kosmo!!
(4)Benjamin B.
Great quick lunch in Kerrytown. Would be better if they could accept Square Wallet: squareup.com/help/en-us/…
(4)William B.
This seemingly hip place was a disappointment. The cashier was for the most part unhelpful and didn't care to offer recommendations or really any feedback on the menu whatsoever. I ended up ordering the burger, which was decent but overpriced. They even charge extra for a side of sriracha. Overall I think this place (which has been around for a long time) has gotten worse and should look into enhancing their customer service, and be more open to simple customer requests such as changing/subbing toppings on a burger.
(2)Tricia K.
Interesting food counter in the Kerrytown shops. I had the Kosmo dog and my husband had a bulgogi sandwich because we were looking for something smaller to eat. Kimchi on hot dogs is really good! I think I would have preferred it without the cheese on top (or maybe less cheese) but the bacon wrapping also made it scrumptious. The bulgogi sandwich was also an interesting fusion food. I would come back here to try out the bibimbap bowls which look to be their specialties.
(3)Naz M.
New to the area and not always trusting of eateries, because I came from the king of all available eateries you'll ever need in LIFE (NYC), I am always wary of new restaurants. I walked and walked all afternoon and as I didn't have any breakfast my body told me to just STOP as I reached Sparrow Market. Perfect! I walked in a not so familiar entrance of the mini mall and stopped in Kosmo. As per usual, I asked the nice man at the counter what to get, he suggested the bibimbap. As I was not THAT hungry, I asked for another suggestion where he decided on the Chicken Teriyaki sandwich. Usually I am not a fan, but that's just because I have trusted too many with the delicate balance of flavor needed to satisfy yours truly. It was a chicken-y,mozzarella-y cheesy piece of goodness that was exactly what I needed and I do suggest you try at least once. You will not regret it.
(3)Wammy W.
Got the Bibimbap. It is definitely not authentic, but surprisingly it didn't taste bad at all. Basically, it is stir fried vegetables (like the fast food edo sushi style) with an egg on rice. So dont go if you are looking for authentic Korean food. It is too expensive also, maybe because it is in Kerrytown. No side dishes at all. Probably would not return.
(3)Christina V.
Awesome food! The bibimbop is excellent, very fresh and tasty. Another must-try item: the deep fried hotdog. Yep, that's right. With cheese and kimchee. What more do you need?! Highly recommend, it's fabulous.
(5)Kathy L.
Kosmo's Old School Bi Bim Bop has become a Saturday lunch staple for me. Super delicious w/beef, rice, cucumbers, carrots, spinach, lettuce, egg, etc. Definitely satisfying as well as affordable ($9 or so). One word of caution: They're super busy on Saturday afternoons (prop. due to the farmer's market), so if you can plan ahead, it's way faster to call in an order. Otherwise you might be waiting 15 mins or so to get your food.
(4)Eve S.
One of the blandest sandwiches Ive ever had. I had the bulgogi sandwich and my man had the burger... Was barely a step up from fast food. All I could taste was processed bread and the filling tasted like a gas station philly cheese steak. His burger was decent but those are hard to eff up.
(2)Becky P.
Great place to grab a quick bite to eat. I like that the vegetables in the bi bim bop are so fresh (spinach, kimchi, shitake mushrooms). I also like that you can make the bi bim bop healthier with brown rice. I do prefer bi bim bop in a stone bowl, but you usually don't have a long wait at Kosmo's. The servers are very friendly as well.
(4)Michael E.
Seriously, I can't understand all those four and five star reviews. I ordered the BiBimBop- their flagship dish- and when it arrived, I thought, what does this have to do with BiBimBop? The real dish has several sautéed vegetables- spinach, burdock, bean sprouts, bracken fern, mushrooms, zucchini, etc., all seasoned with soy, sesame, and other seasonings. What I got was a bowl of rice with raw carrots shreds, raw broccoli, lettuce, beef, and an egg. The beef was seasoned more or less like BiBimBop beef, and the egg was an egg, but that's as close as this place comes to serving actual Korean food. There's nothing nasty about it, and the flavors are okay, for what they are, but it's nothing like Korean food. The one other dish I tried was their Twigim, a greasy mess of batter fried sliced vegetables. Greasy is if anything, an understatement. The service is indifferent, they didn't have any ice for the drinks, and there's far better food across the street.
(1)G L.
I eat at Kosmo often and always order the tofu BBB. The tofu is usually excellent, moist and freshly made, but last time it was cold, hard and stale. Bad day. Happens. But when I informed the person at the register, she did not seem to care much. She did not offer replacement or/and apology. I am aware that she may not have the authorization to replace the order, but she could at least talk to a manager... It is unfortunate that this bad experience will now deter me from returning...
(2)Jiah C.
I love the concept, but I can't love the food! I tried, it didn't happen for me. The kimchi dog just doesn't do it for me. Trust me, I love my dogs and kimchi4life, but all that came out of my mouth was mehhh. Again, I like the idea, but I don't think its a winner in any way... Just because you put two interesting things together doesn't make it a spectacular union. Twigim is what it should be and and bibimbap is pretty basic. I really do love diner/street food style but my few visits just didn't get me excited at all. I'll probably give it one more go, though. Don't feel like losing faith quite yet...
(2)Dee W.
The atmosphere is questionable. Near-by high school students take all the seats at lunch time. They store extra rice and reserve soy sauce in the eating area, just like a third world country. BUT love the Bi Bim Bop. Close your eyes to the chaos. Wait in the order line. Order carry out if the place is packed. You'll be happy.
(4)Kelly E.
I ordered their flagship dish, the Bi Bim Bop, and was not blown away. I ordered a veggie bowl, and it was essentially a bowl of brown rice with raw vegetables. When I added the spicy sauce, it got better, but it wasn't very flavorful on it's own. And it has nothing to do with the lack of meat - I've had some delicious korean vegetable dishes in my life. However, the crux of my written review is to speak up for the waitstaff. They don't get many nice reviews here, but I had the opposite experience. We sat at the counter, and our waiter was really friendly. He had great recommendations (about the food at Kosmo, and about grocers in 2A) and was really attentative.
(3)Josh H.
Pretty amazing this place still exist. Like Susan said in her review, I used to come to this place back in the 80s when it was just a single stall. Its changed hands over the years, and expanded quite a bit. There is good and bad here. On the one hand, you can walk in and get a Kosmo burger and tempura vegetables that is pretty much exactly like they served 25 years ago. Its good. But I have to say, the staff really is pretty disinterested. Talking to friends, ignoring the cooks when they call for order pick up....not good. If your not on a schedule, and looking for a good burger with some unique side options, give it a try. But be prepared to deal with rather aloof hipster service. Lastly, I miss Yong (guessing on spelling). Who is Yong you say? Yong was the original owner. I understand that she is still a vegetable vendor in the outdoor market. When I came there in the 80s, I was a snot nose high school student with my snot nose friends. If you didn't have lunch money that day, Yong would give you credit, and might even let you slip for a while. But god forbid you didn't pay up at the end of the week. She had a mind like a bear trap. You would walk in, and she would spot you from across the market. She had no problem shouting , "Joshua! You owe me money!!!! Come here now!" You didn't cross Yong:D
(3)Sally C.
Ok, ok, I'm super excited to write an updated review on Kosmo. Food is awesome, oh so tasty. Please read on for details about my original and updated review... About 6 months ago, I wrote a somewhat negative review, mostly based on the fact that they were serving their eat-in customers' food in throw-away containers. I AM SUPER HAPPY TO SAY THAT THEY ARE USING REUSABLE BOWLS AND UTENSILS AGAIN!!! :) Great job Kosmo, so awesome. I'm psyched because I can start eating here again now.
(4)Emily L.
Oops... I got some things wrong in my previous review. From Don K.: "Thank you for your compliment. A couple of notes though... We no longer serve in the ss bowls. Had to switch to a take out food cart start style due to the inability to handle the massive amounts of dishes properly. We're now serving in tin foil bowls. And the chicken is actually white meat lol. The first year back in 2001 it used to be dark meat." OK, guess the white meat tasted like dark meat to me... oops. Anyway, the rest of my review still holds true. Kosmo has great bibimbap (especially the beef). I really like all of the different veggie options. Portion sizes are humongous. Everything tastes fresh and tasty. I'm a fan!
(4)Nicole T.
This place is so cute! I lived in Korea for half my life so I have eaten amazing Korean food everywhere. Although this place really isn't that Korean, it has great food. It also has a hot dog with kimchi on it, which is interesting. The bogie (bulgogi hoagie) is really yummy, same with the twigim fries. The twigim fries are basically veggies that are deep fried in tempura, and they give this amazing sauce to go along with the fries. I would really only come here for those, since AA doesn't have that kind of snack anywhere else. It is pretty cheap here, but there is not that many seats so if it is busy it will be hard to find a seat. Also, I like that it is inside a little Kerrytown building with other stores because it is nice to walk around and browse after eating.
(4)Joseph W.
Kosmo's has the BEST B-Bim-Bop in Ann Arbor, probably in all of Detroit and Don is one Helluva nice guy!
(5)James B.
Excellent again! I gave Kosmo six months and went back today for lunch. I was blown away - Kosmo was back to being excellent. The food was out of this world - bop with chicken, brown rice, daikon, spinach and carrots. The counter staff and cashier were friendly and helpful; and it was great to be served again in metallic bowls. The fantastic sauce that accompanies the bop was plentiful and spot-on delicious. Special shout out to the owner, Don, for writing me a note in November regarding my experience at Kosmo. He made good points and good on him to reach out to a customer.
(4)Anne Y.
Kosmo is good for their Bogies (bulgogi hogie). I haven't tried anything else on their menu.. all my korean friends always order just the bogie. I've never had anything like this before until Kosmos. There have been many times when my friends went to Zingermanns and I came over here since it's across the street from it. There are only two places for Bogies -- Broadway Cafe on Plymouth Rd and Kosmos. You either like one or the other place. I love their Bogies more than Broadway's! I've read the other reviewers and everyone seems to like the bi bim bap. There aren't too many reviewers who are korean though. Being korean, i never order bi bim bap anywhere because it's super easy to make at home and it's pretty standard everywhere you go. What's so good about the bogie? their bulgogi marinade is very tasty. Some places make their bulgogi too dry. Not here.. it's always juicy. I always ask to top it with grilled kim chi (i usually hate kim chi... yes.. there's a korean that is not a kimchi fan). When kim chi is grilled, it taste different. I also put the red hot bean paste (go chu jjang) on it. You can also ask for grilled mushroom.. it's good but more expensive. Definitely worth a try! The location is nice. I love kerrytown :) Oh the place is a subset of the kerrytown market, across from the seafood market and the wine store. While you wait for your food, you can roam around.
(5)Jaye K.
Love the classic Bi Bim Bop. Huge bowl of food, cooked to order. Sometimes tough to get a seat, but worth it!
(4)Susan C.
I used to eat at Kosmo in the 80s when it was just a counter and FOUR stools. That's right, there was only space for four people to sit and eat. And it was so fucking punk rock. Now it's gentrified and cutesy-ed up, but the fact remains that their veggie twigum (Korean vegetable fries) is still stellar. They serve it with a nice little dipping sauce, but that is not old school, so I rarely use it. I had some bibimbop in the 90s and a grilled cheese sandwich once, so just consider this a review for twigum. It is so fantastic. I really need to try some of their other offerings. The stuff from the grill always smells nice and greasy, so I'm sure I'll like some of that stuff too. My main complaint about Kosmo is the service. Unless they have some sort of tax-benefit program where they hire lobotomy patients, I cannot fathom the slow, dense counter workers. When I worked in food service, if you kept that shit up for longer than your first few days on the job, you were out on your butt. Not to be a hardass, but the food service industry's lifeblood is good service. Ditch the weirdo hipster dreamland girls and hire some real grunts who know how to multi-task and handle customers.
(4)Jason C.
I heard this place was very popular and finally had chance to swing by to grab some food and check the place out for myself. It's located inside the main Kerrytown building. Grab one of the tables or seat yourself at the counter... I reviewed the menu and decided for Bibimbap... and the cashier said, I could get an egg-roll for extra dollar, so why not. Two of my buddies went with Fried rice... one went with Evan's Fried Rice, Egg-roll and the kimchi dog, second friend went with twigim and fried rice with bulgogi. We got our food and when mine came, it was Bulgogi bowl... although I thought I said bibimbap with beef when I ordered, it seems I some how ordered Bulgogi bowl... so I went up just to confirm and the staff said I ordered Bulgogi Bowl... the lady looked at me as if I was crazy :) hahaha... disappointed, I went up and decided to order a separate Bibimbap... because I was there for my Bibimbap and I wasn't going to leave until I had my bibimbap!!! That's when the lady took pity on me... she asked if I wanted bibimbap instead of bulgogi bowl and I said yeah... she asked for the bowl back and said it'll be few minutes to make it and she'll figure out the price differential... few minutes later she came back told me the extra cost, I paid and waited for the bibimbap. The bibimbap had bean sprouts, broccoli, cucumber, raw carrots with bulgogi topped with egg. I tasted each topping individually... the bean sprouts was not seasoned, same with broccoli, cucumber was seasoned with vinegar and salt. Bulgogi was okay, not the greatest I had before. The key ingredient in Bibimbap is the sauce... many, if not all Korean restaurants water down the hot red bean sauce... overall, I'll rate Kosmo's bibimbap better than Teriyaki time. I was not a fan of the egg roll... too much ginger, lot of cabbage and bean sprouts... blend as well... the sauce did make it little better, but only after I let the egg-roll sit in the sauce for while. Overall, I had to give it two stars on my bibimbap experience.... I'll take the blame for the mishap on the order and I'm not taking any star away because of that... The egg-roll was disappointing and the I had better Bibimbaps' around Ann Arbor. If you have never been, go and judge the food for yourself.
(2)Sarah M.
Just moved here from the SF Bay Area and exploring what A2 has to offer in the way of Asian food. The food was average. Nothing wrong with it, I've just had better bibimbap. There is really nothing special about it and serving it in a metal bowl just makes it cool down faster. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if I was craving Korean and in Kerrytown I would be open to stopping by again..
(3)Kelly G.
My biteful of the Seoul Dog was pretty tasty but I didn't get any of the cheese!! The veggie fritters that the place is known for were pretty unique and came in a huge portion. More carrots and green beans would have been nice though b/c fried potatoes are just fries.
(4)AloisSchicklgruber H.
Went there first time today. It is indeed fairly cheap. The bibimbop is $7.88 (plus tax but no tip is $8.35) which is quite reasonable but a bit on the small side. True, it's nothing special, but neither is it in any way bad. The Twigim ($4.75 large ---$5.04 post tax, $2.75 small --- $2.92 post tax) is advertised (on their menu) as being what put Kosmo "on the map" (can't remember the exact phrasing). It is exactly like tempura, just done without shrimp (potatoes and onions mostly). I can't say it attains the standards of the most exquisite tempura, but it's a good, cheap, greasy, filling, sinful eat, that I was quite happy with. Altogether, as Yelp says, "Yay! I'm a fan." I will be back to this place. P.S. They gave us two bottles of sauce with the food, but I had to go to the counter and ask if they had anything spicy. Turns out one of the two bottles was already the spicy chili sauce, but my sophisticated tongue was unable to detect any capsaicin. So they had to give me some Srichacha sauce (hidden under their counter) which is certainly good, but somehow disappointing just cuz it's so common. I would therefore recommend that they make their supposed "chili sauce" actually somewhat spicy!
(4)emeril l.
bi bim bap, I want to eat you up everyday. So fresh and yummy!
(5)Emily L.
You can build your own Bi bim bap here! Four vegetables ranging from mushrooms to kimichi. Beef, chicken, or tofu. Brown rice or white rice. The possibilities are endless. They also do a great Korean inspired cheese steak. A great stop before or after you go to the farmer's market.
(4)Jeffrey C.
I wanted so badly to find a great Korean restaurant in the Ann Arbor area and this just wasn't it. I was able to try both the bi bim bop, the bulgogi and the egg roll and while they were all ok there was nothing memorable about any of it. The bulgogi wasn't really all that flavorful and somewhat dry and the egg roll well like eating a stick of pepper and ginger. If I were to go again I felt the bop was fairly decent, and its nice to be able to choose which vegetables yourself. Undoubtedly the best part of eating here was the atmosphere and location. Being right in the Kerrytown shops is so convenient and it's fun to be able to watch people passing in and out of Sparrow market.
(3)Steve G.
Great lunch counter. I have always enjoyed their Bi Bim Bop.
(3)Anya P.
There's nothing missing from here. It's all wonderful. Even at it's busiest, the staff was great, the food was delicious and you can't beat the price with a stick. Bim-bop is so good it makes my liver quiver. And even if you can eat the whole bowl, you feel good about yourself for doing so. It's not processed or flavored or MSGed. And the sesame chili sauce on the tables brings my future children's children to tears of joy. Did I mention the sweet robot face? Well, then, you're just going to have to go check it out for yourself. Oh and try the pickled daikon. It's brilliant.
(5)Jenna C.
Loved the rice bowls with brown rice, you pick the 4 veggies you want... very healthy. CUTE location. GREAT service. Totally dug it.
(4)Alex S.
Never forget to order a large twigim.
(5)David M.
This is a great place to stop if you're walking around Kerrytown and get bit by the hunger bug, but left your Zingerman's wallet at home. There are a ton of things I'd still like to try from here, but I got the Bogie (Bulgogi Hoagie, obviously) and my partner in crime got the famous bi-bim-bop. The cheesesteak (which is what the Bogie really is, here) was very good. The bulgogi has just enough flavor and seasoning to it, and is not overpowered by the cheese or green peppers. It was served with a fork, which confused me for about five seconds before I realized that most of the filling was not going to stay in the bread, but that was fine, and I enjoyed it a lot. I tried the BBB as well, and thought it was very good. I'm no expert, but it was a lot like that at Rod's Diner, which I also have a place in my heart for. Here it was interesting because you actually pick the four ingredients you'd like in your BBB. I personally could do without the choice and would just want everything thrown in, but I guess for some it could be better this way. We also got an order of the tempura'd vegetables to start, but were not blown away by them. They were good enough, and the sweet and sour type sauce served with them was good as well, but nothing you need to try if you go there. Next up are the burgers and hot dogs wrapped in bacon for me, but I still need to try Monahan's too. And it might be tough not to get pulled into the gravitational pull that is Zings. Oh Kerrytown, how I love thee.
(4)Christine E.
I was surprised at my experience here. Today was my first time trying Kosmo and I read the other reviews and had heard from friends that it was great, so my expectations were pretty high. When I first walked in I was pretty sure I had the right place but there was no obvious sign, also no menu board so I was confused about how to order. When I got up to the counter the girl taking orders had a friend sitting at the counter whom she was obviously having a conversation with and seemed annoyed to be interrupted. I told her this was my first time and asked pleasantly what was good. She jerked the menu out of my hand and roughly pointed to the front page highlighting the BiBimBop saying shortly "this is what we're known for". I felt rushed into ordering BiBimBop. (there was no one waiting to order behind me). The overall feeling I got from the girl "helping" me was "Your an idiot, not worth my time." The the food took at least 20 min (a to go order) and when I asked the gentleman serving the food if my ticket was up soon or if I needed to go put more money in the meter he was rude as well. The food was o.k. (chicken bibimbop with mushrooms, carrots, onions and broccoli and Beef bibimbop with carrots, cucumbers, kimchi, and zuc.) but overall not worth going back for due to the complete lack of customer care/service. I've had Korean that was the same quality but with way more care at other places in Ann Arbor. I won't be returning.
(1)M B.
Not bad for the midwest when it comes to Korean food. Had the bibimbap and the bacon wrapped hotdog --pretty decent for Michigan.
(4)Emma K.
Yum is the word. I've been frequenting Kosmo for 16 years. Amazing food. Casual atmosphere. Perfect for quick breakfast or a delicious lunch. Staff is always super nice and the wait is never long. Parking close by and plenty to look at and do in k-town before or after you munch your lunch!
(5)Jennifer M.
One caveat: I've only tried to eat here once. Overall reason for such a low rating, esp. given the very positive reviews: 1. Very, very poor service. 2. Not great food. I went for lunch the other afternoon & it was rather busy. So we waited for about 5-10 minutes to order. Fine, fine, I get it. Busy is busy. Must be because the food is so good? After we gave our order, the waiter/dude behind the bar never brought out our drinks. And then we asked again. And still he didn't. So we asked another waiter. And he did! Yeah! Drinks! And then, from our vantage point at the counter, we watched as the food just sat and sat and sat beneath the heat lamps. And we saw customers get more and more angry that they weren't getting their food. And then we get our food. And we ask for chopsticks from the waiter. And the waiter doesn't get them. Just walks aways and keeps wandering around the restaurant. So I get up and walk behind the counter and get chopsticks. Begin eating my bibimbop. And it isn't great. It isn't terrible -- I've had worse. But it isn't great. The beef was a little dry and the vegetables a little sparse. And then I find a hair. And my patience is gone. We leave and get food down the street. If you want Korean, I recommend Seoul Garden. Seriously.
(1)Andrew S.
If I'm in the Kerrytown area and feeling like fried rice, this is the place that always hits the spot. Kosmo has a very unique steampunk, post-industrial style to it that not only charms, but really feels warm... in a post-apocalyptic, nuclear holocaust sort of way. The food itself, albeit derived from relatively basic cooking technique, is extremely satisfying. While the Bi Bim Bop might be most appealing (it is a Korean grill anyways!), I highly recommend the vegetable fried rice, which has an otherworldly fried quality to it, actually imparting a highly desirable crunchy texture to the rice. Either way, no dish at Kosmo is complete without compliments of the house version of the traditional Gojujang-derived Korean hot sauce which is most typically served with Bi Bim Bop (I use it on all dishes at Kosmo). Their version is something I dream about at night, I have spent hours thinking about ways to replicate this highly endearing hot sauce which has a very noticeable sweet side to it, but is just the right hotness. Don't forget to add an amazing egg roll to your meal, they're super unique - filled with kim chi! All in all, I have never been disappointed with an experience at Kosmo. The staff is always very helpful and kind (as long as you are!).
(4)Jos C.
Love their Bulgogi entrees.
(5)Munaf A.
Delicious food. Kind of upset I found this place so close to graduation, otherwise I would've been a regular here. Get the Seoul Dog. Amazing!
(4)Catherine W.
Stumbled upon this eatery as we walked through the Kerrytown Market & Shops. It was a fun place to grab a quick lunch and we sat at the bar on a bustling Saturday. My husband had the Boagie (Bulgogi on a Hoagie - kind of a like a Korean take on a Philly cheesesteak) and I had a Bi Bim Bop. Also ordered their Twigim (kind of like vegetable/potato tempura?). Food was so cheap as the whole meal was under $20. The place had a lot of character with friendly/cheerful waitstaff behind the bar. Not the best Korean food I've ever had (bibimbap was kind of sparse, and I thought the Boagie was a little too sweet), but certainly it hit the spot. I would come again for a cheap, tasty, and quick eat.
(4)Valerie B.
I love Kosmo! When I'm jonesing for some healthy food that also tastes good, this is the place to go. However, the service was terrible the last time I went there, which disappointed me, since I'm a regular customer (I've usually gone once every other month for the last 3 years). It was a particularly busy night, granted, but I was upset that when my food was up (I could see it sitting in the window), the waiter/cashier kept serving people in the line for another 5-7 minutes, while I stood there waiting. Finally, I got up, waited in line, and finally asked if he could package up my food, explaining that I had been waiting for a while. He said snarkily, "Okay, well I have 450 people yelling their orders at me right now." Which was untrue, no one in line seemed the least bit hot and bothered. I told him I understand, thanked him and then left. Halfway down the block, I realize he didn't even put half of my order in the box. He had left it in the window. I had to turn around and go back and get it. It was room temperature/cold by then. Nevertheless, I really like the food, and I'll go back there again just because I'm a loyal customer. Hopefully, they won't be busy nights or else I'll have to go through this stuff all over again.
(3)Matt L.
I hate to give this place a bad review, but it's not up to the standards of days gone by - specifically the Henry days. Back then it was a smaller outfit - just a lunch counter, and staffed by Henry and his wife who managed to churn out cheap, fast, quality Korean and American fare and provide great customer service to boot. I ate there again about a week ago. My wife and I stood there waiting for the counter staff to finish their conversation - we were on our lunch breaks so maybe I wasn't as relaxed as I should have been. Eventually the Serpico looking dude slowly made his way toward us - then the phone rings....Not a "I'll be right with you" or anything. He picks up the phone and wanders into the kitchen. The other counter person continues to yuck it up with another customer. Not until my wife says, "Whenever you're ready, we are," does she acknowledge us. So now we were the d**ks for calling her out and it's obvious in her manner. The food comes out fairly quickly. It's alright. Burger's the same as I remember, basically. If you want bibimbap I can tell you three places within walking distance that are better and more authentic and probably cheaper. The egg roll is big but mostly flavorless cabbage. That is some damn good sauce, though. To sum it up, I'm afraid this place has been ruined by the too-cool for you, smug hipster set and I probably won't be back. Don't act like you're doing me a favor by doing what you get paid to do. There are too many people running similar businesses the right way to come back to this one any time soon.
(2)Sara G.
This quintessential Ann Arbor joint is strategically situated between Sparrow and Monahan's in Kerrytown, and I can just picture myself hunkering down in a red booth, one hand clasping a just-purchased Mexican coke, the other a pair of chopsticks. Sigh...carry-out just seems so much easier these days. Kosmo offers an array of interesting fusion dishes that I don't think ever graced a Steve's Lunch menu (um, hot dog wrapped in bacon topped with kimchi?). This is a diner, so the quality of beef is good but not the great melt in your mouth stuff you'll find at more expensive Korean restaurants. This shouldn't deter you from ordering their tasty bulgogi, however. Plus, the sauce that comes with it is fantastic. Plus plus: cheap cheap! Actual rating: between 3.5 and 4 stars. A very unique place indeed. Korean? Diner? I'm there.
(4)Lara S.
I had been wanting to check out Kosmo for a while since I had read a lot of reviews on Yelp and I am a huge fan of bi bim bop. The first time I went was a winter afternoon and apparently they had decided to close early. That was a bummer. I'm not sure why that was the case. Anyhow, I returned there yesterday mid-afternoon. I ordered the bi bim bop with no protein on top (saves you about $2!) and my friend had the Fried Rice with tofu. The bi bim bop was good, not the best, but good. The vegetables on top were raw which was different than other ones I have had. The egg was perfectly cooked. The silver bowl was hard to eat out of because it was narrower than other ones I have eaten from at other restaurants. The fried rice was made with brown short grain rice which gave it a nice bite. Overall, this is a decent place to get lunch. I like the location in Kerrytown and the buzz around all the shops (it's in the center with Sparrow Market) made for a lively lunch. I wish they also had pastries such as the Lotus Bun or Veggies Buns that are available at Eastern Accents, but I guess this is just a different sort of place.
(4)o o.
Kosmo is stellar .... and ..... Such a find! Went here on Tony C's recommendation with fellow yelper and friend, Janelle. Was not disappointed. This place has a small counter and a couple of booths within Kerrytown's first level. Kosmo is the perfect americanized spin on Korean food. It is just right. Offers fresh and inventive variations of bi bim bop. Yum... I got mine with Spinach! Great spicy sauce too! One of the best Korean joints in Ann Arbor.
(4)Alice C.
this is sooooo yummy! love the special sauce. and the bop. and the twigim. and their grilled cheese may possibly be the best i've ever had. and it's $1.75. that means you could buy 3 for under six bucks. i don't know why you would want to do that, but you could. and now harlan works there, and he's awesome.
(5)Tony C.
Sort of goofy to review a place when a previous reviewer went on my recommendation, but here it is: Kosmo is an interesting Americanized spin on Korean food. Such favorites like bul go gi are changed into things like the bogey: bbq beef on a hoagie roll with melted cheese on top. Delicious! The other killer dish here is the twiggum: tempura-battered veggies. I'm pretty sure anything covered in tempura makes it yummy. The other items here that I've had (and recommend) are the hot/sour soup, the extremely non-traditional take on bi bim bop, and the kim bop. Hint: I'm giving away the farm on this one (and because of this I hope they don't start charging for it), but if you order a decent amount of food, you can ask for a side of kim chi and it's free. It's actually fun to ask for it because Kosmo's mother gets it out of the fridge out of this huge vat, picks some out with these huge chopsticks into a little bowl for you. Caution: This place gets busy, especially during lunchtime and it's particularly bad on the weekends. They can get really backed up and if you want to eat there, good luck finding a space to sit.
(4)Erin G.
Kosmo is a great little place in the Kerrytown markets. It's got a lot of character and weird twists on Korean food. Their bi bim bop is yummy, their eggrolls are delicious, their twiggim (kinda like tempura veggies) are great, and their special homemade sauce is great too. Their staff is really relaxed and seem like they enjoy working there, as much as you could enjoy working at a food joint. They have several weird hot-dog options too, which are interesting, but I've never tried. Edit: tried the hot dog wrapped in bacon and deep fried, then topped with cheese and kim chee. Amazing. I could eat one of those every day if it wouldn't give me a heart attack. Not nearly as greasy or salty as it sounds because the acidity of the kim chee cuts it. A masterpiece.
(4)Andrew C.
We had been consistent customers here for years. Food is ok, but service is pathetic and disinterested, such as today. Not worth our money or time anymore. Other choices inside the market or around the corner have tasty selections with a lot better customer service.
(1)Colin T.
Went to Kosmo for its Bi-Bop based on a co-worker's recommendation. Really liked how you could select your toppings. I'm new to Korean food other than what I saw week after week this past season on Next Food Network Star. If you have never tried bi-bim-bop then you don't know what you are missing. Personally, I going to make up for lost time and become a frequent visitor to Kosmo.
(5)Kelli P.
I've tried a few things off of the menu, and the bi bim bap with the red sauce takes the cake. Aesthetically, this diner is right up my alley. The stainless steel bar and stools, chalkboard menu and large metal bowls that hold the bi bim bap put a smile on my face. I only eat here if I see that there are few people occupying the stools, as a crowd means I'll have to wait quite a while for my food and probably won't get fast service. That being said, I've never had a bad experience...some are just more lengthy than others.
(4)John Y.
Did the most marvelous things just happen? Did it really? It indeed did, my friends. Being in Ann Arbor for four years I somehow missed out on Kosmos in Kerrytown. I made a visit back to U of M for graduation and went here and it was fricken ridicin' AMAZING. It's as if the greasy food culture of diner American cuisine had babies with Korean food. I picked everything on the menu that was Korean infused: bacon wrapped hotdogs with kimchi, kimchi bamburger, and the twikim (deep fried vegetables, korean style). It was all so amazing. I've got to say that they did an fantastic job keeping up the quality for some of the traditional Korean foods like bibombop. If I could only lift up Kosmos and drop it in DC - they need to have something like this in Washington.
(5)Steve C.
What used to be a reasonably tasty take on Bi Bim Bop with awesome sauce has tanked. I brought a friend there, and we both ordered the Bop. For the record, we were eating in. Historically--that is, for the many times I have eaten here over the years--if you dine in, they give you fairly tasty Bop with a bottle of sauce, serve you with real forks, and bring you water if needed. This has all apparently changed lately. You now get your own water from a big plastic jug, which is lame, but I can deal with it. When they brought our meals out to us, they were both in cheap aluminum to-go tins with a plastic fork. This was lame, but maybe their dish washing machine is broken? I will give them the benefit of the doubt here. What I can't excuse is how they have decided to ration their sauce--the main flavoring agent for their Bop. I asked for a bottle of sauce thinking they forgot, and was told they no longer have them. They asked if I wanted some more of those tiny condiment cups. Thinking this was strange, I said sure. The employee then started entering things in to the computer. What he didn't bother to explain was he was trying to charge me for for more sauce. I had to ask what was going on, and he explained extra sauce is now 50 cents each. No thank you. What used to be a half-way decent experience has been cheapened beyond the point of acceptability. Kosmo has experienced a variety of odd changes over the years, and each time, they usually realize the folly of it and change back. All I can say is that I very much hope I will pleasantly discover they have reverted each of my above complaints back to normal. Until then, I can't recommend Kosmo anymore.
(2)Jay Y.
fast and convenient bi bim bop. solid. bugolgi is really good the brown rice has lots of flavor i didn't really care for the egg roll.
(4)Mark B.
Bi Bin Bop! Don't miss the twigum. You can get a good burger here too.
(4)Andrea Y.
I'm totally a fan of Kosmo. I work across the street, so I go there often. The bibimbap is what I always order - you get to choose what goes into it, which is the best part for me. If you ask for kimchi they'll give you some, and it's some of my favorite kimchi in town. Now that I've been going there for over a year, multiple times a week, I've gotten to know the employees. It's fun being a regular at Kosmo!
(4)Sarah W.
Tasty and cheap! Some of the best fusion Korean food I have ever had. You must try the hot dog wrapped in bacon and deep fried topped off with kim chee. And the burger made with kim chee. I love the "twiggim", which is deep fried vegetables tempura style but not as delicate. Very flavorful and beautiful. If you just want straight up Korean food they have bi bim bop which is really good because they made their own special sauce which is amazing. You can also choose the types of veggies you want in it. The sushi roll is not so great I wouldn't try it. And if you just want typical diner food, the breakfast bagel is always good! It's fast service in a comfortable atmosphere. You can sit at the bar and watch them prepare your food. Or choose one of the booth seats. Either way its great because you don't have waiter service so you don't have to feel like your annoying when your lounging around. Unless it's Saturday, then you better hurry cause the crowds are unbelievable.
(4)Marie H.
This place is really good. So far I have gotten the bi-bim-bop and the bulgogi. I can't really seem to ever try anything else, because the above are just so darn tasty. They have a reasonably-priced Chicago-style hot dog on their menu, which I have yet to try. (Those don't seem to be very popular in this part of the midwest, I guess because of all the Coney Islands?) Have to subtract a star from the original 4. The service can be hit or miss. Usually, if it's the dudes that are working the counter, you will be fine and they are super-friendly...If any of the ditzy hippie chicks are working, they will for instance, ignore you for 5 minutes, whine right over your head to their boyfriend who is standing directly behind you about some party they are going to miss, ignore you some more, whine some more, let you stand there some more while they angrily put away sauce bottles because their boyfriend is going to the party without them, and then eventually tell you, 'oh, we aren't taking orders anymore'....when it's 3pm and the place is open for another 4 hours....i didn't get that..... .
(3)Dharma A.
Kosmo has the honor of being my first bi bim bop experience. Since I have nothing to compare it to, I can't say how "authentic" it is, but I can say it was damn tasty. I ate there yesterday for lunch and would gladly go back today and get the same thing! I also really like the set up of the place---it opens out to the rest of Kerrytown Market and has a casual and funky vibe. I've seen this place during the lunch hour and it's bumpin', I think primarily because a lot of Commie High people dine here. I went around 3 and it was pretty quiet. I don't know how it took me so long to go here, but it's definitely moved into my Ann Arbor lunch favorites.
(4)Sarah R.
Since Steve's Lunch went out of business, I've been looking for a cute diner with good vegetarian Bi Bim Bop, and Kosmo might turn out to be my new favorite place for that. I like that you can order the Bi Bim Bop with your choice of meats or fried tofu. It's a little pricier than some other local Korean places, coming in around $7, but the ingredients are good quality. They also offer a wide variety of American breakfast and brunch foods and deli foods. Kosmo, short for Kosmopolitan, is a small diner within the Kerrytown shops, sandwiched between a meat market and a seafood market. The people watching is fun, but expect to have to muscle your way in to get a seat if you come around noon on a weekday, as I did. There are a few stools at the counter, or you can get your food at the counter and take it to one of the benches or small tables sprinkled around the Kerrytown market complex as I saw some families doing.
(4)Lisa W.
Kosmo is a great spot in Kerrytown where you can get some tasty grub on. They have a modified bi bim bop dish where you can choose what kind of meat and vegetables go in your bowl. They make a mean breakfast sandwich that is good enough for prom dinner, and they carry this seven layer bar from a local bakery that has raisins in it. I hate raisins but that bar is out of this world. Take your bowl to one of the comfy couches and you'll get a great look at Everyday Wines for post bi bim bop jubilation.
(3)Bruce D.
We've been to the Kerrytown shopping district in Ann Arbor on numerous occasions to shop at Elephant Ears but never thought to drop in to any of the eateries. Well last night we ducked into this place and were pleasantly surprised, not just by the food but the pleasant and helpful nature of the counter man. The gentleman patiently guided us through the restaurant's offerings, most popular dishes and his reccomendations. I ordered a hamburger and my wife selected Bi Bim Bop with beef. My hamburger was very tasty but let me tell you, I'm not a big risk taker when it comes to food however when I sampled my wife's dish I could hardly restrain myself from eating it all! The wonderful taste floored me (unlike anything I've ever had), sauce is provided as well so you can add more if that suits you. We are so happy we stumbled upon this quaint restaurant and we definitely shall return for future late afternoon visits to Kosmo!
(5)Brian J.
Bogie and Twigim? Yes, please. Now. Now! Everything this place churns out is delicious. I suggest the Bogie and Twigim. Healthy? No. Delicious? Yes. Unique? Most definitely. I only give it a 4 instead of a 5 because the tables are often dirty and the staff isn't very attentive/on the ball. I'd suggest carry-out for this reason.
(4)Dave Y.
decent korean food/lunch counter place. the bulgogi and bibimbops are decent, but feels like i made it at home. it's slightly pricey but it's a2/kerry town so not too terrible. the hot dogs are pretty good. the kimchi burger also sounds interesting. overall, decent, but not great korean food. it's kind of a fun place tho, 'cuz it's in sparrows market and gets pretty crowded sometimes.
(3)Spike S.
Great Bop, twigims are awesome.
(5)starli h.
oh man, henry at kosmo played a major role in my upbringing. on the days in high school {*ahem* only a few moons ago}, when i saved enough change to afford a meal, and something more than the 25 cent bag of bread ends from zingerman's, i went to kosmo! i usually got fries, twiggum or a grilled cheese. on very fancy days it was bi bim bop. this is closest thing it can get to comfort food without cooking it yourself. at least for me!
(4)Ziggy Y.
Kosmo's was one of two places I ate at multiple times a week during my 3 years in Ann Arbor (the other was Silvio's). What makes a place that you go back to? For me, it's an aesthetic of which food is just a part. Of course, the food has to be good, but for me, the places I go back to are rarely the places with the best food. I mean, I don't have the cash nor the desire to eat at Eve more than once a year. We're talking about affordability, but we're also talking about kinds of food that resemble staples more than extravagances. And a place where people know you--know your likes and dislikes so you're not constantly explaining yourself, people look out for you, appreciate you, and take care of you, but at the same time, it's not work to go get takeout from the place. In other words, it's like home cooking in that you know the food comes from the heart, but it's still a restaurant which demands distance and respect as a customer. On a separate note, someone below complained about the girls that work at Kosmo's. I kicked it with some near-30-something grad students who were uniformly in love with one of the 17 or 18 year old high school girls that worked there. She was cute, I can't deny it.
(5)Margot F.
Kosmo is the unofficial cafeteria for the "alternative" high school in yippie-central Kerrytown (so not only do Comm High kids get an education that's hypersensitive to their individual special snowflakeness, but they also eat better than any other high schoolers in the country--and sometimes I worry a little bit for the future of graduates who were never subjected to ice-cream scoops of instant mashed potatoes, frozen fries and vending machine fare). Anyone old enough to vote might want to avoid the 11am-1pm window, because as efficient as the chill kids who work Don's lunchcounter are, the burgers and fried rice and b-bim bop are as *quick* as they are cheap during those rare times when Kosmo isn't overrun by flirty, chatty, awkward pre-punks (although they can be fun to watch). The menu is so limited a couple weeks's worth of visits could canvas it entirely, and the food is simple but satisfying. Vegetable twiggim (classic stir-fry veggies deep fried in the same vat as the baseball-sized egg rolls and fresh-cut french fries) is a hangover cure so potent it can clear your aching head and bowels even if you accidentally hit the cafeteria rush. For the hungrier, the b-bim bop is a perfect one-bowl meal: white or brown steamed rice topped with vegetables, egg, and teriyaki chicken, beef, or tofu. The egg salad is pleasantly dill-heavy, the burgers are high-school-palate-approved, the coffee is lavazza, and "desserts" place you firmly back in high school cafeteria land (a basket of MnM packages in the middle of the counter is about all they've got). But you don't go to Kosmo for options, you go to Kosmo because it feels like being invited to a friend's place for lunch. P.S. Do yourself a favor and try the sweet-hot chili sauce in the plastic squeeze bottles on the counter--everyone goes a little nuts for it
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