Cupbop Set to Shake Things Up in the UAE Food Scene with its Crave-Worthy Korean BBQ in a Cup

Fun, fast, and fiery, the hit Korean street food concept, which featured on season 13 of Shark Tank, lands in the UAE this summer, serving up bold Korean cravings in a cup with signature sauces, loaded bowls, and buzzing locations on the horizon

Dubai, UAE (May 2025): Cupbop is almost here, ready to make some serious noise in the UAE’s food scene with fiery Korean flavours, and a whole lot of personality, all packed into its signature black and yellow cup. Opening this summer at Ibn Battuta Mall under RMAL Hospitality, the fast, fun, no-fuss concept is bringing exotically flavourful and affordable bowls to Dubai’s food lovers. With a flagship store also bopping into JBR later this year, it’s time to curb your food boredom and make room for a bold new favourite in your daily rotation.

Born to Bop

Junghun Song started Cupbop in 2013 with four recipes, a food truck parked on the streets of Salt Lake City, and a dream. The concept was backed by Junghun’s belief that Korean food had everything it needed to win hearts - bold flavours and total crowd-pleaser potential. With sauces ranging from sweet to serious heat and a side of wild energy, it wasn’t long before lines of hungry fans were wrapping around blocks, all eager to be fed and entertained by the now-legendary “crazy food truck guys”.

Fast forward a few years, and enter Dok Kwon, a fellow Korean food enthusiast who loved the concept so much he teamed up with Junghun Song in 2020 to take things to the next level. The dynamic duo then brought their signature spice and charm to Shark Tank and blew the judges away, scoring offers from all five sharks. Today, Cupbop is one of the most loved food chains in the Western U.S., with 47 stores across America, 160 worldwide, and now, the UAE is next on the map for this global K-BBQ sensation.

Korean Street Food Sensations

Simple yet delicious, Cupbop’s menu serves up a spectrum of bold Korean BBQ flavours, all packed into a cup and finished with your choice of signature sauces, ranging from sweet (#1) to fiery (#10), with the fan-favourite secret sauce landing at a punchy #7.5. The signature bowls are where the magic begins, with must-try creations including the smoky, tender Bulgogi Beef in the B BOP and juicy BBQ chicken in the KKO KKO BOP. For a little extra zing, ROCK BOP turns up the volume with tangy fried chicken, while KRUNCH BOP delivers golden, crispy chicken katsu with a satisfying bite in every forkful.

If you're still craving more, treat yourself to their bold bites like the MANDOO—crispy, golden potstickers bursting with savoury flavour. Or go all in with the crunchy K-DAWG, delivering the ultimate cheese pull in every bite.

Vegetarian? No problem. Make sure to try the VEGGIE BOP, brimming with flavourful Korean-style vegetables, and DOOCHI BOP, offering crispy fried tofu that’s anything but boring.

Next Stop – Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai

Now, UAE locals can finally get their hands on the iconic cup as Cupbop opens its first location this summer at Ibn Battuta Mall’s lively food court. Perfect for refuelling after a day of retail therapy, this is Korean street food like you’ve never had it before - super tasty, refreshingly different, and served lightning fast.

Sharing his excitement for Cupbop’s UAE expansion, Elias Madbak, CEO of RMAL Hospitality, said, “When I first met Dok and Junghun, I was immediately struck by the originality of their concept and the energy they brought to the brand. Beyond the bold flavours, I saw two founders who genuinely care about creating fun, meaningful experiences that connect with people. Their authenticity, integrity, and people-focused approach perfectly align with RMAL’s own values, and it was clear that Cupbop was a brand we had to bring to the region.”

Junghun Song, Founder of Cupbop, added, “We are thrilled to finally bring our signature Korean flavours to the UAE, a place full of energy, culture, and food lovers who we know will connect with what we’ve created. Cupbop has always been about more than just food; it’s about having fun, trying something new, and bringing people together. We can’t wait to see guests across Dubai enjoy our bowls, our sauces, and the full Cupbop experience.”

Get ready, Dubai - Cupbop is just getting started. With its first stop at Ibn Battuta Mall this summer and more flavour-packed locations on the horizon, this is one street food sensation you won’t want to miss. Keep your eyes peeled, your taste buds ready, and stay tuned as Cupbop brings the heat across the UAE.

For more information on Cupbop, visit https://www.cupbop.com/