BagelFest West Exhibitor Spotlight: Rise Bagels
Rise Bagels in Irvine offers a fresh and inventive take on the classic bagel. Known for its bold and eclectic sandwich lineup, Rise doesn’t shy away from combining diverse flavors and culinary influences to deliver a unique dining experience.
The menu features standout creations such as a spicy tuna poke on a furikake bagel, a sandwich layered with Korean barbecue bulgogi, two types of kimchi, sesame leaf, steamed egg, pickled radish, and their interpretation of lox. The lox is especially notable, cured with a blend of citrus zest over two days and paired with raw and yuzu kosho-pickled onions. These elements reflect a meticulous approach to both flavor and texture.
Rise Bagels’ best-selling option currently is a bagel with a jammy egg and Tokyo negi cream cheese, showcasing the shop’s penchant for creative, yet approachable offerings.
Chef John Park, the culinary force behind Rise, draws on his fine dining background as a pastry chef in Los Angeles to elevate every aspect of the menu. Rather than attempt to replicate the iconic New York bagel, Park has crafted a version that feels distinctly Californian—lighter and crispier, aiming to complement the region’s palate. Park emphasizes that it's not just about the water, a common refrain in bagel lore, but about the people and their talent that shape quality and taste.
The philosophy at Rise Bagels is rooted in applying the principles and standards of fine dining to neighborhood fare—infusing traditional comfort food with precision, high-quality ingredients, and innovative flavor combinations, all while avoiding pretension. As a result, Rise delivers an outstanding bagel experience, earning high praise and setting a new standard for what California bagels can be.