What makes a bagel shop great? Paul Kim, owner of The Bagel Club in Lodi, has visited nearly every bagel shop in New York. He has loved bagels and sandwiches since he was a kid. So when he opened his own bagel shop, he wanted it to be different. A place where anyone could come and have a genuinely pleasant experience.
“I always felt that most places were rushed, especially during the busy morning and lunchtime hours,” Paul says. He noticed music and atmosphere were always an afterthought. That’s why The Bagel Club plays jazz music, which Paul believes pairs beautifully with the warmth of freshly baked bagels. “There’s something comforting and soulful about the combination.”
Listen to The Best of New Jersey Podcast!
Warm Bagels, Heartfelt Hospitality
At The Bagel Club, they believe in more than just baking. They want customers to feel welcome. “Our bagels are made with love, our ingredients are fresh. And our team truly cares about the customer experience,” Paul says.
The shop replaces another bagel store, Vic’s Premium Bagels, though it has since been renovated. “We branded it with a fresh new vibe and upgraded recipes, making it our own while still honoring the legacy of the original shop,” explains Paul.
Every morning before dawn, Paul prepares and bakes fresh bagels by hand. Here, bagels are hand-rolled and boiled the traditional New York way: crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. They focus on freshness, quality, and flavor. “I love using clean, wholesome ingredients to make food that not only tastes good but also feels good,” Paul says.
Their bacon, egg, and cheese bagel is a crowd favorite, along with their house-made scallion cream cheese. On the sweet side, the blueberry and Nutella cream cheeses are always a hit. But Paul’s favorite item is the bulgogi sandwich. It’s made with Korean-style beef bulgogi barbecue and Kim’s own special sauce. He says it’s hearty and satisfying, making it perfect for lunch.
About The Bagel Club
Future plans for The Bagel Club include serving brunch, which will feature a totally separate menu. Paul also hopes to open more locations in the future. For now, he enjoys being in Lodi. “We fell in love with the Lodi community. It’s tight-knit, diverse, and full of energy,” he says. “We wanted to create a neighborhood spot where everyone can grab a great bagel and feel at home.”
Prior to opening The Bagel Club, Paul spent years working in the restaurant industry. This includes time at a Japanese omakase restaurant in Manhattan. “Opening this bagel shop has been a dream come true. It brings together everything I love: great food, warm hospitality, and a sense of community,” Paul says.
Visit The Bagel Club at 79 South Main St in Lodi. Look for them online to learn more.
See the Latest Restaurants Open in New Jersey.
All Photos: © The Bagel Club (Yuni Choi & Danbee Lee)
