The best Korean BBQ restaurants in Los Angeles

What is it? A casual Korean barbecue spot with everyday ambience, reasonable prices and top-notch meat selection.

Why we love it: The wait times here generally run shorter than other popular spots like Park’s and Quarters, though we’re confused as to why; Soowon’s banchan assortment and prepared dishes, including the perilla leaf stew and scallion pancake, showcase a depth and breadth of Korean cuisine that’s remarkable for a restaurant whose most popular items come cooked on a tabletop grill. The restaurant accepts reservations over the phone, and the renovated dining room offers a touch of ambiance. The combination courses, in particular, offer excellent value for a crowd, especially the Combo B, which includes the must-have kkotsal, or marbled boneless short rib, and chadol, thinly sliced pieces of brisket that quickly crisp on the grill.

Time Out tip: If you’re ordering à la carte, order the tteokgalbi, or bulgogi-marinated short rib patties—romanized on the menu as “dduk galbi.” This dish isn’t available at most other Korean barbecue restaurants in Los Angeles. 

Address: 856 Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10:30pm

What is it? The city’s premier Korean BBQ gem and one that takes meat more seriously than most, serving prime and American Wagyu beef in a sleek modern space that’s stood the test of time.

Why we love it: Angelenos may be divided on their favorite Korean BBQ, but Park’s seems to be the one unifying constant, at least for special occasions. That’s because it all comes down to quality: The meat here is premium, so in addition to the requisite kimchi pancakes, tofu stews and banchan galore you can find exquisite cuts of beef and pork, which get grilled at your table—there’s even an entire section of the menu devoted to Wagyu, if you really want to go big. For best results, order some of everything: There’s boneless Wagyu short rib, seasoned pork belly, succulent house galbi, beef tripe and nearly anything else you can imagine throwing onto the grill, plus an array of banchan—and a full menu of entrées such as spicy black cod, soup with rice cakes, and requisites like expert kimchi pancakes.

Time Out tip: For a more lively, intimate meal (no more than six people total), head to Park’s acclaimed younger sibling restaurant across the street, KTeam BBQ. The Vermont Avenue spot specializes in a more pork-centric Korean barbecue experience—albeit with the same meat quality, bounty of banchan and excellent prepared dishes as Park’s. 

Address: 955 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm

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What is it? An upscale Koreatown steakhouse with two distinct vibes—a sleek, all-black indoor dining room equipped with smokeless grills, and a 4,000-square-foot dog-friendly stringlit patio.  

Why we love it: MUN’s menu leans heavily into prime cuts with glorious marbling—ribeye, aged boneless short rib, hanging tender (tossi), and chuck tail flap. It’s the kind of beef program you'd expect at a high-end chophouse. But it’s the cauldron-style cooking—they grill the pork belly on the raised center, let the fat render down into the moat, then drop kimchi into the pool of pork fat to caramelize—that sets MUN apart. Along with yuzu highballs and blackberry sage margaritas. Out back, MUN Patio swaps the yang steakhouse aesthetic for a campground-meets-pojangmacha vibe, complete with a DIY ramen bar, the Pabulous combo (pork belly wrapped around green onion kimchi), and treats for your four-legged friends. It’s arguably the best outdoor KBBQ offering in L.A. 

Time Out tip: Don't sleep on the two newest additions to the menu: the Arirang Saap ($49 regular; $69 large)—a Thai-style pork bone tower drenched in tangy chili-lime sauce, and the Awe-ssam ($49)—a build-your-own-bite situation with sweet and spicy bulgogi, ssam wraps, rice, and sides. 

Address: 3511 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri 5pm-1am; Sat 11:30am-1am; Sun 11:30am-midnight 

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What is it? A small but mighty K-Town BBQ joint known for its K-pop party vibes and kalbi tacos. Yes, you read that right—tacos.  

Why we love it: Meat and soju is the name of the game at DSR. The best way I can describe the vibe here is industrial cyberpunk garage. You'll understand what I mean when you start knocking back soju shots with your server and joining in on a singalong with the table nearby. The DSR combo ($88) feeds three and gives you a good bang for your BBQ buck. In it: your choice of wagyu brisket or beef belly, plus kurobuta pork belly, house beef, marinated short rib, and either chadol doenjang or gochujang stew (both are delightful, but I’m partial to the chadol). Order a side of tortillas with onion and cilantro and turn your KBBQ into Mexican fusion. Banchan is limited, and some á la carte dishes like dried filefish and cuttlefish or fish cake soup aren't available until after 8pm. Don't worry—that's not the case for the incredibly thick pork jowl, radish kimchi fried rice, or steamed egg, which you'll definitely need to have a complete experience here.

Time Out tip: DSR is one of the smokier spots in K-Town. Be sure to tuck anything you want to protect from the barbecue smell inside your chair, which doubles as a cubby.

Address: 3101 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Daily 5pm-1am 

What is it? A more casual, pork-centric concept from the same team behind Park’s BBQ. 

Why we love it: KTeam BBQ offers a more affordable, pork-centric Korean barbecue experience with the same meat quality, bounty of banchan and excellent prepared dishes as its older, critically acclaimed sibling across the street. Cheerful orange-and-white checkered tile tables serve as the backdrop for a reasonably priced à la carte menu that includes delightfully chewy tteokbokki, served with one or more barbecue orders; and a few cuts of beef, including the same seasoned boneless short rib, tongue and brisket available at Park’s. The star of the show, however, is the thinly sliced frozen pork belly, a cut popular in South Korea. Paired with supplemental myeonglan paste (pollack roe) or the classic trio of spicy soybean paste, garlic and jalapeño, each lettuce or perilla-wrapped bite will transport you to Seoul.

Time Out tip: If you enjoy most types of Korean cold noodles, the spicy acorn noodle dish here is a must-order. 

Address: 936 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–11pm; Fri 4–11pm; Sat, Sun 1–11pm

What is it? This shrine to pork in K-town took over the former Honey Pig space on 8th Street, keeping the signature domed grills, that crisp kimchi, and bean sprouts around the meat.

Why we love it: As the name suggests, Pigya is a yes on pork. In fact, it leans all the way into pig—you’ve got pork belly, pork chadol, pork cheek, pork collar, plus a slew of pork stews. Sit back and let the friendly staff do the grilling on your behalf. Clearly, we like it, it’s got us rhyming! ANYWAY, the pork gyu tasting menu ($89 for 2-3 servings or $109 for 4-5 servings) is the move if you want beef in the mix—it comes with short rib and a yuzu-dressed wagyu carpaccio. The space is industrial chic, energetic, and well-suited for groups. From start to finish—which here means a mound of kimchi fried rice and a bowl of hangover ramen—Pigya is a whale pig of a time.

Time Out tip: The lone Hakkaisan sake (Junmai Daiginjo) on the menu happens to be the official sake of The Dodgers. Crafted in Niigata, Japan, with water from Hakkaisan mountain, it’s a crisp, dry must-drink. 

Address: 3400 W 8th St., Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 5-11pm; Thu 5pm-midnight; Fri 5pm-1am; Sat noon-1am; Sun noon-11pm

What is it? A sprawling Koreatown restaurant that offers sleek interiors and cuts of beef that are dry-aged in-house. 

Why we love it: Located inside MaDang Courtyard, Jeong Yuk Jeom is a top choice for those in larger groups and conflicting dietary restrictions. For omnivores, the dry-aged beef offerings surpass most, if not all, of L.A.’s Korean barbecue restaurants in terms of juiciness and flavor. (Another bonus: Those who park in the on-site lot receive four hours’ free validation.) While the standard assortment of sides are good—not necessarily great—the exemplary “butcher’s pride” combos and show-stopping pressed beef tartare sushi make for an excellent high-end KBBQ experience. A few compelling plant-based options cater to vegans and vegetarians, including a stir-fried galbi platter that tastes almost exactly like the real thing. While you can also order meat à la carte, I recommend starting with Jeong Yuk Jeom’s signature family-style sets, especially any of the ones that include dry-aged prime rib eye.

Time Out tip: Craving dessert afterwards? MaDang Courtyard is also home to an outpost of SomiSomi (famous for its fish-shaped waffle cones of soft-serve) and Sul & Beans, which specializes in Korean-style shaved ice. 

Address: 621 S Western Ave #100, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–10pm

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What is it? A larger, swankier, neon-studded outpost of the well-known KBBQ chain originally founded in Seoul by Korean wrestler-turned-comedian Kang Ho-dong, now in a cavernous brick-walled space on 8th Street after a year-long hiatus from its old 6th Street home.

Why we love it: If you’re looking for a no-fail KBBQ night for first-timers or out-of-towners, Baekjeong fits the bill. Guests can ease into the beef bacchanal with appetizers such as kimchi pancakes, japchae (glass noodles), steamed egg, and egg-topped beef tartare. From there, it's off to the races with USDA prime beef, premium cuts of pork, and various types of offal. Gregarious servers do the cooking on your behalf, so you can concentrate on the good stuff—like Hodong's Favorite combo, which satisfies beef and pork lovers alike. Banchan is plentiful and straightforward. Baekjeong isn't trying to be the highest-quality nor the cheapest spot in K-Town—its reputation rests on consistency and vibes.

Time Out tip: Ask your server for free refills on the steamed egg and corn cheese—squeaky wheel gets the egg. And come for lunch (11am-3pm), when four types of spicy pork combos are on offer for $20. 

Address: 3429 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-midnight; Sat-Sun 11am-midnight 

What is it? Celebrity chef Akira Back’s elevated Korean barbecue concept on the ground floor of the Beverly Center.

Why we love it: ABSteak offers a more refined take on Korean barbecue, complete with dry-aged steaks, house cocktails and attentive service more akin to a classic American steakhouse. The prices reflect this, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more elegant Korean barbecue restaurant with the same level of all-around consistency and quality at ABSteak. Think steamed egg soufflé topped with cheese and a tasty yukhea (beef tartare) prepared tableside and the splurge-worthy Fantastic 4—which combines A5 Wagyu, sea urchin, caviar and truffle into a single decadent bite. The house banchan, small selection of traditional soups and à la carte meat selections don’t disappoint, even if you’re intimately familiar with L.A.’s Korean barbecue scene. On my most recent visit, I enjoyed the snow flower kkotsal (boneless short rib), named for the cut’s snowflake-like marbling, and the always-trusty chadol. For dessert, the restaurant offers a few styles of refreshing sorbet in traditional Korean flavors and a battered, lightly fried honey rice cake with lemon cream cheese.

Time Out tip: If you’d like to try more than one or two cuts of meat, some of them are also available by the half order—just ask your server. 

Address: 8500 Beverly Blvd, Suite 111, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri, Sat 5:30–11pm; Sun 5–9pm

What is it? A no-frills, family-run Koreatown restaurant that specializes almost exclusively in duck.

Why we love it: There are only two barbecue restaurants in Koreatown that offer duck barbecue, and this is one of them. While I also love Dha Rae Oak—which also offers a smoked claypot duck along with roasted duck, pork intestines and a few other dishes—the sliced duck at Sun Ha Jang offers an intriguing amount of purist appeal. Aside from a rarely ordered clam and soybean stew, it’s the only dish on the menu. Priced at $49 per head, each meal comes served with lightly seasoned chives, pickled onions, a mixed green salad, bean sprouts and two kinds of kimchi. I like to trick out my duck with the add-on garlic cloves, which cook beautifully in the rendered duck fat that pools at the bottom of the grill. After your party has finished all the meat, an efficient server will use that same fat to crisp up the purple fried rice included at the end of every meal. 

Time Out tip: While the restaurant lists its closing hours at 9pm, last call is at 8:30pm—which means that’s the latest you can arrive and get served.

Address: 4032 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 4-9pm

What is it? A pared-down homage to South Korea’s hanu beef that comes by way of Seoul. 

Why we love it: Despite the high price point and relatively minimalist meat and banchan offerings, this South Korean import manages to deliver in terms of refinement and quality sourcing for a special occasion. Unlike other KBBQ spots that put the diner in the driver’s seat, the staff at Daedo plays chauffeur, expertly cutting your rib eye, galbi and brisket and ensuring each diner gets perfectly grilled bite-sized pieces of meat. These days, the restaurant accepts reservations, but walk-ins can sip on the soju cocktails at the bar on busier weekend evenings to make that extra time evaporate into thin air. To round out the evening, order Daedo Sikdang’s signature fried rice, meant to be eaten after you finish grilling. Made with imported South Korean kkakdugi, or fermented radish, it’s a perfect penultimate course when topped with a fried egg before their refreshingly mild soft-serve ice cream for dessert. 

Time Out tip: To further supplement your meal, I recommend ordering the yukjeon—a mixed beef-and-egg omelet—or the Asian pear-studded beef tartare. The “exclusive” denjang porridge and cold noodle options will hit the spot if you’re craving rice porridge or noodles, but they’re not must-haves.

Address: 4001 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 11am–3pm, 5–11pm; Fri 11am–3pm, 5pm–midnight; Sat 11:30am–midnight; Sun 11:30am-11pm

What is it? A late-night Koreatown gopchang joint that’s gotten even busier since BTS, BLACKPINK and other major K-pop stars patronized the restaurant. 

Why we love it: Unlike its nearby sibling restaurants, Quarters and Origin, this Sixth Street restaurant technically focuses on slightly more divisive offal cuts, but the current menu still serves plenty of the usual beef and pork. The actual front door is hidden inside a parking lot, so if you’re coming in from the street, you’ll need to walk down Harvard to actually enter the restaurant. The rowdy atmosphere, soju offerings and excellent sides—including thinly sliced sweet onions, boiled yellow sweet potato and chive kimchi—translate into a lively, booze-laced night out. Most importantly, the restaurant stays open until 1am on weekends, so you can grab a meal here after most other Korean barbecue restaurants have closed.

Time Out tip: End your meal with the mountain tripe fried rice—which you can also top with a “cheese mountain” for a few dollars more. 

Address: 3744 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–midnight; Fri 11:30am–1am; Sat 11am–1am; Sun 11am–midnight

What is it? An exceptional wet-aged pork specialist hidden away on the second floor of a Koreatown strip mall.

Why we love it: This fairly under-the-radar South Korean import took me by surprise with its high-quality, house-aged pork selection, which includes belly, shoulder and jowl and unique banchan offerings. Every Sookdal outpost—there are other far-flung locations in Garden Grove and Las Vegas—adjusts the aging process for each batch to optimize the flavor and texture of the meat. A little visual card at each table explains the different ways to enjoy each bite of meat, from enjoying as is to adding wasabi and a pickled garlic leaf wrap. A fusion-style risotto in cream sauce also stands out among the handful of cooked dishes, but it’s not a must order. Each combo includes your choice of stew and cheese, which adds an extra dimension to each pork cut. Various cuts of beef are also available (and included in every combo), but you’re really here for the immaculately prepared pork—and those who appreciate all things bacon won’t be disappointed. 

Time Out tip: Bring a few bucks in cash if you want to park in the on-site lot.

Address: 356 S Western Ave #201, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4:30pm–midnight; Sat, Sun noon–midnight

Time Out tip: There’s limited on-site parking—so bring cash if you don’t want to circle the block for a spot.

Address: 2819 James M Wood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11am–10pm

What is it? A Korean barbecue restaurant with tapas-style portions and splurge-worthy tomahawk steaks alongside the usual combo sets.

Why we love it: If you’re dining alone, or you’d rather not wait hours for Korean barbecue, Woo Hyang Woo serves a short, focused menu with smaller tapas-style offerings, a large drink selection and typically little to no wait for a table on weekdays (or a fairly short one on weekends). It rarely draws the same crowds or hours-long delays associated with Chapman Plaza’s Quarters and Origin across the street, but the sleek-looking spot still offers a delicious, albeit banchan-lite, Korean barbecue experience. House dry-aged, high-quality cuts and tomahawk steaks (starting at $150) can be prepared tableside or cooked in the kitchen. In the latter case, sizzling platters come on a bed of softened, slightly charred white onions, a perfect, sharp accouterment for every luscious bite of red meat. During lunch, you can also snag affordable soups, rice bowls and combo meals in the $10 to $15 range.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a no-frills KBBQ meal, Woo Hyang Woo even offers an unlimited beef brisket deal for $32 per person (which drops to $30 on weekdays before 4pm).

Address: 3429 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–1am; Fri, Sat 11:30am–2am; Sun 11:30am–1am

What is it? A homey all-you-can-eat strip mall joint in East Hollywood that delivers seriously great bang for your buck.

Why we love it: Located just north of Koreatown, Choeng Wun has been around since 1985—and beloved for its affordability and quality for just as long. The focal point of the no-frills dining room is the Sizzler-style green-tiled salad bar, which includes an array of housemade banchan, sliced fruit and jiggly cubes of Jell-O. The cafeteria-style array of meats and cooked items includes miyeokguk—a mild, comforting seaweed soup—and two kinds of sweet porridge, which I like to use as a comforting dessert. Prices start at $25 per head for three kinds of bulgogi and top out at $45, with discounts for children under 10 and weekday lunch. If you ask me, I recommend going for the highest price tier, which includes short rib, beef tongue, ribeye, pork jowl and the house galbi. Most days, the small, friendly staff will be more than happy to show you how to best enjoy your meats, from wrapping them in lettuce wraps to dabbing on a touch of soybean paste with slices of garlic and jalapeno. 

Time Out tip: Skip the ready-to-eat hot items like kimbap and tteokbokki if you’re ordering from the higher price tiers—these dishes will fill you up before you’ve even started grilling.

Address: 944 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–11:30pm; Sun 11:30am–10pm

What is it? One of the best all-you-can-eat establishments in Koreatown—and the only such option in the neighborhood I can sincerely, wholeheartedly recommend. 

Why we love it: There’s a reason that Hae Jang Chon stays busy night after night, even with the plethora of AYCE options in the area: For $44 per person during dinner, and $38 during lunch, you won’t find a better combination of quality meats, well-made banchan and supplemental side dishes. Sure, there may not be Wagyu on the menu, but the short rib, beef tongue and spicy octopus here still satisfy my appetite after all these years and exposure to much higher-end KBBQ options—and I’ve been coming here for over a decade. For $5 more, you can add on a plate of lettuce and perilla leaves to make ssam, but the set price also includes corn cheese, kimchi pancake, soybean paste soup, radish wrap and unlimited green salad. At the end of your meal, save room to indulge in the kimchi fried rice, which a server will make with your leftover meat and banchan; it’s one of the best parts of dining here, and one of the many reasons why Hae Jang Chon stays on top. The wait can be punishing at peak dinner hours on the weekends, so you might want to grab a drink or snack nearby.

Time Out tip: If you’re craving a taste of Korean barbecue at home, Hae Jang Chon offers takeout and delivery. Each thoughtfully arranged combo meal includes meat, rice and a set of three banchan.

Address: 3821 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Thu 11am–midnight; Fri, Sat 11am–2am; Sun 11am–midnight