The best Korean restaurants in Los Angeles

What is it? A no-frills eatery on Koreatown’s western edge with an early close (8:30pm is the last call for orders) that happens to make the city’s best banchan and ganjang gejang, a.k.a. soy-marinated raw crab. 

Why we love it: For those only familiar with Korean barbecue, Soban is a wonderful entry point into the complex, increasingly evolving East Asian cuisine beyond tabletop grills and bulgogi. Named for the low-slung tables traditionally used for communal dining, Soban features chef-owner Jennifer Pak’s cozy homestyle delights. Though service may be brusque, no other place in Los Angeles holds a candle to the buttery, sweet crab marinated in a blend of green chilies, white onion and soy sauce. The dozen or so tiny plates of housemade banchan that accompany every meal burst with flavor, texture and painstaking attention to detail, from the kimchi to the seasoned acorn jelly. You’ll also find first-rate versions of galbi jjim (braised short ribs) and a fiery gochujang stew made of buttery black cod and sliced daikon radish. As of late, other L.A. eateries offering ganjang gejang have gone viral on TikTok, but you won’t find a better version than the one offered at Soban.

Time Out tip: If you don’t want to chance a wait, make a reservation. Everyone from the late Jonathan Gold to Oscar-winning South Korean director Bong Joon-ho has eaten at Soban.

Address: 4001 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Sun 11am–9pm

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. First-timers should order the family-style Taste of Park’s ($140), which includes brisket, the house galbi, bulgogi, unmarinated boneless short rib (kkot sal) and marinated boneless short rib. From the full menu of entrées such as spicy black cod, stone-pot octopus and kimchi pancake, I recommend the seafood pancake and beef tartare. 

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

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

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm

What is it? After closing in 2018, Kwang Uh’s critical darling has made a triumphant return in the form of an Arts District tasting menu—including one of the best examples of vegan fine dining in Los Angeles. 

Why we love it: Alongside his wife and business partner, Mina Park, Uh now offers a $125 seven-course offering that’s a little small in terms of portion size, but big on the fermentation-forward Korean flavors that first captivated L.A. in 2015. On my most recent visit, I especially enjoyed the newer jaetbangeo (amberjack) course. Loosely inspired by traditional hwedupbap—a type of raw fish salad and rice bowl—the raw dish comes with a side of greens and a crispy seaweed cracker. The standard menu comes with wild mountain greens rice, which adds a bit of a welcome heft at the end of the meal. For vegans and vegetarians, there’s the sumptuous banchan platter, plus a bowl of seaweed-topped buckwheat noodles I wish I could enjoy over and over. The fare here isn’t quite as bold or in your face as most other Korean restaurants in L.A., but it’s one of the most quietly excellent special-occasion meals in the city right now.

Time Out tip: If you’re a fan of kombucha, order the alcohol-free pairing ($45). Otherwise, I’d steer clear—the nonalcoholic beverages included in the pairing don’t really mimic the taste of alcohol.

Address: 905 E 2nd St, #109, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–9pm

What is it? A Michelin-starred Korean-influenced tasting menu ($285) in the same Little Tokyo complex as Sushi Kaneyoshi and Bar Sawa.

Why we love it: After a nearly yearlong stint at Jordan Kahn’s Vespertine and Meteora, chef Ki Kim is once again pushing the boundaries of modern Korean fine dining. Located in the same Little Tokyo complex as Sushi Kaneyoshi and Bar Sawa, the chef's new tasting menu ($285) is one of the best upscale Korean meals in the city right now. Kimbap topped tuna, bugak (crispy rice snack) and mustard serves as a worthy appetizer to a 12-course fine dining meal that nods to the head chef’s personal biography and past experiences on both coasts working in Michelin-starred restaurants. I’ve been familiar with Kim’s cooking since Naemo, his quarantine-era dosirak pop-up, and can honestly say that Ki is the chef’s most fully realized project to date. A $190 beverage pairing spanning wine, sake and tea, along with ultra-polished service, befits the high price point and translates into a worthy special-occasion eatery for those who enjoy Korean cuisine.

Time Out tip: If you’re entering from the street, take the unmarked stairwell on San Pedro to the second floor, which brings you to the right elevator.

Address: 111 S San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Opening hours: Wed–Sun, 6:30pm seating

What is it? L.A.’s current leading purveyor of soondubu jiggae.

Why we love it: Bubbling, red-tinged bowls of spicy tofu stew are now commonplace across Koreatown, but this modest eatery housed inside a former Mexican restaurant (just look up at the cactus chandeliers!) takes an unusually artisanal approach to its soondubu. All the tofu at Surawon is made in-house (a relative rarity), and for a slight upcharge, there’s also a unique black soybean variety that lends a complex, almost nutty aftertaste to the soup’s typically neutral soy foundation. The same attention to detail makes for delicious takes on Korean standards, including the sizzling platters of barbecue chicken, generously portioned fried mackerel and an excellent bibimbap. Sure, Surawon might lack the late-night hours of other soondubu specialists, but when the main attraction is this fresh and delicious, I wouldn’t recommend heading anywhere else during regular business hours.

Time Out tip: Skip the soy-marinated and spicy raw crab dishes here—they’re not the freshest or best versions around. 

Address: 2833 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Hours of operation: Mon, Tue, Thu 10am–10pm; Fri, Sat 10am–11pm; Sun 10am–10pm

What is it? The quintessential Koreatown drinking spot, known for its dim lighting, wood panel interiors and delicious anju, or Korean drinking snacks.

Why we love it: The booze-friendly food’s delicious, affordable and available until 2am, but the real reason why so many Angelenos head to Dan Sung Sa are the impeccable vibes and cheap drinks. Stepping through its doors can make you feel like you’ve been transported back to a late-20th-century Seoul pojangmacha—according to Eater, owner Caroline Cho constructed the bar based on her own memories of South Korea’s tented street pubs when she first opened it in 1997. Laminated menus present an array of over 90 food items, all of which are meant to be eaten alongside bottles of sake, fruit and yogurt-flavored soju, baekseju (an herb-infused rice wine) and makgeolli, a lightly sparkling, off-white rice wine that manages to read on the palate as sweet, tangy and bitter all at once. Pro tip: Order the corn cheese.

Time Out tip: Come here early if you know what’s good for you; wait times on weekends and most evenings can stretch to an hour or more. For a similar experience with little to no wait, I recommend Hanshin Pocha down the street, though the ambience there isn’t quite as fun.

Address: 3317 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Daily 4pm–2am

What is it? A longtime Koreatown restaurant specializing in sullungtang, a milky-white broth made from ox bones, brisket and occasionally other cuts of beef.

Why we love it: Though you might see sullungtang (sometimes alternatively romanized as seolleongtang) pop up on other Korean restaurant menus across Los Angeles County, Han Bat Sul Lung Tang is home to the finest version in town. In fact, it’s my favorite no-frills joint whenever I’m craving a high-quality bowl of beef soup, cuisine nonspecific—and yes, they do offer takeout as well. Of course, I’ve also tried competent renditions of sullungtang at Sun Nong Dan, Lee Ga and other restaurants around Koreatown, but not one place can hold a candle to the consistency and excellence of Han Bat Sul Lung Tang. It’s true that in recent years prices have crept up, like all other restaurants, but I still think $20 is a small price to pay for the clean-tasting broth, seasoned to your liking with salt, pepper, spring onions and red pepper paste. A bowl of white rice and tender slabs of brisket, tongue or mixed cuts add substance to your bowl (available in medium or large). 

Time Out tip: With limited seating and little in the way of ambience, the move here for those dining in is to get in, eat quickly and get out—there’s someone waiting for your seat. 

Address: 4163 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours of operation: Mon–Sat 7am–9pm

What is it? A Korean restaurant chain that specializes in galbi jjim, or braised soy-marinated short ribs, along with other traditional beef-based soups and stews. 

Why we love it: The fiery, cheese-covered mountain of marinated short rib, sweet potatoes and onions at Sun Nong Dan is one of L.A.’s most iconic dishes. Despite having expanded to two locations in the area, Sun Nong Dan still fills up at all hours of the day with partygoers and night owls hankering for the galbi jjim, which gets torched right at your table. In my opinion, the local chain also makes a standout galbi tang, a clear beef soup topped with short rib. You can also find other well-executed takes of primarily beef-based Korean staples, including a competent rendition of sulungtang; assorted takes on sooyook, or beef cuts designed to be dipped into a bubbling hot pot; and yukdaejang, a spicy beef soup seasoned with leeks and gochugaru, or Korean hot pepper flakes.

Time Out tip: If you’re coming in a party of two, you only really need to order a medium-sized galbi jjim to leave here satisfied. 

Address: Multiple, including two in Koreatown (Western and 6th St)

Opening hours: Koreatown (Western Ave), Rowland Heights and San Gabriel: Daily 24 hours; Koreatown (6th Street): Daily 11am–5am 

What is it? A no-frills Koreatown restaurant known for its dak galbi—a bubbling, stir-fried spicy chicken dish.

Why we love it: Also known as Mapo Chicken (at least if you go by the signage outside), Mapo Galbi’s transliterated namesake has made this no-frills restaurant run by ajummas (a.k.a. aunties) a back-pocket favorite among Angelenos for years—and it’s one of the best chicken dishes you’ll find in both Koreatown and L.A. as a whole. Meant to be eaten in groups of two or four, this fiery red family-style dish, chock-full of meat, rice cakes, perilla leaves and other vegetables, can be spiced to your liking and modded out with cheese, udon noodles and extra vegetables. Make sure to save room for the fried rice at the end of the meal, which your server will make with the last of the skillet’s leftovers. There’s technically bulgogi and marinated pork belly on the menu, but I’ve never seen anyone order it here—stick to the dak galbi. 

Time Out tip: Don’t come here if you’re dining solo. There’s a two-order minimum for the galbi, which translates to a portion that can easily feed three.

Address: 1008 S St Andrews Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Opening hours: Daily 3–10pm

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

Why we love it: Soowon Galbi is my second favorite Korean barbecue restaurant after Park’s BBQ, especially when I’m in a group of four or more. The wait times here generally run shorter than other popular spots like Park’s and Quarters, though I’m 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 recently renovated dining room offers a touch of ambience. 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 home of Koreatown’s finest bossam (sliced boiled pork belly) since 1985. 

Why we love it: For the last four decades, Kobawaoo has served a mouthwatering version of the build-your-own pork belly dish that comes served with thinly sliced pickled vegetables, including daikon radish and Napa cabbage, plus other types of flavorful kimchi. Other traditional dishes, including the seafood pancake, kimchi jjigae and stir-fried calamari, are wonderful as well, though Kobawoo’s claim to fame is still the family-style bossam. On weekdays, diners can also enjoy a lunch special menu from 11am to 3pm, which includes an individual-sized bossam and soybean paste stew combo, and the vegan-friendly jangban guksu (acorn noodles with vegetables).

Time Out tip: Bring cash for the valet; a handful of the parking lot attendants take Zelle or Venmo, but a few will insist on cold hard cash.

Address: 698 S Vermont Ave, Ste 109, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? A soondubu specialist on the eastern end of Koreatown that gives national tofu chain BCD a run for its money.

Why we love it: It’s all in the details at LA Tofu House, where the bowls of soondubu offer a level of nuanced flavor unlike most other Koreatown specialists. The restaurant also serves sizzling galbi plates and a unique octopus bibimbap; most dishes supersede other versions around town by leaps and bounds, with a slight premium in menu prices to match. A warm, deep-fried croaker and small, but well-made banchan selection round out a homestyle Korean meal here, but you can also opt for takeout or local delivery if you’d rather snuggle up at home. Unless you’re coming at peak dinner hour, parking here is also fairly easy to snag—the restaurant has an on-site lot with an affordable cash-preferred valet (the attendants sometimes take Venmo or Zelle). 

Time Out tip: Skip the curry soondubu here; it’s more of a novelty than anything else.

Address: 401 S Vermont Ave, Unit 3, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Daily 10am–4am

What is it? A partially hidden Koreatown strip mall gem—you literally can’t see it from the street due to a stairwell—specializing in jokbal, or braised pig trotters.

Why we love it: Unlike bossam, which is basically thicker, uncured bacon served with kimchi and other accoutrements, jokbal is slightly harder of a sell among non-Korean diners. Jang Choong Dong’s jokbal, however, lacks the rubberiness of inferior versions of the dish, with tender, beautifully brined meat and soft, jelly-like skin with plenty of give. The restaurant serves the meat with a wonderfully garlicky housemade kimchi, lettuce leaves, kimchi-style radish, garlic, jalapeño and ssamjang, a spicy mix of fermented soybean paste and gochujang. It’s an utter joy to mix up the exact combination of each veggie-wrapped piece of jokbal. Better yet, bring a friend or three and order Jang Choong Dong’s equally competent, ultra-moist bossam to get the best of both worlds. Other menu highlights include the spicy acorn noodles and the soondae, or Korean-style blood sausage—but first-timers are definitely missing out if they decide to skip the jokbal.

Time Out tip: If you’re in the mood to try even more hyperspecific Korean pork dishes, head to Ham Ji Park after for gamjatang (pork bone soup).

Address: 2716 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Hours of operation: Mon–Thu noon–10pm, Fri–Sat noon–10:30pm, Sun noon–10pm

What is it? A South Korean chain in Koreatown specializing in sotbap, or pot rice—the most famous of which is bibimbap, a mixed meat and vegetable rice dish found at most Korean restaurants in Los Angeles. 

Why we love it: Literally named for the stone pot or cauldron in which sotbap is made, Damsot is a standout no-frills, fairly affordable lunch or dinner option with few comparable alternatives in L.A.’s Korean dining scene. (Technically, there’s Lasung Tofu House & Pot Rice, but the pot rice quality is much better at Damsot.) A protein-topped rice bowl on its own may not seem particularly special, but the restaurant dresses up the individually portioned crispy-bottomed sotbap with the likes of spicy eggplant and pork, abalone (along with sumptuous abalone liver) and flavorful bits of house-aged steak with egg yolk and green onions. Beyond those menu highlights, there are options for pescetarians and vegetarians, and the most expensive dish, the abalone sotbap, clocks in at $29. Each entrée comes with salad, miso soup and three solidly prepared banchan, plus a kettle of barley tea to pour over the remainder of your sotbap to make nurungji tang, or crispy burnt rice soup, at the end of your meal. 

Time Out tip: Your server will probably recommend you scrape out your damsot at the start and put the rest of your meal into the separate bowl provided, but I personally prefer to skip the nurungji tang and eat the nurungji on its own like an uncultured heathen once I finish the rest of the vegetables, protein and rice. You do you, however. 

Address: 3377 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 112, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Hours of operation: Mon, Wed, Thu 11am–3pm, 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–3pm, 5–9:30pm; Sun 11am–3pm, 5–9pm

What is it? A newer Koreatown restaurant that serves an amazing take on North Korean-style mul naengmyeon (buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth) and an array of hearty, mostly beef-based soups, braises and stews.

Why we love it: Owner Woosuk Lee founded Lee Ga back in 2022 in hopes of catering to Korean taste buds, but his housemade buckwheat noodles and homey family-style dishes have found a sizable audience outside of L.A.’s Korean community. The chewy housemade buckwheat noodles also come in the form of bibim naengmyeon, which douses them in a medium-spicy sauce flavored with gochujang and red pepper flakes. I prefer the subtler mul version, which offers a tangy, beefy flavor worthy of sipping to the very last drop, especially after lightly seasoning it with the mustard and rice vinegar available at each table. After trying several other options around Koreatown, I can honestly say this is the very best naengmyeon in L.A., at least if you ask me. Other dishes worth seeking out include the galbi tang (clear beef soup), dweji gukbap (pork and rice soup) and seok galbi gui, which consists of a towering pile of soy-marinated bone-in short ribs and onions on a bed of thinly sliced sweet potatoes.  

Time Out tip: Remember to bring cash for the valet, though the attendants aren’t always there. When they are, the valet attendants don’t always take Zelle.

Address: 698 S Vermont Ave, Ste 106, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Hours of operation: Mon, Wed–Sun 10am–11pm

What is it? A polished Koreatown strip mall eatery serving two versions of ganjang gejang with an element of hanjeongsik—the traditional Korean tablescape of rice, soup, side dishes and mains that makes any meal feel downright opulent.

Why we love it: Whether ordered whole or scooped out of the shell, the crab meat at Master Ha is sweet and tender, with none of the fishy, almost rotten odor carried by inferior versions of the dish. Other items like the raw salmon rice bowl and live sea urchin are equally delicious, and there's a separate, equally worthy section of beef-based soups and an above-average L.A.-style galbi (barbecued short rib). On colder days, the “special boiled beef” makes for an excellent hot pot; a mountain of chives obscures a shallow pan of brisket slices and milky broth, seasoned to your liking with salt and pepper. The beef soups might be beside the point for first-timers, but when you return (as you invariably will), these beef items are waiting patiently for their time in the sun.

Time Out tip: Come with a group of four or more—you’re more likely to get a table that isn’t wedged in the corner.

Address: 1147 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Hours of operation: Mon–Wed 5–11pm; Thu–Sun 11am–11pm

What is it? A daytime-only takeout spot in Victor Heights specializing in farm-to-table banchan.

Why we love it: During lockdown, Rustic Canyon alum Jihee Kim built a devoted online fanbase for her seasonally driven banchan pick-ups. Now, Perilla LA has opened a permanent storefront on the border of Echo Park and Chinatown, where in-the-know diners flock towards the shop for Kim’s delicious, vegetable-forward Korean side dishes, made-to-order lunch plates and a phenomenal bowl of chilled garlic noodles. Note that items are a little pricey compared to Korean grocery store banchan, but I think the superlative cooking and vibrant seasonality definitely justify the premium at Perilla LA. Delicate gyeran mari (rolled eggs), ong choy yuba muchim (water spinach and tofu skin salad) and tomato kimchi offer subtle, heady pleasures for your next picnic, but you can also enjoy your lunch on the few patio tables outside or in the Alpine Street retail complex's outdoor dining area, which borders a vegetable and herb garden and calls to mind a friend's backyard more than anything else.

Time Out tip: Be sure to peruse the retail pantry section for gourmet delights like seaweed seasoning, Korean plum syrup and hot mustard sauce—all made in-house, of course.

Address: 1027 Alpine St, Building E, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Hours of operation: Mon, Wed–Sun 11am–4:30pm

What is it? An old-school Koreatown dumpling and noodle specialist previously known as Myung Dong Kyoja.

Why we love it: MDK Noodles has long been famous for its deliciously garlicky kimchi, freshly steamed pork mandu and comforting bowls of kalguksu, or knife-cut noodles. For warmer weather, MDK also serves an excellent spicy naengmyeon (which uses chewy, ultra-thin strands made of arrowroot flour) among several other traditional cold noodle dishes. Though “noodles” may now be in its official name, I always suggest adding the delicate steamed mandu to your order—they’re among the very best when it comes to Korean-style dumplings in Los Angeles. Truly, there’s no wrong order here, since everything's pretty great. That being said, I would caution against getting the kong guksu (chilled chlorella noodles in soy milk broth) unless you have an open mind or know what you’re getting yourself into, since downing an entire bowl of seasoned cold soymilk is not exactly a universally beloved dining experience.

Time Out tip: This is one of the few places in Koreatown where you can regularly find spicy raw skate, both on its own or atop chilled buckwheat or chlorella noodles.

Address: 3630 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Hours of operation: Daily 9:30am–9:30pm

What is it? A Koreatown restaurant with suburban outposts in Rowland Heights and Buena Park that specializes in dweji gukbap but also offers a slew of other standout Korean staples. 

Why we love it: In Koreatown, there are dozens of casual, somewhat homey Korean restaurants serving traditional comfort foods like naengmyeon, bibimbap and galbi platters, but Jinsol Gukbap also offers the city’s best version of gukbap, a slightly cloudy pork belly noodle soup that’s seasoned to taste and served alongside radish kimchi, cabbage kimchi, chives and a tiny bowl of onion, jalapeno and doenjang (fermented soybean paste). Their other dishes, however, are just as skilfully executed, particularly the kimchi stew, spicy naengmyeon and family-style jjimdak, or braised chicken with vegetables. In years past, I would have also recommended the leek pancake, but I’ve found the consistency to have faltered as of late—so skip that as an appetizer in favor of the soondae. If you’re looking for a cozy, nourishing bowl of soup or just an all-around excellent Korean restaurant that doesn’t revolve around barbecue, this is the place to be.

Time Out tip: Don’t bother with ordering the sizzling barbecue chicken or spicy pork ribs; while Jinsol Gukbap makes solid versions, they’re far from the best dishes on the menu.

Address: 4031 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020; 3428 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Daily 10am–10pm

What is it? A casual Koreatown storefront specializing in tteokbokki, or spicy rice cakes.

Why we love it: Tteokbokki—alternatively romanized as ddukbokki—can be found on many drinking food menus across Koreatown, but this namesake specialist offers the best version of the popular spicy rice cake in town. Anointed with copious amounts of gochujang (Korean fermented red pepper paste) and red chili powder, the mellow, pleasantly chewy logs form the basis of a delicious, fiery snack commonly sold as street food and pub grub in South Korea. At Yup Dduk, thin sheets of fish cakes, sausages, cabbage and a shower of mozzarella cheese accompany the dish, which can be upgraded with toppings like instant ramen, boiled eggs and fried dumplings. Luckily for the less spice-inclined among us, the shop lets diners customize their spice level, but as a word of warning: Even the mild version still packs a little bit of a kick.

Time Out tip: If you’re coming with other people, Yup Dduk also serves other snacky street foods like army stew, charbroiled chicken feet and fish cake soup.

Address: 3603 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours of operation: Daily 11am–9:20pm

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 modestly sized Koreatown eatery specializing in kalguksu, or hand-cut noodles.

Why we love it: Located next to the original location of Sun Nong Dan, Hangari Kalguksu, true to its name, excels in all things noodle-related. I recommend the milder chicken kalguksu on a cold day, or a spicy seafood soup if you're in the mood for a bit of heat. Hangari's hidden gem, however, is their bossam platters, which come with delicate slices of boiled pork belly, crunchy cabbage leaves, radish kimchi, rice, plus slices of jalapeño and garlic for extra spice and flavor.

Time Out tip: Hangari Kalguksu offers third-party takeout and delivery with a generous delivery range—so there’s a good chance you can order your bossam and noodle soup to the comfort of your home.

Address: 3470 W 6th St, Ste 9-10, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours of operation: Mon, Wed 10am–9pm; Thu 10am–10pm; Fri, Sat 10am–10:30pm; Sun 10am–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–Fri 4–9pm; Sat noon–1:30pm, 4–9pm

What is it? The best seafood barbecue in Koreatown.

Why we love it: Compared to beef, pork or even gopchang, seafood barbecue is a little more expensive and niche–and also requires a bit more finesse when it comes to proper cooking and handling. This longtime mom-and-pop joint makes it easy with a staff that expertly grills the foil-wrapped clams, oysters, mussels and scallops that make up each meal. The only real way to dine at Jae Bu Do is to order one of the combo sets—the basic A set is enough for two. Each guest receives a heatproof glove to be able to grab each item off the grill when it’s ready. All combo sets include an airy steamed egg, crisp-edged scallion pancakes, sizzling cheese corn and a spicy chilled seafood salad. From there, the main event also features whole shrimp, baby octopus and a couple of pieces of potato (which you’ll definitely need to get full). Upgrade to a B, C or D set to feast on rarer delights like abalone, which squirm in their shells before yielding tender meat when cooked; crunchy pieces of hagfish that taste best when anointed with well-salted sesame oil; and steamed lobster. I’ve tried other seafood barbecue options in Koreatown, but what really keeps me coming back to Jae Bu Do are the high-quality accompaniments, including the delicious, comforting bowl of hand-pulled noodle soup that ends each meal.

Time Out tip: Unless you order a few more items on the side, don’t expect to walk out of here feeling absolutely stuffed. 

Address: 474 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004

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

What is it? A standout Korean-style fried chicken joint in Koreatown run by a sole proprietor known for its heaping platters of juicy, fruit-topped wings, thighs, breasts and drumsticks.

Why we love it: Who knew fruit could pair so well with fried chicken? At Gol Tong Chicken, chef-owner Kil Chae Jeong offers the quirkiest fried chicken in Koreatown. An erstwhile South Korean film director and Seoul-based fried chicken shop operator, Jeong is the shop’s only employee. His signature bushy eyebrows and mustachioed visage can be seen all over the screen-filled strip mall restaurant, which blasts a combination of K-pop and Korean TV shows. Dine-in customers can slip on disposable gloves to chow down on Jeong’s saucy fried chicken, which comes in original, soy garlic and sweet chili. Each made-to-order plate comes topped with sesame seeds and a rainbow of fruits like pineapple, avocado, blueberries and strawberries. 

Time Out tip: Note that takeout orders are only taken over the phone or in person.

Address: 4255 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours of operation: Tue–Sat noon–10pm, Sun noon–9pm

What is it? A longtime Korean raw seafood specialist that still outshines newer, shinier options in Koreatown.

Why we love it: Raw fish isn’t the first thing that comes to mind for many people when it comes to Korean cuisine, but Koreans have their own take on seafood, distinctive from Japanese sushi. At Hwal A Kwang Jang, sushi and sashimi play a secondary role alongside distinctly Korean dishes like hwedupbap, a refreshing, slightly spicy mix of rice, lettuce, raw fish, fish eggs, pickled radish and gochujang-tinged dressing. For an explosion of colorful fish eggs, there’s also the al bap. If you’re coming with more than just yourself, however, you should definitely order one of the family-style sashimi platters, which showcase raw delicacies like abalone, oysters, lobster and octopus—all at the usual three-dollar-sign price, of course.

Time Out tip: Hwal A Kwang Jang doesn’t serve soy-marinated raw crab or spicy raw crab like most other Korean seafood joints, but don't let that deter you from going.

Address: 730 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005 

Hours of operation: Mon–Sat noon–2pm, 4–9:30pm; Sun 3–9:30pm

What is it? A standout Korean-style dumpling specialist in Koreatown, Northridge and Buena Park once featured on Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown.

Why we love it: Myung In Dumpling delights to this day with its puffy, baseball-sized steamed buns and a broader array of Korean-style dumplings. Other L.A. County locations in Northridge and Diamond Bar offer the same array of freshly made, tightly wrapped creations stuffed with variations of pork, shrimp and vegetables, plus a sweet red bean option for dessert. There’s also fried rice and a decent galbitang (beef rib soup), but the reason to go out of the way, of course, is in Myung In’s name.

Time Out tip: The Northridge location also serves Korean-style fried chicken. 

Address: Koreatown: 3109 W Olympic Blvd, Ste B, Los Angeles, CA 90006; Northridge: 19520 Nordhoff St #4, Northridge, CA 91324; Buena Park: 6771 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621

Hours of operation: Koreatown: Mon, Wed–Sun 10am–8pm; Northridge: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–9:30pm; Sun 1–9pm; Buena Park: Mon, Wed–Sun 10am–8pm

What is it? A casual Koreatown strip mall joint with standout renditions of jjajangmyeon (caramelized black bean sauce noodles) and jjampong (spicy seafood noodles).

Why we love it: Korean Chinese cuisine—a product of a shared border between North Korea and China, as well as South Korea’s Chinese diaspora—can be found at many Koreatown restaurants, old-school and new-school alike, in the form of jjajangmyeon and jjampong. If you ask me, however, my favorite place in town for both dishes is Zzamong. The silky black sauce, chock full of onions and bell peppers, clings beautifully to the thick noodles in the former, and the bright red bowls of the latter come heaped high with seafood and vegetables. If you’re lucky, your server might perform a couple of magic tricks, which only adds to the restaurant’s charm in our eyes. 

Time Out tip: Aside from a side order of dumplings, I wouldn’t deviate too far from the jjampong and jjajangmyeon here.

Address: 4255 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours of operation: Daily 11am–9:30pm