8 Go-To Restaurants in K-Town
Nowadays all I crave is Korean food! The thought of living anywhere more than 20 minutes away from Koreatown gives me anxiety. While I love so many restaurants in Koreatown, these 8 have consistently been my go-to's for the last few years.
1. BEVERLY SOON TOFU
2717 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 380-1113
I have been coming to Beverly Soon Tofu since before I moved to LA and it has been consistently amazing (or maybe even got better) over the years! Their soondubu (or soft tofu stew) blows my mind and I have to have it at least once a month. I cringe when people tell me they have never been to Beverly. My husband and I always share the galbi/soondubu combo + another soondubu. My go-to is soondubu is mushroom/beef and my husband's is kimchi. I also LOVE their grilled squid and stone pot bibimbap. Join their waitlist on Yelp ahead of time to avoid the wait.
2. HAN BAT SHUL LUNG TANG
4163 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 383-9499
Sul lung tang cures all - including but not limited to massive hangovers. Simple menu: oxtail soup and your choice of meat. I always get the brisket and add tons of green onions + spice.
3. SUN NONG DAN
4163 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 383-9499
There are very few things I will wait an hour for and galbijjim (with cheese) at Sun Nong Dan is on this list. This Korean braised short rib dish is full of flavor. In my opinion, a medium is more than enough for 3 people. If you're free for lunch on a weekday - that's the best time to go!
4. QUARTERS
3465 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 365-8111
Expect a long wait unless you come during off hours, BUT luckily they have a beauti-full bar and a vibey outdoor lounge for your pre-kbbq-party convenience. For meat: you can order combinations or a la carte. Each order/portion is a quarter pound each. I don't even like beef bulgogi, but Quarter's is the best - flavorful but not overly marinated. Do not skip the beef short ribs! Ordering a combo (or 5 tapas) also includes free vegetable skewers, cheese fondue, egg soup, and kimchi or soybean soup. And of course, bomb banchan.
5. YUCHUN
3185 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
(213) 382-3815
Nothing beats cold noodles or naengmyun on a hot ass day in LA. Yuchun has the very best in LA. You have a choice of regular, spicy with beef and veggies, spicy with raw fish, or spicy with beef AND raw fish. I usually order the number 4 (spicy with beef and fish). The light and filling arrowroot noodles, the perfect balance of spicy/savory sauce, refreshing and flawless iced broth, the soft raw fish and tender beef, the hard-boiled egg and cold veggies on top....... BEYOND satisfying. The portions are huge so I recommend sharing a bowl and the kimchi mandu/dumplings with a friend.
6. HAE JANG CHON
3821 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 389-8777
This is where I had my first all you can eat Korean bbq experience in K-Town so it holds a special place in my heart. The only all you can eat place I will go to! I love the brisket and bbq squid. Save room for their kimchi fried rice served at the end of your meal! (Tip: Go during off hours because this place always has a long wait, $2 valet)
7. OB BEAR
3002 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 480-4910
I originally came for the spicy Korean fried chicken (KFC), but I stayed for the pan fried squid mixed with their thick noodles. So addicting!
8. KANG HO DONG BAEKJEONG
3465 W 6th St #20, Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 384-9678
The OG Korean BBQ spot and still #1 in my eyes. I think this is the first place I've ever had corn cheese! The quality of the meat is A1 and consistently delivers.