Property to the biggest Korean inhabitants in the United States, its not stunning that Los Angeles offers some of the greatest Korean food items in the region. At instances, Korean natives even argue that a number of the Korean places to eat in Los Angeles are improved than their counterparts again in Korea. Having lived in LA for about two years now, Ive been to most of the famed places in Koreatown and have to agree that the meals scene is not only genuine but genuinely mouth watering.
Youve likely presently heard individuals and the media rave about locations like Sun Nong Dang, Quarters, BCD Tofu Property, Ahgassi Gopchang, and other nicely-known Korean restaurantsand whilst they do dwell up to their popularity, I wished to introduce my picks for the concealed gems in Koreatown. Dont be fooled by their more compact, operate-down interior simply because actual foodies will know that the ideal foodstuff is always found in the additional shabby and more mature places. With the help of some of my community friends, born and lifted in the space, listed here is a checklist of the prime 5 Korean dining places in LA that only locals could have read of!
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The Corner Location Restaurant (2819 James M Wood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90006)
“Ghilmok Gui” () established at The Corner Location Restaurant
LA has plenty of remarkable K-BBQ spots that previously have lengthy traces outdoors their outlets. The Corner Location Cafe is 1 of the much more concealed spots that has but to obtain a lot publicity, but certainly 1 of the finest picks in terms of taste and high quality. One position to notice is that the restaurant is not extremely non-Korean-pleasant, as their menu is mainly written in Korean (with a further convey to-tale indication getting that the cafe is mainly frequented by K-City locals).
If youre craving very good quality beef, make certain to check out this location and buy their most well known (Ghilmok Gui), or property particular, set. One serving need to be a lot more than sufficient for 2 adults and the sides that arrive with it complement the tender beef perfectly. This position is also greatest recognised for their (chilly dongchimi noodle soup) which pairs nicely with any selection of meat you can order, as the cold and refreshing noodles reduce away the greasy sensation from the grilled meat.
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Mapo Chicken (1008 S St Andrews Pl Los Angeles, CA 90019)
“Dakgalbi” with cheese at Mapo Chicken (Source: Yelp)
Tucked away in a modest and little setting up, this gem of a cafe has an immediate mom-and-pop vibe with only a couple seats inside of. Mapo Rooster specializes in 1 of Korea’s beloved convenience food items, the dish acknowledged as (dakgalbi), or spicy stir-fried hen. The menu is relatively straightforward, but you can incorporate additional orders of vegetables, cheese, rice cakes, or noodles to the stir-fry centered on your individual preference.
Once your meals will come out in a significant sizzling iron pan, the staff will stir the dakgalbi for you right until they are ready to take in. Accurate Koreans will also know that the most effective section of any Korean stir-fry dish is the complementary fried rice that you make with the leftovers as soon as you are completed with your mealso make sure to help you save some space in your stomach for this!
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Gaju Gimbap (450 S Western Ave Los Angeles, CA 90020)
To-go “kimbap” sets at Gaju Gimbap
This compact family shop is in fact located in the back corner California Market, a huge Korean supermarket in the heart of K-Town. While there is confined seating readily available, this spot gives a good deal of pre-packaged possibilities for choose-out. , or bunsik, is a collective term for Koreas nicely-identified ease and comfort food items this kind of as tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes) or kimbap and is intended to be a speedy quit for mid-working day treats rather than a complete sit-down food.
Gaju Gimbap serves the freshest kimbap and is priced affordably as opposed to other suppliers, at all around $8 for every roll. They also function many sorts of on their menu, which includes tteokbokki, janchi noodles, kimchi fried rice, and distinct types of dumplings. Their tteokbokki is probably the greatest Ive tried using in all of Los Angeles (or even the complete nation), and their complete menu tastes much more handmade without superior quantities of MSG. Id recommend acquiring an buy of their beef kimbap rolls with the tteokbokki and taking in them with each other for the typical Korean bunsik practical experience.
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Hwang Hae Doe (429 N Western Ave Ste 7 Los Angeles, CA 90004)
“Yuksoo Bulgogi” for two at Hwang Hae Doe (Source: Yelp)
There could be people that have in no way listened to of a Korean dish identified as (Yuksoo Bulgogi), but this concealed gem is the fantastic location to open up your eyes to a whole new kind of K-BBQ. Essentially, this dish capabilities bulgogi blended in broth and with glass noodles and other vegetables, boiled all alongside one another form of like very hot pot. The buy also arrives with an array of rice paper and contemporary greens to wrap into spring rolls and eat alongside one another with the major dish.
I definitely did not count on to uncover this dish in the U.S. as it is a far more specialized niche form of Korean foodstuff, but Hwang Hae Do did not disappoint! The restaurant has plenty of other choices on their menu, ranging from conventional K-BBQ, a lot of kinds of soups, stir-fry dishes, and additional, but make sure to get their yuksoo bulgogi for a hearty, genuine Korean food.
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Yuchun (3185 W Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90006)
“Mul-naengmyeon” at Yuchun (Supply: Yelp)
Final but not minimum, (naengmyeon) and (kalbi) are another combination you cant miss out on out on when discovering Korean food items. Naengmyeon is a chilly buckwheat noodle dish that can be served either in a chilly broth ( or mul-naengmyeon) or in a spicy red sauce with no the broth ( or bibim-naengmyeon). Yuchun specializes in the two types of naengmyeon and carries other menu things that pair deliciously with the noodles.
My personalized favourite is having it with kalbi, Korean barbequed brief ribs in a sweet fruit and soy sauce marinade. Yuchun is also effectively known for its collection of steamed dumplings that are excellent to snack on or take in with the naengmyeon as well. Lots of Koreans will begin craving these cold noodles after the summertime comes around, so make sure to visit and check out it out your self!
