Southern California’s culinary and cultural fabric found its new partner in providing great experience for its tourists and new residents. Korean BBQ has become an integral part of Los Angeles food and beverage industry where it is considered a place of culture, entertainment, and food.
As Los Angeles remains the melting pot of cultures and cooking styles, Korean BBQ is becoming more popular in the city. This is the reason why you might see a Korean BBQ restaurant located on a street in Los Angeles.
If you want some grilled bulgogi and beef brisket, together with beer and soju, we have laid out some best Korean BBQ places that you can visit below.
What is Korean BBQ?
Korean barbecue or Korean BBQ is very different from the American BBQ traditions. The meat itself would be their main distinguishing factor. American BBQ styles will include large cuts of pork, ribs, brisket, or chicken roasted or slowly smoked as the centerpiece, whereas Korean BBQ will generally center beef, pork, or chicken skewered and grilled.
Known locally as gogi-gui, Korean BBQ refers to the Korean cuisine method of grilling meat such as beef, chicken or pork on gas or charcoal grills placed into the dining table itself. Dipping sauces and side dishes are also placed on the table where everyone can enjoy. If you love grilled meats, served with side dishes such as cubed radish kimchi or kimchi fried rice, you’ll definitely be in for a treat.
Best Korean Restaurants in Los Angeles
Great quality meat/meat quality, location and overall experience should be considered when choosing a Korean BBQ restaurant to visit. Here are some of the top lists that you might want to consider should you crave for some beef brisket or marinated short ribs.
ABSteak by Chef Akira Back
Located at 8500 Beverly Blvd #111, Los Angeles, CA 90048, this Korean BBQ restaurant is supposed to provide a Korean fusion with a focus on grilled beef as a steakhouse. As of this time, ABSteak offers banchan and requisite side dishes on top of its top-notch Korean BBQ.
If you want to get a complete Koreatown-style experience in the western part of Los Angeles, look out for the ABSteak owned by none other than Chef Akira Back, who has multiple restaurants in Asia and Las Vegas.
Park’s Bar-B-Q
Owned by Chef Jenee Kim, Park’s Bar-B-Q is located in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles and was opened in 2003. Once you enter this amazing Korean BBQ restaurant, you will feel a vibe of the passion and creativity of the owner, who, by the way, was born in Seoul, Korea, and graduated from the Seoul Women’s College with a degree in Culinary Science.
It is said their Gal-bi, which are prime beef short ribs drizzled lavishly with Chef Jenee Kim’s award-winning Korean BBQ sauce, is the best-seller of this restaurant. They also offer a large assortment of Wagyu beef products, including Ggot Sal and brisket that is very popular in this area of Los Angeles. Park’s BBQ complete address will be at 955 S Vermont Ave G, Los Angeles, CA 90006, United States.
Sun Ha Jang Restaurant
A classic restaurant on the western edge of Koreatown does not offer beef, pork, or chicken, but they have grilled duck barbecue. If you want to try something new, yet want to get some of the most delicious and remarkable Korean BBQ, visit Sun Ha Jang Restaurant.
They have engineered meals, from the banchan to the finished fried rice placed on the tabletop grill to get the best Korean experience. They’re located at 4032 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019.
Chosun Galbee
If you want a casual yet elegant vibe, the sophisticated leather padded booths of Chosun Galbee can definitely provide it to you. Located on the southwest side of Koreatown, this restaurant is surrounded by local businesses such as Bank of America and the Korean Christian Book Center.
Should you happen to run errands and need to go to a place where you can grill your own meat and thoroughly enjoy the Korean BBQ experience, Chosun Galbee can give it to you. They offer a spicy chili marinated short rib of pork or Daeji Bulgogi. If you want seafood instead of pork, beef, and chicken, they also have Sewu Gui or black tiger shrimp.
You can visit Chosun Galbee at 3330 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019.
Mapo Dak Galbi
Mapo Galbi is a spicy chicken specialist that grills tender chicken thighs cut into smaller pieces. It is grilled together with cabbage, rice cakes, carrots, and plenty of gochujang sauce. You and your friends or family can watch the whole pan simmer and reduce over time.
Mapo Galbi has a spartan interior and bustling dining room where you can enjoy some finishing meals with a fried rice loaded up with perilla leaves and seaweed laver. You can find them at 1008 S St Andrews Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90019.
Kang Ho Dong BaekJeong
Kang Ho Dong Baek Jeong is a very famous Korean BBQ restaurant located at 3465 W 6th St #20, Los Angeles, CA 90020. It is located and extends across Wilshire Center and Koreatown, where they are also known as Baekjeong Town and Baekjeong LA KTown.
Kang Ho Dong Baek Jeong offers their mouth-watering pride – the best seasoned prime boneless short rib. If you’re planning to visit this restaurant, you might want to get some reservations for the dine-in experience. You can call them in advance at 213-384-9678.
And if you will visit them together with your friends or family, try out their combo platters, like the beef and pork combos that include three styles of meat for the grill. You can also get your choice of soybean paste stew or pork kimchi stew.
Daedo Sikdang
Daedo Sikdang is a very intentional Korean barbecue spot from Seoul located at 4001 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020. They serve only American-certified Angus prime beef, and just ribeye steaks.
You can try their famous ribeye roll seared on specialized cast iron skillets and cut into three distinct cuts. They are usually served with kkakdugi and other banchan. Their banchans are actually shipped to the US since they are fermented all the way from South Korea. Once you’re done eating, you can wash it down with a cold yeolmu guksu.
Magal BBQ
Magal BBQ is owned by a company also running foodie hotspots like Il Fiora and Misool Kwon – d. Eatery. To keep the business going and to cover the costs of operations, this restaurant charges all diners a 10% fee, however, they don’t accept tips.
Magal BBQ is also one of those trendy Korean BBQ restaurants in Los Angeles. Once you get inside the restaurant, you won’t feel the Los Angeles vibes. What you will get is a Seoul ambiance and aesthetic.
Magal BBQ is located at 3460 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005 and they can be reached at 213-383-1909 should you need to check before coming in. They have individual cuts of meat to grill and an a la carte menu if you don’t need to get a big meal. One of their must-try will be the thin-sliced prime brisket and pork jowl.
Ten-Raku
Ten-Raku has very affordable fantastic lunch specials and versatile dinner combinations. Definitely, those who are looking for premium Korean barbecue spots without breaking the bank, this is your go-to place.
This is also one of those other Korean BBQ spots where most Koreans spend their time. Ten-Raku is definitely one of those reliable restaurants in town. Aside from their store located at 4177 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90020, they also have a new AYCE spot in Lynwood.
Genwa Korean BBQ
Wilshire Boulevard, Olympic Boulevard, and one in Beverly Hills are just some of the multiple locations of Genwa Korean BBQ. Though every location will be worth a try, some say that the Wilshire location near Koreatown will be worth a go.
Unlike other BBQ spots of Genwa, the Wilshire location provides a more upscale “grill your own” experience. You can really feel the authentic Korean BBQ in Los Angeles. marbled boneless beef short rib or “Kotsal” and premium Canadian pork or “Samgyeopsal” would be the most recommended on their menu.
You can also get some traditional add-ons like soft rice cake in spicy sauce or “Tteokbokki” and octopus and Somyeon noodles “Nakji Somyeon”. Visit them at those aforementioned locations.
Yerim Korean BBQ
All-you-can-eat is the primary concept of Korean BBQ and only few restaurants are offering this option. Yerim Korean BBQ is one of those BBQ spots that has very good sub-$40 on their menu.
Their offerings include high-quality meats like marinated short rib, beef tongue, and intestines. You can get a good deal of $60/person that already includes a few drinks, tax, and tip. Visit them at 300 S Hobart Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90020.
Quarters Korean BBQ
Quarters Korean BBQ is located at 3465 W 6th St #C-130, Los Angeles, CA 90020. This chic restaurant with an industrial aesthetic has an open patio for outdoor dining. This is a great spot if you are planning for a family eat out in the summer.
The grilled bulgogi and rib eye is the talk-of-the-town. Sesame chicken and jumbo shrimp is also a bang for those who don’t want pork or beef. Since Korean BBQ in Los Angeles is nothing without side dishes, you must also try their kimchi fried rice and soybean stew. You can also start all of this great food with a treat of seafood pancake.
Mun Korean Steakhouse
There are places like Cote in New York City that provide big-city KBBQ. Mun Korean Steakhouse is bringing this experience to Los Angeles as they open up their store at 3519 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020. Mun also has a dark, date-worthy dining room with loud music and club-like vibes.
Their starter set of premium meat sliced into cubes and served on a ventilated tabletop grill is top notch. This mid-to-higher ranged KBBQ is designed for adults and couples.
Ahgassi Gopchang
This isn’t your typical corner place restaurant in Los Angeles. Located at 3744 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005, Ahgassi Gopchang is a specialty restaurant that caters to those who love roasted beef intestines. Fun-seekers and those who love exotic experiences would love it. If you haven’t tried some roasted beef intestines, get it at Ahgassi Gopchang Korean restaurant.
They also have multiple combos and individual meals to order. Aside from the beef intestine, try their fried rice, soybean stew, potato, onion, and mushroom. If you don’t want those intestines, check out their amazing prime boneless short rib, kimchi stew, and spicy cold noodles.
Ong Ga Nae Korean BBQ Restaurant
Ong Ga Nae Korean BBQ Restaurant has been straightened from top to bottom under a new management of Yangmani owner, Jennifer Choi. Their barbecue dishes like an immense bulgogi jeongol laced with spinach, or hulking cuts of short ribs on the bone have been upgraded, providing a great Korean food experience.
Ong Ga Nae is located at 936 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006. Though it is not as prestigious as other Korean restaurants like Soowon and Park’s BBQ, they can still provide a good experience for some all-you-can-eat restaurants.
Soowon Galbi
If you look at its exterior, Soowon Galbi is an ordinary Korean diner. However, don’t be fooled by its humble design outside as you will be in for a treat once you go inside as they offer some of the tastiest traditional Korean BBQ in Los Angeles.
Their main attraction wouldn’t just be about marinated prime galbi, called grilled Chadol, but their side dishes as well. They offer USDA prime beef brisket cut thin and served with mung bean sprouts and traditional Korean side dishes, such as spicy pork bulgogi, cheese fondue, and cold noodle soup.
Eight Korean BBQ
Infusing traditional Korean cooking techniques with modern tastes is the main focus of Eight Korean BBQ. Aside from promoting the natural flavor of their quality meat, they also offer a variety of marinades.
They are located at 863 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005 and they provide combo meals on their menu. One of the combo best-sellers would be the combo C, which is a mix of prime beef and pork. It has beef bulgogi and thinly sliced pork belly.
You can also get an ala carte on their menu, such as the appetizing delicious spicy baby octopus with pork belly. This is a Korean BBQ spot that you should not miss to visit.
Summary
These are just some of the top listed restaurants in Los Angeles. There might be some other great places that need to be discovered, such as those in the western ave. Take a stroll through KoreaTown for yourself to find out.
Be sure to try awesome dishes like beef tartare, beef belly, tomahawk steak paired with green onions or bell peppers, along with side dishes like corn cheese, steamed egg, or kimchi pancakes.