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Top 7 Korean BBQ restaurants 
July 10, 2015 l  By Jihye Gigi Choi  l  Korean Food blogger

LA is the city blessed with plenty of Korean BBQ restaurants, dominating nearly every street corner. This overheated competition has raised the average quality of these restaurants in all aspects, and it became almost impossible to go wrong with Korean BBQ in LA. However, at the same time, it has also become harder to decide where to go with 4 stars to every restaurant on Yelp.

As a transplanted Korean who loves meat, I have tried almost every Korean BBQ restaurant in LA partially because I like to try different places but mostly because I wanted to find the best one. Have I found the best Korean BBQ restaurant? No. In fact, the best "ONE" does not exist since the perfect restaurant varies depending on many factors, such as who you are going with, what you are craving for, what price range you have in mind, and so on. Therefore, instead of hunting for the best one, I have decided to create this list in order to provide the relevant information that people care the most, so that they can choose the one that best fits their needs. Be mindful that this places are not ranked in order due to their unrankable distinctive features. Nevertheless, this 7 restaurants are still top 7 Korean BBQ restaurants in LA. So, if you want to find out the perfect Korean BBQ restaurant for you, check this out!

1. Kang Hodong Baekjeong (Baekjeong) $$

Mon-Sun 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM |  3465 W 6^th St. Ste 20 | (213) 384-9678 | valet parking

This place is not All-You-Can-Eat but definitely the hottest Korean BBQ place in LA these days. They serve high-quality meat in a great welcoming atmosphere. They use this special grill, which has the edge like a shallow pan. And it is filled with 4 different side menus: steamed egg, corn and cheese, grilled Kimchi, and vegetables—for free and refilled at your wish—as you can see from the picture. Due to the high popularity, the wait is usually too long, and they do not take reservation. Nevertheless, many people willingly step into an hour long line because it is worth it! As if it proves its popularity, Baekjeong is introduced by Jonathan Gold in his LA Times restaurant critic column. He said, "While Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong may be, more or less, a Korean Hard Rock Cafe, based on a fantasy of an old-fashioned, beef-serving Korean bar, the food, while basic, is of surprisingly high quality." He also recommends the shaken dosirak, which is a Korean kid's lunch box back in 90s. It is filled with rice and few side-dishes, and kids used to shake it and mix it like bibimbop. The waiter shakes it in front of your table and just adds a fun factor to your dining.

2. Chosun Galbee $$$

Mon-Sun 11 AM – 11 PM | 3330 W Olympic Blvd | (323) 734-3330 | valet parking 

Chosun Galbee is the traditional high-end Korean BBQ restaurant. It has a great atmosphere and provides quality service. The waitresses wear traditional Korean outfits called Hanbok and cook the meat in front of you, which not many restaurants do—Others usually “check” it but don’t “cook” it for you. As its name implies, Galbee is its signature dish, and needless to say, it is the best in town. In 2011, Chosun Galbee has a history of being chosen as the best Korean restaurant from LA Times. About 10 side dishes called “Banchan” come out with your order, and those taste so good that many non-Korean friends feel guilty for getting them for free. At the end of the meal, a traditional Korean beverage, Sikhye, is offered. Due to its luxurious atmosphere and a high price, Chosun Galbee is considered as a great place to entertain important guests. Also, its spacious hall makes this place perfect for a large group of people, so it is loved by many companies as a get-together place.

3. Eight Korean BBQ $$

Mon-Sun 11:30 AM – 12 AM Thu-Sat 11:30 AM – 2AM | 863 S Western Ave | (213) 365-1750   

Eight Korean BBQ is highly recommended if you are a pork belly lover because you can taste pork belly in 8 different flavors. The name Eight came from their 8 flavored meats: wine, original, ginseng, garlic, herb, curry, miso paste, and red pepper paste. Interestingly enough, Eight Korean BBQ introduces pork belly as healthy food. Believe it or not, they say each flavor has health benefits and so does the flavored pork belly; for example, garlic lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure, and helps the body's natural flow. Then, what happens when fatty pork belly meets garlic? I don't know, but in any case, one thing is certain: they taste amazing! Probably, that is why this place is loved by both Korean and non-Korean people despite its unconventional style. Another great part is there is no valet parking. The mall is equipped with a large parking lot and open to customers for free.

4. Ssam $$

Mon-Sun 11 AM – 11:30 PM | 1040 S Western Ave | (323) 737-9292 | valet parking

Ssam means “wrapped” in Korean, which came from Korean’s eating habit wrapping the meat with leafy vegetables. In keeping with the name, they offer a variety of vegetables along with the great quality meat. This place is especially famous for Galbee and Naeng myun, which is a traditional Korean cold noodle. Galbee and Naeng myun is considered as a good combination because Naeng myun‘s cold and fresh taste takes away the greasy aftertaste of the meat. This restaurant is clean and spacious, so it is perfect for a family dinner. 


5. Oo-Kook (All you can eat) $$

Mon-Sun 11 AM – 11 PM | 3385 W 8^th St | (213) 385-5665 | valet parking

Oo-Kook meaning the land of the cows is the only AYCE place on this list. There is a perception that AYCE places serve low quality meat for a cheaper price. That does not apply to this place! You can have the similar quality of meat as other great restaurants for AYCE. If you are a heavy eater, this place is the most bang for the buck AYCE BBQ in Korea town. Heads up! Oo-kook charges extra $11.99 for leftovers, so try not to overorder the food. The meat is just too good to be wasted. In addition, this place serves sea food, so when you are tired of the greasy meat, you can try the shrimp and mini octopus. It will diversify your meal.

6. Genwa $$

Mon-Sun 12 PM – 10 PM | 5115 Wilshire Blvd | (323) 549-0760 | valet parking 

Genwa is the Korean BBQ place that will change your perception of KBBQ places. When people think of Korean BBQ restaurants, they usually picture a loud smoky atmosphere. Well, Genwa will break that stereotype. You can enjoy a variety of first class meats and side dishes in the modern and classy ambience. As you can see from the picture, Genwa is famous for the numerous banchans (side dishes) that comes with your order—they offer about 20 of them and refill them at your wish. What’s even better is every table is equipped with smokeless grills, so your clothes won’t smell at the end of the meal. Genwa was ranked 1st in LA Weekly's 10 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants in 2012.

7. Gyu Kaku $$

Mon-Sun 12 PM – 10:30 PM Fri-Sat 11 AM – 11:30 PM | 163 N La Cienega Blvd | (310) 659-5760 | valet parking

Gyu Kaku is a Japanese BBQ place, but I decided to put it on this list because they provide S’mores! I believe that fun is another factor that makes a restaurant even more perfect. This place doesn’t grill the meat for you, but cooking the meat one at a time at your pace is also a great experience. There is no major difference between Korean BBQ and Japanese BBQ, but unlike Korean BBQ, Japanese BBQ is generally not marinated and mostly beef. So, if you prefer beef to pork, I recommend Gyu Kaku.


Sources:

Jonathan Gold's review on Baekjeong, LA Times: http://www.latimes.com/food/la-fo-gold-20121110-story.html

Chosun Galbee, the Best Korean restaurant: http://www.latimes.com/food/jonathan-gold/la-ss-readerschoice-chosun-072429011-001-photo.html

Eight Korean BBQ, Story 8 Flavors: http://palsaikbbq.com/

Genwa, 10 Best Korean BBQ, LA Weekly: http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/10-best-korean-bbq-restaurants-in-los-angeles-2382954