With its high concentration of bars, nightclubs and late night eateries, Koreatown (or Ktown, as the locals call it) is one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in LA. And while rowdy Korean barbecue restaurants are largely responsible for Ktown’s lively ambience, its local dining scene is far more diverse than you might think.
So to help navigate your Los Angeles feast, here’s our guide to seven of the best restaurants in Ktown.
Parks BBQ
Image credit: Parks BBQ | Instagram
It’s universally referred to by chefs as the best Korean barbecue in LA, and after visiting this iconic restaurant you’ll quickly understand why. Unlike the All You Can Eat barbecue parties that Ktown is famous for, Parks focuses on quality over quantity with the highest quality USDA Prime and Kobe style beef. It’s also a great place for celebrity spotting, attracting chefs, musicians and movie stars from all over the world. In fact, if you take a close look at the celebrity hall of fame near the front door, you might even recognise some familiar Aussie faces.
Here’s Looking At You
Image credit: Here's Looking At You | Instagram
Also known as HLAY, this quirky little wine bar and restaurant has a remarkable backstory. Like many hospitality venues, it struggled through COVID and was forced to close its doors in mid-2020. But a wildly successful GoFundMe campaign supported by hundreds of loyal fans saved the day, and HLAY was resurrected two years later. Of note is their legendary ‘reverse happy hour’, which runs from 8:30-10pm and offers a treasure of a steak tartare for only $13.
Quarters
Image credit: Quarters | Website
At Quarters you can order Korean barbecue meat by the quarter-pound–making it an ideal restaurant option for indecisive types who want to try a little bit of everything. That said, an order of oozing cheese fondue and a Slammin’ Strawberry Margarita (which arrives with an upturned bottle of beer) should both be considered compulsory with every order. The place is usually pumping by nightfall, so arrive early to secure a seat or be prepared to queue. Either way, it’s worth it.
The Prince
Image credit: The Prince | Instagram
Technically speaking, The Prince is not a restaurant—but it’s everything you’d want in a neighbourhood dive bar: regal, red and gold wallpaper, dim lighting, leather banquettes and a mediaeval suit of armour in the corner. A roaring example of kitsch, old school Hollywood glamour, it’s no surprise that The Prince has become a favourite film location for LA’s entertainment industry, having featured in numerous movies and television shows such as The New Girl and Mad Men. They also happen to serve a cracking plate of Korean Fried Chicken. Tip: it’s best to check their Instagram before visiting, as they’re sometimes closed for film shoots.
Kobawoo House
Image credit: Kobawoo House | Instagram
Despite its humble strip-mall location and unassuming exterior (which looks more like a dry cleaner's shopfront), Kobawoo House is one of the best restaurants in Ktown. Serving ‘home-style’ Korean cuisine for over four decades, they specialise in bossam—a traditional platter of tender pork belly served with pickled vegetables and cabbage wraps, along with barbecue meats, bulgogi and seafood-stuffed pancakes. Open every day from 11am-11pm, it’s a solid and consistent choice for fans of authentic Korean cuisine.
BCD Tofu House
Image: BCD Tofu House | Instagram
Now one of the best known restaurants in Ktown, BCD Tofu House is a global franchise—but this is the original location that started it all. Open from 7am to 3am on school nights (and 7am to 4am on Friday and Saturday), the restaurant runs like clockwork, delivering bubbling bowls of warming tofu soup, served in a stone pot, to hoards of hungry diners. Yes, it’s tofu—but to mistake this classic Korean dish as bland would be a rookie error. First timers should opt for the Assorted Soon Tofu, which comes loaded with shrimp, beef and clams in a flavourful spicy broth, while advanced players might opt for the ham, sausage or intestines on the menu.
Le Comptoir
Image credit: Le Comptoir | Website
An unexpected addition to Ktwon’s culinary landscape, Le Comptoir is an intimate 10 seat restaurant that centres around the chef’s counter. At $175 USD per person it’s no casual night out, but it’s a fair price to pay for an exquisite, eight-course tasting menu made with Michelin star-worthy technique. While the restaurant is not vegan, it does focus heavily on the purity and elegance of plants, and ingredients sourced from their own organic kitchen garden. When booking, don’t forget to pre-order a loaf of Le Comptoir’s special house-made bread, which is made with a 26 year-old sourdough starter and ready for guests to take home after their meal.
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