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16 Must Visit Korean BBQ Restaurants in Los Angeles
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16 Must Visit Korean BBQ Restaurants in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is famous for its culinary scene. Just like Las Vegas, you’ll find something to suit everyone’s tastebuds in L.A. Whether you’re visiting from within the U.S. or coming from overseas, visiting an authentic barbecue spot in Koreatown should be at the top of your travel itinerary.

We’re sharing 16 spots for the Best Korean barbecue in L.A. and our hotel recommendations if you’re planning on visiting Koreatown.

ZenHotels Blog
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16 places to order Korean KBBQ in Los Angeles

You’re spoiled for choice in Koreatown. Whether you’re a fan of aged meat — especially pork and beef — enjoy indulging in kimchi, or are new to the Korean barbecue scene, we have something for everyone and a range of budgets. 

KBBQ food is famous for its focus on pork, ribs, and beef, topping the best-sellers list. Some establishments will even cook your food on a grill at your table. Look out for spots offering small plates, also known as banchan, if you want to sample a variety of dishes.

Photo: Photo by Library of Congress and Tsuyuri Hara on Unsplash

If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, selecting a range of banchan dishes is likely to be your best option at any koreatown spot. Seafood is an unexpected highlight you’ll find at many of the spots on this list, ideal for those seeking an alternative to pork or ribs. 

Choose from Korean restaurants with extensive combo selections, exclusive chef’s specials, and a la carte menus for the less adventurous traveler. Here are 16 of our favorite Korean barbecue spots in L.A.

1. Hanu K BBQ

Hanu K offers a range of high-quality meats alongside a premium selection of wines and liquors, curated from brands around the world. It promises to offer a unique dining experience, including free champagne if you make a reservation for your birthday.

Photo: Anchalee Wiangkao/ Shutterstock.com

Hanu K offers a range of combo platters, ideal for groups of at least four people. Cleanse your palette with fried vegetables, fish dishes, and galbijjim between pork and beef courses. This option is ideal for those who are trying Korean barbecue for the first time. The best way to experience it is by ordering small plates to create your own buffet-worthy table.

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2. Swoon Galbi

This Korean barbecue destination is featured in the 2024 Michelin Guide. It’s one of the more affordable Korean barbecue options on this list and is often overlooked as it’s located close to Park’s, one of LA’s most popular koreatown restaurants.

Photo: soowon_galbi / instagram.com

It offers great service with high-quality beef, serving authentic cuisine for over two decades. The pork is cooked on a gas-powered grill, making it mouth-watering from the first bite. Swoon Galbi specializes in beef cuts, making it the top recommendation for those seeking an authentic grill experience.

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3. Yangmani

If the locals go there, you know it’s a winner! If you want to experience cuisine like an L.A. resident, look no further than Yangmani on Olympic Blvd. It serves a range of beef and pork dishes and generally attracts a younger crowd.

It serves beer and wine, as well as offering takeout for the nights you want to eat Korean food in your hotel room.

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4. Kteam BBQ

KTEAM is a casual spot created by the same culinary and management team behind Park’s, the most popular spot in L.A. for Korean barbecue. Pork belly is the number one item, which focuses primarily on a la carte options, instead of the usual set menus and combos you’ll see in most other places.

Photo: DronG/ Shutterstock.com

Highlights include the fermented pollock roe and shrimp. Don’t skip the kimchi fried rice.

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5. Soot Bull Jeep

If you’re looking for an authentic Korean barbecue experience with a charcoal table grill, you need to go to Soot Bull Jeep.

Photo: funny face/ Shutterstock.com

It’s one of the only places that still offers this, with an extensive range of meat options to choose from, including beef tongue, short rib, and bulgogi. Our favorite item on the menu is marinated pork meat.

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6. Park’s BBQ

Few establishments can rival the popularity of Park’s. While it’s a more expensive option, it’s almost impossible to beat the quality of meat available here, including pork and beef. We recommend checking out the menu ahead of time as it can feel overwhelming when it’s set in front of you — especially if you’re a newbie to the world of spicy Korean meat.

The combo platters stand out as offering the best value with a range of meat options, including pork. You’ll want to make a reservation, especially if you’re visiting at the weekend.

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7. Pigya

This Koreatown location is ideal for large groups as a restaurant that specializes in combo platters, letting everyone try a bit of everything on the table. It offers an extensive tasting selection with up to 5 servings, alongside an a la carte menu with stews and sides for those who want a more diverse plate. This option is a great alternative to ordering a range of banchan dishes for your table.

Photo: pigyarestaurant/instagram.com

Make sure you come hungry to this restaurant, where plates of food will seem to appear on your table faster than you can eat it. The pork gyu combo is under $100 and ideal for a group of four.

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8. Ahgassi Gopchang

If you’re heading to Koreatown for a night out, stop by Ahgassi Gopchang to fill up on some of the best barbecue meat around. Most beef dishes cost from $30 to $55, with the combo platers offering the best value for couples and groups of up to 4.

Ahgassi Gopchang is famous for being name-dropped by the K-pop band, BTS. It has a party atmosphere and is open until 1 am during the weekend.

Photo: Ahgassi Gopchang /facebook.com

This restaurant is somewhere you can spend most of your evening, enjoying combo sets while watching the small banchan dishes magically appear on your table. We recommend choosing three to four banchan dishes to explore a variety of meat types.

Don’t forget to save space for the so-called ‘cheese mountain’ of fried rice that will be cooked beside your table to finish off your meal.

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9. Mun Korean Steakhouse

Another option for an all-night destination is Mun Korean Steakhouse. It’s a Korean barbecue restaurant and nightclub in one as an upscale dining experience. Menu highlights include kimchi pancakes, Wagyu beef brisket, bang bang shrimp, and beef tartare bibimbap.

Photo: munkoreansteakhouse / instagram.com

This restaurant offers something for everyone, whether it’s your first time or your hundredth time enjoying Korean food. You’ll see contemporary creations alongside traditional Korean dishes, with high-quality meats and more laidback a la carte options.

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10. Sun Ha Jang

If your preferred meat is duck, you’re in luck at Sun Ha Jang. This restaurant serves almost exclusively duck. Every diner is required to order at least one plate of duck, alongside any other sides or dishes that take your fancy.

Your meal will be cooked to order at your table with a range of vegetables to enjoy your meat with. This restaurant cooks its rice with kimchi as the final part of your meal.

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11. Chosun Galbee

Chosun Galbee offers an upscale dining experience for those who want to splurge on the best food in koreatown. This place has a large outdoor patio with koi ponds that create an immersive setting.

While you can expect to have a higher bill at the end of the night, this restaurant is a classic date night spot and a great way to impress your friends or visiting family. The full-service bar is something you won’t find at most other places in Koreatown, making it ideal for those who don’t enjoy beer or Asian drinks.

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12. AB Steak by Chef Akira Back

This restaurant specializes in what it calls ‘modern Korean barbeque’. Located on the Beverly Center’s ground floor, this koreatown steakhouse offers glamour and an immersive dining experience you would expect to find in Las Vegas. Get comfortable in one of the oversized booths and get ready to watch the servers cook and slice your food right by your side. The Instagram-worthy cocktails are worth the indulgence, but you can expect to pay a premium for everything on the menu.

Photo: absteakla.com / Shutterstock.com

When you enter the restaurant, look out for some of the top meat cuts sitting on display, such as tomahawk steak. This is a luxury dining experience and a great way to celebrate your trip to L.A. If you appreciate quality, you’ll want to make a reservation at AB Steak ahead of your trip to Los Angeles.

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13. Jeong Yuk Jeom

If you’ve not made a reservation for the weekend and you’re craving Korean barbecue, check out Jeong Yuk Jeom. This laidback dining experience is in a large two-story space with plenty of seating. You can almost always get a last-minute reservation or a walk-in table.

Photo: J.Cheon/ tripadvisor.com

Short ribs are the standout here, especially if you’re a fan of aged cuts. The ribs are ideal for sharing or having as your main dish. Butcher’s Pride is the combo platter most popular for groups, but don’t be afraid to order a mixture from a la carte menu that suits your diverse tastebuds — even if you’re not a fan of ribs.

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14. Yerim Korean BBQ

No list of the best Korean barbecue restaurants would be complete without an all-you-can-eat option. While there are only a handful of restaurants that deliver well on the concept, Yerim is our favorite.

Photo: Yerim Korean/ instagram.com

While most menus are just under $40, you can expect to pay $60+ once you add a tip and a drink or two. It’s one of the most affordable ways to try Korean barbecue food, especially if you don’t want to splurge on your first go. There’s still a variety of high-quality meats available, including marinated meats.

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15. Megal BBQ

There are a handful of chain restaurants in Koreatown that are worth checking out. Magal BBQ is popular in Asia, with a location in L.A. that offers a mid-range price point for those who want a more diverse offering without paying top dollar.

Photo: iambo9taelia/ Shutterstock.com

The egg and fried rice volcano is worthy of a spot on your Instagram feed, while the combo plates will feed at least a group of four people.

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16. Ten-Raku

While most of us think of KBBQ as a dinner-time meal, lunch-time specials are a great way to experiment with the cuisine. Ten-Raku is a premium spot that offers affordable lunch specials and is a go-to choice for locals.

Photo: tenrakukbbq.com/ Shutterstock.com

If you’re looking for a dinner-time option for a large group, the Ten Raku Combo is $220 and serves up to 6 people with a diverse range of meats.

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Where to stay near Koreatown

Koreatown is a great base for exploring L.A., with easy public transport links with the Staples Center, Grammy Museum, and Dodger Stadium within easy travel distance. You can explore Koreatown during the day or use it as your go-to destination for evening entertainment and food.

There is a range of hotels available throughout Koreatown, from small, boutique hotels to budget-friendly chains with affordable accommodation. The Best Western Plus LA Mid Town is a short walk from the Koreatown Pavilion Garden. Hotel Koxie is in the heart of Koreatown, ideal for fans of Korean barbecue who want to explore the local area.

Photo: Joseph Sohm/ Shutterstock.com

Alternatively, Aventura Hotel is also located within the Koreatown area and offers extensive guest facilities, including concierge, fitness facilities, and a business center. These hotels are ideal if you want the flexibility to grab takeout food, such as ribs or banchan dishes, to take back to your accommodation instead of dining at a sit-down spot.

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Start planning your Los Angeles vacation today with ZenHotels and use our list above to find the best Korean barbecue spots. 

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Tags: Cafes and Restaurants, food, Los Angeles, restaurants, USA
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