LA's Koreatown has become synonymous with BBQ. And lucky residents of The Mansfield can barely wend their way down Wilshire Blvd. without being seduced by the enticing aromas and exotic ingredients of the best Korean BBQ restaurants outside of Seoul. From sleek urban eateries to traditional grills and all-you-can-eat meat-a-paloozas, crank up your appetite and discover the best Korean BBQ near The Mansfield!
Jeong Yuk Jeom 621 S Western Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90005
A relative newcomer on the Korean BBQ scene, Jeong Yuk Jeom is located on the first floor of Madang Mall. a three-level shopping and entertainment complex located just north of Wilshire Blvd. on Western Ave. Jeong Yuk Jeom specializes in hand-selected, premium dry aged meats, a process for beef designed primarily to intensify flavor, with a secondary benefit of promoting tenderness. The flavor development is shaped by a reduction in moisture, which correlates to a concentration of flavor. If you want to go beyond meat, the menu is rounded out by Korean staples such as crisp seafood pancake, soft tofu stew, short rib soup, and banchan (small side dishes served along with cooked rice).
Park's BBQ 955 S Vermont Ave G Los Angeles, CA 90006
Located in the heart of KTown, Park's BBQ boasts a sleek, urban interior adorned with autographed photos of Korean entertainment and sports figures. Founded in 2003 by South Korea-born Chef Jenee Kim, Park's has become a local favorite, and recipient of numerous awards and glowing reviews. Chef Kim has pushed Korean cuisine to new heights by marrying traditional recipes with her inventive view on flavors. Beyond the usual BBQ suspects, adventurous eaters can try beef mountain chain tripe or prime beef tongue. Vegetarian options are available as well.
Gwang Yang BBQ 3435 Wilshire Blvd #123 Los Angeles, CA 90010
Gangnam-style or LA-style? Have your Bulgogi (fire meat) your way. The former is lightly marinated and slightly sweet, while the later is more heavily marinated. Gwangyang Bulgogi is a special taste of beef grilled over black oak charcoal from Mt. Baegunsan, a sacred mountain in South Korea. The dish was deemed by ancient scholars to be "an unrivaled flavor of Maro grilled beef." In addition to their signature Bulgogi dishes, Gwang Yang BBQ offers a tempting selecion of appetizers, fish, soups, noodles and stews.
Sun Ha Jang 4032 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019
Get your ducks in a row! This unassuming BBQ joint in an easy-to-miss strip mall specializes in a duck-only menu, grilled at your table. Start with unmarinated slices of duck, then move on to spicy slivers of shimmering meat, finishing with kimchi fried rice made with charred bits of duck oozing with copious duck fat. The finale is a Korean duck "paella," festooned with crispy rice on the edges. Now that's something to quack about!
Kang Ho-Dong Baekjeong 3465 W 6th St Los Angeles, CA 90020
Kang Ho-Dong Baekjeong was ranked one of “101 best restaurants” by food critic Jonathan Gold and named as one of the “99 Essential Restaurants” in 2013 and 2016 by LA Weekly. The name “Baekjeong” comes from the Korean word for ‘butcher," and the restaurant prides itself on serving premium beef and pork cuts cooked before your eyes on signature tabletop grills. The restaurant is filled with traditional posters and furniture to create a unique ambience where customers can experience the Korean food culture not only in their taste buds, but with all of their senses.
Oo Kook Korean BBQ 3385 W 8th S.t Los Angeles, CA 90005
Calling all carnivores! Oo Kook is an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, serving the highest quality, finest cuts of meat. Load up on specialties like Angus Prime thin slice brisket, US Kobe marinated thin slice beef, and marinated beef short rib, along with fresh pork belly, marinated chicken, duck breast, shrimp, and spicy octopus. There are plenty of choices for your non-meat eating friends including soybean paste stew, mushrooom & vegetables, green onion salad, and corn cheese.
Soot Bull Jeep 3136 W 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90005
Grill your own meat at this venerable Korean BBQ hot spot. Open for three decades, Soot Bull Jeep is one of the few KTown restaurants that still uses charcoal. Specialties include baby back ribs, short ribs, spicy pork – and for the adventurous – honeycomb tripe – proving that things goes better with coal ;)