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Top 5 Koreatown Restaurants You Should Visit

Do you get that captivating sensation when binge-watching a Korean drama series—especially when the characters cook or eat mouthwatering dishes? In seconds, you find yourself wanting a spoonful of what they’re having.

The excellent news is you won’t have to book a flight to Seoul to do that. Instead, you can drive to Koreatown in Los Angeles to grab a bite of delectable and authentic Korean cuisine.

How Koreatown Came to Be

Popularly known as ‘K-town,” this culturally vibrant and ethnically populated district rose in the early 1900s, having it first established in Pachappa Camp—the first Korean-organized immigrant settlement located in Riverside, California. 

Today, Koreatown has been taking the global market, branching out to different parts of the world. The most notable in Central Los Angeles is considered the largest in the world. 

The culinary scene is one of its biggest draws. Koreatown restaurants serve your favorite Korean delicacies like kimchi and bibimbap. It is also home to multiple cultures and ethnicities in different businesses and cuisines. 

These establishments have become a popular destination for Korean pop culture fans who want a slice of the exact dishes eaten by their favorite actors, idols, and groups.

Many restaurants in the area have incorporated tech-savvy solutions to guarantee a convenient dining experience for all their guests.

These tools include a QR code menu software for contactless dining, cashless payment methods, and online review platforms for customer feedback.

With all these in mind, we’re sure you’re now looking forward to a gastronomic trip to Koreatown.

5 Best Restaurants You Should Visit on Your Next Koreatown Trip

Here are five authentic Korean restaurants in Koreatown, LA, that will give you the most satisfying experience for you and your taste buds.

Gaju Gimbap

Also known as Bunsik, this tiny little lunchtime spot and snack nook is tucked away in California Market, serving affordable versions of famous after-school dishes like gimbap (seaweed roll with rice and vegetables) and tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cake). 

They also serve lappokki—spicy stir-fried rice cakes added with ramen noodles. These are perfect pick-me-up dishes you can indulge in while shopping or having a quick lunch with friends.

Jun Won Dak

Jun Won Dak is a well-known mom-and-son restaurant at West Third Street in Koreatown and is a haven for comfort food.

One of their specialties is samgyetang, a hearty soup made with a whole young chicken filled with glutinous rice and simmered with ginseng, garlic, and Chinese red dates.

The mixture of these ingredients results in a wonderfully tender chicken in a flavorful, piping-hot broth that’s perfect for cold weather.

Fun fact: Koreans have a tradition of eating samgyetang when they have the flu or common cold!

Han Bat Shul Lung Tang

This third-generation restaurant specializes in seolleongtang, or ox bone soup. It’s perfect for relieving a hangover from all-night parties.

Its preparation mainly involves simmering the ox bones for an extended period, allowing them to break down and creating a rich and creamy broth.

The soup comes with beef brisket for added protein and flavor. For seasoning, add salt, garlic, and ginger to bring an aromatic texture to the soup.

Selleongtang often comes with rice and side dishes like kimchi and pickled radish, giving you a good energy source to start your day.  

4. HanEuem by Chef Kang

Pancakes are easily one of the classic American all-time favorites, usually paired with milk and maple syrup. But HanEuem by Chef Kang gives this breakfast option a greener twist.

This modern drinking spot revolutionized classic dishes. Its bestseller is modeumjeon, a combination of jeon dishes or pan-fried battered food in which all the main ingredients are combined in a flour batter and pan-fried into a crispy pancake.

In modeumjeon, meat and vegetables are cut into pieces, individually pan-fried in an egg batter, and served in one platter or basket—the best combination for your favorite drinks. 

5. Park’s BBQ

Samgyupsal, which translates as three-layered pork grilled by itself, brings out a smoky and savory flavor to feast upon. 

For the best Korean BBQ in Koreatown, go to Park's BBQ. They also serve various other traditional Korean cuisines in a clean, smoke-free environment. 

Park's serves prime-grade meats on the table. The beef is paired with various banchan—side dishes made from fruits, vegetables, and herbs that have been simmered, braised, stir-fried, fermented, or pickled and is even on par with some of the best in Seoul. 

Conclusion

Food allows you to experience the culture and traditions of the place it came from without even going there. No need to go to South Korea; simply explore Koreatown in Los Angeles.

So, where will your next food escapade be? We suggest visiting these restaurants for you to enjoy and indulge.