Kisa Sikdang

With affordable bansang sets built around proteins and straightforward sides, Kisa Sikdang is already making waves in Koreatown’s ultra-competitive dining scene. The casual but sleekly appointed restaurant takes over the former Oyabun space and is modeled and named after South Korea’s kisa sikdangs, a type of casual roadside eatery primarily favored by taxi drivers. Lunch sets go for $19 (11am–3pm), while dinner tops out at $24 (5–9pm), though you can also opt for a $17.99 bowl of spicy naengmyeon, a $20 cozy bowl of spicy fish stew and $21 yukjeon, or pan-fried battered beef patties. Given the rising cost of going out to eat, we consider the opening of Kisa Sikdang a major win for L.A.’s budget-friendly dining scene. The fare here is tasty and straightforward, there’s beer and soju on offer, and you can get out of here after tax and tip for under $40—what’s not to love?