The best Korean BBQ restaurants in Los Angeles

What is it? The city’s premier Korean BBQ gem and one that takes meat more seriously than most, serving prime and American Wagyu beef in a sleek modern space that’s stood the test of time.

Why we love it: Angelenos may be divided on their favorite Korean BBQ, but Park’s seems to be the one unifying constant, at least for special occasions. That’s because it all comes down to quality: The meat here is premium, so in addition to the requisite kimchi pancakes, tofu stews and banchan galore you can find exquisite cuts of beef and pork, which get grilled at your table—there’s even an entire section of the menu devoted to Wagyu, if you really want to go big. For best results, order some of everything: There’s boneless Wagyu short rib, seasoned pork belly, succulent house galbi, beef tripe and nearly anything else you can imagine throwing onto the grill, plus an array of banchan—and a full menu of entrées such as spicy black cod, stone-pot octopus, soup with rice cakes, and requisites like expert kimchi pancakes.

Time Out tip: For a more lively, intimate meal (no more than six people total), head to Park’s new sibling restaurant, KTeam BBQ. The Vermont Avenue newcomer specializes in a more pork-centric Korean barbecue experience—albeit with the same meat quality, bounty of banchan and excellent prepared dishes as its older, critically acclaimed sibling across the street. 

Address: 955 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm

Time Out tip: If you’re ordering à la carte, order the tteokgalbi, or bulgogi-marinated short rib patties—romanized on the menu as “dduk galbi.” This dish isn’t available at most other Korean barbecue restaurants in Los Angeles. 

Address: 856 Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10:30pm

What is it? A no-frills Koreatown restaurant known for its dak galbi—a bubbling, stir-fried spicy chicken dish.

Why we love it: Also known as Mapo Chicken (at least if you go by the signage outside), Mapo Galbi’s transliterated namesake has made this no-frills restaurant run by ajummas (a.k.a. aunties) a back-pocket favorite among Angelenos for years—and it’s one of the best chicken dishes you’ll find in both Koreatown and L.A. as a whole. Meant to be eaten in groups of two or four, this fiery red family-style dish chock full of meat, rice cakes, perilla leaves and other vegetables can be spiced to your liking and modded out with cheese, udon noodles and extra vegetables. Make sure to save room for the fried rice at the end of the meal, which your server will make with the last of the skillet’s leftovers. There’s technically bulgogi and marinated pork belly on the menu, but I’ve never seen anyone order it here—stick to the dak galbi. 

Time Out tip: Skip if you’re a solo diner. There’s a two-order minimum for the galbi, which translates to a portion that can easily feed three.

Address: 1008 S St Andrews Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Opening hours: Daily 3–10pm

What is it? A more casual, pork-centric concept from the same team behind Park’s BBQ. 

Why we love it: This Vermont Avenue newcomer—which takes over the former Ong Ga Nae space—offers a more affordable, pork-centric Korean barbecue experience with the same meat quality, bounty of banchan and excellent prepared dishes as its older, critically acclaimed sibling across the street. Cheerful orange-and-white checkered tile tables serve as the backdrop for a reasonably priced à la carte menu that includes a phenomenal bowl of chilled spicy acorn noodles; delightfully chewy tteokbokki, served with one or more barbecue orders; and a few cuts of beef, including the same seasoned boneless short rib, tongue and brisket available at Park’s. The star of the show, however, is the thinly sliced frozen pork belly, a cut popular in South Korea. Paired with supplemental myeonglan paste (pollack roe) or the classic trio of spicy soybean paste, garlic and jalapeño, each lettuce or perilla-wrapped bite will transport you to Seoul.

Time Out tip: If you enjoy most types of Korean cold noodles, the spicy acorn noodle dish here is a must-order. 

Address: 936 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–11pm; Fri 3–11pm; Sat, Sun 1–11pm

What is it? A sprawling Koreatown restaurant that offers sleek interiors and cuts of beef that are dry-aged in-house. 

Why we love it: Located inside MaDang Courtyard, Jeong Yuk Jeom is one of my top choices for those in larger groups and conflicting dietary restrictions. For omnivores, the dry-aged beef offerings surpass most, if not all, of L.A.’s Korean barbecue restaurants in terms of juiciness and flavor. (Another bonus: Those who park in the on-site lot receive four hours’ free validation.) While the standard assortment of sides are good—not necessarily great—the exemplary “butcher’s pride” combos and show-stopping pressed beef tartare sushi make for an excellent high-end KBBQ experience. A few compelling plant-based options cater to vegans and vegetarians, including a stir-fried galbi platter that tastes almost exactly like the real thing. While you can also order meat à la carte, I recommend starting with Jeong Yuk Jeom’s signature family-style sets, especially any of the ones that include dry-aged prime rib eye.

Time Out tip: Craving dessert afterwards? MaDang Courtyard is also home to an outpost of SomiSomi (famous for its fish-shaped waffle cones of soft-serve) and Sul & Beans, which specializes in Korean-style shaved ice. 

Address: 621 S Western Ave #100, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–10pm

What is it? Celebrity chef Akira Back’s elevated Korean barbecue concept on the ground floor of the Beverly Center.

Why we love it: ABSteak offers a more refined take on Korean barbecue, complete with dry-aged steaks, house cocktails and attentive service more akin to a classic American steakhouse. The prices reflect this, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more elegant Korean barbecue restaurant with the same level of all-around consistency and quality at ABSteak. Think steamed egg soufflé topped with cheese and a tasty yukhea (beef tartare) prepared tableside and the splurge-worthy Fantastic 4—which combines A5 Wagyu, sea urchin, caviar and truffle into a single decadent bite. The house banchan, small selection of traditional soups and à la carte meat selections don’t disappoint, even if you’re intimately familiar with L.A.’s Korean barbecue scene. On my most recent visit, I enjoyed the snow flower kkotsal (boneless short rib), named for the cut’s snowflake-like marbling, and the always-trusty chadol. For dessert, the restaurant offers a few styles of refreshing sorbet in traditional Korean flavors and a battered, lightly fried honey rice cake with lemon cream cheese.

Time Out tip: If you’d like to try more than one or two cuts of meat, some of them are also available by the half order—just ask your server. 

Address: 8500 Beverly Blvd, Suite 111, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5:30–10pm; Fri, Sat 5:30–11pm; Sun 5–9pm

What is it? A no-frills, family-run Koreatown restaurant that specializes almost exclusively in duck.

Why we love it: There are only two barbecue restaurants in Koreatown that offer duck barbecue, and this is one of them. While I also love Dha Rae Oak—which also offers a smoked claypot duck along with roasted duck, pork intestines and a few other dishes—the sliced duck at Sun Ha Jang offers an intriguing amount of purist appeal. Aside from a rarely ordered clam and soybean stew, it’s the only dish on the menu. Priced at $49 per head, each meal comes served with lightly seasoned chives, pickled onions, a mixed green salad, bean sprouts and two kinds of kimchi. I like to trick out my duck with the add-on garlic cloves, which cook beautifully in the rendered duck fat that pools at the bottom of the grill. After your party has finished all the meat, an efficient server will use that same fat to crisp up the purple fried rice included at the end of every meal. 

Time Out tip: While the restaurant lists its closing hours at 9pm, last call is at 8:30pm—which means that’s the latest you can arrive and get served.

Address: 4032 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 4–9pm; Sat noon–1:30pm, 4–9pm

What is it? A pared-down homage to South Korea’s hanu beef that comes by way of Seoul. 

Why we love it: Despite the high price point and relatively minimalist meat and banchan offerings, this South Korean import manages to deliver in terms of refinement and quality sourcing for a special occasion. Unlike other KBBQ spots that put the diner in the driver’s seat, the staff at Daedo plays chauffeur, expertly cutting your rib eye, galbi and brisket and ensuring each diner gets perfectly grilled bite-sized pieces of meat. These days, the restaurant accepts reservations, but walk-ins can sip on the soju cocktails at the bar on busier weekend evenings to make that extra time evaporate into thin air. To round out the evening, order Daedo Sikdang’s signature fried rice, meant to be eaten after you finish grilling. Made with imported South Korean kkakdugi, or fermented radish, it’s a perfect penultimate course when topped with a fried egg before their refreshingly mild soft-serve ice cream for dessert. 

Time Out tip: To further supplement your meal, I recommend ordering the yukjeon—a mixed beef-and-egg omelet—or the Asian pear-studded beef tartare. The “exclusive” denjang porridge and cold noodle options will hit the spot if you’re craving rice porridge or noodles, but they’re not must-haves.

Address: 4001 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–3pm, 5–11pm; Fri 11am–3pm, 5pm–midnight; Sat 11:30am–midnight; Sun 11am–3pm, 4–11pm

What is it? A late-night Koreatown gopchang joint that’s gotten even busier since BTS, BLACKPINK and other major K-pop stars patronized the restaurant. 

Why we love it: Unlike its nearby sibling restaurants Quarters and Origin, this Sixth Street restaurant technically focuses on slightly more divisive offal cuts, but the current menu still serves plenty of the usual selection of beef and pork.The actual front door is hidden inside a parking lot, so if you’re coming in from the street you’ll need to walk down Harvard to actually enter the restaurant. The rowdy atmosphere, soju offerings and excellent sides—including thinly sliced sweet onions, boiled yellow sweet potato and chive kimchi—translate into a lively, booze-laced night out. Most importantly, the restaurant stays open until 1am on weekends, so you can grab a meal here after most other Korean barbecue restaurants have closed. 

Time Out tip: End your meal with the mountain tripe fried rice—which you can also top with a “cheese mountain” for a few dollars more. 

Address: 3744 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–midnight; Fri 11:30am–1am; Sat 11am–1am; Sun 11am–midnight

What is it? An exceptional wet-aged pork specialist hidden away on the second floor of a Koreatown strip mall.

Why we love it: This fairly under-the-radar South Korean import took me by surprise with its high-quality, house-aged pork selection, which includes belly, shoulder and jowl and unique banchan offerings. Every Sookdal outpost—there are other far-flung locations in Garden Grove and Las Vegas—adjusts the aging process for each batch to optimize the flavor and texture of the meat. A little visual card at each table explains the different ways to enjoy each bite of meat, from enjoying as is to adding wasabi and a pickled garlic leaf wrap. A fusion-style risotto in cream sauce also stands out among the handful of cooked dishes, but it’s not a must order. Each combo includes your choice of stew and cheese, which adds an extra dimension to each pork cut. Various cuts of beef are also available (and included in every combo), but you’re really here for the immaculately prepared pork—and those who appreciate all things bacon won’t be disappointed. 

Time Out tip: Bring a few bucks in cash if you want to park in the on-site lot.

Address: 356 S Western Ave #201, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 4:30pm–midnight; Sat, Sun noon–midnight

What is it? A homey all-you-can-eat strip mall joint in East Hollywood that delivers seriously great bang for your buck.

Why we love it: Located just north of Koreatown, Choeng Wun has been around since 1985—and beloved for its affordability and quality for just as long. The focal point of the no-frills dining room is the Sizzler-style green-tiled salad bar, which includes an array of housemade banchan, sliced fruit and jiggly cubes of Jell-O. The cafeteria-style array of meats and cooked items includes miyeokguk—a mild, comforting seaweed soup—and two kinds of sweet porridge, which I like to use as a comforting dessert. Prices start at $25 per head for three kinds of bulgogi and top out at $45, with discounts for children under 10 and weekday lunch. If you ask me, I recommend going for the highest price tier, which includes short rib, beef tongue, ribeye, pork jowl and the house galbi. Most days, the small, friendly staff will be more than happy to show you how to best enjoy your meats, from wrapping them in lettuce wraps to dabbing on a touch of soybean paste with slices of garlic and jalapeno. 

Time Out tip: Skip the ready-to-eat hot items like kimbap and tteokbokki if you’re ordering from the higher price tiers—these dishes will fill you up before you’ve even started grilling.

Address: 944 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–11:30pm; Sun 11:30am–10pm

Why we love it: The Corner Place lacks the lively, youthful atmosphere of the newer, more lively spots you’ll find in Koreatown, but the excellent cold noodles and affordable, relatively high-quality meat and seafood selection has kept this restaurant in business since 1982. The marinated galbi lacks the usual cloying sweetness, and while you can order any of the cuts here and leave happy, I would particularly recommend the beef tongue, boneless short rib and pork belly. The six or so banchan dishes offered are simple but well-made, and each meal includes a lightly dressed, fairly labor-intensive green onion salad that’s not available at every Korean barbecue joint these days. For drinks, diners can pick from sodas, soju and beer, plus complimentary barley tea (iced or hot, depending on the season). All of this translates into the kind of old-school KBBQ joint ideal for more casual meals and those nights when you don’t want to make a huge fuss of going out. 

Time Out tip: There’s limited on-site parking—so bring cash if you don’t want to circle the block for a spot.

Address: 2819 James M Wood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90006

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11am–10pm

What is it? The best seafood barbecue restaurant in Koreatown.

Why we love it: Compared to beef, pork or even gopchang, seafood barbecue is a little more expensive and niche–and also requires a bit more finesse when it comes to proper cooking and handling. This longtime mom-and-pop joint makes it easy with a staff that expertly grills the foil-wrapped clams, oysters, mussels and scallops that make up each meal. The only real way to dine at Jae Bu Do is to order one of the combo sets—the basic A set is enough for two. Each guest receives a heatproof glove to be able to grab each item off the grill when it’s ready. All combo sets include an airy steamed egg, crisp-edged scallion pancakes, sizzling cheese corn and a spicy chilled seafood salad. From there, the main event also features whole shrimp, baby octopus and a couple pieces of potato (which you’ll definitely need to get full). Upgrade to a B, C or D set to feast on rarer delights like abalone, which squirm in their shells before yielding tender meat when cooked; crunchy pieces of hagfish that taste best when anointed with well-salted sesame oil; and steamed lobster. I’ve tried other seafood barbecue options in Koreatown, but what really keeps me coming back to Jae Bu Do are the high-quality accompaniments, including the delicious, comforting bowl of hand-pulled noodle soup that ends each meal.

Time Out tip: Unless you order a few more items on the side, don’t expect to walk out of here feeling absolutely stuffed. 

Address: 474 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 2pm–midnight

What is it? A Korean barbecue restaurant with tapas-style portions and splurge-worthy tomahawk steaks alongside the usual combo sets.

Why we love it: If you’re dining alone, or you’d rather not wait hours for Korean barbecue, Woo Hyang Woo serves a short, focused menu with smaller tapas-style offerings, a large drink selection and typically little to no wait for a table on weekdays (or a fairly short one on weekends). It rarely draws the same crowds or hours-long delays associated with Chapman Plaza’s Quarters and Origin across the street, but the sleek-looking spot still offers a delicious, albeit banchan-lite, Korean barbecue experience. House dry-aged, high-quality cuts and tomahawk steaks (starting at $130) can be prepared tableside or cooked in the kitchen. In the latter case, sizzling platters come on a bed of softened, slightly charred white onions, a perfect, sharp accoutrement for every luscious bite of red meat. During lunch, you can also snag affordable soups, rice bowls and combo meals in the $10 to $15 range.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a no-frills KBBQ meal, Woo Hyang Woo even offers an unlimited beef brisket deal for $25 per person (which drops to $20 on weekdays before 4pm).

Address: 3429 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–1am; Fri, Sat 11:30am–2am; Sun 11:30am–1am

What is it? One of the best all-you-can-eat establishments in Koreatown—and the only such option in the neighborhood I can sincerely, wholeheartedly recommend. 

Why we love it: There’s a reason that Hae Jang Chon stays busy night after night, even with the plethora of AYCE options in the area: For $44 per person during dinner, and $38 during lunch, you won’t find a better combination of quality meats, well-made banchan and supplemental side dishes. Sure, there may not be Wagyu on the menu, but the short rib, beef tongue and spicy octopus here still satisfy my appetite after all these years and exposure to much higher-end KBBQ options—and I’ve been coming here for over a decade. For $5 more, you can add on a plate of lettuce and perilla leaves to make ssam, but the set price also includes corn cheese, kimchi pancake, soybean paste soup, radish wrap and unlimited green salad. At the end of your meal, save room to indulge in the kimchi fried rice, which a server will make with your leftover meat and banchan; it’s one of the best parts of dining here, and one of the many reasons why Hae Jang Chon stays on top. The wait can be punishing at peak dinner hours on the weekends, so you might want to grab a drink or snack nearby to break up the wait.

Time Out tip: If you’re craving a taste of Korean barbecue at home, Hae Jang Chon offers takeout and delivery. Each thoughtfully arranged combo meal includes meat, rice and a set of three banchan.

Address: 3821 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Thu 11am–midnight; Fri, Sat 11am–2am; Sun 11am–midnight