Smoke ‘Em Out: Taste KTown’s Best BBQ
It just wouldn’t be summer without the tantalizing aroma of barbecue wafting in the breeze. LA’s KTown has become synonymous with BBQ, and lucky residents of The Pearl are just a short distance away from some of the best Korean restaurants outside of Seoul. We’ve smoked out some of our favorites, from sleek urban eateries to traditional grills and all-you-can-eat feasts. Feel like staying in? Take a cue from The Pearl’s very own KBBQ – two BBQ counter tops overlooking the pool deck, conveniently located near the Club Room for easy access and amazing views.
4001 W 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Daedo Sikdang is an exciting addition to Koreatown BBQ scene. An offshoot of a beloved ribeeye steakhouse in Korea with a storied history, this high-end barbecue spot. proudly serves Certified Angus Beef® Prime, specially selected to be the highest quality; amazingly tender, incredibly juicy and full of flavor. Certified Angus Beef® Prime has passed 9 more stringent quality standards than USDA Prime for exceptional quality. Daedo Sikdang offers a variety of cuts served tableside with precision. Complement your meal with a selection of Signature cocktails and artisanal Soju.
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,” with crispy rice on the edges. Now that’s something to quack about!
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. 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).
3330 W Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
One of LA’s longest running Korean barbecue restaurants, Chosun Galbee is a unique and sumptuous dining experience nestled in the heart of Ktown. Serving a range of authentic Korean dishes, the menu includes Angus prime sirloin steaks, beef, chicken, pork, shrimp and noodle soup, as well as crab, pan-fried fish, black codfish and prime rib. Chosun Galbee offers a garden-like open-air dining area and indoor dining.
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.
3385 W 8th St.
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 in a 2-story venue complete with table grills. 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, mushroom & vegetables, and green onion salad.
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.
3435 Wilshire Blvd #123
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Gangnam-style or LA-style? Have your Bulgogi your way. The former is lightly marinated and slightly sweet, while the later is more heavily marinated. Gwang Yang BBQ offers authentic Korean BBQ upholding 3 generations of family tradition. The menu is highlighted by a special taste of beef grilled over black oak charcoal from Mt. Baegunsan, a sacred mountain in South Korea, In addition to their signature Bulgogi dishes, the restaurant offers a selection of appetizers, fish, soups, noodles and stews.
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.
4177 W 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Located in the heart of Koreatown, Ten-Raku was listed as one of 2015’s “Top 15 Korean BBQ restaurants to try right now” in LA Eater and “The 14 Must-Try” Korean BBQ Joints in LA Magazine in 2017. Although argely known for their selection of the quality meats, such Kobe style premium short ribs, USDA Prime short ribs, and USDA prime skirt steak, you’ll also find dishes such as Nakji Bokkeum (spicy marinated octopus with assorted vegetables in hot pot), Mul Nengmyun (cold noodle soup), and traditional Korean stews such as Kimchi Jjigae (kimchi stew), Doenjang Jjigae (Korean-style spicy miso soup), and Galbi Tang (short rib soup).
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Daedo Sikdang
Photo #2: Daedo Sikdang
Photo #3: Sun Ha Jang
Photo #4: Jeong Yuk Jeom
Photo #5: Chosun Galbee
Photo #6: Kang Ho-Dong Baekjeong
Photo #7: Oo Kook Korean BBQ
Photo #8: Park’s BBQ
Photo #9: Gwang Yang BBQ
Photo #10: Soot Bull Jeep
Photo #11: Ten-Raku