Posts tagged Korean food
Posts tagged Korean food
Restaurant Review : 8th St Live Fish Cuisine (Korean Sashimi) $$ *7 out of 10*
When I want Korean sashimi, I come here. It’s small, homey, and the owner is super friendly and often greets his customers at the tables. It’s reasonably priced, the fish is fresh, and the cooked food is quite decent.
Like all Korean sashimi places, ordering is easy. Small is $69.99, Medium is $89.99, Large is $119.99, and Special Large is $149.99. You pick according to the size of your party and on your hunger level and they will take care of the rest. If you’re not sure, ask your server. They will steer you the right way. For every combo, you get a choice of halibut sashimi (Koreans love halibut) or combo sashimi (I chose combo to break the monotony) along with a spicy fish stew. Then they will give you loads of side dishes which vary depending on the day…grilled mackerel, onion pancake, steamed egg, mussel soup, and some “banchan” to name a few. You will also get some extra sashimi that is only common in Korean places…sea squirt, baby octopus, and raw sea worms! Uni (sea urchin) and live abalone are always a welcome treat.
Hungry yet?
8th Street Live Fish Cuisine
3100 W 8th St #103
Los Angeles, CA 90005
Neighborhood: Koreatown
(213) 480-8585
Restaurant Review : Hansong Buffet (Korean buffet) $$ *6 out of 10*
Park your car around the back with valet and then enter through the magnificently traditional Korean gates of Hansong. Walk through their manicured garden complete with a man-made river and over the bridge to enter the buffet.
The buffet is large and clean and consists of a soup and salad station, a cold appetizer section, the warm meat section, the seafood section, the miscellaneous cooked section, a sushi section, and a dessert and ice cream section.
There’s plenty to eat but it’s a bit hit and miss. The Korean food is yummy, especially the Yuk Hae (Korean raw beef), the whole chili peppers with their awesome Sam Jang, their Kimchee, and their meats. The sushi counter could use a lot of work and is not something that I enjoy there at all. Their baked desserts are meager and dried-out but two thumbs up to their fresh fruit and soft serve + froyo machine!
Pricing is a bit stiff for what you get.
-Lunch is $16.95/person.
-Dinner is $25.95/person.
With so many delicious dining options in Ktown, I find it hard to pay the prices at Hansong for food that’s not always so consistent.
Hansong Buffet
1925 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90006
Neighborhoods: Westlake, Pico Union
(213) 386-1100
http://hansongbuffet.com
Restaurant Review : BCD Tofu House (Korean) $$ *7 out of 10*
Good ol’ BCD is always there for me; day and night, rain or shine…a 24 hour Korean tofu house…how can you not appreciate that?
With its convenient location on Wilshire in the heart of Koreatown, paired with some decent food, BCD has found its way into the lives of LA locals as a staple. Their organic tofu is good, but I think the key to this place are the side dishes.
BCD serves their kimchee fresh and adds oysters to it. I love oysters in my kimchee but unfortunately, you don’t see this around much anymore. Another crowd pleasure is the fried Yellow Corvina fish. It’s teeny tiny but it really is an unexpected treat to have as a side dish at a tofu house. The marinated squid with the random chunks of garlic is tasty and the water kimchee is refreshing. Oh, and the rice cooked in a stone pot is definitely a must. Pour some water in the stone pot after you scoop out all the rice and have yourself some burnt rice porridge to round off your meal.
BCD Tofu House
3575 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Neighborhood: Koreatown
(213) 382-6677
http://www.bcdtofu.com
Restaurant Review : Hae Jang Chon (AYCE Korean BBQ) $$ *8 out of 10*
All you can eat Korean BBQ on a stone grill. The stone grill is angled so that the fat and grease from the meat empties out into a tray through the hole. Every so often when the hole gets dirty and clogged the server comes by with a bowl of shredded daikon to clean out the grill. A few moments later your grill is ready to start cooking again.
For $16.99 you get unlimited choices of your various meats ( I recommend that you try the pork belly) + your wraps (lettuce, radish, tortilla, rice cake) + your side dishes including steamed egg, doenjang (bean paste soup) and kimchee fried rice! The kimchee fried rice is served at the end of your meal and should not be passed up so try and save some room.
Be prepared because HaeJangChon gets crowded and there are often long waits. But in my opinion, it’s worth it. The meats are good, the service is usually competent, and I love the way they slap on some bean sprouts and kimchee to cook on your grill.
Valet parking is $2.
Hae Jang Chon Korean BBQ Restaurant
3821 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Neighborhood: Koreatown
(213) 389-8777
http://www.haejangchon.com
Restaurant Review : SeongBukDong (Korean) $$ *8 out of 10*
I swear, my mom makes the best galbi jim that blows SeongBukDong out of the water; WAY far out of the water. But since my mom lives in Korea and she doesn’t have a restaurant I will just have to get my galbi jim fix here. It is what they’re known for and it’s pretty darn good, better than most places. And their Braised Mackerel is stinky and pungent, just the way it’s supposed to be. So while this doesn’t live up to mom’s cooking, (I mean, does it ever?) this little hole-in-the-wall gets high marks for serving up some good grubby fare.
SeongBukDong
3303 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Neighborhood: Koreatown
(213) 738-8977
Restaurant Review : Hashigo Korean Kitchen (Korean) *6.5 out of 10*
This is one of several places I always find myself at after spending the day at South Coast Plaza. It’s just down the street so it’s convenient, fairly healthy, and to me, it is comfort food so I’m drawn to it.
Hashigo is small and intimate with a bit of a barish type feel to it. It has some fusion selections like Korean tacos and burritos as well as some classics like bibimbap and fried rice. The food is a bit over-sweetened for my taste but I am in the OC where Asian foods are not at its most authentic. I usually opt for the Soon Tofu. It’s quite decent and helps soothe me from all the stresses of shopping!
On my last visit I am sad to report that we sat at our table for 25 minutes before the food came out. When we inquired, we were told that the cook had to re-make my order because he had gotten it wrong. Why does this always happen when you’re STARVING? At least we had some kimchee and potatoes to munch on while we waited.
Hashigo Korean Kitchen
3033 Bristol St #M
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 557-4911
www.hashigorestaurants.com
Home-Cooked Meals : Korean dinner
My mom decided to cook dinner for the family. I was in hand in help as the sous chef. Our 2 day long ordeal produced the following…
-Braised Perilla Leaves
-Home-made cabbage kimchee
-Fried Dumplings (Beef & Leek)
-Fried Shrimp
-Fried Cod
-Korean Leek Pancake
-Seasoned Soy Bean Sprouts
-Seasoned Knife-Cut Radish
-Seasoned Anchovy Fillets with Bell Pepper
-Braised Raw Peanuts
-Stir-Fried Anchovy Fillets
-Stir-Fried Small Whole Anchovies
-Grilled Teriyaki Ginger Chicken (not pictured)
-Sauteed Green Beans
-Kimchee that mom brought over from Korea; strong, spicy, and potent.
I wish I could have taken better pictures. I was able to take a few quick snaps while helping mom in the kitchen and these are what I was able to salvage.
Restaurant Review : Dong Il Jang (Korean) Ktown LA*8 out of 10*
Dong Il Jang has been around FOREVER , probably over 25 years because I remember it as far back. Nothing much has changed about it, except maybe the additional layers of grease that has accumulated over the years. The fountain with the Koi that I used to think was so fancy is still there by the entrance. The seats are the same and the servers still wear that brown aproned dress that stands out in my memory. The food is still good and so, Dong Il Jang’s legacy continues.
This is where we LA locals go to get Ros Gui; pan-roasted slices of rib eye Korean style. It’s grilled with butter at your table. And as you know, butter is the magic ingredient that makes everything better.
But to tell you the truth, the real reason I order the Roast Gui is because of the wonderful kimchee fried rice they make for you on the Gui griddle. This is what I’ve been waiting for all night; rice mixed in with Gui drippings, some meat trimmings, more butter and Kimchee! Paired with some Kimchee Jigae, I am one happy critic.
Restaurant Review : Dae Bok (Korean) K-town LA *7 out of 10*
This is the place for blowfish. It’s not a fancy place with pretty décor nor is it in the best neighborhood. It’s a place where you can have your Bok (Korean for blowfish) fix, pure and straight. For those not familiar with blowfish, it’s a clean, simple tasting fish that’s meaty with chewing texture. Yes, the fish itself is quite exotic but it does not have an exotic taste. It’s simple and satisfying.
We had the “Ji-ri” which is the blowfish in a clear broth with Korean vegetables and tofu cooked over an open flame at your table for $14.99. After you’re done with your fish and vegetables they use the leftover soup to cook you up some porridge, Korean style. This dish was healthy, tasty and it hits the spot. I would definitely get this again.
We also had the “bulgogi” style blowfish in the Korean red chili paste sauce. They grill the blowfish and serve it on a cast iron plate. The dish tastes like Korean pork ribs except that it is fish and not pork which makes it a great healthy alternative. My husband loves this one.
Of course you get your typical Korean sides but one side that does stand out is the Bok skin with watercress. The skin is chewy and a little jelly-like. It’s probably the most “exotic” thing you’re going to eat here.
Restaurant Review : Nak Won (Korean) Ktown *7 out of 10*
Hodori used to be crazy packed but when Nak Won opened their doors just next door, I was a bit skeptical. I am no longer skeptical. I find myself going to Nak Won more than I go to Hodori. The service is better, it’s cleaner, and it’s usually less crowded.
As for the food, it hits the necessary spots. It’s not the best but this is essentially Korean fast-food so I don’t expect more from it. It’s fast, cheap, easy, and open 24 hours.
Restaurant Review : O Dae San (Korean BBQ) Ktown LA *6 out of 10*
It’s another Korean BBQ restaurant that offers all-you-can-eat. Although here, you have the option of selecting a la carte items or meal options as well. I’ve been here twice and both times I’ve had the AYCE. For $9.99 lunch or $11.99 dinner, you can have AYCE pork and/or beef brisket. For $16.99 you can have a choice of 12 different meats and this is the one we always opted for.
Aside from the most attentive service I’ve ever had at a Korean BBQ restaurant from our server Mimi on our last visit, I have to say that our meal was very average. The sides are okay and the meat quality is just so-so. The restaurant itself is big with 2 floors but the aroma of Korean BBQ smoke fills the space from corner to corner. I felt like I was still wearing my dinner after I left!
Restaurant Review : Jae Bu Do (Korean Seafood Grill) Ktown, LA *4 out of 10*
Awh…I’m disappointed! I was looking forward to this but I’m not even sure if I want to go back. I LOVE seafood, and I love grilling; so grilling seafood on a charcoal grill is a plus+plus for me!
The dinner started off well enough. We had ordered combo #B for 3 adults and 2 kids for 69.99, which turned out to be plenty. My eyes popped open just from looking at all the seafood that was soon to be in my tummy. We started with the clams. They were great. After that, it was previously frozen scallops in about 4 different ways. Some of the scallops were gritty and I soon got sick of them. Everything else was decent (octopus, mussels, shrimp), and the sides were good. The cheese corn was really good and the kids loved it; that, and the steamed egg. But honestly, I would have given this place a 6 or 7 if it weren’t for the service.
The restaurant got packed so we weren’t really holding it against them that they never came to our table. We had to fend for ourselves with the hot shellfish-whatever! But what really upset us was that we had ordered Kal Gook-Su at the end of our meal. I am not exaggerating when I say that it took over 30 minutes for our noodles to come out! We were sitting there trying to have a conversation and ignoring the fact that we had been finished with our meal for a long time. After 20 minutes, we wanted to cancel our noodles but couldn’t wave anyone down to do so! It’s funny because I’m not one of those passive, serve-me-serve-me kind of diners, especially in a busy Korean place, but I seriously could not grab anyone’s attention!
So when the noodles finally came we didn’t want to eat it anymore. Besides, they were almost raw and clumped together. It would have taken another 10 minutes to cook them.
Restaurant & Spa Review : Crystal Spa in City Center. Koreatown LA *5 out of 10*
I love spa night with the girls. 2 of my closest girlfriends I and decided to check out the new Crystal Spa located upstairs inside the City Center to enjoy scrubs, massages and dinner after work.
We LOVED the fact that there were no kids. I’m sure when we have kids we’ll feel differently about this, but for now, it’s perfect. The place is small which I’m okay with. I found it comfortable and relaxing especially since there were very few patrons in attendance. Also, it was super-clean, immaculate!
From there on, things kinda’ went downhill. My “Body Polish & Aroma Massage” for $90 was sub-par. Let me preface what I’m about to write by saying that I receive massages very often and I’m very comfortable with the whole naked process. I don’t remember the name of my lady but she was extremely awkward. She kept trying to talk to me but she honestly did not make much sense and that was not due solely to a language issue. I told her I spoke Korean in KOREAN and she kept trying to speak really bad English to me which I responded to in Korean. Then finally, when I couldn’t understand what she was saying and needed clarification, she FINALLY realized that she could speak to me in Korean! The funny part is that my Korean is good. She just didn’t realize that I was speaking Korean until then! Weird. I told her that I like my massages deep and I have to admit, she tried. She basically used brute force but missed all the points and kept going over bone which left me in pain but deeply unsatisfied. I was actually sore and bruised for the next few days. She also kept rubbing her tits right into my face and while that may sound erotic it was actually quite unpleasant especially since her bra smelled a little like a stale, wet, rag.
After the massages, we went to the dining area to get some dinner. Food was overpriced and simply awful. I ordered the “Yook Gae Jang” (spicy beef soup) for $12. The soup was not so bad and would have been decent if the meat pieces were even edible. The meat was so tough that I ended up fishing it all out. Friend #1 ordered stir-fried spicy squid for $16. This was soggy and disgustingly greasy. Friend #2 ordered the Spicy Kimchee Tofu Soup and BBQ rib combo for $17. This was the worst of them all. This was not the silky tofu normally found in this dish. Instead, they used regular tofu that was cut into cubes. It basically tasted like a really bland and watery kimchee stew with a lot of tofu in it. She was also given a measly portion of ribs and they were tough, greasy and dry at the same time!
We MIGHT come back here but definitely not if we plan to include a meal. And of course I’ll make sure to try a different masseuse.
Restaurant Update 6.13.2011 : Toe Bang (Korean,bar) Ktown LA *7 out of 10*
I went by Toe Bang the other day to meet with my old-time friend over lunch. Toe Bang is not really a kind of place that I would think about going to during daylight hours, it’s more of a drinking place…or so I thought.
To my pleasant surprise, they have a little lunch special literally translated to “School-Bag Packed Lunch.” This consists of your choice of Bulgogi(BBQ Beef), BBQ Pork, Spicy Pan-Fried Squid, Spicy Pan-Fried Octopus, or Kimchee+Pork Stir-Fry and a choice of either Kimchee Jigae (stew) or DoenJang (beanpaste) Jigae. This comes with either white rice or “Jak Gop Bap (mixed barley rice)” topped by a fried egg and served in an old traditional tin. And of course, there are side dishes to accompany your meal. All this for $9.99! AND, if you’d like some iced coffee, it’s on the house!
Of course the food is not exactly at its finest. It’s saucy, oily, and sweet with disproportionate meat to sauce portions. In our experience, the doen jang was a lot better than the kimchee jigae so if you have to choose between the two, that’s the one to go for.
All in all, the patio was a pretty decent place to have a nice chill lunch. Besides, the nostalgic value + the price makes this lunch an affirmative in my book.
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Restaurant Review : Toe Bang (Korean,bar) Ktown LA *7 out of 10*
In my opinion this is one of the better drinking houses in Ktown. Located inside the action-packed Chapman Plaza, Toe Bang has an unpretentious quaint feel to it that makes it great for sharing a relaxing weeknight drink with friends.
The food is pretty good. I like their stews. I always end up getting the “Boo Dae Jji Gae” which is translated to “military-base stew.” This dish came about in the 50’s in war-torn Korea. Opportunistic entrepreneurs used to collect leftovers from American military bases and combine all the ingredients with some go-chu jang and make it into a stew. My dad tells me that it was amazingly delicious back in the day. He tells me that it was not totally uncommon to find a cigarette butt in your food but you would just pick that out and keep on eating; can’t be too picky when food was scarce. Now, it’s made consistently with spam, wieners, and ramen noodles. Guilty but yummy.
Last time I was there we had ordered a fish-egg stew along with some soju. The stew pretty tasty but it has sooooo much garlic in it that I felt like I was breathing it for days. The Boo Dae Jji Gae definitely yummier.
Toe Bang’s seating is mostly situated in a covered patio with wooden booths. This gives them the liberty to allow smoking “in” the restaurant. Although I’m not a smoker, and I usually hate joints that allow/sneak smoking I don’t mind it so much here. It ventilates pretty well and after a few drinks I don’t even notice.
Toe Bang
Chapman Plaza
3465 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(213) 387-4905
Happy Hour info:
Sunday through Thursday. All other days until 8PM.
50% off all Alcohol Beverages
