Best Korean BBQ in Los Angeles: Koreatown Guide

Koreatown, just west of Downtown, has dozens of Korean barbecue restaurants within a few square miles. You grill marinated and unmarinated meats at your table, and the meal comes with banchan, the small side dishes that keep arriving. This list covers five places that show the range: a high-end beef specialist, a lively late-night spot, an old-school charcoal room and a garden patio. We checked addresses and hours in October 2026. Some sites were unreachable, so call ahead where we note it.

It is part of our best restaurants in Los Angeles guide. For other meals, see our best tacos and best brunch lists.

The list

Park’s BBQ

Park’s BBQ has been on Vermont Avenue since 2003 and is the place many locals pick for a special meal. It serves USDA Prime beef, and the cuts are the focus. Prices are higher than at all-you-can-eat spots, so order a few cuts to share rather than a big platter per person. It is open from about 11am to 10pm. Book or arrive early on weekends.

Baekjeong

Baekjeong is a busy, loud grill house that suits groups. The Koreatown location is now at 3429 W 8th St; older listings may still show its former address on 6th Street, which has closed. It is open from 11:30am to midnight on weekdays and from 11am to midnight on weekends. Staff usually cook the meat at the table for you. Its official site blocked our checks, so confirm hours by phone or on a map listing.

Soot Bull Jip

Soot Bull Jip at 3136 W 8th St is known for grilling over real charcoal rather than gas, which gives the meat a smoky flavor. The dining room is simple and smoky; dress accordingly. It is open from about 11am to 10pm and closed on Wednesdays, but hours were hard to confirm, so call ahead.

Quarters

Quarters is in Chapman Plaza at 3465 W 6th St, a historic building with several restaurants and bars around a courtyard. It serves smaller portions so you can try more cuts. It is open from about 11am to midnight and until 2am Thursday to Saturday, which makes it a good late option. Its website was unreachable when we checked, so confirm hours before you go.

Chosun Galbee

Chosun Galbee at 3330 W Olympic Blvd has a large patio and a long history in Koreatown. It is a good choice for galbi, marinated beef short ribs, and for groups that want a calmer, sit-down meal. It is open Wednesday to Monday from 11am to 10pm and closed Tuesdays.

How Korean BBQ works

Ordering

Most places price meat by the plate. Order two or three kinds of meat for a group to start, then add more if you are still hungry. Common choices include:

• Galbi: marinated beef short rib.
• Bulgogi: thinly sliced marinated beef.
• Chadol: thin slices of brisket that cook in seconds.
• Samgyeopsal: thick-cut pork belly.
• Kkotsal or deungsim: unmarinated beef cuts.

Many restaurants also offer combination sets for two or more people, which are an easy way to try several cuts.

Banchan and sides

Banchan arrive at the start of the meal: kimchi, pickled vegetables, salads and more. They are usually refilled if you ask. Many places also serve rice, egg, stew or cold noodles as add-ons or with sets. Cold noodles, called naengmyeon, are a common way to finish.

Grilling

At many restaurants, staff grill for you or will help if you ask. If you grill yourself, cook unmarinated meats first and marinated ones later, since sugar in marinades burns and dirties the grill. Wrap meat in lettuce with a little ssamjang, a spicy bean paste, and garlic.

Getting to Koreatown

Koreatown sits along Wilshire Boulevard between Downtown and Mid-Wilshire. The Metro D Line stops at Wilshire/Vermont, Wilshire/Normandie and Wilshire/Western, which puts most of these restaurants within a walk or short ride. The B Line also stops at Wilshire/Vermont. Parking is tight and many restaurants use valet, so transit or rideshare saves time. See our LA Metro guide.

When to go

Lunch is the quietest time at most of these restaurants, and some offer lunch specials. Weekend evenings from about 7pm are the busiest, with waits at popular places. Going later in the evening at the places open until midnight is another way to skip the rush.

If you do not eat meat

Korean barbecue centers on meat, but the meal is not only meat. Banchan include many vegetable dishes, and menus often have stews, pancakes, rice dishes and noodles. Seafood is common too. Ask your server which dishes are made without meat or meat broth, since many stews use a beef or anchovy base.

Make a night of it

Koreatown stays busy late, with karaoke rooms, bars and dessert cafes near most of these restaurants. Chapman Plaza, where Quarters is, has several bars and places to eat in one courtyard. For more ideas, see our Los Angeles nightlife guide and our neighborhood guide.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best Korean BBQ in Los Angeles?

Koreatown has the most choice. Park’s BBQ is a top pick for prime beef, Baekjeong for a lively night out and Soot Bull Jip for charcoal grills.

Is Korean BBQ in LA all you can eat?

Some places are, but the ones on this list price by the plate or by set. All-you-can-eat spots are cheaper and often use less expensive cuts.

Which Korean BBQ places in LA are open late?

Baekjeong is open until midnight, and Quarters stays open until 2am Thursday to Saturday.

How do I get to Koreatown without a car?

Take the Metro D Line to Wilshire/Vermont, Wilshire/Normandie or Wilshire/Western. The B Line also stops at Wilshire/Vermont.

What should I order the first time?

Start with galbi, the marinated short rib, plus chadol brisket and samgyeopsal pork belly. Between them you get sweet, thin and fatty cuts, and you can add more once you know what you like.

Do Korean BBQ restaurants cook the meat for you?

At many places staff will grill for you or help. Just ask.

Official sources: Park’s BBQ; Baekjeong; Quarters Korean BBQ; LA Metro; Discover Los Angeles.

Photo credits

Featured image: Jo Hanshin / Wikimedia Commons, CC0