Korean BBQ Ritual
"Korean BBQ is a 2-hour communal dining experience where marinated meats are grilled at your table, accompanied by endless banchan (small side dishes like kimchi, pickled radish, and seasoned vegetables). Koreatown is a dense city-within-a-city in Mid-Wilshire with dozens of 24-hour K-BBQ restaurants. It's loud, smoky, interactive, and social. Leaving smelling like grilled meat is a badge of honor."
Logistics
Moderate
Vibe
Social, smoky
Duration
2 hours
Best For
Groups
The Backstory
Koreatown exploded in the 1970s-80s as Korean immigrants settled in the Mid-Wilshire area. It's now the densest Korean enclave outside Korea. K-BBQ became mainstream in LA in the 1990s-2000s, introducing Americans to DIY grilling. The all-you-can-eat format is uniquely American—in Korea, you order à la carte.
Local Secret
"Go with a group of 3-4 people to share grilling duties and maximize meat variety. Wrap grilled meat in lettuce leaves (ssam) with garlic, ssamjang paste, and banchan. Order galbi (short ribs) and bulgogi (marinated beef). Many spots are open 24/7—post-club K-BBQ at 2am is a LA ritual."