Eating in Koreatown is a whole experience, and the wide range of all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurants plotted on almost every corner of the community plays a huge part in that. With the many different tiers of KBBQ, AYCE doesn’t always get the praise it deserves because of the many traditional spots that are already so good.
This list is for those who want more, but are on a budget, and we get it because we’ve been there too. How else will we afford to eat our way through the rest of the neighborhood? Some of the best KBBQ you’ll have in Koreatown, and quite frankly all of Los Angeles, is just a quick grill change away. In no particular order, here are our top seven spots for Korean BBQ in Koreatown where quality isn’t compromised for quantity.
LA County establishments that offer indoor food and beverage service are required to ask vaccination verification of customers entering indoor portions of the business.
© Hae Jang Chon
Hae Jang Chon
3821 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
http://haejangchon.com/
(213) 389-8777
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Located in Serrano Marketplace with a well-earned four stars on Yelp thanks to its 5,000+ reviews, Hae Jang Chon is a prime spot for AYCE KBBQ. Your hesitation with AYCE might be due to the fact that you’re skeptical about the quality of meat you’re being served, but trust us when we say that you don’t have to worry about that here. Choose from their selection of top-shelf USDA Choice & Prime meat, from brisket and beef belly to marinated short rib and steak. Additional items on their menu include thin-sliced Canadian pork belly, an assortment of seafood, and a generous serving of kimchi fried rice topped with mozzarella cheese. Tip: Have cash-on-hand for valet parking if you want to save time.
Lunch (11am-3pm on weekdays, excluding holidays): $33.99 per person; Dinner (3pm-close): $39.99 per person Open Monday-Saturday from 11am-12am, and closed on Sunday
© Bulgogi Hut
Bulgogi Hut
3600 Wilshire Blvd #100c, Los Angeles, CA 90010
http://bulgogihut.com/
(213) 388-1988
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It’s not very often you find an AYCE KBBQ spot that accepts tables for one, but if you ever feel like going solo, Bulgogi Hut’s got you covered. Bulgogi Hut provides a fun, laidback experience with TVs playing K-Pop or sports around the restaurant and their extensive menu that their staff is more than happy to give you recommendations off of. Also, how often do you stumble upon an AYCE KBBQ happy hour? Only Available Monday-Friday from 11am-4pm (excluding holidays). So whether you’re coming alone or with a big group, you can savor all the goodness that includes their signature bulgogi, pork belly, and more.
Premium Menu: $41.99 per person; Deluxe Menu: $32.99 per person Open Sunday-Thursday from 11am-10pm, and Friday-Saturday from 11am-12am
© 7th Korean BBQ
7th Korean BBQ
698 S Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA 90005
https://www.instagram.com/7thkoreanbbq/
(213) 315-5699
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With their cheapest AYCE option priced at $27.99 per person, 7th Korean BBQ might just get you the best bang for your buck in Koreatown. While they are one of the newer kids on the block, as they just opened pre-pandemic, this mom-and-pop shop has done their part in making their visitors feel like they’re being welcomed into their home. You can easily miss it as it’s tucked in a small strip mall, but once you find it, the high-quality meat and freshly made banchan every day will easily have you adding it to your list of favorites. No, but seriously, follow their Instagram to see what owner Lisa is making—you might end up trying something not typically served every day or at more popular spots in Koreatown.
Combo A: $27.99 per person; Combo B: $35.99 per person Open 7 days a week from 11am-11pm
© Moodaepo
Moodaepo
3014 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005
http://moodaepobbq.com/
(213) 381-9990
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You’ve probably seen your favorite food blogger or Tik Tok influencer come here, but if you’re off social media, Moodaepo is right across the street from 7th Korean BBQ and has been changing the game for premium AYCE KBBQ spots. People from all over LA come for their food and drinks, and let’s just say this is the spot you want to take your friends to on a weekend (or a weekday) night out—their watermelon soju is served in a watermelon, so you’ll want your camera out for this. As if your dining experience here couldn’t get any better, if you come for lunch, you can enjoy their AYCE KBBQ and Shabu Shabu. Yes, you read that right, so tell everyone you know, and make your way over.
Option A: $29.99; Option B: $46.99 Open 7 days a week from 12pm-1am
© Oo-Kook Korean BBQ
Oo-Kook Korean BBQ
3385 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005
http://ookookkoreanbbq.top-cafes.com/
(213) 385-5665
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You might’ve already seen this spot featured on Buzzfeed, but regardless of if you have or not, you’re in for a treat. Oo-Kook is the type of place you bring your friends who haven’t tried KBBQ to, and they’ll love you forever for it. They have a great selection of meat, including thinly sliced brisket, pork jowl, spicy US Kobe beef belly, and garlic shrimp with a cajun kick for seafood lovers. The king oyster mushrooms and corn cheese are other menu items you definitely want on your table as well. There’s ample seating in this establishment, but there’s really no rush as Oo-Kook is of few that close later, and the meat isn’t going anywhere! Give yourself time to find parking or bring cash for valet parking in the lot.
Starting at $34.99 per person Open Monday-Friday from 5pm-1am, Saturday from 12pm-1am, and Sunday from 12pm-12am
© Brothers BBQ
Brothers BBQ
698 S Vermont Ave Ste 103, Los Angeles, CA 90005
https://www.instagram.com/alchemistcoffeeproject
(213) 388-8767
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When you come to Brothers, you’re going to want to eat all the banchan before your meat cooks, but good things really do come to those who wait. Brothers serves three tiers of AYCE, but you can’t go wrong with their cheapest AYCE option, Silver, as frequent visitors will agree that it’s worth it. This menu includes short ribs, spicy pork bulgogi, marinated chicken, marinated spareribs, and more. The marbling on the meat will have you drooling as it sizzles on your grill, and you’ll keep ordering more and more, but luckily, the relief that’ll hit you once you remember it’s AYCE is priceless.
Silver: $39.99 per person; Gold: $54.99 per person; Diamond: $69.99 per person Open Sunday-Thursday from 11am-9pm, and Friday-Saturday from 11am-10:30pm
© TGI Korean BBQ
TGI Korean BBQ
2585 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
https://www.instagram.com/tgikoreanbbq/
(213) 204-6404
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You’ve heard of TGI Fridays, but why wait for Friday when you can have KBBQ any day? And why worry about what outfit to wear because you’re scared it’s going to smell entirely like meat when you can just eat outside? There’s a right answer to both of these questions, and it’s TGI Korean BBQ, with it being open seven days a week and its spacious outdoor patio. Some of their AYCE menu offerings are ones you may not usually find at other AYCE KBBQ restaurants, such as wagyu beef belly, Louisiana cajun chicken, marinated rib finger, and dynamite scallop. The “From the Chef” portion of their AYCE options include braised beef ribs, spicy crab stew, cheese fondue, and more.
Special: $29.99; Premium: $37.99 Open Monday-Thursday from 5pm-11pm, Friday from 5pm-12am, Saturday from 11:30am-3pm / 5pm-12am, and Sunday from 11:30am-11pm
Let us know if we missed your favorite!
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