Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, Koreatown, Los Angeles, California, United States – Restaurant Review | Condé Nast Traveler

cuisine

Korean

So, what can you tell us about this place?
Don’t expect to leisurely stroll into Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, a KBBQ icon; on weekends especially, be prepared to wait. But once you enter this palace of pork, you’ll be wowed. The space is always bustling, with large tables huddled around sizzling built-in grills. It’s a celebratory vibe any night of the week.
What’s the crowd like?
It’s a boisterous crowd of K-Town locals prepping their bellies for the 24/7 nightlife of the neighborhood.
Nice. Start us off with a drink, then—what’s good here?
Korean beer (including Hite) and soju help cut through the unctuous, fatty grilled meats.
Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—what do they do especially well here?
There’s a reason for those ridiculous wait times: the quality of the meats here is nearly unrivaled. Be sure to order a side of dosirak, essentially a lunch box of rice, egg, pickles, and all sorts of goodies shaken tableside. The banchan are also top-notch, as is the cheesy corn, a KBBQ staple.
How’s the service?
KBBQ joints are rarely known for fussy service, so don’t expect to be coddled. But the servers here are incredibly attentive in managing your flame and your feast—and that’s what you’re here for anyway.
So why would you recommend this KBBQ joint in particular?
This is a solid introduction to KBBQ: just rugged enough to be exciting, but also polished and consistent. It’s also a great way to kick off a night of drinking in K-Town.