Jinsol is a cozy, down-to-earth restaurant with the sweetest aunties as servers. I recently visited…read morewith my family for my mom's birthday. We started with a tasty leek pancake. My mom and I ordered the short rib soup, which was flavorful and delicious. We were pleasantly surprised by the added greens. My siblings ordered the pork soup, which was packed with umami. We arrived at 6:30pm on a Saturday. By 7pm it was packed. Free parking was a plus!

Food was okay overall, but the shredded beef with cabbage was definitely the best thing we ordered…read more That was my favorite dish of everything we tried. Service was okay. Before we ordered, they asked us about 3 times within about 5 minutes if we were ready, and we kept having to say that we still needed some time to decide . Once we ordered and our food came out, though, they pretty much disappeared and never checked in on us again lol. The ambiance was alright, but it was a little hot inside. It was also surprisingly busy for a Tuesday afternoon. Overall, it was an okay experience. The shredded beef with cabbage was the standout for me, but nothing else really wowed me.

The BEST chicken soup in the whole world! No noodles, cous cous instead. And there's bone marrow in…read moreit too- which is sooooo good! It's a fairly small portion, but it's very cheap, so you can get two portions for a reasonable price and it will fill you up! My go-to when I'm sick! It just hits the spot!! Definitely recommend!!!

Bone broth chicken soup was very unique but very tasty. I loved the freshness of the chicken!…read moreBread was also amazing!

Back after 8 years with an extra star this time!…read more We stopped by Sunday at 11am and were seated immediately. I would recommend coming early because the line grew exponentially after that! The table shared a M bossam and two soups and it was plenty of food! I loved the clam kalguksu - the broth was lighter with a pepper-y kick and a generous portion of clams. The chicken kalguksu was more viscous and the soup was on the saltier side. Obviously the bossam was a table fav and we especially enjoyed the white kimchi! Overall, good food though service was a hit or miss. Definitely interested in trying the large $80 serving size for the noodle dishes lol! Street parking or valet

Absolutely fantastic! They have valet but we managed with…read morestreet parking. The line was long but went really fast. It's probably due to them taking your order while in line so that almost as soon as you sit down your food arrives. The banchan was really good especially the green one which I think was mustard greens. We order the Bossam (medium) and Spicy Seafood Kalguksu The Bossam was delicious but maybe a bit too much fat for my taste but I think that's just personal preference. What totally blew us away was the spicy seafood kalguksu. The broth was so savory and the noodles were silky and bouncy. Definitely getting this again but my hubby might do his with extra spice. The portions are huge so meant to be shared and you will have leftovers. The only thing they were stingy with was napkins. I might have to bring my own Kleenex next time.

Joy is Pine & Crane's sister restaurant located right in the heart of Highland Park. They have a…read moreseparate window for takeout orders and then you order inside if you want to dine in. Their menu is stacked with Taiwanese comfort food classics. Wifey and I opted to share the Joy Combo which comes with a cold appetizer, side of soup, a scallion bread sandwich, and a shaken iced tea. We ended up getting a Sweet & Sour Soup, Wood Ear Mushrooms, and a Scallion Bread Sandwich with Five Spice Beef. Everything tasted amazing and it was a great meal to start off our day. There is a reason why this spot has over 2,000+ positive reviews!

tl;dr the Americanized, vegetarian-friendly Taiwanese street food is more approachable than…read moredelicious; don't miss the thousand-layer pancake, but skip the dan dan noodles One of the most popular restaurants in Highland Park, Joy is the second restaurant behind the mind of Taiwanese-American Chef Vivian Ku. At Joy, Ku delivers a menu of Taiwanese fast-casual fare similar to its sister restaurant (and Michelin-recognized) Pine & Crane. Here, the modern menu of Americanized Taiwanese comfort food feels infinitely more approachable than the dense novels at traditional Chinese banquet halls. Joy is set up on a busy corner of York. Enter to join the queue before a backlit menu board. The cold salad selection is illuminated within the trim deli case. Sturdy wooden stools are pressed up against two-seater tables, while a cushioned half-booth runs along the back wall. Vaguely rural pan-Asian knick-knacks decorate the off-white walls. As the sun sets, the warm lighting feels infinitely more moody. The loud chatter, dance music, and clanging of metal silverware feel more like a bar than a fast-casual Chinese restaurant. My finacee and I visited for an early weekend dinner, and we arrived to a full house. We kicked off our meal with a slice of Sesame Scallion Bread. The puffy triangle was a cross between a hoagie bun and a King's Hawaiian roll. It was neutral and dry by itself, but we enjoyed pairing it with chili oil. Across the rotating sides, we were drawn to the Wood Ear Mushroom and Lotus Root salads. Of the two, we preferred the chewy, oily 'shrooms, but the apple-like texture of the chili lotus root slowly grew on me. My fiancee's favorite dish was the Thousand Layer Pancake with egg and cheese. The piping-hot rolls achieved the crispy-yet-oily combo that most fried dishes only hope to reach. Lastly, the Dan Dan Noodles were creamy but lacked depth of flavor. The Jidori chicken supplement was fine, but I found myself wanting spicy mala and minced pork. The service team worked together like clockwork, and the bill approached $40. Broadly, Joy felt like an Americanized, vegetarian-friendly take on Chinese comfort food. The entire meal was generally enjoyable, and my fiancee firmly swore that Joy exceeded her experience at Pine & Crane. Nonetheless, the flavors and textures (while familiar to the American palate) felt subdued; I'll be more likely to stick to the SGV stalwarts in the future.

Luna was the best! She had great service and gave us the best recommendations. Food was tasty and…read morethe interior was super nice. Would come back again. 10/10 recommend!

Great food! Super rich. Came out quickly, and the service was great! Loved the Sun Nong Dan Guk Bapread more

In LA's Koreatown, I visited LEE GA -- a place where the flavors settle in quietly but linger long…read moreafter the meal. I tried their seokgalbi, jaengban naengmyeon, ugeoji galbitang, and handmade dumplings. LEE GA is known as a K‑Town favorite for its clean, home‑style Korean cooking, steady broths, and classic flavors. With a gentle, understated profile, it consistently ranks high on Yelp for its honest, balanced dishes. The house‑made kimchi is incredibly delicious. Seokgalbi : Clean, non‑sweet marinade A grilled flavor that comes through even without a tabletop grill Ugeoji Galbitang : Big, tender short ribs + soft ugeoji The fresh, leafy flavor and doenjang‑based broth naturally balance the richness of the ribs Jaengban Naengmyeon : Plenty of meat and vegetables for a full, satisfying bite Truly worthy of being called LEE GA's signature Handmade Dumplings : Filled generously but still light Great pairing with any broth‑based dish

Service was great, ambiance was great, food was just okay…read more The mul nangmyun was okay, bibim nangmyun was okay. The hot tea was luke warm at best. I don't have a picture of the guk bap but I think that was our favorite!

Marugame Monzo really knows how to make a great bowl of udon! The noodles have that perfect chewy…read moretexture that makes them so satisfying, and there's a nice variety of dishes to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for something rich and creamy or a more traditional bowl of udon with a flavorful broth, there's something for everyone. The Ankake Mushroom Udon with seafood was my personal favorite. It's generously loaded with mushrooms, giving the dish a deep, earthy flavor, while the seafood adds another layer of savory richness without overpowering the mushrooms. The combination is beautifully balanced, with the delicate flavors of the seafood complementing the earthiness of the mushrooms. It's a wonderfully satisfying bowl with plenty of depth and character. The Miso Carbonara Udon is easily a standout. It was incredibly rich and creamy, with a velvety sauce that beautifully coated the thick udon noodles. It definitely leans indulgent, but the savory miso gives it a wonderful depth of flavor that elevates it beyond a Japanese interpretation of creamy pasta. It's an excellent choice for anyone craving something decadent and comforting. The Beef Udon is much more straightforward, but in the best possible way. Tender beef, fresh scallions, thick udon noodles, and a warm, savory broth come together in a bowl that's both simple and deeply comforting. It's the kind of uncomplicated dish that allows you to appreciate the noodles themselves rather than having their flavor overshadowed by a heavy sauce. The restaurant itself is casual, cozy, and unpretentious, with an open view into part of the kitchen that gives it a little extra character. It's almost always busy, which initially makes the line look more intimidating than it actually is. However, the turnover is impressively efficient. We visited on a Friday evening and waited less than 10 minutes before being seated. Needless to say, this probably isn't the place I'd choose for a quiet, leisurely dinner since the dining room can get pretty lively when it's full, but that honestly feels like part of its charm. There's something inviting about the bustling atmosphere, the comforting bowls of udon, and the simplicity of a restaurant that lets its food speak for itself. Come hungry, expect a crowd, and don't let the line discourage you!

We ordered over the phone for pick up. My boyfriend went to pick up the food…read more I was craving udon. As a vegetarian, I really enjoyed my veg udon. It was the only vegetarian option but it was creamy and hearty. I loved it. My boyfriend was surprised by how good their udon is.

Popped in for dinner in 420 to have a beautiful dinner to end the holiday Monday…read more When the woman that works there says it's a lot of food, believe that woman. Although, we were very happy to take some leftovers. Spicy (not spinach) Tofu and pork stew was amazing and I highly recommend sharing the short rib stew with a friend. Fire homemade kimchi

food: we got the super thick bean paste soup and seafood pancake! the soup was a bit too salty…read morehowever the flavor was very strong and savory. the pancake however had too little seafood and more vegetables instead. the pancake was too oily, but it had a nice crisp to it service: the services was really fast for a friday night and the server was really kind ambiance: warm lighting + very clean, minimalistic! it's not loud or chaotic so you can actually hold a conversations with friends or family

I have to laud this place for it's natural authenticity and impeccable service standards. Staff are…read morefriendly and go above and beyond - thank you Gabriel! And I especially appreciate them for offering an ASIAN BREAKFAST beginning at 8am. I LOVE rice porridge and the presentation of this dish is like a warm hug. Beautiful condiments including a delicious savory egg omelet, cucumbers, pickled radish, mushrooms, tofu - a very healthy start to the day for just $16! Truly a great establishment and love their family friendly vibe.

We loved the SERVICE most of all! The FOOD hit the spot as far as comfort food. So many yummy stuff…read moreto choose from!

Had a great experience at Sulga House of Beef Bone Soup…read more Their beef bone soup is simple, clean, and really solid, the kind of comfort food that just hits right for the soul. They currently have a great deal at $12, which makes it even better value for what you're getting. The sullungtang comes with rice, soup, and two types of kimchi. Service was friendly and efficient, and the whole experience felt easy and satisfying. Place was chill, not too overly crowded. I've noticed a lot of people ordering other dishes every time I go, so I'm definitely looking forward to trying more of the menu, but I keep coming back for the basics because it's just that good.

Sulga was definitely THE place to be for a warm bowl of bone broth on a rainy night. My friend and…read moreI stopped by for doganitang (for two), and the portions were indeed large - for four. We also added beef brisket since my friend wasn't a big fan of cartilage - more for me! The pot itself wasn't too deep, though there was a good portion of protein cartilage. Also important to note that rice was NOT included! The brisket add on came as a pre-cooked brisket that was added in after, as it didn't initially fit in the pot. The staff member told us at the time that broth refills were free. However, when it came time for refills, they said it was only one time - poor communication. Paying was fairly straightforward, but for future visits, I'd likely just come for their lunch special sullongtang after this experience.