The hospitality at Baroo was amazing! The staff was incredibly attentive, detailed, and genuinely caring. If you're celebrating a special occasion, they make it feel extra special with a personalized card and even add your celebration to the top of the menu, which was such a thoughtful touch. They offer a set tasting menu with optional changes, along with wine or non-alcoholic pairings and individual drink options. Everything we tried was delicious, delicate, and beautifully presented. The pacing of the dishes was perfect and never felt rushed, so we were able to really enjoy the whole experience. The staff was super friendly and welcoming, and the ambiance was intimate and comfortable without being too crowded or loud. Overall, such a thoughtful dining experience from beginning to end. Would definitely come back again! read more

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First off, I wouldn't describe Baroo's menu as traditional Korean cuisine. I'd say it's more accurately described as dishes with Korean influences, ingredients, and flavors rather than what you might typically think of as Korean food. They offer a seasonal tasting menu ($140) that changes throughout the year and beverage pairings (even a non-alcoholic beverage option). While I genuinely liked everything we were served, I agree with some of the other reviews that there wasn't necessarily a standout "wow" dish. That said, everything was thoughtfully prepared and plated, overall enjoyable. My biggest complaint was that I left feeling a little hungry... The restaurant itself is really cute and has a nice atmosphere that would be perfect for a date night. One detail I thought was a nice touch: if you let them know you're celebrating a birthday or anniversary, they'll print a personalized message on the menu, like "Happy Anniversary, Name & Name" or "Happy Birthday, Name." Such a nice little touch! Overall, I had a great experience and would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a light meal with a quiet, modern, Korean-inspired dining experience. read more

The Good: - Service/hospitality was good, the pacing and timing of dishes was great. - Simple to get a reservation. - Integrated occasion into meal. - I don't think the cost is actually that expensive compared to other options in LA. This remains a core tenet of the restaurant's direction. Of course, this is subjective to your means. The Subjective: - A member of the staff threw the host under the bus because initially we came with a stroller and were seated in a "bad" location due to the layout of the space and then had to move. Okay, that's not really a problem and I can't speak to the dynamics of any staff but there's nothing wrong with saying "We made a mistake, can you please..." instead of what was said. - The FAQ changed their children policy between when I made the reservation and when we dined, as alluded to above our child did start crying and we were asked to calm them down. The previous policy was a bit more forgiving (specifically mentioning the reduced tasting menu for children and bring whatever food they need if they're under 2 (alluding to milk or snacks)) and now the wording leans toward a bit more toward we don't care as long as they participate in the tasting menu. Okay, we did with no further incidents for the remainder of the meal. My bad, just sucks it happened in the in between and affected other patrons. The Disappointment: - No dish was a real showstopper or stood out. We opted for all the meat options and every supplement except for the salmon. I felt that the meat dishes were actually the weakest. - I had the pleasure of dining at the East Hollywood location back in 2016. My multiple experiences there are probably biasing me but that location and style is not what the current incarnation of Baroo entirely represents or what you will get. It's not even the pricing or the simplicity of the previous location, I just expected more experimentation. Yes, it's more refined but I was hoping for more fermentation roots. However, I still rate this high out of a deep respect for how far it's come and the relative rarity of experiencing the prior incarnation. Maybe it's just the impossibility of pining for nostalgia. This is not a knock on either chef and most especially not chef Kwang, his journey is a very long one with many challenges. read more

So lucky to have come here for my birthday!! Chic vibe-y space filled with young adults who enjoy a good meal. Excellent service and attentive staff that introduce each dish. As for the food, I never would've thought that at my age there would be a meal where there are flavors I haven't tasted before. Each course was beautifully and thoughtfully prepared and presented delightfully. I hope to visit again! read more

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So fortunate to have attended the Baroo-The Catbird Seat "Friend's in Town" Collaboration which was a well coordinated, powerful unification of two formidable culinary forces to create a seamless, smooth, memorable experience. The staff at Baroo are professional, kind, responsive, and the Sommelière was most hospitable. Her specialized knowledge in adroitly pairing Western wines to Korean inspired fermented dishes and fermented dishes in general really upped the already heady Menu Dégustation. Since the menu was just a brief outline of each course, and verbal explanation of the dishes was fleeting, I'm going to have to make educated guesses. [B for Baroo and CB for The Catbird creations.] 1) Amuse Gueule: B&CB a) Croustade: Very thin, crunchy, leathery, dry pastry cup filled with sour cream cheese & country ham b) Crab Aebleskiver: Round ball of donut batter, green onion aïoli c) Baroo Yuhkoe (yook hoh ee) Tartlette: Mussel, rubid, raw ground beef, soy sauce, Gochujang, strong green, diesel taste of possibly dill, topped with Kaluga caviar. d) Dduk Galbi Sool Bbang: Steamed then fried fruity, sweet rice flour cake. Teri Yaki tasting chewy beef. Excellent very fragrant, earthy, black truffle for this time of year. 1a) Champagne: L'Échappée Belle, Étienne Calsac, Blanc de Blancs. Bit sweet, refreshingly acidic-sour, chalky. Apricot peachy, touch of funky earth. 2) Chicken Wing CB: Deboned and stuffed with puréed chicken meat. The skin seems basted in sweet soy sauce. Pickled green strawberry & apricot. Addicting bull's eye of Kōji/Noorook fermented, kicky hot sauce accentuated the meatiness. 2a) Gewürztraminer Traminer: Altenberg Wolxheim, Alsace Grand Cru 2020: Waxy, resiny, acidic, bitter, white raisin, dry apricot taste, dry, sweet, citron, fruit cakey. 3) Black Cod B: Soft plush, fatty rich, buttery white flesh, contrasting chewy skin. Sansho/sichuan pepper, blk bean earthiness, red chile oil; Chungju/rice Sakè Beurre Blanc. 3a) Akoibon: Unfiltered, meaty, very cherry, cranberry, chalky, acidic. There is a playful freshness that reminds me of cider. 3b) Ikewin: Gran Canaria, España 2022: Damask rose, bitter, bright red berries, cherry, rough acid, touch ammonia. High altitude and in volcanic soil. 4) Brandt Beef Short Rib B&CB: Beefy, sayisfying sweet soy sauce Bul Galbi with beef and vividly earthy burdock root essence au jus. Quenelle of White Gimchi sweet, regular cabbage. Side dish of soft Pastille of "fruit Miso"; American style cucumber pickle; pickled sweet garlic scape. Sweet pickled, firm possibly apricot. Garnish of nasturtium & possibly sesame leaf. Toasted, crispy sea funky green Nori paper over a bowl of short grain rice inflected with flecks of wild mountain greens. 4a) Burja Slovenia 2022: Intriguing purple, violet hue. Sour cherry, moth ball, touch barnyard bouquet. Deep red fruits, earthiness. 5) Dessert CB: Ying Yang pattern half of which is Donut peaches, makrut lime vanilla ice cream, and the other aerated sour yogurt. Cube of lush overripe mango; Garnish of woodruff and peach blossoms. Rustic ceramic tea cup of sweet, Makrut and apricot seed infusion. 5a) Zantho: Beerenauslese Scheurebe, Burgenland, 2022: Cousin to the German Auslese with heady fragrance of pineapple-lychee and, alluring youthful armpit mustiness. Smooth, dulcet, lush peach, apricot with counter vailing acidity. Chef Kwang Uh of Baroo and Chefs Andy Doubrava and Tiffani Ortiz, and their crews created happy cuisine. Love for their food and love for each other created by working together really shined through in their celebratory meal. Kansamida and Thank Y'all for a mission well accomplished. 5+ Stars!!! read more

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Came here with a friend who was interested in giving it a try. The restaurant was busy and filled up quickly after we were sat down for our 6PM reservation. Their only option is a tasting menu at $140/person with premium options for additional cost and a large alcohol menu. I went for the upgrade for the tartlet appetizer and my friend picked salmon for the protein as she couldn't eat beef. I particularly enjoyed the rice they served with the protein along with the buckwheat noodles we shared that had a similar seaweed seasoning on both. Overall a nice experience and not intimidating at all as a fancy set menu restaurant. Great paid parking right next to the restaurant. read more

Baroo - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I'm not at all a fine dining eater, but we wanted to do something different. Managed to snag last minute 6pm reservations on a Saturday night and they accommodated my dietary restriction beautifully (I don't eat beef). What I do love about tasting menus is that it's a way to try many different things and see if you'll like a new food or a new way of eating something you're already familiar with. At 140 base price, this isn't the most expensive tasting menu, but the add-on's could stack the bill. That being said, my best friend and I both thought the buckwheat noodles were worth it as both of us can be big eaters (and fine dining isn't known for the biggest portions haha). I also thought the salmon was worth the additional add on cost. It tasted like I was eating butter in the best of ways. Service was great. Coming in at 6pm, it wasn't fully packed yet, but by the time we left roughly two hours later it was. But the service didn't dip at all as it got busy. If anything it could feel like they were a little attentive, but with 7 courses, makes sense why they're constantly talking to you. We opted to not do any of the pairings from the drinking menu, but still got a glass of wine each where the sommelier carefully helped us decide what to drink. Overall it was a fun way to try a bunch of new things (and they have that fancy Japanese toilet in the bathroom). Very unpretentious fine dining experience, but unique collection of courses. read more

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I had an amazing experience at Baroo for my birthday dinner. The service is excellent and the tasting menu is so versatile and interesting. Every dish brought a different taste of Korean cuisine, some flavors which you can't find at typical Korean restaurants I also did the wine and sool pairing and enjoyed most of the drinks. The pairing was done really well, I could tell the sommelier had put in a lot of thought to it The interior is nice too and I loved the vibes, it has a very high end trendy vibe but still felt casual and not stuffy. I would highly recommend for a small intimate celebration with 2-4 people :) read more

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Dining at Baroo is a special experience. From the moment we walked in, I knew that I had picked the right place to spend my birthday dinner. Service from Natalya was perfect throughout the evening as was the ambiance of the space. The attention to detail like the personalized menu, card at the end and little tea bags they send you home with all made the dining experience incredibly memorable for me. The food was unlike anything I've ever tasted. The presentation, textures and flavors all complemented each other as we went through the courses. The biji, KFC, chrysanthemum and short rib were stellar. I highly recommend getting the buckwheat noodle add on. Baroo was perfect and I look forward to another visit. read more

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What a wonderful experience! We did the tasting menu with the Korean sool/wine pairing. It was perfect. Each staff member was very knowledgeable, kind, and prompt with each course. The pace was just right, along with the flavors of each dish and pairing being so thoughtfully crafted. If you're a fan of Korean cuisine and open to traditional flavors with a twist, I would highly recommend trying Baroo. A special 'thank you' for the extra care in my dietary restrictions, and making it so I didn't feel like I was "missing out" on anything. I would love to go again and try more things on the menu! read more

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wow, what an awesome birthday experience. the food, ambiance, and service was sooooo cool. the timing of the food and explanation of it was such a turn on lol. it did sucked that they had ran out of an item, that we ended up sharing but that's alright. My favorite dish had to be that seaweed noodle. simply amazing I really appreciated the packaged tea and personalized note they gave to us at the end of the meal. Parking was hard, and be prepared to look left and right all over the street for a spot. read more

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Featured in the Michelin guide, Baroo was an absolutely fantastic dining experience. The tasting menu is thoughtful and my personal favorites were the 'yang', and 'wang' dishes. Yang was a delicate and fresh dish of striped jack and sliced vegetables - we ordered the extra add-on of buckwheat noodles, which complemented perfectly. Wang was the meat dish - you have the option to choose between pork collar or short rib, and I HIGHLY recommend choosing the short rib, as it was exceptionally tender with excellent flavor. I tried the pork collar that my dining partner chose and it reminded me of chashu pork although it was a little too dry. I also loved the 'garden' cocktail - I am a huge fan of vegetal flavors in cocktails, and this drink was perfectly to my taste. Service is exceptional, and it's clear that they pay attention to the details - each dish is brought out and placed on the table and cleared at exactly the same time. Each dish was explained at the table (one note I'll make is that they all spoke quite softly, so some of the guests a seat over mentioned they had a hard time hearing the explanation haha). The vibe is elegant and peaceful, from the delicate place settings to the spacious, modern interior of the restaurant. A wonderful place to take the special people in your life to enjoy unique Korean food. read more

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Tried Baroo since we heard great things about it. Husband made the reservations, so not sure how difficult it is to get a spot. We showed up a little early, and ended up sitting at the counter. The counter is a little uncomfortably low (the chairs are high), but it is manageable. I enjoyed our dinner, but it was a little on the salty side for my palate. The saltiness started with the porridge that came out with the first course and throughout the meal, I found everything to be a little salty. We wanted to add yukhwe tartlette (an add with the first course) but it was sold out, so a little sad. Presentation was very pretty and I appreciated the aesthetics of it. I enjoyed the wine pairing, the sommelier was very informative and I thought everything was paired really well. We added the wagyu option with our meat, and it came out as an additional plate. I had the pork and husband had the short rib, so we tried all 3 meats, and I think short rib was the best. I believe it was 65 for the addition of wagyu (although you have the option of switching the plate for less), and I don't think it was worth the price. I loved how the bill was presented, that was a beautiful presentation with traditional Korean accessory. Made the bill easier to look at, lol. There is a paid parking lot adjacent. There isn't a waiting area so try not to get there too early, it will be a bit crowded near the entrance waiting for your table. Service was fine, we mostly interacted with the sommelier. Not sure if we would come back, but it was a fun meal overall. read more

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Legit modern Korean in a date-y setting. Went for New Year's Eve. Was a little early to our rsvp, so had to wait a bit. Was a smaller spot - so did feel we were stepping over people a bit as folks walked by the small reception area. Eventually got seated at the bar - was cool to see the chefs doing their craft. Ended up doing the makgeolli pairing with the meal. Was amazing to see how many different types there were - honestly thought of the standard stuff you get at a mom n pop Korean shops while having kimchi pancakes. I'm guessing their dishes change up often - but the set menu was really delicious. From the soups to the meats - everything was very balanced and flavorful. Def will be back for another special occasion. read more

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This restaurant is located in DTLA art district. Minimalist decor with peace, modern and refined atmosphere. It has six course tasting menu for both regular and pescatarian/vegetarian menu with wine pairings. Reservations can be made 21 days in advance. I enjoyed all the dishes and the flow of the menu. Also amazed to see how the chef connects food with life - there is like an entire lesson behind it. My favorite dish is the black cod and sea food stew but every dish surprises me in terms of texture and taste. I also love the wild mountain green rice with savory entree. I finished the entire bowl of rice. I tried the pescatarian menu and got the lotus root as entree. Crunchy and also nicely plated. Well all dishes are pretty. Dessert rest assured is not super sweet. For parking, we parked at the garey building close by. read more

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I heard a lot of good things about Baroo and decided to go for my birthday. Their service was excellent from start to finish. They even printed happy birthday on our menus, gave me an astrology poem, and provided complimentary champagne. It's a Korean tasting menu. Our favorites were the black cod, beef short rib, and the dessert! All the dishes were balanced and well made. read more

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Celebrated my 35th here last month. Quite possibly one of the best decisions I could have made this year. We highly recommend to dive in head first to the tasting menus. The ambiance was perfect and the staff was lovely. The seafood broth with crab quite literally made me cry for a second. It tasted like home for some reason. (SF) read more

Absolutely one of the best tasting menus in LA right now at a reasonable price! My fiancé and I loved our time at Baroo this past week. We came in to celebrate our anniversary and really enjoyed the 7 courses but appreciated how intentional and thoughtful the whole experience was. To start I can't agree more with The Infatuations review that Baroo is so refreshing in comparison to other high end restaurants in LA. It's not stuffy nor formal and felt like a dinner at your hip friend's loft apt. The tasting menu is super fun, inventive, and punchy. Each was presented fabulously and there wasn't a single bite I didn't like. However our favorite was the Dae course which included a fluffy deep fried filet of sole with a black bean sauce, nostalgic but again innovative and unique. The alcohol selection is superb with tons of shochu, makkgeoli, and cocktail options. We opted to share a bottle from Hana Makkgeoli, a brand we've had our eye on for some time. The sommelier immediately took notice and poured us samples from other flavors for us to try! So sweet of her. Overall will definitely be back for the next special event! read more

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Really nice korean tasting menu in the arts district. One of the Los Angeles Times 101 restaurants. There were 7 courses, although two were combined so felt more like 6 courses- and most of the food was superb! Especially the lobster, beef short ribs, and rice. The service was really good, we asked for one substitute ahead of time and not only did the team remember, but they printed out a new menu with the accommodation. Small reasons for the negative star- gotta say I am nitpicking at this point but since this place is so highly regarded figure it's nice to point few things out: - our reservation was at 5:30, which is when the restaurant opens. there is no waiting area indoor so there was a line of customers waiting outside in the rain before it opens. The restaurant should have maybe some umbrella and/or heat lamps outside for a better experience. -The portion is in the smaller side especially for the price. But definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a culinary experience! read more

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Food was very good for the most part. However, the reason for the 4 stars is the fact that I've never been hungrier after eating a meal, so I had to DoorDash ramen after. It was almost like an extensive appetizer in my opinion. When you first walk into the restaurant it's tastefully decorated and dimly lit. There's a lot of subtle attention to detail with its Korean decorations. Servers were attentive and accommodating. Sunchoke & Pine (7/10): tastes like salami Black Sesame Sool Bbang (8.5/10): great texture Jaetbangeo, Aehobak, jaepi oil, sangchu, gim bugak (10/10): easily my favorite savory dish we had. Lobster (8.7/10): tasted clean for a fried dish and the lobster was fresh Mixed Beans/Job's Tears (2/10): This dish was just bad. The soft bean texture mixed with an unusual soupy taste left a lot to be desired. Soy-braised cod (8.5/10): cooked very well Kimchi brined pork collar (8/10): mainly tasted like Thanksgiving ham, but the sauce and blossom mandoo saved the dish Brandt beef short rib (8.5/10): cooked well Wild mountain greens rice (9.5/10): really nice complimentary dish. Just wish there was more rice because I was starving. Strawberry, pistachio, hazelnut croustillant (20/10): If you guys made this as a consumer packaged good, I would eat this 24/7. Bathroom (10/10). Very clean inside and provides paper towels which is a huge plus. Quality soap. Parking: a bit difficult given the location as it is in the Arts District. Had to settle for the parking structure nearby ($13 for 2.5 hours) read more

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Husband and I finally found the right occasion to dine at Baroo to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary and it lived up to every expectation. We were on of the last reservations of the day but service was top notch from host to wine director to server to a lovely note from the owner. But really, the food spoke for it self. Elevated Korean and not only did it all look good, it tasted amazing. From uniquely Korean tasters to the most lobster tasting lobster to a so so comforting finishing meal of fancy rice and well rested and moist choice of meat with unique sauces. Our only regret was that we couldn't try the pork collar because it was a busy night so it sold out! Some really cute tableware as well if you're into that stuff but it was great experience and would absolutely return. It does help that we already enjoy and are interested in Korean food, but there was nothing we didn't love! read more

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Wow, what a hidden gem! I remember going here during my birthday while I was visiting L.A. and was glad I did. The staff was amazing and the tasting menu was even better. Also remember getting a cute card out of it. read more

A beautifully balanced evening at Baroo -- the modern Korean fine dining gem by Kwang Uh & Mina Park in LA's Arts District. From start to finish, the meal had an effortless progression -- each dish highlighting the depth and soul of Korean flavors in such refined, thoughtful ways. I could truly taste the culture in every bite. Portions were perfect -- satisfying yet light -- and somehow even cured my indigestion from an earlier not-so-healthy lunch! Loved their wide selection of nonalcoholic drinks (the mulberry leaf tea was divine ). Service was warm and meticulous -- dishes cleared with perfect timing, table kept pristine, very Michelin-style attention to detail. The ambience felt romantic, calm, and zen -- just right for a relaxed 1.5-hour dinner without any awkward pauses between courses. Price felt reasonable for the quality and experience. Highly recommend for anyone who appreciates modern Korean cuisine done with care and creativity. We'll definitely be back soon. read more

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Excellent service. Brought out complimentary drinks to celebrate my birthday. Also great to see non-alcoholic drinks offered, even as a pairing! $125 tasting menu was very reasonably priced. We all left full. Dishes were a bit hit or miss though. Favorites were their yukhoe tartlet (add-on), Wagyu striploin (add-on), and wild mountains green rice. Least favorite was their "saeng" course. Enjoyed fried piece of sole, but didn't love accompanying seafood dish. Broth was too fishy. read more

Came here twice. All great experience, great food. Price is reasonable, hopefully they won't raise it. Great ambience. I would come back here a third time read more

Baroo - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I finally tried Baroo after it being on my list forever! I came on a Tuesday night with a reservation and we got seated within 10-15 minutes. As we got seated, it also took a while for the server to come and she ran us through the menu super quickly so we had to call her back for more questions. The host was very friendly however I think they were just backed up that day. The 6 course meal was very delicious and each part of the course exceeded my expectations. We got the tartlets for $15 and it was so worth. They gave my friend a birthday fortune card which was sweet and the ambiance is perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion. read more

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Food: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Ambiance: 10/10 I would say this is my favorite restaurant of the year so far. I had the best experience with different flavors surprising me with each bite yet somehow still bringing nostalgia. This is a restaurant that made me truly proud to be Korean. Baroo was art, and I'm so glad I chose this restuarant for my birthday dinner. A lot of Korea restaurants America feel like they're trying to assimilate, trying to fit in and to be accepted. Baroo confidently shows you she's Korean. She is not shamed to show you her cultural backgrounds and she is confidently convincing you this is why Korea is great. There is a story in the menu, and I am most definitely coming back. Thank you. read more

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Baroo has been pretty legendary in LA's dining scene. I can only speak for myself for this review. I love hot food, and it's my impression that Asian food is supposed to be like this. I love the twists and turns of Asian fusion or any American Asian food but as an Asian myself, the core of asian cuisine still lies in its heat and passion for fire! High-heat for stir fry, medium heat for searing or low heat for hours long broth . Baroo, has none of that. All of the food came out lukewarm. Bites are forgetful. No flavor lasted. No flavor made me live in that moment. Tasting menu has the fancy names, but I can't read (not literally) or taste it. The price tag is heavy, but I don't recall any ingredients other than lobster that justifies it. Service is alright, nothing outstanding. I'd take my money to have a fancy Korean dinner at Danbi at Ktown, where you have a huge Wagyu dinner for half of the price at Baroo with way more attentive service. read more

KenScale: 8.0/10 Visits: December 2025 At the end of 2025, my wife Jun and I traveled to Los Angeles and the Santa Barbara wine region before meeting with Jun's family in Hawaii to spend Christmas and New Years. My biggest target for dining during our stay in LA was Somni (review to come separately), but there were also a few other restaurants I had wanted to visit. One of them was Baroo, which had long been considered a trailblazer of modern Korean cuisine before it really blew up in the U.S. with restaurants such as Atomix and Jungsik. The restaurant behind the husband-and-wife duo of Kwang Uh and Mina Park had gone through a transition from a casual eatery focusing on the fermentation technique to a more structured tasting menu place in the Arts District. Overall, the tasting menu (at $125 per person) was solid with some pleasantly surprising twists. Baroo, which in Korean means the bowls used by Buddhist monks, has a philosophical sensibility to its menu grounded in Buddhism and Taoism. Each course as described in the menu was accompanied by a single Korean and Chinese character representing certain concepts in the cycle of nature. I did wish, though, there were better explanations from the staff on how a dish was connected to the philosophical concept. The opening snacks had some delicious bites like jokpyeon (a traditional Korean dish made by boiling meat cuts with high collagen content to give chewy texture) and black sesame sool bbang (a bread fermented with makgeolli). I was also very fond of the raw jaetbangeo (a type of amberjack) accompanied by gooseberry and pear to give delightful citrusy flavor; it also paired tremendously with the white Gruner Veltliner (more on the wine pairings later). Other dishes, on the other hand, were somewhat predictable. The fried lobster didn't feel particularly special, and I expected a bit more dramatic effect from the use of papaya and dongchimi (a type of water kimchi) on the soy-braised black cod that was otherwise cooked competently. Jun and I split the two main dishes on the menu. Of the two, I preferred the kimchi brined pork collar with pastrami squash slightly more than the beef short rib ssam. We liked the texture of the meat from both dishes, but having been to a number of modern Korean restaurants before, there was no groundbreaking impression from either of them. What Jun actually liked more was the wild mountain greens rice (with gamtae bugak (think crispy seaweed) that accompanied the main dishes based on the way she finished off the entire bowl. We finished the dinner with a dessert of strawberry, pistachio and makgeolli with a side of persimmon. Getting a reservation at Baroo was not too challenging although the dining room was mostly filled during our dinner on a Wednesday night. The dark and stylish dining space offered a nice ambiance; if you want to see the kitchen in action, make sure to get a seat at the counter. There are beverage pairing options with wines, Korean traditional beverages or alcohol-free options. I thought the wine pairing we tried (at $100 per person) was nicely designed in a sense that the wines consistently showed the understated elegance designed to pair well with the food even though the food and wine pairing didn't also strike gold like the pair we had from the jaetbangeo course. Jun and I felt that while the dishes at Baroo were prepared with consistency and thoughtful execution, we would've loved the experience at the restaurant even more if we hadn't been to all these other modern Korean restaurants that blew us away. It still is a solid option if you want to explore upscale Korean dishes at a fairly reasonable price point. read more

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My husband and I went here for my birthday celebration and it was a lovely experience! Big note for the lack of parking in the area. There is a paid parking lot nearby, but it's $10 an hour, pretty steep. This place is for sure a fine dining establishment. Impeccable service, nice atmosphere, beautiful dishes. I would say you should really like seafood if you're going to be eating here as many of the dishes were fish based. Overall we enjoyed all the courses, I'd say the 2nd course "yang" was our least favorite. For the 5th course you could chose between pork or beef short rib. The rice that comes with this course also counts as dish #6. Dessert was the stand out to me, super rich and flavorful. They even gave us a little take home bag with some tea to enjoy at home. I'd say overall if you love a fine dining experience I would try this place. However, if you're just looking for a nice dinner, maybe pass as the price tag is very expensive. For 2 people without any drinks it's $250 + tip, so around $300. If you did wine make that $450 for 2. read more

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Came here for dinner on a week night and it was quite busy for a Wednesday night. Highly recommend making reservations in advance but I didn't have too much difficulty booking reservations on Resy. The restaurant is gorgeous and decorated beautifully from the inside to the bathrooms. I also love open kitchens and being able to see the chefs at work preparing the food. Food here was really good, the flavors were great and the courses were all really well prepared. You could tell the love and dedication for Korean food as you ate it. My friend said the meal tasted very "earthy" to her but in a good way. They do use a lot of traditional Korean flavors which incorporates a lot of fermented pastes and sauces. I really enjoyed the braised cod course the most. The accompaniments for the cod were really interesting and a combination I've never tried before. Service was great, they were very quick to clear plates and kept the table clean and wiped down at all times which I appreciate. Service was attentive without being pushy or hovering. We got the monkey business and garden cocktails to enjoy with dinner and I highly recommend getting the garden. This cocktail is my ideal perfect drink, very fresh and slightly spirit forward without being too strong. So good! Only one downside was while we enjoyed dinner, my friend who isn't a big eater made a comment that she felt the portions were a bit small even for fine dining standards. She's not a big eater but she left feeling hungry. read more

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Amazing birthday experience here for my friend! They really took the time and care to curate a very special presentation for the birthday celebration. The service was really great and everyone was very professional and friendly without being too attentive. The food was amazing and really special as well. I found the tasting menu to be filling even though at first I was skeptical about this aspect! The menu was organized like a poem which is so very thoughtful and meaningful. I enjoyed every dish to the fullest degree and thought that the menu was very healthy. I preferred the beef option over the pork though. Many thanks for a wonderful experience! read more

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Honestly, this is the closest you can get to a perfect experience. Reservations are somewhat hard to come by so be sure to book early especially if you want an ideal day and time. I've been waiting to get a booking for Baroo for far too long. Somehow, I was able to get a Friday night slot to celebrate a special occasion. We were greeted by a very friendly host and then transitioned to the most knowledgeable server upon arrival. She was extremely attentive and just an overall joy to be around. She explained the menu in detail and even provided complementary champagne when we told her we were celebrating my girlfriend's recent promotion. Just about every course that came out was perfect/near perfect. We went with the $15 caviar add on and it was amazing. Every last bit of it was a burst of flavor. Had we not gotten the add on, the meal itself would've still been fantastic. The price currently stands at $125 a person for a 6 course chef tasting menu. For most people, you won't leave hungry. If you want to add a little sparkle to your meal, the alcoholic pairing is extremely affordable and will most definitely elevate your experience with the food. Their non-alcoholic pairing is still in the works. That should be coming soon. The attention to detail was next level. Any bit of crumbs on your table will get brushed away, leaving you with a spotless surface. Each time I went to the restroom, my napkin was folded up neatly. Never did I feel like I had to flag down a server. They were always on standby, ready to assist in any way possible. To summarize it all, Baroo is an amazing place featuring innovative techniques, blending Korean influences with a modern, fine dining twist. The food and flavors of Baroo is extremely decadent. They have top notch service, friendly staff, and an intimate ambiance perfect for a date night or celebration. The price of the chef tasting menu is very affordable. You can even say it's a steal for what you get. I can see them on their way of getting their 1st star. Don't let that change your pricing or quality. You guys are amazing as is! read more

The service was great, the wine and Korean sool pairings were fun, and the food was exceptional. I'm lucky to have experienced many tasting menus, but this was my first Korean one and I will be back! read more

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Baroo gave me a new perspective of Korean gourmet cuisine. Using the freshest local ingredients; combined with different house made sauce/ Jang; created layers of layers of flavors for each dish. Fish, Lobster, Pork, and Beef all became alive and dancing in my mouth! With the right wine matching, it was like in heaven. The decor is modern with no extra unnecessary fixture, just like each of their dishes; all in harmony. Service is 5 stars, no complains. Highly recommended! read more

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Food was delicious and plates nicely. The servers were very attentive and explained the dishes professionally. This fine dining Korean influenced cuisine was unique. I would recommend trying the place for a different tasting. The interior was very clean and modern. read more

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rare place . everything was excellent, the staff, the music, and the food. All dishes were very well put together with taste . thank you for a great culinary experience read more

Baroo - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Loved the place! I've been to their old location and was really looking forward to trying the new upscale dining experience. Parking was easy since there's a parking structure where the restaurant is located. The only hiccup was that we had to pay in advance and couldn't figure out the discount code that was printed on our receipt. Not a huge deal. Every dish was delicious and beautifully presented. My husband and I kept looking at each other in amazement at how awesome the food was. The service was incredibly attentive, and everyone was super friendly. The place felt inviting and comforting--maybe it helped that they played some old-school Korean songs from the '80s and '90s that I'm familiar with. I also really appreciated all the attention to detail, like the list of farms they source their food from, the names of the kitchen and dining room staff, and a super cute birthday card for the birthday boy. For now, this is at the top of my list of favorite restaurants in LA. read more

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Baroo is known for its inventive, Korean-inspired fine dining, and the ambiance and service definitely set the stage for something elevated. The team was attentive, and each dish was introduced with care, which added a nice touch to the overall experience. But while a few dishes shined, the tasting menu as a whole didn't quite justify the $125 price tag. The meal began with the "tae", a dish featuring celeriac purée, jokpyeon, and black sesame sool bbang. While well-plated, it didn't really leave a strong impression -- not bad, but not particularly memorable either. "Yang" stepped things up a bit -- the jaetbangeo (mackerel), aehobak, and jaepi oil had a better harmony of flavors, but still didn't quite hit the wow factor you'd hope for at this level. Unfortunately, "saeng", the lobster tuigim with lobster doenjang, missed the mark. The fermentation from the doenjang and the richness of the lobster clashed more than complemented each other, making it the low point of the menu. But then came the "dae", and things turned around dramatically. The soy-braised black cod was an absolute knockout -- perfectly tender, flaky, and deeply flavorful. Easily one of the best black cod dishes I've ever had. Following that, the "wang" (Barnett pork collar ssam with optional steak add-on) was another standout. The short rib portion was incredibly rich and buttery, easily competing with the best Korean short ribs in LA -- which says a lot. The steak add-on didn't quite reach the same level, but the short rib itself was a highlight alongside the cod. "Byung", a mountain herb rice with pickled sesame leaf and gamtae bugak, was a well-timed palate reset -- earthy, clean, and calming after the umami-heavy hits that preceded it. Finally, the dessert "jeol" was a creative take on bingsoo with banana, kiwi, and hazelnut. While not traditional, it was playful and refreshing, and a great way to close the meal. Baroo's strengths clearly lie in its hits -- the cod and short rib alone are worth revisiting. But as a cohesive tasting menu experience, the early courses lacked the same finesse. For the price, the inconsistency is hard to ignore. That said, the ambiance and service were excellent, and with a few tweaks to the pacing and dish selection, this could easily be a top-tier tasting menu in LA. read more

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Celebrated a birthday at Baroo. Years ago we had gone to their previous incarnation, but their new location and tasting menu take modern Korean food to new heights. I know it's still early, but this is easily on the short list for my favorite meal of the year. They serve a very seasonal tasting menu, so your meal will probably look different than ours. But to tell you what we got: The best course was lobster tuigim, which was a perfectly executed Korean "tempura" lobster. Perfectly crispy on the outside, perfectly tender sweet meat inside. The scallop dish and pork dish were both fantastic as well. There would have been a $12 upcharge to change from pork to beef short rib, but honestly from what I saw, the pork was the better looking dish anyways. My personal rule, "always pick the pork", wins once again! Their cocktail menu is tiny, but don't ignore it: the milk punch was fantastic. I don't know enough about Soju/Makgeolli/YakJu/Chungju to judge their korean spirit list; all I know is we tried the Angma "Two Flowers" Makgeolli on recommendation of our server, and we enjoyed it. read more

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