Holy! Thankyou to my husband for finding this gem last minute for date night. I will come back to write a more in depth review but for now it's a 10/10 on all scoring, meat quality, lovely family owned business, overall we felt the love in the food and the restaurant. The best Galbijjim in CALIFORNIA. Note: there's only 3 tables in the restaurant, so call in for a reservation, but they always welcome takeout read more

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Ok This gem of a place is AMAZING!!!!!!!!! Their ginseng chicken soup will soothe your soul~ The black cod cooked to perfection and you drizzle sauce over your rice and thank them again The braised short ribs is BETTER THAN... you know where~ Jeff was an amazing host and we got to speak with the matriarch, the chef~ The space is tight- so take it to go If you leave far, bring an insulated bag and take it to go. SOooooooooooooo good! read more

We had the best experience and the best Korean food today. The owners were not only so kind and accommodating but were so attentive. We celebrated my sister's birthday today and had 3 of their amazing dishes (see pictures). They also surprised us with a marinated crab as a birthday gift to my sister. Thank you so much! If you are looking an authentic Korean dish, you need to go to Jun Won Dak! It is an experience you won't forget. Please note: it is a small place, so be sure to call ahead to reserve a table and order ahead (the dishes can take up to 30 minutes to make). For parking, there is a public parking structure on Oxford and 3rd Street (next to YMCA). read more

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Absolutely phenomenal. The Samgyetang was one of the best I've ever had--rich, incredibly flavorful, and comforting without feeling heavy. Every bite tasted homemade with high-quality ingredients. The banchan was fresh and perfectly prepared, and the entire meal felt authentic from start to finish. This is the kind of place locals hope never changes. If you're looking for real Korean comfort food in LA, Jun Won Dak is a must-visit. I'll definitely be back. read more

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If you want to be blown away by this hidden gem, nestled in Koreatown, come here without hesitation for the greatest dining experience of your life. Just heard about this place and I couldn't resist. The Samgye-Tang (ginseng chicken soup) was full of flavor and packed with fresh ingredients. Enjoy! read more

Jun Won Dak - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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After the algorithm guided us to Koreatown via Jun Won Dak, we were a bit confused by the sign indicating that the spot was takeout only, while there was a SMALL dining area with two tables set for lunch. After bumbling around for a few seconds, what seemed to be the owner came sprawling out and asked if we would like to sit at a table. WE OBLIGED! and boy was it the greatest decision of the year. The Braised Black Cod did not disappoints, and the portion size for the price was quite impressive, and the fish was cooked beautifully for easy eating with chopsticks and spoons. The homemade banchan included Kimchi, sweet potato skin, radish, and a root vegetable! The entree even came with the Ginseng Chicken Soup broth on the side! Wonderful experience especially including the Ajumma who came out to water her plant babies. Can't wait to return here again soon! read more

Jun Won Dak - Michelin Braised Black Cod - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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To eat here is to be blessed. Not only by the wonderful feast in front of you but also by the pure hospitality of the restaurant owner. Note that there is only one table available in the restaurant. Call ahead if you want to reserve! Otherwise, takeout galore. Our party was lucky enough to snag the table. While the shop is small, the whole experience (aka the food) made me feel like I was sitting at the bar counter of a Michelin restaurant. We ordered the Braised Cod, Galbijjim, and Samgyetang. From the banchan to the flavor of these dishes to the way the owner took time to cut the meat for us, we were all blown away. Braised Cod - Melts in your mouth, perfectly balanced. Galbijjim - Beats all other galbijjim dishes out the water. I was pouring that sauce ALL over my rice. Could eat by the bucket. Samgyetang - I could feel the life nurtured back into my soul. How this unassuming shop carries so much history and heart needs to be recognized! read more

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Hidden gem in K-Town run by a Mother-Son duo. They are a mostly to-go style place serving traditional Korean dishes. Best to call ahead for both ordering takeout(which transports great) and getting a reservation to dine-in, as seating is limited and all the food is made to order. The menu is small so you know what they are doing, they are doing right - Black cod that was Michelin guide reviewed, ginseng chicken soup(a Korean summertime traditional dish), braised beef, and braised spicy chicken, are all served with love and portions that don't disappoint - All of which are exceptional. Everything is served with complimentary rice and homemade banchan that varies from week to week. I strongly recommend you stop by (call ahead to avoid a wait or to make a reservation for dine in) - I promise you will enjoy everything about it. read more

Jun Won Dak in Los Angeles was excellent. We had the samgyetang, and it was comforting, flavorful, and really well done. Both my girlfriend and I enjoyed it a lot. Easily a 10/10 -- would absolutely come back. read more

Forget sun nong dan. The galbi jjim here is so good. I had it to go though for reference. The meat is very tender soft and flavorful. Big chunks of meat. the portion size is for two people. I'm coming back. read more

Jun Won Dak is the underdog prizefighter that just cannot be kept down. Jeff and his mom have been long-time stalwarts in the K-town Korean food scene. In their first iteration, Jun Won, my family and I came to love their braised cod, bijji chiggae (fermented bean soup), and their incredible banchan. And I mean, the best banchan in K-town. They then moved to a newer location off Western, where we followed them there. Due to a number of challenging circumstances, the place was reborn as Jun Won Dak. After a long break due to COVID, we finally made our way back to the third iteration and it was FIRE! Jeff and his mom have resurrected some favorites that cannot be missed. The Galbi-jjim is delicious. The meat is tender and flavorful. The Dak doritang is spicy and intoxicating. The samgyetang is the chicken soup for your soul. And the banchan! I had tears trying their banchan again. I asked Jeff for to-go containers just so I could bring home all the leftover banchan. Jeff is hilarious and kind. A huge Dodgers fan - I've never seen him without his Dodgers hat on. All sorts of celebrities have made their way here - from John Cho to Hyeseong Kim. But you don't have to be a celebrity to dip your chopsticks into the food here. Parking can be a bit tricky. It's street parking and you may have to park around the block. The inside is intimate, A few 2-tops in the front and one 4-top in the prep area. Whether you're planning to dine-in (and of course, take out), call in your order in advance so that when you arrive, your food will be ready piping hot. Do not miss this gem of a restaurant in K-town. read more

I couldn't recommend any other place over Jun Won Dak, 5 stars in every category, Michelin level food with homey service. read more

Jun Won Dak - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

It's crazy that there are not lines going around the block for this place. Maybe we got lucky tonight, but we called ahead for a table for dinner, they took our order over phone, and when we got there, we parked right out front for free, we sat down to a cute "reserved" table, and we were served outstanding and delicious food. It tasted fresh and was homemade. They served us a bowl of their rich herbal soup for free. The portions were generous and the food was hearty but healthy tasting. I took home the sauce to enjoy again later. What a hidden gem that has no business being hidden. read more

If you know anything about Jun Won, you will know there are no shortcuts here. The food is made with homemade hands, quality ingredients and the flavors are utmost divine. As someone who grew up with a Korean mom who cooked well, nothing compares. Must try! read more

This meal was life-altering and truly healed my soul; the food was made with so much love and care. I didn't want to get full because I kept wanting to eat the owner Jeff and his mom were so kind and gave us special banchan and free samgyetang. we didn't order the samgyetang cuz we said we could make it at home but ts i could not have made it at home it was so good. there's barely any seating, it's a super small place, and food takes a while bc they put sm care into each dish but thats how they like it. Everything was perfect!! and lol he said my Korean pronunciation was good ty Jeff read more

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there's not much i can say that hasn't already been said in other reviews, but i just wanted to confirm how delicious the samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) here is. this is a small, lowkey joint. both times i've gotten the food i've called to order in advance and taken the food home to eat. the food was ready on time and steaming hot and fresh, even after a 10 minute drive. the samgyetang is so good, i'm torn between getting that again and again and trying something new. i'm just happy i found this place, since it seems to not be known too well. highly recommend! read more

The braised black cod is so damn good! Very reasonably priced considering how large a portion you get as well. The guy who took my order was as friendly as can be and mentioned that I should call ahead next time when placing an order because it takes about 25 minutes to make. I'll do that, as im looking forward to trying the galbi jjim. read more

Everything was beyond amazing. The food and service were incredible. We ordered the soup and beef dish. Highly recommend coming here but call ahead to reserve a table because it does fill up quite quickly. read more

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes! Jun Won on Western ( https://www.yelp.com/biz/jun-won-restaurant-los-angeles ) was one of my favorite K-Town restaurants. The late Jonathan Gold raved about their cod fish, which was the best one in the neighborhood. And I loved their braised short ribs! So it was very sad when they closed in July of 2020, we thought they were gone for good. I looked for alternative restaurants with those two dishes, and they just don't compare. But two years later, Jun Won fortunately reopened in a new space and added Dak (chicken) to their name. Only one table inside for 4 patrons (or two tables for two couples). And the menu is down to only 4 options. But I am happy they returned! Street parking on 3rd and Serrano Avenue was nonexistent when I went. There are some commercial loading only zones (yellow curbs) if you're quickly picking up a to-go order, which I will neither confirm nor deny I used... Cod (AKA Eundaegu-jorim 은대구조림) - Tasted the same as it did years ago! Super delicate and flakey texture-wise. Flavor was on point. Braised Short Ribs (AKA Galbi-jjim 갈비찜) - Also still amazing! Huge chunks of tender meat, potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables. Not too spicy or salty. Their food is worth the parking headaches and hassles! read more

Jun Won Dak - Braised Short Ribs (갈비찜) & Black Cod (은대구조림) - Koreatown | Los Angeles, California - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Yesssirrrrrrrr! I've been wanting to come here since like 2018 at their original location, and after moving 2 along w covid times I saw they were open again on 6th, so decided it was time. Came by with a friend and theyre def setup for takeout, but they do have 1 4 top table inside, so if you get lucky u may be able to eat in. Lets get to the good stuff: Samgye tang - Ginseng Chicken Soup/Stew: This was so damn clean, and such a big portion it can feed 2. The chicken they use has to be super organic it was falling off the bone with a really nice flavor to it. This has easily jumped to my favorite samgye tang in LA. Eudaegu Jolim: Braised black Cod: This was recommended by Jeff the owner, and damn he was right. This is the dish that got them that Michelin nod in 2019. First off you'll get 4 huge pieces of the cod, and its in a perfectly balanced spicy(soy?) sauce. The perfect zing of spice, and the cod literally falls of the bone. I had no real expectations for this, but this is damn near one of the best dishes I've had in all of LA. Absolutely do not sleep on this dish! The location makes this seem place like a hole in a wall , but Jeff and his mom are whipping up the most low key high quality dishes in ktown. To touch on the banchan the kimchi is delicious if you like that more vinegar twang this is the one. Highly recommend this spot. Its across the street from Zzamong and LA Wangbal. Parking is street parking, but usually easily found in the neighborhoods depending on the time. Come here! read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants I've ever visited in Los Angeles. I love being able to go here. It's a staple in Koreatown, a small family run place with the best samgyetang I've ever tried. The galbijim is out of this world. Their menu is small, but spectacular in every way. I recommend calling ahead for pick up or to reserve one of the two tables for eat in. Jeff and Jung Ye Jun are two of the kindest people I've encountered at any restaurant & the service is incredibly special. read more

Just adding to the pile of reviews about how excellent Jun Won Dak is. I had the samgyetang and braised cod and I will most def be going back to try out the other two dishes. Some of the tastiest food I've had in recent memory, and a great value at that. Can't wait to go back. read more

Amazing meal! We called ahead and reserved a table so we could enjoy the food right there. We sat in the kitchen and it was a very cozy atmosphere. read more

Excellent food and service. I've had the cod and spicy chicken. The chef really puts lots of thought and care into the food. The side dishes are excellent. Large portions. The restaurant focuses on few dishes and it does them very well. read more

Samgyetang Samgyetang Samgyetang. I remember when Jun Won Restaurant used to serve Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) only one day a year on Chobok (the hottest day of the year in July where traditionally in Korea, it's national eat Samgyetang day). I walked into Jun Won Dak today to learn that they now run a small, mostly to-go operation (they have one table for four you can reserve for dine-in). They now have only four dishes in their menu: Their signature cod dish (RIP Jonathan Gold who introduced me to the Eundaegu Jorim many years ago). The other three dishes are Braised Short Ribs (the wife and I still can't stop drooling over this!), Spicy Braised Chicken, and SAMGYETANG!!! There isn't a better Samgyetang to be had - dare I say even in Korea. Why? It's the broth. You definitely taste the comforting flavor of the chicken, but the broth is infused with secret herbs that their family ships from Korea. The chicken (18 ounce Cornish hen) is stuffed with sticky rice, a chestnut and whole garlic, a jujube, and a ginseng root, and makes for the healthiest of meals. Now I can have Jun Won's Samgyetang whenever I want. I'm so happy that I had to write this review for anyone who hasn't tried it yet. Thank you Jeff and Jeff's mom for the love you put into the Samgyetang and the other items you sell. See you again soon! P.S., order your food in advance (15-30 minutes) as everything is made to order! read more

Jun Won Dak - Braised Short Ribs - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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My husband and I had the most incredible meal at Jun Won Dak. The owner Jeff was so friendly and gracious and we were able to get seated at one of the two dine-in tables inside. We ordered the braised black cod and wanted to try another dish and Jeff suggested the samgye-tang. He explained that the broth was full of ingredients and herbs from imported Korea. It was the most delicious samgye-tang I've ever had, the cornish hen was so tender and the flavors were well-balanced. The eun daegu jorim was absolutely insane, the dish was somehow so rich but didn't feel heavy at all. The cod was tender and radishes soaked up all of the amazing sauce. The banchan was also delicious and so unique. Jeff was so sweet hosting us and chatted with us during the meal. We are so eager to come back to try the other 2 dishes on the menu. read more

The food is delicious!!! We ordered the Galbijim and we think it's the best in town. The rice is amazing and for a reason, the owner explained it is specially made with traditional technique instead of a rice cooker (and you can taste the difference!). The sides are good and kimchi is excellent too! Service is like eating with an old friend in a small community, mindful and kind and gracious. The ambiance is small community restaurant. Call ahead because things can sell out, they make everything fresh every day. read more

Jun Won Dak - Galbijjim and sides, rice - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Every time I'm in K-Town, I have to stop by and get the Cod. Great food and great service. I recommend. Only complaint I have is that I don't live close by to have it more often. ​ read more

Jun Won Dak - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I've been wanting to try this place since they just opened and finally got the chance to stop by today!! They close at 7pm (last order 6:30p) First of all, the food was excellent. We ordered the Dakdoritang ($35) and it was plenty of food for two people. It was a bit spicy but I liked the kick!! We also got to try some of their samgyetang soup, which was amazing. I loved the pine nut seeds in there! It was bold and rich, really flavorful! The service was superb and the owner made sure we were happy with the food and came by to check on us. They have one table if you want to dine in, but most orders are to go. I'll definitely come back to try their other 3 items on the menu :) read more

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This was one of the absolute best meals I've ever had the pleasure to eat in LA. Further, Jeff and Jung Ye were so hospitable, coming and chatting with us throughout the meal. There's only one table up front and one in the back, so call and reserve if you know you want to eat in at a specific time; we got lucky just walking in. We ordered the ginseng chicken soup and the black cod. I cannot stress enough how absolutely amazing everything was. It felt like we had entered Jeff and Jung Ye's home and were being fed the family favorites. Banchan was fantastic and all made in house; really great, strong flavors. The soup absolutely has healing properties, and was so so delicious. It felt like a taste of home with every bite of delicate chicken, rice stuffing, and the light broth. I should mention that every portion is huge; we took so much home, but as with all good food, it continued to taste just as delicious in the coming days. Black cod is my all time favorite fish; it's so rich, and when we make it at home, we generally try to stand out of it's way by using subtle flavors. Here, the sauce both enhances and stands up to the fish with its boldness, creating maybe my favorite black cod I've ever had. The perfectly cooked fish fell off the bone, and I enjoyed the turnip just as much as I enjoyed the fish. We were literally licking the sauce from the bowl long after we were too full to eat another bite. This was an unforgettable meal, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for some of the absolute best food in LA - just make sure you come hungry. Happy eating! read more

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Had to leave another review because this hidden gem fulfilled my soul once again. This place is hands-down the most friendliest, genuine, delicious Korean restaraunt in K-town. All their menus are perfection. My husband ate 2 bowls of rice with their cod dish, soooo good! You MUST try!! You will not regret. Their prices are honestly cheap if you consider the amount and QUALITY of the food. read more

I came here back in April but haven't stopped thinking about this place since then because it was THAT good. From quality of food to service to price - 10/10. There's 4 items on the menu, which are all decently priced. I feel like this place is so underrated and lowkey that the owner/server asked how we even found this place LOL. Dakdoritang (10/10): Tender pieces of chicken cooked to perfection with hearty chunks of potatoes, carrots, and onions. Sauce was rich and flavorful - it is quite *SPICY* (if you can't tolerate sriracha or hot cheetos, i'd stay away). Service: Quick and very attentive. I think it was the owner of the place and he explained how they used to have a restaurant that was doing well before covid but now they're keeping it small/to-go place. We love a small family-owned business :) Ambiance: Very small - only 2 tables with 2 chairs inside but this place is meant more for takeouts. Perfect for parties of 2. read more

Jun Won Dak - Daktoridang: sooo tender that the meat falls off the bone. - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I'm not big on reviewing restaurants but I felt compelled to do so for this place. Eating here was such a unique and lovely experience. The owner was so kind and despite only having 1 table in the restaurant, he accommodated my large party of 8 (with one wheelchair!) by putting two tables together just outside the kitchen. It must've been annoying for the staff as we were in the way, but he really made us feel like family. He explained how the restaurant came to be, the ingredients that they source from Korea, and how he enjoys the family atmosphere that the restaurant has. He even gave a small tour of the kitchen for my family, which was wonderful. All of that would be enough to give this place high marks, but oh my goodness, the food. I'm still dreaming of when we will be able to go back. We got two orders of Samgyetang, one order of eundaegu-jolim (black cod fish), and one order of galbi-jjim. The flavors were incredible, the meats were so tender, and the broth was stunning. They also kept us loaded up with banchan which was also so delicious. My 10 year old daughter, who is kind of picky, also loved all of it. That's about the highest praise I can give. In short, just go to this restaurant. I'm not sure what you're waiting for. Between the food, the friendliness, the very reasonable prices, and the fact that you're helping a very deserving small local business, this is a grand slam. read more

You'll be walking into a small cozy takeout shop. Their menu is simple and straightforward. I've tried their Spicy Chicken Stew, and it was tasteful! The heavy bone broth had mixed aroma of onion, carrots, garlic, and a spicy kick. The portion was large, so 1 order of the stew was a good enough size for 2ppl. read more

Jun Won Dak - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Though no longer a sit down restaurant, Jun Won is finally back!!! The food offering is still as good as ever, the service and greetings are still as warm as ever, and the prices are still very reasonable for the quality and serving size. The to-go menu is a little limited but it's about quality and not variety. Jun Won is offering the hits while they are still feeling things out. - Samgye Tang - Whole chicken ginseng soup - Dakdori Tang - Spicy chicken stew - Galbi Jjim - Braised short rib - Eun Daegu - Spicy soy braised cod If you can, call ahead for pick up as the food does take time to prepare. Rice and their lovely seasonal banchan is included with your take-out order. Be sure to follow them on Instagram for limited special offerings. read more

Jun Won Dak - Eun Daegu Jorim - Spicy, soy braised cod - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

hands down one of the best kept secrets in Ktown for some legit korean food. Jeff really cares about the food and the people. braised black cod is the best I've had. I grew up on this stuff, so to see a restaurant make it as good and as fresh as my dad did when I was younger is mindblowing. read more

My wife and I always try to go to a new spot at least once a week. We make a conscious effort to do so and we usually end up at about 2 or 3 new places a week on average. And up to this point in 2023, our favorite "new spot" is Jun Won Dak. (And we say "new spot" in quotations because we went to Jun Won Restaurant when they were tucked away in the corner at 414 S. Western.) After Jun Won Restaurant closed down (most likely because that was just terrible real estate), we completely forgot about this place until Rick Year of the Ox rapper posted a fun video about Jun Won Dak so we decided to give this place another try and it was definitely worth it. One of my favorite foods is samgyetang and they do it here better than anyone else in town. GENERGOUS portions, very reasonably priced ($24), and the flavor is above and beyond all the other places in town. It tastes slightly different from the tranditional style but in a good way: it tastes very extra herb-y . The owner explained to us that all the herbs that is used is importaed directly from motherland Korea. And you can definitely taste it in the broth. Rice is perfectly cooked inside the chicken and the chicken itself? FALLS OFF THE BONE! We also got the eundaegu-jolim (korean soy braised cod fish) which is also ironically the best you'll find in town. Even Jonathan Gold said so! VERY GENEROUS portions. Enough to comfortably feed 2. Parking: you can find street parking anywhere nearby. It's not that bad. Entrance: door is always locked even though it says it's open: there's a small bell by the door so ring it! Service: I was greeted by the son (mon & son owned & operated) and he was as friendly as he can be: great service! Note: Closed on Sundays, and closes at 7pm on week days! And yes, there's only 4 items on the menu but TBH, this place could and will do very well just with these two items that i tried on the meu. We'll definitely be back! Probably again very soon to try the other two plates! Ktown needs more places like this! read more

Jun Won Dak is mostly a take-out place, but there is a four-person table near that front that you can call to "reserve" if you really want to dine-in. The front door is usually locked, but you can press the door bell, and Jeff the owner will let you in. Soup takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Since the table was open, we decided to dine-in. We got the Samgye Tang (ginseng chicken soup) -- so good! The chicken, sticky rice, mushrooms, pine nuts, jujubes, green onions, and herbs just worked really well together. It was so comforting that I wished I could bottle it and take it out the next time I'm sick. The soup was big enough for two of us to share...although I really wanted my own! read more

I was really excited to try the galbi jjim given all the glowing reviews on this place, but unfortunately our experience fell short. I do want to preface this by saying that the portion was massive (enough to feed 3-4 people) and the meat/ingredients were of high quality, which isn't always the case at every restaurant. Sadly, we were barely able to enjoy the quality of the ingredients since everything was *extremely* salty. The short ribs were also pretty chewy and plain on the inside, as if they were cooked hastily and doused in the viscous sauce. They weren't fall-off-the-bone tender at all. Now I know seasoning can be subjective, but what we got was excessively salty, like borderline inedible, reach-for-a-glass-of-water-immediately salty. The pickled daikon banchan had the same problem, as if someone accidentally spilled an entire container of salt into it. I'm not sure if it was because we put in our order too close to closing time (6:10pm) or if was an off-day or what, but we didn't have the experience that others had on here. Really disappointing. read more

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I never leave reviews but this is so well deserving of one! I picked up the braised black cod for dinner today and it's absolutely delicious! One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Huge portion meant for sharing and I had to stop myself from stuffing myself after I was already so full. I can't wait to try their other 3 dishes. The ginseng chicken soup smelled amazing! read more