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came here to eat after the yelp event at the california science museum because i wanted dulce nearby! i got the build your own with japchae, pork belly, soy sauce pickled cucumbers, and the korean cabbage slaw. the japchae was pretty flavorful and paired well with the pork belly, as the pork belly didn't have much flavor. i wish it had more vegetables in the japchae, but the slaw and cucumbers made up for it! my partner got the kimchi pickles and i actually liked those more than the soy sauce ones! seating is outdoors at the USC village and you can ask for a cup of water at the counter!
I first visited Kobunga about a year ago and was super impressed. As someone who's gluten-free, it's rare to find Korean food that accommodates that--and Kobunga really stood out. Most of the menu is gluten-free, which was such a pleasant surprise! Huge bonus: the kimchi is vegan, so no fish sauce or shrimp like traditional versions. That alone made me happy. However, during that first visit, I was told the dumplings were gluten-free by the front staff... unfortunately, they weren't--and I found out the hard way. The good news is the owners were incredibly kind and proactive. They apologized, took it seriously, and made sure to update the staff and labeling so future customers wouldn't have the same issue. I really appreciated that accountability. Fast forward to a year later--I finally made it back (I live far, or I would've come back sooner!). I was excited to try more items and went with a plate this time instead of a bowl. In hindsight, I should've stuck with the bowl--it felt like you get more bang for your buck that way. I definitely got more beef in my bowl during the first visit than I did on this plate. Still, that doesn't mean it wasn't delicious--the bulgogi and short rib were both flavorful and tender. The chapchae was also really good, and the kimchi, though a bit on the sweeter side for me, was still tasty. The staff were friendly, and overall it was a solid experience. Not quite as wow'd as my first time, but I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area again. Still one of the better gluten-free-friendly Korean spots around!
One of the best features of USC is the Village - and Kobunga is my favorite place to have lunch! The bulgogi is so good. I love their bowls. Everything is so flavorful. The employees are so friendly and always happy to give recommendations. Reasonable prices too. So glad to have this option for Korean food at USC!
I ordered a beef bulgogi bowl via a delivery app. When it arrived, it was still warm, a good sign of the preparation Kobunga took in completing the order. The bulgogi was flavorful and chewy, with very little tough meat or super fatty cuts. The rice was your standard part of the bowl, but thankfully they didn't make the bowl where the rice was the vast majority of the dish. Some vegetables and corn were also added to the bowl, which made for a good mix when you stirred it up! Lastly, spicy yet slightly sweet sauce was added for that extra kick! All in all, Kobunga has a great beef bulgogi bowl, which is something you should try if you visit!
Pretty good spot in USC Village with quick service and delicious food! I've gotten the TBDT (The Best Damn Tofu) and the USC Special (Slow Cooked Short Rib). Both were really good, but I will say they don't include a lot of protein, but always include a ton of rice. As for sides, the Soy Sauce Pickles were incredible. Never had those before! And the lemonade has free refills! I really enjoyed the yuzu lemonade.
Korean style food with modifications that cater to wider customers. The pork tastes great. If you want to avoid the crowds and save time during dining rush hours, it will be an alternative option.
I got the Build Your Own Plate with pork belly, and it was DELICIOUS!! The meat melts in your mouth and is very tender and juicy. I love the paring between the side and base with the meat. The short rib is also very flavorful and tender. The side of kimchi also tasted very fresh! A super delicious meal near campus. The food was ready very quickly, and the staff is very nice too! Plenty of seating around USC Village, and the underground parking lot is very convenient. I wish I gave this place a try earlier, but I liked it so much I went back two days in a row.
Stopped in after Trader Joe's. Service was prompt. While I was browsing the menu I was immediately greeted. I ordered a chicken bowl and was asked if I wanted rice, noodles or salad. I didn't get to read the fill menu so I was caught off guard. I got noodles, which is jap chae. I was thinking yakisoba when I hear noodles. Bowl was served in a reusable, microwavable container. It came with sour pickles and coleslaw. The pickles were reminisce of American sour pickles rather than Korean, so the sides were kinda weird. Chicken was cooked well and jap chae was cooked well. The drinks are great. I tried the plum lemonade and yuzu lemonade. Plum was sour and sweet. Perfect balance. Did not taste the yuzu too well, but it's perfect lemonade.
This is one of the best places to eat on campus hands down! I'm surprised I didn't try this place out sooner, it's really good! We ordered 2 build your owns. We ordered the pork belly and the beef bulgogi. I personally favored the pork belly a lot more but I would definitely buy the bulgogi again! The japchae noodles were also really delicious! The sides were really good. Most of the options were fermented vegetables of some sort and we really liked their cucumbers. Overall, I definitely would come back. It really is one of the best places on campus. Service is fast and easy too!
tl;dr: easy and fast; you choose a base, protein, and two banchans. Pork belly is tasty and filling, great lunch. Their kimchi cucumber is sweet and with the right amount of gochugaru, even though I'd prefer it be a tad bit fermented. Not much acidity. The sweet carrots are in nice bite size and has a great texture (not overcooked). This pairs well with their japchae. Japchae is not too shabby. It is light (in flavor/saltiness) and not unctuous. There's a bit of soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil (mainly soybean oil I presume). The texture is almost perfect but what can I say for fast Korean lunch? It's a great base alternative; I'd pick this over rice or greens. The pork belly (kobunga) is well braised and seasoned. The gochujang pasted(like literally, did they brush or sprinkle the sauce tho?) on top tastes in-house made being light and syrupy (unlike the cooking/flavor one where it's floury thick), pairs well with the belly and even their japchae! It has the pork flavors your are looking for: savory, meaty (like eating pure meat cut against the grain), sweet braise, and a great balance of meat to fat ratio. I do wish they render the fat more with a better roasted/seared skin because it has no texture even though there's color (where's the burnt sugar crust tho). It may seem like there's some sort of crusty finish on the skin surface, but once you bite in...it's a bit one dimensional. I'm just being picky. Zzz still good. Despite being pork belly, it delivers a velvety soft palate that doesn't make you feel so predacious like eating American or Korean BBQ (where it's just proteins on proteins with lots of grease ~ bold flavor). Perfect for late breakfast or lunch. I'm glad it's not just a cut of fat, they do choose their cuts well. I can see why this place's namesake is the dish. Overall, for $11.95 I cannot complain. Yes it's like Chipotle of Korean BBQ, but not in a way where it feels like Chipotle nor kbbq. It's more as if your S.O. or your mum packed you a light lunch that is filling without being overwhelming. I do say the flavors (hint: sugar heavy, I did say it like 5-6 times lol) are to cater young adults (no shit, it's in the Village) or American palate: there's literally sugar in every component of my plate, but it doesn't subtract from the experience.
Quick easy lunch at USC Village where there is free 2-hr parking! Staff was kind and service was quick. This is the first time I've gotten the chicken as my protein, and it was served over white rice and japchae noodles. Flavor's pretty good, but I prefer the pork. The sides were nice and offered textural differences. The Kobunga sauce tastes similar to a bibimbap sauce. The convenience that is offered makes this place notable, but I wouldn't come here to expect mind-blowing, authentic Korean food.
Fast, casual, reasonable prices and darn good food means Kobunga gets all five of them stars. Pick a base, a protein and two sides. Seems simple enough but they execute really well with some truly great dishes. I had the pork belly which was cooked to perfection, seriously I'm a big fan of the thick cut swine and it was great. Their honey roasted carrots were tasty and made me pretend feel like I was healthy. I also did the corn which I greatly enjoyed. Just loved the whole shebang. With prices like this, I'll be back for more quick lunches.
10 months ago
The food was 10/10 delicious and tastes very fresh. The young lady behind the counter helped us decide what to get by making suggestions and explaining what each bowl included. Service 10/10 Their dumplings were the best! They came with a dipping sauce. You can also build your own bowl if you prefer. Their drinks are refillable. read more
Fast food kBBQ. The place was clean and had a decent line during lunch. Had the beef bulgogi which came with sweet corn, cucumber kimchi, and noodles. The meat was sweet and tangy with the veggies were refreshing. It came in a nice box that was somewhat reused able and recyclable which is a nice touch. read more
came here to eat after the yelp event at the california science museum because i wanted dulce nearby! i got the build your own with japchae, pork belly, soy sauce pickled cucumbers, and the korean cabbage slaw. the japchae was pretty flavorful and paired well with the pork belly, as the pork belly didn't have much flavor. i wish it had more vegetables in the japchae, but the slaw and cucumbers made up for it! my partner got the kimchi pickles and i actually liked those more than the soy sauce ones! seating is outdoors at the USC village and you can ask for a cup of water at the counter! read more
1 year ago
I first visited Kobunga about a year ago and was super impressed. As someone who's gluten-free, it's rare to find Korean food that accommodates that--and Kobunga really stood out. Most of the menu is gluten-free, which was such a pleasant surprise! Huge bonus: the kimchi is vegan, so no fish sauce or shrimp like traditional versions. That alone made me happy. However, during that first visit, I was told the dumplings were gluten-free by the front staff... unfortunately, they weren't--and I found out the hard way. The good news is the owners were incredibly kind and proactive. They apologized, took it seriously, and made sure to update the staff and labeling so future customers wouldn't have the same issue. I really appreciated that accountability. Fast forward to a year later--I finally made it back (I live far, or I would've come back sooner!). I was excited to try more items and went with a plate this time instead of a bowl. In hindsight, I should've stuck with the bowl--it felt like you get more bang for your buck that way. I definitely got more beef in my bowl during the first visit than I did on this plate. Still, that doesn't mean it wasn't delicious--the bulgogi and short rib were both flavorful and tender. The chapchae was also really good, and the kimchi, though a bit on the sweeter side for me, was still tasty. The staff were friendly, and overall it was a solid experience. Not quite as wow'd as my first time, but I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area again. Still one of the better gluten-free-friendly Korean spots around! read more
Business owner information
John K.
Hi Kat - thank you for your message. I hope your partner is ok - we…
One of the best features of USC is the Village - and Kobunga is my favorite place to have lunch! The bulgogi is so good. I love their bowls. Everything is so flavorful. The employees are so friendly and always happy to give recommendations. Reasonable prices too. So glad to have this option for Korean food at USC! read more
10 months ago
I ordered a beef bulgogi bowl via a delivery app. When it arrived, it was still warm, a good sign of the preparation Kobunga took in completing the order. The bulgogi was flavorful and chewy, with very little tough meat or super fatty cuts. The rice was your standard part of the bowl, but thankfully they didn't make the bowl where the rice was the vast majority of the dish. Some vegetables and corn were also added to the bowl, which made for a good mix when you stirred it up! Lastly, spicy yet slightly sweet sauce was added for that extra kick! All in all, Kobunga has a great beef bulgogi bowl, which is something you should try if you visit! read more
3 years ago
Pretty good spot in USC Village with quick service and delicious food! I've gotten the TBDT (The Best Damn Tofu) and the USC Special (Slow Cooked Short Rib). Both were really good, but I will say they don't include a lot of protein, but always include a ton of rice. As for sides, the Soy Sauce Pickles were incredible. Never had those before! And the lemonade has free refills! I really enjoyed the yuzu lemonade. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
Korean style food with modifications that cater to wider customers. The pork tastes great. If you want to avoid the crowds and save time during dining rush hours, it will be an alternative option. read more
3 years ago
I got the Build Your Own Plate with pork belly, and it was DELICIOUS!! The meat melts in your mouth and is very tender and juicy. I love the paring between the side and base with the meat. The short rib is also very flavorful and tender. The side of kimchi also tasted very fresh! A super delicious meal near campus. The food was ready very quickly, and the staff is very nice too! Plenty of seating around USC Village, and the underground parking lot is very convenient. I wish I gave this place a try earlier, but I liked it so much I went back two days in a row. read more
2 years ago
Stopped in after Trader Joe's. Service was prompt. While I was browsing the menu I was immediately greeted. I ordered a chicken bowl and was asked if I wanted rice, noodles or salad. I didn't get to read the fill menu so I was caught off guard. I got noodles, which is jap chae. I was thinking yakisoba when I hear noodles. Bowl was served in a reusable, microwavable container. It came with sour pickles and coleslaw. The pickles were reminisce of American sour pickles rather than Korean, so the sides were kinda weird. Chicken was cooked well and jap chae was cooked well. The drinks are great. I tried the plum lemonade and yuzu lemonade. Plum was sour and sweet. Perfect balance. Did not taste the yuzu too well, but it's perfect lemonade. read more
1 year ago
10 months ago
9 months ago
5 years ago
This is one of the best places to eat on campus hands down! I'm surprised I didn't try this place out sooner, it's really good! We ordered 2 build your owns. We ordered the pork belly and the beef bulgogi. I personally favored the pork belly a lot more but I would definitely buy the bulgogi again! The japchae noodles were also really delicious! The sides were really good. Most of the options were fermented vegetables of some sort and we really liked their cucumbers. Overall, I definitely would come back. It really is one of the best places on campus. Service is fast and easy too! read more
tl;dr: easy and fast; you choose a base, protein, and two banchans. Pork belly is tasty and filling, great lunch. Their kimchi cucumber is sweet and with the right amount of gochugaru, even though I'd prefer it be a tad bit fermented. Not much acidity. The sweet carrots are in nice bite size and has a great texture (not overcooked). This pairs well with their japchae. Japchae is not too shabby. It is light (in flavor/saltiness) and not unctuous. There's a bit of soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil (mainly soybean oil I presume). The texture is almost perfect but what can I say for fast Korean lunch? It's a great base alternative; I'd pick this over rice or greens. The pork belly (kobunga) is well braised and seasoned. The gochujang pasted(like literally, did they brush or sprinkle the sauce tho?) on top tastes in-house made being light and syrupy (unlike the cooking/flavor one where it's floury thick), pairs well with the belly and even their japchae! It has the pork flavors your are looking for: savory, meaty (like eating pure meat cut against the grain), sweet braise, and a great balance of meat to fat ratio. I do wish they render the fat more with a better roasted/seared skin because it has no texture even though there's color (where's the burnt sugar crust tho). It may seem like there's some sort of crusty finish on the skin surface, but once you bite in...it's a bit one dimensional. I'm just being picky. Zzz still good. Despite being pork belly, it delivers a velvety soft palate that doesn't make you feel so predacious like eating American or Korean BBQ (where it's just proteins on proteins with lots of grease ~ bold flavor). Perfect for late breakfast or lunch. I'm glad it's not just a cut of fat, they do choose their cuts well. I can see why this place's namesake is the dish. Overall, for $11.95 I cannot complain. Yes it's like Chipotle of Korean BBQ, but not in a way where it feels like Chipotle nor kbbq. It's more as if your S.O. or your mum packed you a light lunch that is filling without being overwhelming. I do say the flavors (hint: sugar heavy, I did say it like 5-6 times lol) are to cater young adults (no shit, it's in the Village) or American palate: there's literally sugar in every component of my plate, but it doesn't subtract from the experience. read more
Quick easy lunch at USC Village where there is free 2-hr parking! Staff was kind and service was quick. This is the first time I've gotten the chicken as my protein, and it was served over white rice and japchae noodles. Flavor's pretty good, but I prefer the pork. The sides were nice and offered textural differences. The Kobunga sauce tastes similar to a bibimbap sauce. The convenience that is offered makes this place notable, but I wouldn't come here to expect mind-blowing, authentic Korean food. read more
Fast, casual, reasonable prices and darn good food means Kobunga gets all five of them stars. Pick a base, a protein and two sides. Seems simple enough but they execute really well with some truly great dishes. I had the pork belly which was cooked to perfection, seriously I'm a big fan of the thick cut swine and it was great. Their honey roasted carrots were tasty and made me pretend feel like I was healthy. I also did the corn which I greatly enjoyed. Just loved the whole shebang. With prices like this, I'll be back for more quick lunches. read more
I visited here with my friend on Sunday night, we found this place through Yelp, and reviews were good. We had Short ribs plate, the taste was okay, the portion was small, very small meat, and the rest stuff were not that good. They were out of brown rice, so I got cauliflower rice. Just for the price paid is not decent food. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
The spicy chicken sandwich is amazing!! Kobunga is a cute spot right off the USC campus across from Trader Joe's. They validate the underground parking. You can either build your own plate with Korean dishes (some combinations available) or get a spicy chicken sandwich which is so delicious. It's fast fresh and easy and like the "chipotle" of Korean food. It is also super affordable for college students. read more
This place is in the same plaza as Trader Joe's, so you know there's at least parking. They have free two-hour validation for parking at the USC Village Garage. I tried ordering takeout over the phone but they didn't do over-the-phone orders so my bf had to build my order in person, which is kind of sketchy during COVID. They told me you could only order takeout through online apps, but I usually don't do that since I don't like paying all the extra fees going through a third party. You have a choice of the kind of base you wanted, but it was 5 PM on a Friday, and they were already out of Japchae noodles so I got white rice instead. I ordered their Mama Kim plate and a side of Tofu with Spicy Garlic Soy Sauce ($16.42 total including tax). I liked that they cooked their meat fresh to order instead of having them precooked like a lot of build-your-own places do. The food wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. I probably wouldn't come back here because I just wanted to try this place since CAVA was still closed due to COVID. I think this place is definitely worth a try if you're in the area but not worth going out of the way. I go out of my way to CAVA though. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
Think I'm obsessed.. had this 4 days in a row straight and still am not tired of it, don't think I ever will be tired of it. Honestly when I ordered bulgogi the first couple of visits here, I wasn't blown away. In fact, I'd say it's pretty average. I decided to give this place another try but instead order the short rib, which changed my mind entirely. The short rib is AMAZING. It literally melts in your mouth and is seasoned perfectly.. extremely tasty. My friends saw the short rib and decided to try a piece, and all walked over to order their own short rib meal lol all of us are hooked to this place now. If you're on the go, this place is perfect, it's fast and efficient. You can ask them for other sauces like BBQ and the special kobunga sauce, but I think the short rib itself is already seasoned to perfection. Don't forget to check in on Yelp for a free drink! read more
If you want fast, healthy, delicious & complete meal this is the place! For $12 plus tax you already the meat, noodles or rice & veggies. I tried their pork belly & the quality is excellent. The serving is more than enough for your appetite. Seating won't be a problem for the have a lot inside the USC village for big & small groups. read more
Here's what we ordered The Kobunga (pork belly) USC Special (short rib) The Mama Kim (bulgogi) Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich ------------------------------------------ aloha Foodie Fam! How's your belly doing today? Mine is craving Korean food, especially pork belly & short ribs. If you're in the LA area, especially if you're near USC, you've probably been to USC village. Check out Kobunga for their Korean food dishes, & homemade kimchi. We love the Kobunga special which has pork belly. Pair it with japchae (or glass noodles) and you'll have the perfect lunch today. If you're too lazy to go out, no worry . They deliver through Postmates. Call and place your order today. Your bell and YOU can thank me later. stay hungry & eat deliciously. Always! read more
5 years ago
The Mama Kim: The bulgogi is nice and seasoned. Texture is kinda like beef jerky thats been soaking in water, very soft. I wish the meat was more saucy but it's def not a deal breaker. 7.5/10 The kobunga: pork belly is amazing...The fat melts in your mouth and the meat is soo tender. The sauce has a little kick and is a little sweet(teensy weency), it coat's the noodles very well!! and it just tastes amazing!!! 9/10 Sides: Cucumber kimchi is good, not too salty but more on the vinegary side. The corn is very sweet and isn't too soggy. Carrots were disappointing, nothing special about them, highly don't recommend. Got japchae as the base for both dishes and it was a perfect consistency! Will be back to try more dishes! read more
2 years ago
Great food. I like the bowl option more than the plate. With the bowl, you get a salad, and another base of your choice ( brown rice is great). You get corn, dumplings, and your choice of protein on the top. Pretty decent amount of food. read more
Yes! I remember this spot... I was craving KBBQ, but not craving spending $20 and waiting an hour for it. Kobunga came to my rescue when I needed it most (not to be dramatic). They satisfied me like no other!!! UH. MAZING. I wish I had a Kobunga closer to me. read more
6 years ago
Came here for lunch before grocery shopping. Glad I did. I truly enjoyed my meal. Ordered the KOBUNGA. It was just right for lunch. Good portion and fast service. Will come back and try other dishes. Trust! read more
I feel this is one of the better food options in USC Village. I liked the chicken plate but I had to spit out a few fatty pieces. Other than that, it's pretty good. Bonus points for NOT using MSG and stating it on your menu! (Other places use MSG because they don't know how to cook and have no concern for the health of customers) I didn't mind the 20 min wait for the chicken when I came in the evening because they were upfront and honest about it and the wait time was accurate. read more
2 years ago
Wow. The food here is so amazing. I'm so blessed to have been born into this world at a time where I can experience this truly remarkable restaurant. I grew up eating my mom's dank Korean food, and I can vouch that this place is dankkkk. Came here for lunch with a friend and we shared the Kobunga (pork belly) and the Mama Kim (bulgogi). Holy... My friend and I were talking about it all day. So naturally, we just had to come back for dinner. Even walked in the rain for a bit just to make a return. For round 2 we ordered the Kobunga again (cause duh) along with the USC Special (short rib) and Mama Cho (grilled chicken). Again.. amazing. We also got to meet the husband and wife who own the place and they're such nice people. They said they were preparing to open this place for about 3 years! So inspiring getting to talk with such hardworking, genuine, passionate people! They even threw in some extra bulgogi and pork belly. So within a day I've tried most of their menu. All of it amazing. The one complaint I have is that both times we visited, they didn't have something on their menu. But it's fine cause everything on their menu is delicious. My favorites are the short rib and the pork belly. The bulgogi is also really good. And the sides, so good! read more
Business owner information
John K.
Hi Josh! Wow - thank you so much for your kind words. Very grateful…
3 years ago
The food here was very good, surprisingly so considering where it is located. The parking was very easy and the service was great. Has a real friendly and helping ambiance. I ordered the watermelon lemonade and pork belly build your own bowl. If near this area and looking for quick affordable Korean food that is solid, stop in. read more
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More info about KOBUNGA
929 W Jefferson Blvd
Ste 1610
Los Angeles, CA 90089
University Park
Directions
(213) 536-5886
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http://www.kobungagrill.com
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Ask the Community - KOBUNGA
Do you have to get the sauce with the short ribs or can you get plain short ribs with just salt?
The short ribs are cooked in a marinade they come as is they don't have a sauce .. you can ask for one of their sauces on the side
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