Korean-Italian fusion cuisine in a prime location at the center of ktla. Unique pasta dishes that fused traditional Korean spice to give it a slight Asian flavor. Wasn't sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. Portion sizes were small which allowed us to try a few different dishes. Galbi JJim pasta is a savory Galbi flavoring with Galbi strips, slightly sweet (as expected with Galbi), marinating deeply in the radiatore pasta which held the sauce well with each bite. Good pasta and a must try. Perilla leaf pesto: Garganelli pasta immersed in a perilla leaf herbal flavoring (very light and almost in distinct), small bites of snap peas (adds a crunch to each bite), and pine nuts with the latter adding a wonderful nuttiness (The pine nuts made the dish). This dish was fair and I would recommend ordering to share for the table. Very different flavoring from any other pastas I've tried and worth tasting. The little gem salad was refreshing. Fresh crisp lettuce with Caesar and generous amount of parmesan. For this dish they added doenjang 된장 sprinkles which added a pleasantly interesting and flavorful aroma. Doenjang is a traditional Korean spice that is loved by generations of Koreans but not one that is readily appreciated around the world . However this add on to the salad was tastefully done and very good. This was my favorite. Overall small intimate Korean Italian fusion restaurant. Would recommend! read more

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Lapaba is owned and partnered by famous restauranteurs Nancy Silverton, Tanya/Joe Bastianich, and Robert Kim and led by husband-wife chef McKenna Lelah and Matthew Kim who met at Osteria Mozza. Lapaba certainly flexes its expertise in Italian cuisine, however as many other reviewers have pointed out, the menu offerings and execution misses the mark of Italian-Korean fusion. I loved the open kitchen concept and the long bar seating. Our server for the night was not the warmest person nor cared for whether we were enjoying our experience but was otherwise attentive. We were somewhat disappointed to find that all their cocktails were exclusively soju based without any information about their source and were relatively simple. I got G-ma's Boricha which I felt was very mild in flavor from both the soju and barley tea perspective. Starters: 1) The milk bread had a great crust and soft inner texture. The choice of black garlic and honey buckwheat for the butters hit the Korean fusion goal. 2) The scallion pajeon was probably my favorite dish of the night with a crispy texture contrasted with the creamy and savory leek fondue. Pastas: 1) The radiatori and galbi jim was probably my least favorite dish. The pasta overcooked, the texture of the meat did not feel like short ribs, and the addition of red wine made the ragu nowhere near reminiscent of the sweet and rich flavor of galbi jim. 2) The agnolotti and cheesy corn was delicious in its own right (can't go wrong with brown butter), but that gooey melted mozzarella we're used to seeing in the popular Korean BBQ side dish was missing among the pool of melted butter fat. 3) The orecchiette and sausage was my second favorite dish of the night and probably captured the essence of Italian-Korean fusion the best. Dessert: I was extremely excited to try the tiramisu-garu but felt like I could not taste the misugaru nor makgeolli at all (understandably the former is pretty light in flavor to begin with). Rather, I was getting mostly the powdery black matcha flavor with every bite. I think incorporating more misugaru (or entirely switching to injeolmi - a more flavorful, sweet, and nutty powder) as the egg yolks are double boiled and then folded into the whipped mascarpone and cream could potentially add the flavor I was craving for in this dish. read more

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I really wanted to love this place because I have a soft spot for Asian fusion, and Korean-Italian is such a cool concept. Unfortunately, while I think the idea is really interesting, I felt like the execution missed the mark a bit :/ The restaurant itself is small but really pretty. I also loved that, despite the trend toward dark and moody interiors at a lot of upscale restaurants, this space felt bright, warm, and fun. We were seated at the bar, and our server was incredibly friendly. We were also very late to our reservation, and they were super understanding about it. Since we were celebrating something, they even brought us complimentary bubbles, which was such a generous touch. As for the food, we left feeling full, but not satisfied. We didn't find that any of the dishes leaned distinctly Italian or Korean, and I think that's ultimately where the concept fell a little flat for me. I was hoping to see more of a thoughtful interplay between the two cuisines. I never felt like the flavors fully came together or that I was getting the best of either cuisine. My favorite dish of the night ended up being the bread. It was incredibly fluffy and came with unique butters that I really enjoyed. I also enjoyed the branzino, which was cooked well, but I still wasn't quite sure how the flavor fit into the Korean-Italian concept. Same with the fried chicken - super crispy and cooked well, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I think I was expecting the flavors to be more like a traditional korean fried chicken or calamari, but this didn't really remind me of either. AND as for the pastas... Radiatore & galbi jjim: This was the dish I was most excited about since it was recommended to us as one of their most popular and frequently reordered dishes. The pasta itself was cooked well, but overall, I didn't get that galbi jjim flavor. Agnolotti & cheesy corn: I didn't love the smokiness of the cheese in this dish. I'm used to cheesy corn being a little more subtle, and I've had corn agnolotti at other restaurants that I enjoyed more. Overall, this was fun to try, but just not for me. read more

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Loved the Italian-Korean fusion concept and the beautiful decor. The bar-top style service creates a fun dining experience, and our server was fantastic with recommendations. They offer valet parking, but I'm not sure if they have their own parking lot. The food was solid, but none of the dishes really wowed me or felt significantly different from other trendy restaurants in LA. Still, it was a great experience overall. I think I may have hyped it up in my mind a bit too much, so it ended up being just good instead of amazing. read more

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Lapaba is a good Korean Italian fusion spot that has a lot of style and some good notes with room for improvement as well. The first thing you notice coming in is just the nice, modern and sleek look inside with braided rope lining the walls and a nice countertop with some light tan lighting. It's a great look and reminded me of New York. All the seating here is counter with mostly raised seating and some lower seats as well. Once we came in after making a reservation a few days before, we were seated and given a lowdown on the menu. There are numerous drinks including wines, soju cocktails, makkeoli, and some non alcoholic options as well as items like sparkling water. We just opted for water. There was a $150 tasting menu (total for 2 people) that seemed to do a pretty good job in covering all the bases on the menu. But we ended up going a la carte since we didn't think we would finish. We ended up going with these items: +: Milk Break: Pretty good and these came out fairly quickly. A nice duo of butters and came in a group of four for two people. +: Radiatore and Galbi Jjim: Our favorite pasta that we ordered. Super full of flavor. Can taste the red wine and the short rib ragu was delicious. First time having the radiatore and was a little chewier than expected but think it worked with this combo. +/-: Burrata Con Crema: A very pretty dish. Think parts of worked well like the burrata itself being good and the sweet potato was also good on its own. Combined, not 100% sure it completely worked and wish the chili crisp had a bit more heat. - Rigatoni and K Meatballs: The concept sounded good in theory. Bulgogi meatballs sound great along with the truffle. But oddly it lacked flavor and the meatball, although big, only came with two pieces. Wouldn't get this again on our end. Noted that the staff is upfront saying the pasta is a little smaller than usual to let you try more, but for us middle-aged folks, two pastas worked to be just enough. Probably could have gotten one more starter or a side. The total cost came out to about $100. Service-wise, I think the staff is super nice and helpful. However, interestingly even with the bar/counter style where staff should be more visible, it was hard to sometimes call staff for things like water refills and trying to order more food. I do appreciate that when I had to change my reservation on the day of, the email address given on their site is very responsive and was easy to change the reservation size a little bit. In terms of parking, as per usual in this area of Ktown, it's tough to find a street parking spot. I ended up going with valet which was $14. They do allow you to pay by card which is nice. This valet spot may be a little hidden depending on which way you're coming in. You'll want to come in on Western Ave. going north. read more

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I'm already dreaming of when we can go back. Highly recommend doing the tasting menu, you get to try a bunch of things off the menu and if you go with a group the hack is getting everything the other person didn't get and share it all. The staff was friendly and helpful with ordering read more

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So glad this place opened in the neighborhood! It was such a fun menu with delicious bites. Our server Jeff was sooo fun and adorable and made the experience that much better! I love the bright airy vibe that transports you out of Koreatown (I live here and love it but this space is calm and quiet and feels like neighborhood spot). The agnolotti was a standout but honestly everything was good and would order again. A really unique fusion menu with bites you won't get anywhere else! If you're more than 2 people I would recommend requesting a table top as opposed to the bar. Will Definitely be back! read more

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Walking into Lapaba, I felt like I entered a restaurant that hits way above its weight (and the discussion it gets). Wonderful design and decor, good service, and interesting menu options. But as each plate hit the table, that perception fell and fell until it kind of ended up as one of those places where you'd be open to revisiting, but you wouldn't give any of the dishes a second chance. - Housemade milk bread w/ buckwheat honey and black garlic butter. - the bread arrived as if it had sat there for a few hours, neither warm nor soft, bare minimum for a restaurant that charges for bread. - Fried chicken - decent, but quite a small portion, with the texture and glaze feeling inadequate compared to any Korean fried chicken spot you could find - Agnolotti cheesy corn - probably the best non-dessert thing we had, very cheesy but the sweet corn helped keep it from being too rich - Radiatore galbi jjim - praised as the "absolute favorite pasta" dish from my server and quite honestly one of the worst things I've had this year. Reminds me nothing of galbi jjim, and maybe closer to if someone threw some pasta into beef bourguignon, as it was sickly rich and inundated with wine flavor. - Flannery ribeye - was excited to see how they revamped the menu with more entree options, but this was closer to okay than bad, sold as 'melt in your mouth' but reaching nowhere close. - Tiramisu-garu - personally, I thought this was too much of a boozy dessert, even as someone who enjoys makgeolli, just not in my desserts in such a strong way - BTS - maybe the best part of the meal or just a coping mechanism from everything before it, but this was solid and not too sweet. read more

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I've now been here twice. I think the interior design of the space is very cool with the long snaking counter. The food is fantastic. Everything is shareable and fun size. The servers really know how to describe the dishes well also so ask away. This is also home to one of my favorite Caesar salads in the city. I really think it misses five stars for me only from the awkward location to get to it and missing the full bar. Definitely will stop in again. read more

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Came here for a girls' dinner on a Friday evening and managed to snag a 5:30pm reservation (reservations seem to go pretty quickly here). The space is beautiful inside, with lots of natural light and an elegant, modern atmosphere. I started with the Jeju Mule (soju, matcha, ginger). I was looking for something not too sweet, and it was refreshing, but honestly it didn't taste or feel like there was much alcohol in it. I'd probably just get a non-alcoholic drink next time. The food, however, was excellent. Burrata Con Crema (satsuma sweet potato, sweet soy, chili crisp) - 9/10 This was such a good combination of flavors and textures. The sweetness from the sweet potato paired perfectly with the savory soy and chili crisp. One of those dishes that immediately makes you want to recreate it at home. K Meatballs (bulgogi meatballs, milk bread, truffle tomato sauce) - 9/10 These were fantastic meatballs. Super tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. I didn't get a ton of bulgogi flavor specifically, but they were delicious regardless. The milk bread was fluffy and warm, and perfect for soaking up the tomato sauce. Seasonal Salad (spring peas, charred green garlic, Meyer lemon, peanuts) - 9/10 A simple but really well-executed salad. The peas were fresh and sweet, the lemon added brightness, and the peanuts brought great crunch and nuttiness. Radiatore & Galbi Jim (short rib ragu, shiitake, red wine) - 8.5/10 I had never seen this pasta shape before, and it was perfect for holding onto the rich short rib ragu. The short rib was incredibly tender and flavorful. A great dish overall. Agnolotti & Cheesy Corn (smoked scamorza, brown butter, thyme) - 9.5/10 My favorite dish of the night. I love cheesy corn at KBBQ, and this felt like a creative, elevated version transformed into a pasta. The sweetness of the corn, gooey cheese, and brown butter thyme sauce worked so well together. I'd come back just for this. The only thing that held the experience back a bit was the service. We arrived around 5:45pm, and the host immediately informed us that another reservation was coming in at 7:15pm and that we'd need to be finished by then. Later, she came back and said they were able to seat that party elsewhere, so we didn't actually need to rush after all. I understand they're busy and trying to manage reservations, especially since we arrived 15 minutes after our reservation time (which is still within their grace period), but the whole interaction felt a little awkward and could have been communicated more gracefully. What made it stranger was that all of our starters came out quickly, but there was a long wait before the pastas arrived. So if we had ended up needing more time at the table, it wasn't really because we were lingering. I wasn't sure if there was a kitchen delay or an order mix-up, but it definitely stood out. There were also a couple small service moments that felt off. At one point, plates were cleared while there was still some bread and salad left on them, and no one asked if we were finished first. Nothing major, but enough that I noticed. I wouldn't call the service bad, but more disconnected than anything. Maybe it was just an especially busy night or an off day. The food itself was absolutely worth the visit, though, and I'd happily come back to try more of the menu. If you're into Korean-Italian fusion and creative takes on familiar flavors in an elegant setting, Lapaba is definitely worth checking out! read more

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It's a fun place to try out if you want to try a different version of Korean and Italian food. We got there a little before opening and it was blazing hot but ended up waiting in a shady area around the corner. They offer valet but there is also parking if you're lucky to find one on the streets of ktown. People driving at the intersection are quite insane and entertaining at the same time. I sat by the window and had an entertaining view. We were able to sit at the table instead of the counter. Our server was helpful to deciding a drink and was excellent serving us attentively while there. We ordered their prefix menu for two which came with choices of four items. It was a great price for $150 for two and it came with a lot of food. The food was interesting. I did enjoy some of their dishes but I thought a lot of the dishes served were pretty salty. Overall, a fun experience to try something new. read more

Lapaba - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Super underwhelmed despite having had high hopes for this spot. We arrived for our 6:15 reservation on a Friday a tad early but were able to be seated when we arrived at 6. Most of the seating is high top seating at the bar but it's a fun ambience. We were encouraged to order 3 appetizers and 3 pastas for 2 people. They claim the pastas are about 75% the size of a "normal" pasta dish so that you can try more. We opted for the chicken lollipops, k meatballs, and seasonal salad for the apps, and chose 2 pastas - the calamarata & kimchi, and the tonnarelli & lobster. We figured we could order more if desired. The appetizers came out altogether and quite quickly, which was nice. Sadly though, nothing really felt special. The food was also somewhat lukewarm. Nothing tasted inherently bad, I just never had that moment of "yummy!" Onto the pastas. The two pastas arrived nearly at the same time as one another. I enjoyed the texture of both pastas. But again, flavor and temperature were disappointing. We left somewhat full, not stuffed. We were originally going to order dessert but decided to skip and go down the street for cheaper (and likely better) instead. The food was underwhelming, and this coupled with the tiny portions made this a disappointment, especially at the price point. Service and vibe were the main redeeming qualities. We won't be returning but happy to check it off our lists. read more

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At the edge of an edgy hood sits Lapaba taking up the whole corner. Drop the key fob off with the Valet for only $12 and duck inside. Two Hostees will check you out, check you in and confirm your reservation. The space is Euro-minimal, sleek and slick. The decor is as lean an #9 Spaghetti and as modern as Tokyo Central Train Station. White Subway tiles and brass accents, a snake-y marble bar contouring the curvy space, two four tops and a wide open kitchen that anchors the room. That's it. Speaking of the kitchen, this crew is all brass, bold and confident. The game plan is a serious mash up of Korean flavors, condiments, and spices layered over, around, and on House Made Pasta. The Chefs cut their teeth (and Tonnarelli) at Osteria Mozza. A dedicated Pasta Room sports a large window with a dangle of Pasta making implements worthy of Marcella Hazon's kitchen. Chef McKenna and Chef Matthew know their way around noodles and are making Nancy Silverton proud (and wealthier). A squadron of Black Shirted Line/Prep Cooks keep the water at a rolling boil and the K-Sauces at a simmer. A loop of BTS, Stray Kids and Twice fuel the energy without eclipsing diner's table chat. The vibe is pleasant and a good mix. Settle in and have a cocktail or two. It's Wine, Beer and Soju here but that leaves plenty of room to be playful and creative. They can mix up some fine signature drinks with just Matcha, Soju and Yuzo. You know, all the stuff you have laying around your pantry or haven't seen since your kid moved most of it to his locker at school. I decided to keep it simple. A Soju Yuzo Sour was all of that plus a splash of Simple Syrup to balance the acidity. Served short it was just what I (anybody) needed. The Staff: Ready, willing and helpful to interpret the menu and or nudge you in the right direction for dinner choices. Manny introduced himself. "I'm here to give you the spiel". "Spiel on", I replied and he did. Manny needed no urging. He promptly rolled out 15 minutes of A-material and K-Schtick while peppering his set with recommendations which were all spot on. The concept here is "family style". That could mean Grandma's tried and true comfort dishes or a full flat out food fight including a hail of dinner dishes depending on family dynamics. Here it's all civilized with the emphasis on shared plates of great food. Manny watched carefully during my dinner and timely coursed out a wonderful meal. First out were house special K-Meatballs. The kitchen showed some brass balls with this opening move. Delicious Bulgogi mixed with a little Milk Bread "Golf Balls" with a hint of Truffle and a sledge hammer of perfect Hot House Tomatoes reduced to a lovely thick sauce and ladled over my tender balls. (So to speak). Fried Chicken made an appearance. Half a dozen little Drumette Lollipops brushed with a sticky Sweet-ish Chili (Calabrian) Sauce. Enjoy them with the cup of Pickled Daikon Cubes and dip in the Yuzo Ranch. However, the Chicken was tasty but the skin quickly lost it's crisp-osity. I am used to Fried K-Chicken crackling crunchy enough to require replacing a few fillings or at least days of flossing. The Tteobokki (Rice Cakes) are usually chewy tubes. Not there. These little bite sized bits under a mantle of fresh grated Old and Young Pecorino Cheese (Cacio e Pepe style) were as soft as pillows or your Momma's Gnocchi. These should be offered by the bucket. The Little Gem Salad was a gem indeed. Stacked Leaves drizzled with Doenjang (a thick savory Soybean Paste similar to Miso) and several tablespoons of crisp Gim (Seaweed) standing in for Croutons and all topped with Shaved Parmesan Cheese. Lovely. The Garganelli & Pesto was made with Perilla, (from the Mint family), the freshest Sugar Snap Peas and Toasted Pine Nuts. This was re-imagined Pesto as fresh as an entitled Gen Z'er. The Bucatini Amatriciana had Roasted Guanciale lardons withut a speck of any fat. A deep rich dark long simmered Bean Sauce stood in for Crushed Tomatoes. Finally, a dusting of more Parmesan Cheese made this the most memorable dish I enjoyed at my memorable meal here. The Orrecchiete with House Made Fennel Sausage was poached from Osteria Mozza and every bit as good as the version you'll find there. A hat tip to Nancy Silverton. Finally, the Tonnarelli with Lobsta chunks took center stage. Mixed with Chili, Ginger and Lobsta Jus this dish was nothing short of terrific. Lapaba...come to Papa! read more

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I had such high expectations and I was so disappointed. I don't like big portions but the portions here were tiny! And the pasta wasn't as good. I took a friend and spent $160 including tip and came out hungry. Also it was so hard to make reservations on open table but the restaurant was half empty. But it is a cute restaurant with mainly bar seating. It is a nice place to meet up for drinks, small plates and dessert. The dessert was really good. But I definitely wouldn't be back for dinner. There is valet behind the building but you have to walk around. read more

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Fun and delicious! Great service. Imaginative menu - especially the cocktails. Enjoyed the truffle ice cream and all the entrees were fire! read more

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Went to celebrate a birthday! Great ambiance and service for a place in koreatown but my expectations may have been too high for the food. The portions are smaller, but I prefered it as we were able to order lots of things and try a little bit of each. We ordered- Kimchi suppli - didnt love this as much, it would've been better with more cheese inside Fried chicken - this was pretty good! Cacio e pepe rice cake - would not order again, lacked the flavor I was expecting Radiatore&galbi Jjim - this was good, tasted like a ragu pasta I've tried somewhere else Agnolotto&cheese corn- this was definitely my favorite! I'd go back just for the agnolotto! Tiramisu - it was a bit too soggy for me, probably wouldn't order next time. read more

Lapaba - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The fusion I didn't know I needed - Korean x Italian flavors just work so well together. The meal exceeded all expectations. - Burrata con crema: a strong start to our meal. I'm not a sweet potato person but I enjoyed my 2 small bites very much (the dish was tiny lol) - K meatballs: bulgogi meatballs, tasty and moist, loved the milk bread that came with it - Charred broccolini: pleasantly surprised by the bold flavor if this seemingly simple dish - Cacio e pepe rice cakes: this just makes so much sense! i'm so surprised i never thought of making this myself - Agnolotti & cheesy corn: it's obvious that corn agnolotti is having a moment in the food scene. this is a very nice iteration of the dish. - Bucatini & amatriciano: think jjajangmyun with guanciale. our faveeeee dish of the whole meal. Still thinking about it - Radiatore & galbi jjim: a very familiar flavor of short rib pasta, nothing too special. could've skipped this. *all of the dishes are in smaller portions We loved our server, impeccable service by Jeff. Truly a pasta bar, most of the seatings are at the bar top (great for date nights) with 2 high tops in the corner for larger groups. Disappointments: We ran a few minutes over the grace period, dm'ed on ig because there was no phone number to call, still couldn't get a hold of the restaurant so when we got there, our table was already given away and we had to get on the waitlist (1.5 hours wait). Please have a working phone or a reliable way for patrons to contact the restaurant. I wish the wine glasses weren't stemless glasses. read more

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This place has intrigued me long way before they even opened their door, then in the early opening days it's just too busy to even get a reservation especially as I was aiming for weekend. I finally gave up and picked a weekday dinner. Finding street parking would also test your luck certainly. The venue setting was interesting with one long marble-top counter table so you could tell small-size group would be more ideal. Thankfully the menu was quite brief so at least eased the decision making. Most of the were meant for sharing so you could try multiple dishes, but portion wise it's more on the smaller side. We got their Fried Chicken as starter, served with Calabrian Chili and somewhat reminded me of Thai Chili Sauce. It was good and I loved the idea of refreshing yuzu ranch dipping, making it distinctive but I would say the chicken itself was moderately good. The radiatore was cooked al dente and the wine flavor stood strong in the sauce. Generously served short rib ragu was lovely, but I got it when people said to not expect it to remind you of signature Korean flavor, which I certainly didn't mind knowing it's fusion anyway! read more

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Fancy pasta bar vibes in Ktown. Went for a weekend dinner. They have valet (though I ubered to not deal with the parking situation). Had reservations and was seated at the bar right away. It wasn't crowded but almost every seat was taken. Drink-wise, there's beer, wine, soju and soju cocktails, and makgeolli. Food-wise - there's some appetizers, salads, and pastas. You order about 2-3 dishes per person and share. Ended up ordering a bottle of makgeolli, burrata con créma, little gem caesar, garganelli & pesto, radiatore & galbi jjim, and agnolotti & cheesy corn. Got our makgeolli, along the burrata and salad pretty quickly. The makgeolli was pretty good - more on the lighter (both flavor and texture) which made it pretty easy to drink. The burrata was neat with the sweet potato situation, but was a bit overpowered by the sauce. The caesar salad was good and had great texture with the tiny croutons. The pastas came out shortly after our dishes were done and replaced. The garganelli was cooked well but think the pesto was a little too light. The radiatore was great - meaty, hearty flavors without weighing you down. The agnolotti was also pretty good - good texture and flavor. For dessert, we ended up with the tiramisu-garu and pavlova. The tiramisu was really cold - almost gave ice cream cake vibes. The flavor had a bit of brisk ice tea to it (in a good way). The pavlova was fruity and light - pretty good as well. Overall - was a good time and good food. One caveat is that all the kimchi dishes do have shrimp in it - so if you are allergic, you'll have to avoid them. I may switch out a few dishes if I came around again (probably the burrata and garganelli) but wouldn't mind coming back! read more

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We popped in early and managed to get a seat at the bar before they got busy. The highlight for me was the corn ravioli and Cesar salad. Service was warm and attentive. Parking is a pain. read more

Lapaba - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cool concept and a great date night spot or to meet up with a group. We came on a Sunday night with a reservation. Majority of seating is at their bar area, with a few tables that could fit parties of 3-4. Everything was great and totally shareable. Between the 2 of us we tried: - market salad - hamachi crudo - kimchi suppli - k meatballs w/ milk bread - radiatore + galbi jjim - agnolotti + cheesy corn - orecchiette + sausage - pavlova (must try) My standout bites were the k meatballs, radiatore and pavlova. The meatballs and radiatore were familiar Italian flavors and just a rich flavor overall. The pavlova is a new dessert item and it was the perfect balance of freshness, sweet, and nuttiness from the black sesame. My only critique is the agnolotti was a bit too buttery for my liking and I was hoping for more cheesy flavors. I also wish the corn was incorporated into the sauce more. Great flavors and textures though. Cant wait to come back and try other items such as the fried chicken, burrata, and cacio e pepe rice cakes. read more

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Came on a friday night before rush hour with a reservation and was promptly seated at the bar, which takes up essentially the entire restaurant. (Hence name la pasta bar) I ordered k meatballs, chicken wings, agnolotti cheesy corn, radiatore, and orecchiette with sausage, and a tiramisu-garu. The k meatballs and chicken wings were really tasty starters. The k meatballs tasted like your typical bugolgi but with the texture and spices of italian meatballs. The chicken wings were cooked nicely and the sweet spicy sauce reminded me of korean fried chicken. The pastas were very much on the smaller side. The agnolotti cheesy corn was very very cheesy with hints of corn here and there depending on how much corn I picked up with the spoon. The orecchiette and sauage was on the saltier side but good texture. The radiatore was very delicious with a nice strong meaty ragu. I stuffed the ragu inside of the radiatore and it was a mini flavor bomb. Tiramisu-garu tasted like how it sounds. A mix of tiramisu and misugaru. Overall, decent food and better than what I was expecting. I was told the owners were the same as norikaya next door, which was horrendously bad and overhyped for handrolls. Luckily, this spot is actually worth visiting. Service was exceptional. If you were picking between lapaba and norikaya, skip norikaya and come here. read more

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Interior is 10/10. Definitely pro-level design. Valet or street parking available. Mule: Solid and refreshing. Wine: Minimal list, but every bottle is a banger. Broccolini: Ssamjang sauce is a game changer. Super tasty. Crudo: Mid flavors with a clean cucumber finish. Pasta Breakdown: Galbijim Ragu: Very solid. Kimchi Calamarata: Sauce was a bit too aggressive. Corn Agnolotto: A little too sweet for me. THE MVP: K-Meatball & Bread. Literally melts in your mouth. Best dish of the night. Service: Good! Bottom Line: Go for the aesthetics, stay for the meatballs. read more

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One of the best meals I've had in a couple of years, if not in the last 12 months. Especially, for the pasta restaurant category.. in the Asian-Italian style, this has beaten everything I've had from Japanese Italian, Korean Italian, any fresh-made-pasta fusion style. The quality and flavor execution was excellent,.. first bite, first course (appetizers), there is an understanding that the food at Lapaba is mature, elevated, not challenging but layered with flavorful personalities. Nothing punches you in the face, each dish balances the contrasting notes and allow a complimentary taste to tell the story. The best example of this experience was the seasonal salad, it was heirloom tomatoes on our visit. There was 3 types in the dish- a beefy, cherry, and plum... everything was sliced so I might be off on the variety. But it was distinct that there was more than 2 varietal. One bite, there was a strong umami taste, next a sweet salinity taste, after a fresh fruity tanginess... which all tasted of the best tomatoes that can be. All of theses unique flavors were countered by a fragrant basil that was chopped in large pieces, very bold and herbaceous so that every tomato piece was amplified upon each spoonful. The dressing probably had me at awe, as explained by the server it is a tomato water that is fermented and distilled-or-filtered so it brought a tomato essence but tasted like a smooth soy sauce that was umami filled without a salty impression which let's you know tomato is the superhero and I Stan for superheroes. A sidekick in the dish was Amareth Seeds, popped, giving a light crunch and provided clingy support for the dressing to the tomatoes. We did level up and added a burrata to the salad, as a suggestion by our waiter. It was amazing, it gave the salad a luxurious creamy texture that made the other textures stand out. The burrata is not made in-house, confirmed by waiter, yet... best burrata I have tasted. It had a milky-wet creamy cheese center with a thin soft skin. It has a delicate sweet cream flavor that no other burrata I've experienced comes close to it. Totally a worthwhile addition to the salad. The rest of the dishes we ordered were on the same level as the heirloom tomato salad. Everything was delicious, well received by everyone in our party. I would emphasize getting the fried chicken (lollipoped, so yummy with the house ranch), agnolotti with smoked scamorza, orechietti and sausage, rigatoni with korean meatballs, aged ribeye steak,.. I guess anything on the menu. Honestly, personal preference and allergies will be the decider when choosing your dishes. For example, the Little Gem Caesar, it was dressed in a sauce based on fermented tofu instead of anchovies and it was a delicious re-imagining on a popular salad ...as it was tasty and enjoyable for me, one person didn't like it because they didn't like fermented tofu. But, I would recommend the Little Gem Salad for people that have a wider palate or want to try something new,.. it is such a smart way to use a funky ingredient and make it delicious. The level of cooking at this place is high, I've been to restaurants that aspire to cook at this level but are years from being so refine. This place is impressive, but exudes relaxing energy... it is a bright modern space with a fashionable touch which makes it a good place to go with friends or for a nice outing without the stress of wearing the super fancy duds. The dishes are sized intimately so the portion size is conducive to the ordering style of Antipasto, Primo, Secondo, Contorno, & Dolce (which shouldn't be missed, i love the BTS - Brown Butter w/ Black Truffle Softserve). In the heart of Koreatown, this is a need to try restaurant if you live in the area. read more

Lapaba - Seasonal Salad, on our visit Heirloom Tomatoes (August 2026) - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Was excited to try this place once it opened. There are only 2 small tables over on the side and the rest is bar seating only. I loved the chic ambiance of the place and how lengthy the wraparound bar was. Service was amazing. The server was friendly, attentive and timely, and stopped to check on us and even made conversation with us after we had closed out and he was no longer obligated to. The rating is for the food, unfortunately. The servers here warn you that the pasta serving sizes are a little smaller than you'd expect and you're meant to order multiple entrees and apps in order to feel full. We ordered 2 apps and 2 pastas for 2 people. We got the fried chicken and the bulgogi meatballs. Even if they were both nearly $20 appetizers, I thought both were pretty solid. The fried chicken was well cooked and had a great sauce on it. I thought the yuzu ranch on the side was unnecessary. The bulgogi meatballs did have distinctive Korean flavors and the bread it came with was soft. The pasta which is the main entrees was where we fell short. We got the cheesy corn agnolotti and the radiatore galbi Jim. Both pastas were overly salty, but the radiatore extremely so, to the point where both my partner and I had to force ourselves to finish it. I could tell the agnolotti was handmade and loved the texture of the fresh pasta, but beyond that it was simply drowning in brown butter soup, not a good way. The texture of radiatore + the overly salty meat + sauce was just an overwhelming combo. I would have given this 4 stars but felt that if both of us found an entree to be so overly salty it is off-putting and hard to eat that's a pretty basic issue and a big markdown. Each entree was $25 for a smaller portion so we decided we didn't want to try a dessert priced at $14 after that. The apps and drinks are great though! Maybe it was just an off night. read more

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I hate to say it, but I was a bit disappointed overall. It's quite expensive for how small the portions are. The HAMACHI CRUDO and K MEATBALLS were good. For the pastas, we had the BUCATINI AMATRICIANA, AGNOLITTI WITH CHEESY CORN, and TONNARELLI WITH LOBSTER. Of the three, the agnolotti with cheesy corn was the standout, but all the pasta portions were quite small. Our favorite part of the meal was actually dessert--the PAVLOVA was the clear winner. We also tried the TIRAMISU-GARU, which was just okay. It's currently quite hard to get a reservation, likely because it's still new. The decor is lovely and the service was great, but the food itself felt a bit underwhelming for the price. ENJOY! PS: It's either metered parking or valet in the front. We were blessed by the parking gods. :) read more

Lapaba is one of those restaurants that looks far more impressive than it actually is. The interior is beautiful, the atmosphere is trendy, and it's clear they're aiming for a Michelin-style dining experience. Unfortunately, the food never lives up to that ambition. The service was attentive, but almost every interaction felt like an upsell. We were repeatedly encouraged to order the most expensive appetizer, pasta, entrée, and cocktails on the menu. I don't mind recommendations, but there was a noticeable difference between genuine hospitality and salesmanship, and this leaned heavily toward the latter. Most of the seating is at the bar, and the stools become uncomfortable over the course of a meal. There are only a couple of cozy booths, so unless you're lucky enough to get one, don't expect to settle in for a relaxed dinner. The biggest letdown was the food. We ordered four different dishes, expecting at least one to stand out, but none of them did. The Korean-Italian fusion concept is interesting on paper, yet the execution felt amateur. The flavors were forgettable, the portions were modest, and nothing justified the premium pricing. These were dishes I'd expect at a neighborhood restaurant, not at a place charging Michelin-level prices. I don't mind paying for exceptional food--I actually enjoy it. But high prices come with high expectations, and Lapaba simply didn't deliver. Nothing was objectively bad, but nothing was memorable either. It's the kind of restaurant you try once out of curiosity, check it off your list, and move on. read more

Lapaba - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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A Nancy Silverton restaurant in Koreatown serving up Korean Italian dishes? Say Less. To preface I'm going into this with a Korean palette, and the rating is more 3.5 than 4. First tip make a reservation on OpenTable. Second tip they have valet, but if you get lucky u may find parking on 6th or along western going north. Good vibes in this place w the music and ambiance. Not sure if its a great place for group dinners, moreso a date vibe or just a nice spot for friends w all the counter seating. Cocktails were tasty, but if you want something stronger than soju you'll have to look elsewhere. We're here for the food tho, so lets get it: Burrata Con Crema: This was tasty, a little confusing, but make sure u get a proper bite with everything and it might be your vibe. If you like sweet potatos I'd say try it. Spicy Tuna Tonnato: this one lacked any type of flavor and was just fishy tasting. Wanted to send this one back. Big miss here. Cacio Pepe Rice Cakes: This one was an experience and one of the favorites. Their rice cake pasta is so chewy but w a perfect bounce, and the cacio pepe flavors loud and clear this stuck out from the rest. Seasonal Salad: This was quite standard, and nothing to write home about, but in reality what salads really are? Now to why we're here the Pastas! We got a special i forgot what it was but it was topped w a lobster tail of some sorts, but this was full of buttery and lobster flavor. Pasta was nice and al dente, def recco this one. Agnolotti & Cheese Corn: Another W here. Perfect Agnolotti, and the cheese corn filling was a great representation of italian and korean flavoring coming together in a dish. Radiatore & Galbi jjim: The pasta here was on point, but if you're familiar w galbi jjim the flavor here was a bit confusing because it tasted like something, but to the korean palette it def wasn't a familiar galbi jjim flavor profile you'd expect. Different, but also a bit bland. Bucatini and Amatriciana: This was a bit of a letdown. I love Jjajangmyeon and was excited for this but while the pasta was perfect, the flavor was bland, and if you included a bite of the guanciale it turned into a completely overpowering porkly flavor bomb. Honestly prob a better choice to just cook the pork fat from initial fry and incorporate it into the sauce. Would skip this Chapaghetti hits better. So the big takeaways: Mostly very subtle korean flavors. Great date night spot w smaller portions, Cacio Pepe Rice Cakes, Agnolotti Cheese Corn, and the Lobster Bucatini Special are reccomendO, and a great bridge to intro non koreans to some korean type flavor profiles. I know when places start out theyre fine tuning so, as of right now this is a place worth trying at least once, and I'm down to come back to try some future offerings. read more

Have been wanting to try this place for a while and finally got a resy with a couple of friends. The area is right by the wiltern so hard to park but it only took me a couple of times around the block before something on the street opened up, the usual in ktown. The space is really cool. One long bar fills up most of the space with about three tables for groups of four. We sat at one of the tables. The staff was attentive and nice. I ordered the yuzu sour and it was amazing. Perfect blend of flavor and crispness. Their cocktails are all soju based since they only serve beer and wine. We ordered a new dishes. At one point the server gave us an extra dish since another table didn't want it anymore? I'm not sure what the situation but it was the summer squash and pretty good! The pastas were my favorite both the cheese corn one and short rib ragu. Would highly recommend. The pork chop was good but didn't compare to the pastas. Overall, would return! read more

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Korean food is one of the hottest cuisines sweeping Los Angeles. And one of the most anticipated new openings in this category is Nancy Silverton's Italian/Korean pasta bar Lapaba. We were lucky to snag a rez at this soon-to-be hotspot, helmed by Mozza alumni McKenna Lelah and Matthew Kim, and backed by restaurant royalty Silverton, Robert Kim, Joe and Tanya Bastianich. Although we visited just 3 days after its soft opening, the food, service and ambiance were flawless. And thanks to our server Manny, who patiently explained the various ingredients and cooking techniques, it was not just a taste sensation but an education. The small but accessible menu introduces Korean cuisine via popular Italian comfort foods. Portions are gently sized and priced to allow lots of sharing and sampling, so order away! For starters, i recommend the fried chicken "lollipops" in a Calabrian chili sauce with yuzu ranch dressing and pickled radish cubes, crispy fried Suppli stuffed with mozzarella and kimchi, and a Caesar salad with doenjang (miso) dressing that completely transformed the dish. And save room for the headliner: house-made pastas like Garganelli with parilla (shish leaf) pesto, Orecchiette with gochugaru (chili pepper) penne sausage and the decadent Corn Agnolotti stuff stuffed with smoky scamorza cheese. One note: Tucked into a narrow corner building at 6th and Western, the majority of seats are at the bar (which extends the length of the slim restaurant space and faces an open kitchen). There are only two standard tables accommodating 4 or 5. So plan your visit and dining companions accordingly. Highly recommended. read more

Lapaba - Corn Agnolotti - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Amazing food and service, warm and inviting - can't wait to come back! I tried a bunch of dishes and actually while the staff recommended 2 pastas and a starter I went with a starter, the K. meatballs and the Orechiette with sausage - all really good! I couldn't even finish it all! Portions are great to share. The BTS for dessert is a must! Truffle soft serve with brown butter crumbles... WHAT? Totally works! Warm and fun ambiance! And lively music with friendly service. Parking is a bit tough on the street but there is valet as well or lots with a bit of a walk. read more

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Great dining experience. Loved the vibe and interior. It's mostly counter seating with some high table or low table options. If you choose the low table, the counter will be higher up. Something to keep in mind. All the staff were amazing, very attentive and knowledgeable. I loved the sake, you can order by glass. Milk bread rolls 10/10 Hamachi crudo 10/10 !! One of the best renditions of h.c I've ever had. Get it with the caviar. It was perfection. Very unique/balanced/umami. Fried chicken drums 10/10 so yummy sweet, spicy. Loved the pickled radishes. Calamarata and kimchi 7/10 not what is described. Capers, shrimp, lemon...but the pasta was red sauce with squash ‍ pasta bit undercooked. Agnolotti with cheese corn 10/10 so delicious and decadent Orecchiette and sausage 10/10 this was our fave BTS dessert 10/10 we didn't do the caviar suggestion but if u can splurge do it bc i think it would pair beautifully with the creamy truffle soft serve. So yums Will definitely return. read more

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I really wanted to love this place but unfortunately I left feeling something to be desired. Mostly more food. I don't really enjoy when a server tells you how to order, especially when their recommendation is to order to share. And then the plates to share are smaller than what should be enough for one person at the same price point as a normal sized dish. I guess I would feel differently if the food was amazing but everything was kind of underwhelming. At least for me. The only positives for me were the service was fast and friendly, and the decor was nice. Other than that, I can't justify giving this place my money and leaving hungry. Sorry, Nancy. read more

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Definitely expected more from this new spot and left disappointed. Like another review I read, it felt like the ingredients were there, but the intention was not. My favorite dish was the sweet potato burrata, mostly because I do appreciate unique pairings and this one worked. Caesar salad was decent, but nothing impressive. Milk bread that we got with the meatballs reminded me of grocery store bought buns, sadly. Cacio e pepe rice cakes - would advise against getting these if you know what tteok texture is supposed to be like. These were soggy and didn't hold shape. Agnolotti and garganelli were prob the best pastas, but weren't good enough to make me want to come back. I liked the garganelli because perilla is a flavor I really dig. For the price and portion size, our group was pretty disappointed, unfortunately. Either lower the price to match what is being served, or up the quality of flavor and presentation. read more

Finally was able to get a reservation after some time if trying, so was really excited to finally get to try out Lapaba. Got there and was seated immediately at the counter. Drinks are more wine, beer or soju based, so skipped the cocktails this time. Appetizers, we tried the K meatballs, fried chicken and cacio e pepe rice cakes. The K meatballs were a bulgogi meat with truffle tomato sauce and a side of milk bread. The meatballs were nice and most inside, but needed that tomato sauce to give it a little extra flavor. The milk bread was disappointing, tasting like normal bread. At least it didn't taste like any milk bread I've had in the past at other places. The cacio e pepe rice cakes were very underwhelming. There is a pecorino crisp on top of soft, moist rice cake bites. Just felt like it did not come together if this dish. And I was really excited for this one. Finally was the fried chicken, which are little drummettes, crispy on the outside, moist on the inside coated in a glaze and gives with a yuzu ranch dipping sauce. Those were great! Entrees, we tried the Bucatini & Amatriciana as well as the Agnolotti & Cheesy Corn. The agnolotti was very tasty, a nice creamy smoked scamorza inside with the thyme and brown butter sauce on the outside. My knock here is I wish the corn had been a sweet corn to pair with that savory cheese inside. Feel the flavor would have popped more. The bucatini had a lot going on with the pecorino and crispy guanciale with the sauce from the jiajang. Noodles were cooked well, had the right amount of aldente to the pasta. Just a nice and flavorful dish. Overall, a newer Korean Italian fusion restaurant in K-town serving up since interesting dishes. They didn't all with for us, but the fried chicken and the bucatini were very good. The agnolotti and meatballs were also good. Skip the rice cakes, they were not it. read more

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We had high hopes for this place but was very underwhelmed. We came a little bit after grand opening, but our server had to ask other servers what some of the dishes tasted like, as she hasn't tried them before... We were encouraged to order 3 appetizer and 3 types of pastas for two people. Good thing we only ordered 2 of each. The food was okay, the flavors were not anything special especially for the price per dish. We were expecting bolder flavors for the description our server told us about. It didn't taste like Korean-Italian fusion but more like Italian pasta with a very small hint of Korean flavors. From everything we ordered, the best dish was the chicken lollipops we had as an appetizer. There was a pretty long gap between the appetizer and the pasta which was surprising as it wasn't that busy inside the restaurant. We probably won't be coming back, but glad we got to try it. read more

Lapaba is, like my children, a Korean-Italian mash-up born from the rich cultural soil of 2020s Los Angeles. It's an outstanding restaurant in the heart of Koreatown, helmed by a husband-and-wife chef team who met at Osteria Mozza. Nancy Silverton provided her guidance and blessing, and the Mozza restaurateurs their backing, along with Robert Kim of Mama Lion, also my friends' cousin who I used to see out in the KTown clubs in the late aughts. We live within walking distance of 6th and Western and eagerly anticipated this opening for months. We jumped on OpenTable as soon as reservations became available and got a spot a few weeks out, for a Wednesday night at 8:30. It's a small place and so far very popular, so if you want to go at a normal dinner hour, plan ahead. Lapaba is a Korean-style abbreviation of "la pasta bar," and that more or less sums up the idea. It's an upscale but informal restaurant where almost every seat is at a long, curving bar. Great for parties of two, probably awkward for anything bigger unless you can get one of the small tables. The space is attractive, modern and attentively designed. Seems like the right vibe for a third date. Service is casual, across the bar. Our waiter Jeff was a warm, helpful host, and cheerfully answered every diner who asked how he'd injured his finger, which was in a splint. The pace was fast, definitely faster than we prefer when we have free babysitting, but in keeping with Lapaba's feel and concept. We were in and out in a little over an hour, and I think it would be hard to linger much longer than that. The pasta bar does serve alcohol. Wine, beer, soju, makgeolli, sake, and a few low-alcohol cocktails. We brought a bottle of wine and paid the $50 corkage. We were still working on our wine when dessert was served. The food was superb, both creative and delicious. The burrata con crema was a unique burrata dish, a ball of milky soft cheese over a roasted satsuma sweet potato, finished with sweet soy and chili crisp for a good dose of saucy Korean salt and heat. The fried chicken was exceptional, five crispy, juicy chicken lollipops served with pickled radish, Calabrian chili, and a ridiculously tasty yuzu ranch for dipping. We got three pastas, and the portions were small enough that this felt like the correct amount for two people. The garganelli and pesto was my favorite, and one of my favorite pastas in all of Los Angeles. Beautiful garganelli in a vibrant green pesto, served with perilla, sugar snap peas, and pine nuts. The snap peas were cooked perfectly and really made the dish. I also loved the agnolotti and cheesy corn, with smoked scamorza, brown butter, and thyme. The bright pops of sweet corn kernels were lovely with the rich, comforting pasta. The radiatore and galbi jjim was nice, too, if the least memorable of the three. Bouncy radiatore with short rib ragu, shiitake, and red wine. For dessert, we had BTS: black truffle soft serve with brown butter. Light and lush, with a distinctive black truffle flavor that worked well with the milk and sugar and buttery crumb topping. I wouldn't leave Lapaba without getting a cup. When the check came, it struck us as eminently reasonable for the amount and quality of food we ordered. I guess with pastas as entrées, the most expensive item on the menu was the $25 radiatore (though you can add caviar to a number of dishes, should you feel so inclined). The price point and bar set-up make Lapaba easy to visit, and I'm optimistic that the math works out in the restaurant's favor. I hope it stays on that corner for many, many years. I plan to go back as often as possible. read more

Food was really delicious. New and creative ways to enjoy flavors I'm familiar with. Their innovative takes on Korean ingredients and flavors with Italian cuisine was really awesome. Want to come back to try more things. Service was great and the ambiance is actually quite vibey with dim lights and nice interior design. The burrata con crema was my favorite. Super delicious. That would be my must-try read more

Lapaba - Fried Chicken - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Had a fantastic dinner at Lapaba tonight. If you like bold flavors in a sleek, modern setting, this is the place for you. Started the night with a refreshing matcha yuzu drink and tried a bunch of dishes with my friends. The ones that I loved were: little gem salad, charred broccolini, pesto garaganelli, and my fav dish: cheese corn agnolotti. Finished it all off the a refreshing pear bingsoo, and I loved the touch of salted almonds. Also, dinner was really affordable. I've become so accustomed to overpriced restaurants that it was surprise and pleasant to find a reasonably priced one with appetizers starting at $15 and pastas starting at $20. Would highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun night out! read more

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K-Town finally has proper pasta and it's everything. Husband and wife team, Chef McKenna Lelah and Matthew Kim (Osteria Mozza alum) have built something genuinely special, where Italian flavors meets Korean soul.. Start with the burrata. It comes with satsuma sweet potato, sweet soy, and chili crisp, creamy, completely addictive. Then the fried chicken: Calabrian chili, yuzu ranch, daikon, yummmm. The handmade pastas are the main event. The garganelli with perilla pesto and sugar snap peas is bright, fresh and somehow feels like summer. The agnolotti is stuffed with cheesy corn, finished with smoked scamorza, brown butter, and thyme, rich but not heavy. And the orecchiette with fennel sausage, gochugaru.. This is my second time at the restaurant and you have to save room for dessert! The black truffle soft serve, tiramisu, and strawberry shortcake is a must.. This is the kind of place you'll want to come back to before you've even finished your last bite. If Lapaba isn't in your K-town rotation yet, fix that. Yes, chef! read more

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