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    Restaurant Ki

    4.8 (22 reviews)
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    RESTAURANT KI ATMOSPHERE

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    Highlight of the evening
    Jim D.

    Food was pretty good. Far from great. After reading that this was on the list for best new L.A restaurants & his resume includes atomix my expectations were high & unfortunately they didn't meet my expectations. Very overpriced! Weird entrance. Weird soundtrack. Great hospitality. Confusing billing? Your deposit was allegedly supposed to be deducted from your bill however I was told to pay my bill in full then get my deposit back later.

    Interior
    John W.

    Restaurant Ki is a solid and whimsical New Korean tasting menu experience which is great to see continuing to balloon up in Los Angeles. I think one thing that may trip up some folks is getting to Restaurant Ki. The instructions are there when you call their number but not included in the email or website. The easiest way for us was to go into the parking structure (we walked since we parked nearby at the Aiso Parking Garage - took us about 5 minutes to get to the restaurant) - go to the second floor lobby - hit the elevator door labeled for Bar Sawa (and make sure to take the middle elevator // a security guard was there for us) and then wait in the lobby where the front of house takes parties one group at a time to the restaurant. Inside, the restaurant is tucked away in its own area adjacent to Bar Sawa. The interior is modern and sleek and seemed to seat up to 12 people. Chef Ki and his team greeted us with service being all-around strong. I liked how the Chef himself would do some of the beverage service as well and really created a light atmosphere, encouraging people to ask him and his staff questions and chat with him. The tasting menu itself was all-around solid and fun with a few great standouts. (I was also super grateful they were able to make slight adjustments due to my current health status.) *Octopus: The octopus was super and fantastic. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. And the sauce made out of octopus head was fantastic - had a little bit of heat and so creamy. The presentation was so lovely as well. *Duck liver mousse: Was a surprising appetizer. The presentation was bold coming in a chicken shaped dish that the chef popped open. The dish itself was so surprising because even though it had the strong and salty duck liver; there was the strong contrast of the white peach jelly and complemented by the hardened milk bread and apple. Loved how we had to literally use a spoon shovel to dig into the creative garden. *Keizo's noodle, pine mushroom, dungeness crab: Full of flavor and rich. To me, the mushroom that topped the dish really sold and brought everything together - wish there was more of it! It was also my partner's birthday and loved how they treated us to a couple nice items such as a complimentary drink (their non-alcoholic tomato juice was surprisingly amazing) and a play on seaweed soup. All-in-all, the menu reflected the chef and the atmosphere - playful and creative + full of potential. Would love to come back in the future and see how Chef Ki and his menu/staff continue to evolve and grow. Appreciative of the wonderful time and and experience!

    Fancy
    Francine L.

    Trying this place for the first time recently and dare I say I believe this is the best spot I have tried in Los Angeles for this entire year. It had been rough but Restaurant Ki made his story feel under the many dishes that we had for this dinner. This was a really memorable dinner for me as it was a friend's birthday and also the theme was about memories. It felt like we were stepping into Chef Ki's life and understanding where he grew up and came from for each dish that played a part in his role. His staff was diligent and also super professional at making everything run so smoothly! Loved it and would totally come back here again!

    9) Golden eye snapper, chayote, red pepper
    Helz M.

    Huge huge congratulations to Chef Ki Kim for getting the Michelin Guide Young Chef Award Winner this year! This Michelin restaurant might be my newest fave in LA (reminds me a bit of the OG Kato). Every dish thoughtfully took traditional Korean ingredients and creatively elevated it. Chef himself is super friendly and takes the time to not only explain the dish but also share the inspiration behind each one. Even the art he chose to put up adds an additional layer of depth to your experience, challenging you to try to understand various "perspectives". 1) Tuna, bugak, mustard 2) Horse mackerel, aged kimchi, perilla 3) Octopus, estrogen, octopus head 4) Spot prawn, uni, prawn's head 5) Perilla leaf, lemon fern, smoked tomato 6) Caviar, potato, spare head squid 7) Keizo's noodle, freshwater eel, Dungeness crab 8) Lobster, doenjang, raspberry 9) Golden eye snapper, chayote, red pepper 10) Dry aged duck, maple, taro stem 11) Porcini, indigenous cacao, tea leaf 12) Omija, cranberry, strawberry lemonade

    Ada Y.

    Delicious delicious food and such a fun menu. Loved tasting the creative fusiony parts of each dish. It's definitely a must experience for yourself for all the thoughtfully cooked and prepped dishes. The only one my partner and I were kinda meh about was the fish course towards the end. Don't get me wrong, it was still delicious just didn't feel like all the parts of the dish fit as well together as some of the other courses had. We got a la carte nonalcoholic drinks, although the alcoholic pairing was highly recommended. The nonalcoholic options were both delicious and not too sweet. Parking is in the same bldg as for Kaneyoshi and co. You have to go down the specified elevator indicated and the hostess will guide you to the correct restaurant.

    Yuli K.

    I noticed other reviewers mentioned this but it's quite tricky getting to the restaurant for the first time. Access is through the elevator down to the basement level from the attached parking garage. They seem to know it's hard to navigate to because they text and provide directions and photos. Aside from that, the experience was amazing. We did not have issues with pacing between courses. The dishes were delicious. The only one I was not a fan of was the crabby congee but my friends loved it. It was too fishy for me. They gave us some things on the house because they overheard it was a birthday. We also loved their take on the meeyukgook. Overall, we loved this experience and would definitely return.

    keizo's noodle, freshwater eel, Dungeness crab (this was good too.
    Rue K.

    Nestled in the heart of Little Tokyo, Restaurant Ki is a ten-seat dining destination offering an intimate exploration of New Korean Cuisine Dinner was $300 per person and wine pairing $190 when I attended. 10 seats total at 6:30pm. Building entrance was quite confusing. The host will text you a picture of the unmarked entrance. We were greeted by Chef Ki and Chef Ryan. Even though dinner is inspired by Korean food, ingredients are sourced from all over the world Food Similar to other Michelin star restaurants. Ingredients included lobster caviar morel mushrooms Ki's Menu Yours receive a small booklet at the END of your dinner service and it looks like it looks like a fuzzy memory. The chef explained to you what it means when you finish your next course, you can't hardly remember your previous one What's included - Tuna, bugak, mustard - wild fluke, aged kimchi, penila - Octopus , estragon, octopus head (this was so good. I wanted more) - Spot prawn, sea urchin, prawns head next (meh for me) - perilla leaf, lemon fern, smoked tomato (so so good. Citrus and contrast so vibrant ) - Caviar, potato, spearhead squid - keizo's noodle, freshwater eel, Dungeness crab (this was good too. Warm and earthy. Reminds me of a Chinese dish) - Lobster, doenjang, raspberry - Saber, fish, chayote, red pepper (crispy crispy skin! And velvet soft fish) - Wild boar, gondre, sea squirt - Porcini, indigenous cacao, tea leaf - omija, cranberry, strawberry lemonade (i was this the shave ice?) - mango with lime peel shaving (yum) Service -0.5 A bit below Kato We arrived 1st and on time, but had the worst seats. My friend was seated right in front of the entrance door instead of farther inside. We ended up waiting for the other guests to arrive (prob all lost cuz the entrance unmarked) and the door kept opening/closing right behind my friends back while we were drinking and waiting for others to arrive. That was an unpleasant experience for him and he was paying the dinner for us. During dinner and drinks it was fine But when I was leaving, no one got my coat. At Kato, my server was waiting at the door with my coat before I even noticed. Kato was a lot more detailed in this area. They also gave us a tea tin to go as a personal present present Atmosphere Clean quiet and only 10 seats per serving. Very personal, but also you have to wait for the other guest to arrive. If they're late you have to wait for them. Now if you're hungry while arriving you're gonna be grouchy Location -0.5 stars Building entrance was quite unmarked with no signage. The host will text you a picture of the unmarked entrance. Then you enter passcode but have to look around for 2 different elevators. 2nd elevator has a small signage next to elevator button. But then realized maybe rent cost is easier manageable here ? Restaurant Ki just received their "Michelin star 2025". Chef Ki also received "California Young Chef Award Winner Michelin Guide, 2025"

    Every dish was so memorable and delicious. I've been to a number of Michelin-starred restaurants and forgotten what I had within a week. This meal will stay with me for a long time. Not only did it evoke memories of my Korean heritage, the experience was truly unique. All of the staff, including the chefs, interacted with everyone and made the meal spectacular. Thank you!

    Jennifer J.

    Chef Ki is an amazing, magical chef. Every single dish in omakase was served in beautiful plates. His homage to Korean food was so intricately creative and the ambiance was great (especially the background music). Staff were super friendly and very attentive. If there is a season three of Culinary War on Netflix, they better call him!

    Finding the restaurant was remarkably seamless-every instruction was precise, clear, and thoughtfully laid out. (Thanks to Ven) Simply following the steps brought me straight to the door without a hint of confusion, which already spoke volumes about the level of care behind this place. And once inside, everything unfolded with an elegance that lingered long after the meal ended. The food was exceptional in a way that felt both refined and deeply personal. Each dish carried intention, restraint, and quiet confidence. With the menu changing each season, I found myself already imagining future visits, curious to see how the chef will reinterpret the ingredients and narratives of each new moment in time. Restaurant Ki is an experience rarely found in Los Angeles- every detail, from the pacing to the pairings to the smallest visual nuance, was executed with an almost obsessive precision. In such a short period, it became unmistakably clear how this restaurant earned its Michelin recognition. You can feel the chef's unwavering dedication and perfectionism in every gesture, every bite, every interaction. I dined alone this time, yet the experience left such a profound impression that I couldn't stop thinking of the people I love. It's the kind of place you want to share- one that you hope everyone dear to you can experience at least once.

    Brilliant fish dish.
    Devonshire L.

    My wife and I had been so excited to come here and everything exceeded our expectations! This Korean Omakase is a remarkable multiple course, elevated fine dining experience featuring extremely unique takes on Korean classics. I don't want to give away too much. If you're thinking of going, definitely do it and be surprised! I loved how it was Chef's Table style where you can watch them prepare the creations with anticipation as the plates are built right before your eyes. The service was Top Notch and very accommodating and I would absolutely recommend checking this out if you're even thinking about splurging.

    Lamb saddle from Colorado
    Jasmine C.

    Chef ki kim is back with an (understated, stylish) bang in his newest restaurant after kinn closed and leaving a stint at meteora. LA is having a bit of a modern Korean moment with amazing spots like baroo and hibi, but ki takes it to a whole new level. Ki is in the basement of the kajima building in little Tokyo and directly inside bar sawa, sharing a space with sushi kaneyoshi. Just check in with the staff at the desk and they'll bring you to the right restaurant - there are only 8 seats a night at the moment so the chefs have plenty of time to explain the dishes and answer any questions. The night we went all the guests were chatting with each other and by the end of the night it felt like you were at a friend's house having dinner (except your friend is a highly accomplished technical chef with access to amazing ingredients). Food was epic and actually innovative/feels new. As chef says it's not Korean "fusion" but rather a modern take on a tasting menu that incorporates his Korean heritage as well as elements from cuisines around the world. $285 a person is NOT cheap in this day and age but this is definitely worth a splurge. We decided to yolo and get the wine/sake drinks pairing as well which was well curated and complemented all the food. Congrats to chefs ki, Ryan and Shingo!

    Christina C.

    Amazing Korean Fine Dining. I went on day 3 of their grand opening. By Japanese Michelin Star Kaneyoshi restaurant group. Chef Ki Kim from Restaurant Kinn. Grand opening on January 16. Fanciest Korean restaurant I've ever been. Love the balance of meat, seafood, and vegetables throughout the meal. Perfect portions. If you order a bottle of Kuheiji sake there, they will serve it in the exclusive Kuheiji wine glass. Happy to see Chef Shingo Kato previously from Michelin Star restaurant Uka there. $285 per person. Reservations on Tock. January fully booked. $10 parking in private lot in weekends.

    Perilla, lemon fern and smoked tomato quenelle. Modern Korean palate for the upcoming rich tasting dishes.

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    Ask the Community - Restaurant Ki

    What's the parking situation, Valet or they have their own parking lot?

    It's a secure, attached parking structure. You enter the building from it and take the elevator to the basement.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Hangari Kalguksu - (LARGE) Hangari Bossam

    Hangari Kalguksu

    4.4(3.2k reviews)
    3.3 miWilshire Center, Koreatown
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    10 years in business

    Visited Hangari on Saturday evening to try their renown Kalguksu with some friends. I've known that…read morespecific parking lot/strip mall to be a nightmare parking wise, so I bit the bullet and used the on-site valet. There is sometimes street parking but the availability is rough, it's tough to park, and even one of the meters we ended up at just didn't work. They only charge a $5 cash service charge though, which isn't bad. We were lucky to be seated right away, even in a packed restaurant. The restaurant has a surprisingly modern design, and is comfortable for as small as it is. We were quickly served their signature kimchis and barley rice. The kimchi, particularly the yeolmu (young summer radish) kimchi, has a unique flavor profile well suited to their food. We ordered 2 bowls of their plain kalgooksu, 1 bibim milmyun, and 1 tteokbokki. The food came out fairly quickly. The kalgooksu was as expected the star of the show. The anchovy broth brings a savory complexity that seems impossible for a soup made from just dried fish and a few other ingredients. It even has a rich, almost thick, quality to it that is surprising for a fish broth. Their noodles, the titular kalgooksu, have the signature irregularity and chew of knife cut noodles. I appreciate the vegetables that always come in kalgooksu, like potato, pumpkin, and zucchini, which offer an earthy heartiness to the light soup. My only complaint is that the potato is in huge irregular chunks, and is barely cooked, though I feel like I have had this issue with many of the kalgooksu bowls I've had over the years. The bibim milmyun was solid. I think that I prefer the texture and flavor of naengmyeon buckwheat noodles, but the milmyun, which are made with mostly wheat flour, still provide a satisfying chew. The sauce tasted bright and fresh, especially with a splash of added vinegar. It also came with a small side portion of spicy pork and some rice paper to wrap. The tteokbokki was the one let down of the meal. To be fair, I wasn't expecting much out of tteokbokki at all restaurant like this whose specialty is essentially the opposite. I ordered the tteokbokki as a "safe pick" for a picky eater in the group. It turned out to be a bit mediocre in our opinion, and that friend ended up enjoying their kalgooksu anyways. If you're looking to try this dish, it's definitely one of if not the best I've had in Southern California, so I'd totally recommend it. I'll also warn to steer clear of the Garden Grove restaurant of the same name and specialty. I think it's a disappointing mimicry of this place.

    Heard great things about this restaurant so I was very excited to try it while I was in town. Came…read moreon Sunday night at 7pm, and was very pleasantly surprised they had plenty of open tables to seat our party of 3 immediately. What we ordered: - Clam Kalguksu (5/5): this was sooo good! The noodle texture and broth favor was amazing. I would definitely order this again if I come back! - Large Bossam (4.5/5): I absolutely love bossam and this was exactly what I expect when I order bossam. Only reason it's not 5/5 is it's not really any different from bossam elsewhere. Overall, this place is definitely worth the hype and I will be come back when I'm in the ktown area again!

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    Hangari Kalguksu - Belly and Jowl & Chicken-KALGUKSU

    Belly and Jowl & Chicken-KALGUKSU

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    Anju House - covered patio seating

    Anju House

    4.4(695 reviews)
    4.0 miKoreatown
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    It was my first time here. The place is very nice and love the decor…read more The parking is valet or street parking. The service was very good. The chicken was a little in the dry side but overall all the food was good. We will be back!

    I'll start with the positives. The location is very nice. Designed with an elegant, but…read moreminimalistic vibe. I love that, traditional mixed modern social dining feel. I had placed a phone order, for pick up; upon arrival, I found the service was prompt. I saw my food ready to go, just past the main walk-in area. Almost immediately after that, I was taken care of by the host and on my way. I've been waiting to try this place for ages so on the drive back to work I was excited to steal a piece of meat from the bag. Initial bite flavor was good, meat was tender just a bit on the chewy side.. I wasn't bothered by it too much as I'd have to leave it in an oven warmer at work. Trying to keep food warm, in doing so, I knew there'd be only two possible outcomes, melting tender or either tough & dry. So, the dish of meat and rice sat in the warmer for almost an hour hour and a half. The downhill slope.... Set the "meat " on the veggies and began to eat. Meat after meat, I kept experiencing the same exact texture. It was the same exact rubbery chew, I initially tasted. Each and every piece was the same exact flavor. There was no peak, there was no pitfall. If you cook or grill, you know this is a red flag. Normally, consistency would be a good thing, a Master craftsman type experience, but this was NOT it. As go on, I get the sinking feeling, this can't be real meat. I lock in, the deeper I dig, each piece looks the same, broken apart the same, tastes the same, just various shapes. They can call me crazy for this one - I'll stand by it. Something is not right here. I'm not even going to throw it away. I'm going to study it for the next few days and post an updated review. I hope I'm wrong but as of right now, I'll never revisit this place. Too freaky of an experience. We

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    Anju House
    Anju House - Inside

    Inside

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    Danbi - Wagyu zabuton

    Danbi

    4.5(383 reviews)
    3.3 miWilshire Center, Koreatown
    $$$

    We went shortly after they opened and it got busier as the night went on. The Honey butter chips…read moreare dripping with the honey butter sauce & I wished I had a whole bowl of that. The Grilled jowl was thinly sliced & one of my favorite dishes of the night! The Zabuton came out still sizzling on a bed of onions- I absolutely loved this & it is definitely shareable between 2 or more people. The Scallop pancake had baby scallops cooked in to it- very fluffy & filling, another shareable dish between 2 or more people. The Mushroom bibimbap mixed with the sauce is a great vegetarian dish! Parking- $10 self park in the plaza

    Food Seaweed salad…read more Elevated and the best I've had, easily. The only issue is I can't really eat too much of it. The cherry tomatoes bursted with acidity and umami. 4.7/5 Honey butter chips. I've eaten an alarming amount of chips in my life and I will say these are solid but nothing noteworthy. The chips had no warmth to them and were slathered with decently flavorful honey butter that pooled to the bottom. 4.2/5 Mushroom bimibap - A very balanced dish with cohesive elements. Wish there were more mushrooms as they of course were the best part. The chili sauce was solid but the dish benefitted when we added another half portion of it and mixed it in. 4.4/5 Waygu - A decent flavor (definitely needed the flakey salt), portion and a nice medium rare cook, wall to wall. The steak was not as tender as I hoped it would be and some extra chewing was required. The banchan was all solid. It reminded me of Cote's but actually edible. 4.5/5 Yuzu popsicle - Definitely the best popsicle I've ever had. Refreshing and light. Balanced sweet to sour flavor. 4.7/5 Service A decent job. Good hostess. The steak took longer than expected to come out? Perhaps the kitchen messed it up and had to start over. Either that or maybe the waiters were busy. Or maybe it just takes a while to make it. Not sure. The waitress did the job competently but nothing above that. Overall, definitely not Michelin level service. 4.4/5 Ambiance A little too loud and it affected the entire vibe because I had to raise my voice to speak with the waitress. It became easier to just use nods and thumbs up. Like Cobis, a very modern and upscale restaurant that is hampered by lighting that is too dark. Pictures turned out good because I used another phone's flash. Just a little more light would be so much of an improvement without losing the romantic intent. Bathroom was average. 4.5/5 Overall, I had a solid meal that left my mood elevated. The service or food weren't as good as Cobis, Barsha, Ammatoli, or even Sonoratown - all top LA restaurants, but still worthy of a experience and I may return. 4.5/5 I would highly recommend Chois in San Diego as an extremely similar modern Korean fusion restaurant that also had better food, service, and ambiance. That place was 5/5 in every way.

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    Kobawoo House - Kimchi Jjigae

    Kobawoo House

    4.3(1.6k reviews)
    2.9 miWilshire Center, Koreatown
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    What more can I say? This K-town staple consistently delivers when you're craving Korean cuisine…read more We started our meal with a generous portion of Haemool Pajeon (Seafood Pancake), which arrived sizzling on a hot plate reminiscent of a Chili's Fajita Plate. Next came the main attraction: the Bossam Plate, featuring simmered and cooled pork belly sliced to perfection. When you wrap all the other ingredients together, they create the perfect bite. Just after the Bossam Plate hits the table, a bubbling cauldron of Kimchi JJigae (Kimchi Stew) follows behind just in time to help wash down the delectable bites of bossam. Don't forget to order some rice because you'll need something to soak up the stew which turns the rice into a whole meal by itself. The service was jovial and welcoming, and like other Korean establishments, they have a handy-dandy button that jolts the attention of every server working whenever you're in need of service. The small space is very cozy, just the way I like it when I'm visiting with my loved ones. They don't have an extensive menu, just the OG staple items, but I feel the taste has improved over the years. I wish Kobawoo were closer to where I live, or I would be here this weekend, but perhaps it's a good thing we're so far apart.

    This place has been here for so long, I haven't been here in yrs! I was in the area so I decide to…read moredo a take out for lunch to take home for me and my family, such a disappointment! $76.80 for 3 dishes and what a puny portions these are, like a kid's portion. Very small kimchi maybe one or two bites. Three orders that I'm surprised that they give such a small amount of banchan. How can establishment justify this high priced meal for such small portions? God and I drove all the way from South Bay, stuck in traffic for almost 1 1/2 hrs of this. Maybe this is the type of place you should dine in only?? Do not ever do take out here! The food in general was just ok. Nothing special and Kimchi soup was very salty. Threw all 3. Wow, what a waste of money. Very disappointing... I guess I won't be coming here ever again.

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    Kobawoo House - Popular place. Had to wait 30 minutes for a table for 6 on a weekday at 6:15pm which is not bad!

    Popular place. Had to wait 30 minutes for a table for 6 on a weekday at 6:15pm which is not bad!

    Kobawoo House - Lunch Jangban Guksoo

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    Borit Gogae - Dwenjang

    Borit Gogae

    4.4(511 reviews)
    3.7 miKoreatown
    $$$

    Be prepared to walk away feeling very full. We got the set meal here, which came served with…read moreappetizers, barley rice, a lot of banchan (and by that I meant a LOT), soup, congee, dessert, etc. It was definitely more than enough food. We also got an additional order of LA kalbi for some protein. The meat quality was good but I felt like the meat was not marinated long enough and so the flavor was a little bit lacking. If only it just sat in the marinade for a couple more hours, I think this would have been perfect. The tofu soup was not my favorite, to be very honest. There was some flavor in there that made it smell like a stinky towel. Very different from other soondubu soup places and unfortunately not for me. Everything else we had was excellent and I would definitely come back again just for the barley rice and banchan. Service was quick and servers were nice. We also came at 3pm on Saturday so there was no wait. Recommended!

    Across the street from the new Zion market is this wonderful and unique Korean eatery. Unlike most…read moreof the run-of-the-mill Korean restaurants in Koreatown this restaurant serves unique appetizers and a multi-course set menu that gives you a taste of a variety of authentic Korean village food - like pumpkin porridge and acorn jelly salad. It's a lot of food for the price ($35 pp at this writing). While the minimum order is for 2 people, we've tried sharing the 2-people order among 3 and it worked for us, with addition of a couple of other items from the menu. The Korean BBQ beef is at par with most other nice restaurants in K town; their marinated crab was delicious! Service is okay - given how busy they are! Most servers are not very conversant in English so a little patience would help you get the right things you need. Nice and unique vibe with Korean handicraft items and art work on display (and for sale, I believe).

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    Borit Gogae - Restaurant decor- art work and Korean figurines

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    Ham Ji Park

    Ham Ji Park

    4.2(1.8k reviews)
    3.3 miWilshire Center, Koreatown
    $$$

    Really sad that Ham Ji Park is closing down permanently. For years, this place has been our…read morefamily's go-to place for pork spare ribs - the best in town. In fact, we regularly brought visitors here. They raved about how good the spare ribs were and even insisted that their last meal before LA should be at Ham Ji Park.  Here's my belated review of what I consider the best spare ribs in LA. From the moment the Korean-style spare ribs arrived at the table, it was clear this was a dish worth savoring. Each rib bore a beautifully charred exterior--deeply caramelized without a hint of bitterness--offering that irresistible smoky aroma the moment it was placed before us. The glaze was nothing short of spectacular. A perfect balance of sweet and spicy, it clung to the meat with a glossy sheen that promised flavor in every bite. There was just enough heat to make your taste buds sit up and pay attention, but it never overwhelmed the deeper, richer notes of the sweet components. But what truly set these ribs apart was the texture. Beneath the charred surface lay meat so tender it practically fell off the bone with the gentlest tug of a fork. Each bite was juicy and succulent, the result of careful cooking and a respect for quality ingredients. Ham Ji Park, you will be missed. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the food.

    tl;dr the delectable pork ribs overshadow the otherwise authentic but standard lineup at this…read morenow-shuttered Korean stalwart Los Angeles Koreatown is home to restaurants that specialize in every facet of Korean cuisine. If you're searching for some of the city's best pork, then those in the know will bring up Ham Ji Park. For 2 decades, generous platters of pork ribs and pork neck stew decked every table. Now, our Korean friends lament the loss of their favorite pork joint in the city. The Koreatown proper location is located in the Royal Plaza mini-mall, just a few blocks off bustling Wilshire. Discounted parking is available in a lot across the street from the Chevron gas station. From the street, the entrance is flanked by potted plants and an enclosed street-ery. Inside, stainless steel chairs are pressed up against wooden tables, each outfitted with a metal grill. Oppressive fluorescent lighting shines down on the stone grey walls, which are left undecorated apart from a few flatscreens. Multi-lingual chatter blends with the sizzle of platters. I visited with some friends for a weeknight dinner, and about half of the tables were occupied. We shared a spread of grilled platters and sizzling soups. The meal began with a carafe of barley tea and a mostly standard spread of banchan. Across our food, the best dish was the signature Charbroiled Pork Spare Rib. The ribs were flavorful without feeling gamey, and the meat was complemented by sweet caramelized onions. The pork ribs handily outdid the good-not-great Charbroiled Beef Short Rib. Lastly, the Milt and Cod Rose with Vegetables stew was fishy and briny, appropriately flavored for the Korean palate. The service was appropriately attentive, although I would've appreciated more intentional refills of our banchan ramikens. The rib plates cost upward of $35 each, while the soup was just under $30. The portions were hearty; a single entree platter could reasonably feed 2 moderately hungry bellies. It's a shame to hear that Ham Ji Park has closed; I'm kicking myself for not trying their pork neck stew earlier.

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    Restaurant Ki - korean - Updated May 2026

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