Ate dinner here for Dine LA. Had the bonchon, seafood pancake, mung bean salad, cod, and purple rice. All of the food was good. I don't know Korean food that well so hard for me to judge So Ban. But, the food all tasted good (not quite great), was fresh, and delivered with excellent service. No line for dinner and street parking was easy to find. Thank you So Ban team for the meal. read more

Wow...I can see why Soban is so highly recommended! We went around 3:30 p.m., and it turned out to be a great time to visit. It wasn't busy, and the service was attentive throughout our meal. The braised cod was my favorite--so moist and full of flavor. The raw marinated crab definitely lived up to the hype, and we loved the assortment of banchan. The refreshing drink served at the end was a nice finishing touch. If you're looking to try something beyond Korean BBQ, Soban is definitely worth a visit. read more

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Came here to try soy marinated raw crab since this spot has been recommended by both Jonathan Gold and Michelin. Also tried the braised black cod. The banchan lineup was impressive and a few weren't the usual you'd find at most Korean spots so it was fun to try. The crab was delicious and well seasoned though I'd have liked it a touch saltier compared to others I've had. The black cod was melt in your mouth, served with kabocha, potatoes, radish, and rice cakes. Very comforting with rice. The place is small and quaint. We came on a Monday around 1:30pm thinking we'd beat the lunch crowd but the place filled up right after we sat down. Service was pleasant, you get warm barley tea on arrival with free refills and at the end they gave us a sample of their fermented fruit cheong which was a nice touch. It's pricey but the quality across the board, banchans included, is close to top tier. Great spot to try at least once and would come back to splurge or bring friends. read more

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The food was delicious and the staff were extremely helpful (even though they were really busy!!). The delicious banchan was refilled aplenty! I had an issue using Open Table credit, but the very nice employee running the front (and literally all over!) helped me tremendously!!! read more

I've never had raw marinated crab, so one of my close friends wanted to take me to this place since he's been wanting to try. When we arrived, it wasn't too busy so we got seated right away. They gave us our banchan quite quickly, and there was a large variety. We ended up ordering seafood tofu pancake, galbi jjim, and raw marinated crab (2). The seafood pancake took me by surprise, since it was more flavor than I was expecting and I really like how crispy it came out :) Really great sharing size as well. The galbi jjim was on the smaller side and didn't really give me a wow factor. It was alright compared to other galbi jjim I've had outside. Since I haven't had raw marinated crab before, I don't really know how to judge it, but my friends enjoyed it. Service was fine :) There was a small parking lot in the back. The inside of the restaurant felt cozy and was clean. read more

Soban - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

It has been years since I visited Soban the first time. This time went for lunch on a Monday and it was the perfect midday dining experience. This time, we ordered the braised black cod. The fish was incredibly flaky and perfectly cooked in a flavorful sauce. We also ordered the doenjang jjigae and it was the perfect addition, accompanied by a spread of fresh banchan. Our server found out it was my sister's birthday and brought out a complimentary seaweed soup for her. It was such a thoughtful, traditional gesture that made her feel so celebrated. She was touched as I explained to her what the tradition meant (thanks to all the K-Dramas I've binge-watched lol) read more

Soban - Banchan - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Loved the marinated crab even if it was not as much for many others because I literally haven't ate this since I was a kid.So for me it was delicious and plenty since we ordered a variety of other foods.Mom and daughter were owners and quite helpful.Small place but old school,great that this business is still around in Ktown. read more

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I went to a place called Soban over the weekend. Since it's a Michelin restaurant, I went in with pretty high expectations. The food was good and everything was nice, but for a Korean palate it definitely felt on the sweeter side. Overall, most of the dishes were a bit sweet, so I felt like American customers would probably enjoy it even more. It felt more like Korean fusion than traditional Korean food. That said, the food was good, the atmosphere was great, the interior was nice, and the service was solid -- everything was good. But if someone asked me whether I'd go back again, I'd have to think about it. read more

Soban - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Last night, I went to dinner with my mom and my two brothers at Soban. Soban is a well-known Korean restaurant that has been famous for a long time. I had been there once before with my mom and tried their soy-marinated crab, which I remember really enjoying. But my mom said that ganjang gejang isn't something you should eat in the summer, so this time we ordered something different. We had braised short ribs, braised black cod, and spicy fish roe soup. Every dish was absolutely delicious, and all the side dishes were amazing as well. The service was incredibly friendly, which made the experience even better. They even gave us a complimentary meat pancake, which was a really nice touch. This restaurant is also famous for being visited by many Korean celebrities. In particular, when Bong Joon-ho won the Oscar for Parasite movie, instead of going to an official Oscar party, he and his entire staff came here to celebrate together, which made the restaurant even more well-known. Because of that, you can see photos throughout the restaurant of Director Bong, the actors, and even food critic Jonathan Gold. (Honestly, I didn't know who he was at first, but I saw his photo on the wall and ended up Googling him.) It was also very interesting to learn that Maggie Kang, the director of K Pop Demon Hunters, had visited this restaurant. I asked one of the staff members when she came, and they said it was about two months ago. Also, I didn't realize this restaurant had received a Michelin recognition, but I noticed it said "Michelin 2019." I definitely think it deserves it. Soban is truly a place where every dish is delicious, and the service is so warm and welcoming that I would definitely love to come back again. cf 1) After finishing the meal, they serve maesil (plum tea) as a complimentary dessert, which was really nice. cf 2) Also, when you order rice, they ask whether you want multigrain rice or white rice. My two brothers and I chose multigrain rice, and my mom had white rice. But if you order white rice, they charge an extra $2. read more

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I wonder why Soban's reviews are low because I was blown away when I ate here with friends over the weekend. It's no wonder the Parasite cast came here to celebrate after their big win because everything from side dishes to main dishes were perfection. I love that nothing is too salty despite being soy sauce heavy, and service is great. We had a really large party (~10 people), and they were able to save a table in the middle for us the same day around dinner time. I had such a good time trying their many side dishes, fish, raw marinated crab, and galbijjim. Everything is made so well with really high quality and healthy ingredients, and even though I ate so much, I didn't feel lethargic or heavy afterwards. read more

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Lots of great side dishes Food was great and very tasty. The lady that worked there was super nice! Ordered the beef brisket, fish and bean paste soup! read more

Black cod was incredible. What a dish! I loved the kabocha and potato, really goes well with the sauce. Excellent quality fish. I'd return to order this again. It was empty when we got there early but lots of folks waiting by the time we left. Probably good idea to make a reservation. The Ban Chan is interesting, some I liked better than others. I loved the kimchi and radish. It's a small restaurant but spaced out well and didn't feel claustrophobic. read more

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We came for lunch during restaurant week but ended up deciding on the normal lunch menu which was great value. The banchan here is amazing with more than 20 options (of which you will get a selection) that are freely refilled. We had the black cod bulgogi braise with daikon, squash, potato, tofu tteotboki which was tasty and generous. The bulgogi plate was on the sweet side but the meat tender and popular with the kids. Overall the food was delicious although the service was overwhelmed for the weekend lunch rush. read more

If I could give 10+ stars, Soban is definitely deserving! It was our first time dining at Soban Korean Restaurant today, 12/12/25 and it absolutely exceeded our expectations! From the moment we arrived, everything about the experience was outstanding. The food was fantastic--delicious, authentic, and full of flavor. Every dish we tried was thoughtfully prepared and tasted amazing, making it clear why Soban is so well loved. We ordered the cod fish, short ribs, seafood pancake, bulgogi, raw crab dish. Omg, I am still tasting the food in my mouth and wishing I was still there eating! The service was phenomenal. The very kind lady was attentive, friendly, and made us feel very welcome, which made our first visit even more enjoyable. She worked alone but was so happy to help and ensured everything was perfect throughout our meal. The restaurant itself is clean, relaxing, and comfortable. Even the bathroom is worth mentioning--spotless and well maintained, which really shows their attention to detail. Parking was also easy with convenient spots in the back. Overall, an excellent first-time experience with incredible food, top-notch service, and a great atmosphere. We'll definitely be coming back and highly recommend Soban to anyone looking for authentic Korean cuisine! Located in K-town on Olympic and Noble Ave. if you haven't tried it, go now, run! read more

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This is a bombdigitty good Korean joint- Michelin recommended restaurant- Tight little restaurant, but that's the charm I think. The menu is not huge, but you'll get what you need and you'll be satisfied and happy- Small operation, but service is personable and friendly- Probably top 5 Korean restaurant in K-Town read more

Soban has some of the best galbi jjim (braised beef short ribs), braised black cod, and soy marinated raw crab. On the wall, they have gold leaf art honoring Jonathan Gold. Today they still have their summer DineLA menu, so when in K-Town, you gotta go large! 12 Seasonal Banchan: A dozen of the best banchan of the season! The best ones were the candied lotus root, the soft tofu, and the mountain greens. Small Jiggae Stew: The fermented soybean stew (doenjang) contains tofu, onions, and potatoes. Seafood Jeon Pancake: The shrimp and squid patties are crispy and savory with a tasty red chili sauce. Soy Marinated Raw Crab: One of the shining stars of the restaurant arrives in a giant dish containing a soy marinade with raw onions, ginger, garlic, jalapeños, and 18 aromatics. But, first you must don thin plastic gloves. The blue crab legs are attached to body segments. So you grab the soft-shell legs and squeeze the soft gooey blue crab. You slurp and suck the contents that have a savory and floral flavor. This isn't a pretty sight, but it's worth the effort for the briny treasure. When you're finished and it's gloves off, they instruct you to add the purple rice, sesame oil, and seaweed into the shell. Stir the orange and yellow crab mustard with the added contents and enjoy the flavor explosion. 2-year Aged Maesil Cheong: The glass contains a beverage of Korean green plums fermented in sugar with ice. Intended as a digestif, this is the best plum juice you'll ever have. Dining Area: The cozy spot has almost ten tables with a long counter next to giant jars of fermented goods. Parking: There's a tiny lot in the back, with a valet booth. However, depending on the time, you can probably snag street parking. read more

Soban - 12 Seasonal Banchan - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Had Soban bookmarked for a while and finally made it in for a Sunday lunch. They've been recognized by both the Michelin Guide and Jonathan Gold over a decade ago - so clearly, they're doing something right. The space itself is cozy and traditional, with limited seating (definitely recommend snagging a Resy). Inside, massive jars of fermented goods line the walls, adding to the vibe. I already knew what I wanted and went straight for their specialties: braised short rib galbi jjim, soy-marinated raw crab, and braised black cod. We started with nine assorted banchan, and contrary to some reviews, they do refill them when empty. All the side dishes were solid; nothing that blew me away individually, but the variety was great. Shortrib Galbi Jjim - Tender short ribs, perfectly cooked with shiitake mushrooms. The portion runs a bit smaller compared to what I'm typically used to, but it's still shareable for two. 7.5/10 Soy-Marinated Raw Crab - Served as a single crab, which I could've easily inhaled two on my own. Super fresh, well-seasoned, and absolutely delicious. My only gripe is again portion size. 8.5/10 Braised Black Cod - The star of the show and rightfully their signature. The fish was fresh, flaky, and generously portioned. Every element; the radish, kabocha, and potato - was cooked to perfection and paired beautifully with their purple rice. Watch out for bones, but this is a must-order. 9/10 Overall, I can see why Soban has been a K-Town staple for decades. Between their specialties and the care in execution, it's a spot that still earns its accolades. That said, with all the strong competition in the area, it may not be the most mind-blowing meal if you eat Korean food often but it's definitely worth trying at least once. read more

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This place feels very authentic and the dishes taste amazing! All of the banchans are delicious. The marinated raw crab was super flavorful and unlike anything I've tasted before. I wish the galbi was a bit more tender, but the flavor was good for sure. I enjoyed the braised black cod as well. Service was pretty quick and friendly! read more

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For a group of 4 around lunch time, service was fast. The staff quickly seated us and gave us just enough time to deliberate the menu. We got two sets of the Dine LA special so we could get a good sample of the menu and also added on order of the raw marinated crab. The banchan was served very fast and the selection is so wide! The server made sure to explain each one so we could be aware for allergies. The seafood and the kimchi pancakes were so delicious. The galbi jim has such a deep and rich flavor, with hints of sweetness. She let us know the jujubes inside were from her house! I'm usually not a fish person, but the braised cod is worth trying just to taste the mixture of flavors they've cultivated. The star is the soy raw marinated crab! On top of hot rice, it's so delicious. Street parking seems to be easiest for this place, be prepared to come early and find a spot to walk. read more

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Started out great, but ended in a shocking disappointment. The food was good, and we initially had a pleasant experience. However, it became very apparent that Umma (the owner) treated Korean customers with noticeably more warmth, respect, and attention. We watched other tables receive banchan refills without issue. Since we're not Korean, we only asked for refills of the two banchan dishes we actually enjoyed: the fish cake and the japchae. The first refill was only for the fish cake. After waiting about 15 minutes, we asked for the second refill for only the japchae, and Umma immediately responded, "No, no, no. Too much." How is refilling only two side dishes, one time each, considered "too much" when other tables were being accommodated? The difference in treatment was difficult to ignore and left us feeling unwelcome. Good food, but we won't be returning because of the disrespectful service and the clear disparity in how customers were treated. read more

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We arrived for dinner and were seated right away. I saw two other tables who arrived after us get their food before we did, which was annoying because I was very hungry and we placed our order before them. They were still honoring their dineLA menu so we got the $35pp for 2 people and it included a jjigae, pancake, entree, and two bowls of rice. It was a good deal and very filling. The braised beef was tender, sweet, and savory. The seafood pancake was crispy, but not memorable. Doenjang was okay. I want to try the raw marinated crab next time. It looked delicious. We found free street parking. Otherwise, it's pay to valet. read more

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We came here around 1:30 PM, and had a reservation for 1:45 but did not end up needing it. We were seated immediately and greeted very kindly by the patron. The store is clean and was lively and had a very homey, cozy vibe. There were a couple open tables at the bar but pretty crowded for late evening. They also had a bathroom. There is free street parking, which was relatively easy to find as well as a customer lot on site (it was filled though). We came for the Dine LA deal, which is $35 per person. We had 3 people so we ordered the $70 for 2 people and $35 for one person. We ordered the beef bulgogi and braised short ribs, as well as the banchan, purple rice, kimchi stew, and doenjang stew. Our food came out quickly and with large portions. It all tasted very home cooked and We ordered cold tea, which was barely tea - perfect beverage on a hot summer day. The banchan had 12 dishes to try and all of them were very tasty! Our favorite was the peanuts as well as the two tofu dishes and the woodear salad. The beef bulgogi was meaty and the onions balanced the dish well. We did order two beef dishes though, so I would like to come back to try something else like their cod or crab. We also ordered the braised short rib and the beef was so tender !! I loved the vegetables too, like the carrots and mushrooms. The soup that the meat is braised in itself is quite sweet, but provided a thin coating of flavor so not overpowering. The doenjang soup was our favorite out of the two soups, more of a miso and mild taste than the sour spicy kimchi. Both paired well with purple rice. Overall, great Korean place serving home cooked vibes and delicious food. Everything was tasty, and the total came out to around $40 per person. Clean and cozy interior. Recommend! read more

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I'll be honest I'm not very familiar with K food except for some K BBQ. I had no clue what to expect but I was blown away. The restaurant was very busy since it was Valentine's day - we had a res and we got seated pretty quickly. The staff were all very friendly. The food was absolutely amazing! I ordered the braised black cod and my bf got the braised ribs. I really enjoyed the presentation of the variety of side dishes and the main dishes of course. The flavors were incredible! The fish, potatoes and kabocha squash were all cooked to perfection. The portions were incredibly generous - I even had left overs which they packed with fresh purple rice to go. I don't eat beef so i didn't try my bf's. But he also thought it was very flavorful and he was very satisfied with the portions. We definitely plan to come again. read more

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Came here yesterday and the food is pretty good, not the crab tho, I'll pass on that next time, don't get my wrong I love raw marinated crabs, just the sauce wasn't to my taste read more

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Horrible ingredients and flavors, don't know how this got Michelin rated, tastes like a lobster shat in everything and they just put flavors on top read more

Soy marinated crab! I've been wanting to try this for a while and it's quite a delicacy and full of flavor and so delicious. Over 17 different aromatics that make it stand out! The Braised Short Rib was soft and tender and also full of flavor. We came here on a weekday for lunch and wasn't too busy. It's a very small space so definitely make reservations if you're going here for dinner. The owner, Jennifer Pak, was there and helped teach out the correct way to eat the soy marinated crab by mixing it with sesame oil and rice within the shell! We loved her hospitality and kind heart that really made our time special. Also, so many banchan that paired well with the food. read more

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Soban was an evening of culinary explosions, the delicate flavors of authentic Korean food was astounding! The tables were full of families and friends. I didn't see one cell phone visible at a table. I saw families indulged in the beautiful culinary foods from Korea. A must to everyone in LA or traveling the owner and culinary chef spent her time from table to table recommending helping the service I give it five stars read more

Well established, authentic Korean restaurant in Ktown. They specialize in traditional, homestyle Korean dishes using seasonal elements. The braised black cod, eundae gu jorim, was very flavorful, balancing sweet, spicy, and savory notes. Soban also serves an impressive rotating spread of banchan. Equally loved the seafood jeon and the doenjang stew. Service was very accommodating and food was served quickly, will absolutely go back for more food. This is a neighborhood gem with excellent food and service. The DineLA restaurant week offer also made it quite reasonable price wise. Restaurant has a small valet parking lot at the back otherwise it's typical ktown parking scenes. If you wanna try Korean home cooking especially seafood and braises, Soban is a must try in Ktown. It's cozy and family run, reservations are recommended. It's not flashy or BBQ-heavy like some Ktown spots rather more refined and traditional. read more

Came here with a friend during Dine LA week. The menu gave us 10 banchan, kimchi pancakes, shared cod stew and barley tea. The kimchi pancakes were probably our favorite thing and the fish in the stew was cooked well but over all the food was average. Might have bumped the rating to a 4 but our server was bordering on rude. Very rushed and not welcoming at all, it's been a while since I encountered a wait staff like that. Maybe she was having a bad day but we were pretty taken a back. The place was pretty busy for a Wednesday night but food came out quickly. read more

I went to Soban in Koreatown, a Michelin-recommended Korean restaurant famous for its marinated raw crab. Honestly, the experience left me more shocked than impressed. The presentation in Los Angeles just doesn't compare to what I've had at a Korean restaurant in Bangkok. In Thailand, the crab shells are carefully prepped so you can enjoy the dish smoothly. At Soban, you're left struggling with scissors just to get through the tough shells. A little girl at the next table asked me, "On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate it?" I told her 5.5. She followed up wisely, "How's the taste?" My answer: the crab is simply too old to be enjoyable. For the price--$70 ($61+ tax) here versus around 1,000 THB ($31) in Bangkok--the difference in quality and portion is worlds apart. Sadly, the bar feels way too low in America when it comes to dishes like this. read more

Soban - Soban's dish - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The marinated black cod is my all time favorite: so tender and juicy and all the veggies in the dish together is a heavenly flavor explosion. I crave it every now and then, and I've brought my closest friends and family to this place. But my last visit didn't quite meet the regular expectations. The black cod was overcooked and the flavor was a bit bland. I felt bad for my friends because I had hyped them up so much, but the food didn't live up to what I had told them. I hope my next visit is better than this specific one. read more

I do like this place! It's definitely not my favorite restaurant in ktown but it's definitely not a bad option. I don't remember how I found this place but I did! I made plans with a friend to check it out and I was super lucky to be able to find parking on a 6pm Friday in their lot! They do have a very small lot, which is helpful but of course it does fill up fast. Around 6pm, there were spots available and also lots of tables available. Again when I came there was no wait so we were seating immediately. We ordered the short ribs and a soup! The short ribs were really delicious. The sauce for the ribs were amazing on rice! The soup I felt was okay. Nothing special. They did come with a lot of banchan, which I wasn't too impressed by, but still really enjoyed. Overall, I would be open to coming back. It'd definitely be more of a lunch spot for me than a dinner spot just because of parking and the few tables they have. But not a bad choice for sure! read more

Soban - Soybean Paste Stew, Braised Beef Short Ribs - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I don't know how anyone could hate this place. It is a gem. Yes, the food is on the sweeter side, and it is kind of expensive. However, the food is tasty, and the portions are huge! Get the seafood pancake, the galbi stew, and the black cod. I love the black cod so much, especially with the vegetables! The latter two are the most expensive dishes on the menu, but each is meant to be shared! I eat a lot but would probably not be able to eat one galbi jjim or one black cod alone. Also, the waitstaff is exceedingly friendly and attentive. Despite the price, I find myself coming back from time to time because that black cod is so good! It's one of the best fish dishes in L.A. in my opinion! Support this place! read more

Soban came highly recommended by the lead editor of EATER, so I had high expectations going in. As a big fan of Korean food, I wouldn't say this was the best I've ever had, but it was definitely a solid meal. The standout dish for me was the braised cod--perfectly cooked, flavorful, and had an addition of rice cakes. The raw soy-marinated crab was good, but if you're looking for the best in LA, there are other spots that do it better. The meats were exactly what I expected, well-seasoned and flavorful. I really appreciated the generous spread of banchan, which added a great variety to the meal. We were a group of 11, and they accommodated us, which isn't always easy at a place like this. Each of us got our own rice, and the bibimbap was a great portion to share. read more

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We were in the area and decided to give this Restaurant a try. We only shared the Braised Cod which was packed with vegetables and rice cakes. In addition they also give us all the side pickled dishes. Interestingly they did not charge for the purple rice but did charge for the white rice. The Braised Cod was a very generous portion and super flavourful. The service was good but was a little slow. This is not a big restaurant by any means. I think there are only 7 tables of 4. There were autographed pictures from the cast of Parasite, I think the lead in Quid Games, and that adorable actress in Minari. Will definitely go back and try the Short Ribs and Crab. read more

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Loved the galbi jjim, braised cod, and soy marinaded crab, and the large variety of really great banchan (side dishes)! Perfect for those who just want well executed traditional Korean dishes with quality ingredients :) Service was very friendly. Seating was limited, and the ambiance is homey and intimate read more

We had a really disappointing experience here. We made reservations on 3/2 for 8:30 PM and were genuinely excited for a rare date night. From the moment we walked in, the experience felt off. There was no warm greeting, just a woman at the front who seemed irritated that we were there. She told us we needed to order at the door before being seated, which already felt unusual. When we asked for the per person special, she told us we couldn't order it because it was only for guests who come in earlier. However, the menu clearly stated it was available until 9 PM. When we pointed that out, she changed her response and said the items were no longer available. Throughout the interaction, she had an attitude and even rolled her eyes, which made the situation uncomfortable. Honestly, it was surprising and disappointing, especially for a place that has a Michelin recommendation. Based on how we were treated, we didn't feel comfortable staying to eat. I would strongly suggest the owners take a closer look at the staff working that night, as this was a very poor representation of your business. read more

The menu is small and they specialize in Kalbi Jjim, spicy black cod stew, spicy marinated crab. On this occasion, we got kalbi jjim and spicy black cod stew. Both were delicious. The great thing is the owner takes the time to present the meal to you. You can feel a high level of pride when she does it. Overall the food exceeded my standards. After a while with most Korean cuisine, the sauces start to become very salty which let's me know to stop eating. This meal will make great leftovers. We will definitely be back. read more

The side dishes were very plain and unmemorable. Nothing stood out in terms of flavor or quality. The soy-marinated crab ($61) was disappointing--not fresh and had a slightly bitter taste. Definitely not worth the price. The tofu pancakes ($25) were also underwhelming, lacking any standout flavors. The only real positives were the availability of street parking and the cozy interior. Service was okay too. The walls were covered in celebrity photos, which might give the impression that the food is amazing, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. Wouldn't return. read more

Soban - Soy *Raw Soy-Marinated Crab $61 (Bitter Tasting) - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I liked the food but dont like feeling treated like a second class citizen. She went out of her way to seat us away from the door. out of sight of the rest of the restaurant read more