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    Yupdduk LA

    4.5 (2.6k reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Chicken Shop
    Closed • 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    About Yupdduk LA

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    YUPDDUK LA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    YUP DDUK
    Candace Y.

    this place is pretty good. we got the level 2 and the girl said that it would be the same level as buldak ramen however we thought it was more spicy than that. came on a tuesday afternoon and it wasn't busy at all. service is good our server came and checked on us. one thing that could've gone better is probably the ac it didn't feel like it was on.

    Alyssa A.

    After months of talk, finally made the drive out to Yupdduk. And it was well worth the drive! Gotta say, I was a little nervous because I'd heard it's delicious, but (while the rest of the group loves spicy food) I am not the best with spice. So we ended up sharing the "Signature Very Spicy" with a mild spice level. And while it was definitely spicy, I was so pleasantly surprised that it still tasted delicious! So many times I order something spicy and the spice outweighs the flavor, but here the spice was more like a compliment to the flavor. Plus the rice cakes are great - I liked them so much, I would honestly buy an extra side of them next time. Also got their tuna mayo rice. Surprisingly large, it was plenty to share between three people. Small little dining area, first come first serve. We were lucky enough to get a table, but I'd imagine they get a wait. So just be patient, but the food is worth it! Parking lot is small. We ended up finding street parking, but I heard there might be valet? Highly recommend!

    Best set
    Royce C.

    Man, located in the heart of K-Town got me sweating in the good way. Parking kinda suck in that tiny strip mall, and the restaurant only got like four little tables squeezed together... I grabbed mine to go. Got the best set combo with everything in it. I picked extra mild thinking I was safe... nah, I was still burning up lol. Next time I'm asking for super mild. But yo... the 떡볶이 (tteokbokki) hit the spot..Little on the sweet side tho, but end of the day it gets the job done. Addictive, messy, spicy happiness.

    ROSÉ YUP DDUK
    Michelle H.

    Nothing beats toppoki than this famous Yup Dduk Koreatown toppoki!!!!! I havent had it in a while and it's SO GOOD! This is the rose toppoki with non spicy. I can't handle spicy and this still has the kick We waited 15-20 mins for our ttopoki not sure why because there wasn't many tables when we came but it's worth it

    ROSÉ YUP DDUK SET
    April Y.

    First of all the portion is huge enough to feed 4-5 people! It is so yummy and the sets are so worth it. The service is amazing. Feels like I've time traveled back to Korea. I highly recommend getting the Chinese glass noodle with your rice cakes!!!! Definitely bring your friends / family to share. If not, it's definitely OK. The staff are so friendly and kind that they even packed the food up to go for you and even offer to split it into separate containers if you're eating with someone. Honestly, a 10 out of 10.

    YUP DDUK RICE BALL (DIY) CHEESE FRIED SEAWEED ROLL CELLOPHANE NOODLE BANANA MILK
    Megan D.

    Definitely come here if you have freinds with you!!! The portion is huge, especially when you are dining in. Even though we got mild, it was still very spicy, so just be cautious of that. The food itself is still good though. Don't forget to add sides. My personal favorites are the chewy thick glass noodles, and the fried seaweed rolls. Adding cheese is a MUST! The service was okay. You order at the counter, and the server will bring your food. The restaurant is very small though, so tables are very limited.

    ROSÉ YUP DDUK
    Lauren C.

    Rose yupdduk is great. Rice ball is very under seasoned. Wait is long even late night, but service was good after being seated. Very limited seating inside.

    Joyce M.

    Wait time was great. We didn't wait at all to be seated but it was early. The restaurant is very spacious and very clean. They have music in the background which adds ambient to the place. The flavor of the food was good however, if you don't eat spicy food even the extra mild is very spicy. We ordered extra mild thinking it was going to be ok but I struggled to eat it but most definitely reccomend to try if you love spicy food.

    long wait
    Rita C.

    a CLASSIC LA ktown experience that I recommend for everyone at least once. located in a very popular part of ktown, be aware of the lack of parking and the slight difficulty to get even valet parking in this plaza on busy days. if you are someone who cannot handle a lot of spicy foods (e.g. if you find buldak spice tolerable, but maybe not enjoyable, or if you find buldak spice just really spicy), i recommend going with extra mild. they have the rose version which i personally have not tried, but can see it as a good option for those who like less spice. if you are good with spice, i recommend original spice. if you are EXTRA good with spice, maybe even higher is better! there are two types, yup-duk (regular) and yup-o (more fish cakes). definitely something to choose based on preference! i would say the rice cakes aren't as good as leftovers, so plan accordingly (they get almost mushy). overall, great place!

    Menu
    Hala Hana C.

    As a Korean American, this is honestly one of my major cravings--and YUP DDUK nails it. I grew up eating dishes like this, and finding a spot in LA that does it so well is such a win. The duck is perfectly crispy, flavorful, and just hits all the right nostalgic notes. I'm so glad more people are getting into it and showing love for this kind of food. It makes me really happy to see a place like this getting the recognition it deserves. Every time I come here, it satisfies that craving 100%. Definitely one of my favorite spots in the city right now.

    Annika S.

    our experience here was amazing! we got the recommendation from a friend and the food & service did not disappoint. the space is small and in direct sunlight most of the day but they have blackout curtains that help! it is a little warm in there but nothing unbearable. the workers are quick to help, answer questions and give recommendations! our server was amazing & it really added to our experience. the food came out hot , delicious and we left with leftovers for sure! the spam fried rice was my favorite , i'm still thinking about it to this day. for two people our meal was great and super filling. i can't wait until im back in LA because i'll definitely be returning!!

    YUP O with VEGGIE FRIES and RAMEN NOODLE; SPAM MAYO RICE on the left bottom side
    Diana T.

    We love yup dduk on nights when we just want something hot and spicy! Our go to order: yup O (more fish cake) mild spice, add on ramen, veggie fries, spam rice. I always think about adding more sausages bc the ones they have are so snappy and tasty. The mild is def spicy, but a tasty kind, and I think the heat makes it feel spicier. With the order above we always have leftovers, I think it can easily feed 3-4 people. It does take awhile for the order to come out (esp since they are always getting takeout/delivery orders) but getting it fresh is the best! The shop is very small and can seat in total 8 parties of 2 at a time, so the wait can get long once the shop is full. We got there around 5:30 Friday night and got a seat immediately, but by 6:15/6:30 wait was 30 min - 1 hr depending on party size. There's a small lot in front of the store that is $3 (whether you valet the car or park it yourself).

    YUP DDUK

    I love Koreatown, for reasons like this restaurant, Yupdduk LA. If I had never lived around here, I wouldn't know it would exist. This is the second time my fiancée and I have tried Yupdduk LA. We love the ambiance; it is very casual, perfect for a nice lunch. The plate is big enough for two, perfect for couples to share. Just like we did. This time around, we switched what we didn't like about the YUP DDUK plate last time, which was mostly the fish cakes and the cabbage. I personally didn't like the fishy smell/taste. Which is why we switched it around this time. I love that we can add extra toppings to our YUP DDUK plate, for a reasonable price. I highly recommend getting their fried dumplings, mini sausages, and noodles of your liking. (I went with their ramen noodles.) It's just a recommendation, but if you are a cheese lover like myself, go with extra cheese! There will be a little bit of a wait time, especially if you are adding extra toppings, but the wait time is totally worth it! The plate will come hot and will look even more delicious, which will make you want it more. Personally, we both found our experience 100% better. The plate is full of FLAVOR AND SPICE. I personally would like to think that I can handle spice, but nothing could've prepared me for this level of spice, especially on the lowest setting. We went with their Extra Mild, and trust me when I say this, you will leave the restaurant full and spiced out. My recommendation is to go Extra Mild for your first time. My biggest gripe with anything that has to do with Koreatown is PARKING. They are located in a small plaza. Both times we've been here, we had to park on the street because there was no parking inside. But please don't let this stop you from stopping by.. YUP DDUK LA is 100% worth it!!

    rosé yup dduk

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    1 month ago

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    25 days ago

    Amazing food, excellent service. Very clean and fast. Will come back soon, with a bigger appetite.

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    4 months ago

    This place is always spicy and delicious. The chicken stew was so good. However, the parking lot is always crowded

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    Page 1 of 65

    Yupdduk LA Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Yupdduk LA

    Opened on Christmas Eve?

    We will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve! We will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

    What's the parking situation like?

    It's in a small shared plaza so there's some parking with a valet that you have to pay like $2 an hour. There's some metered street parking around the block as well.

    Is the chicken feet boneless or soft bones?

    Yupdduk chicken feet is regular bone-in chicken feet

    I saw that you have vegetarian options, but are you also able to make vegan options as well?

    I was told by an employee that they do NOT have vegan/vegetarian options since their broth uses a meat-base.

    Delivery apps are almost always unavailable for yupdduk. Do they still deliver?

    Yes! Just ordered through Door Dash, took a little while but got here piping hot still!

    Is their dobokki on the sweeter side or spicier side? Don't like too sweet!

    Neither do I. Unfortunately, it's on the sweeter side.

    What type of fish are in the fish cakes?

    It is usually a type of white fish with flour and starch.

    Hi! I wonder what is the meat use for the sausage? Is it beef/pork/mix?

    It should be pork!

    What's a good item to order?

    Definitely the yup dduk - it's a must try experience!

    Do you deliver with DoorDash?

    Hello - Im sorry we only offer in store pick up & local delivery service by our local delivery company partner. We find all 3rd party delivery apps risking our quality of foods and service at this time. Please call us or use our website for… 

    Are outside drinks allowed?

    No, though they'll offer to store it in their fridge for you to grab before you leave

    What time is the last call?

    Just FYI at some point they stop doing dine-in, and all orders are given as take out. Yesterday we arrived at about 10:10 pm and this was the case.

    Is there a similar location in the bay area?

    No. This is Korean franchise and only in LA and Buena Park

    Do they have pescatarian options?

    Tuna rice balls :)

    Is there a wait right now?

    We can’t answer that question, Marketing team is not on site. Sorry!

    What is vegetarian food like here? Are their many vegetarian options as interesting as the non-vegetarian ones?

    Keep in mind that the sauce has fish, so it's not strictly vegetarian even without the fish cake. I'm not sure what you mean about the many veg options tho.

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    Hangari Kalguksu - (LARGE) Hangari Bossam

    Hangari Kalguksu

    4.4(3.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi•Wilshire Center, Koreatown
    •$$
    Women-owned & operated
    10 years in business

    It's very possible that this is the world's best chicken noodle soup. Rich and pure chicken flavor,…read moreperfectly chewy knife-cut noodles that likely cook in the stock so the starch releases to give it a beautiful texture. Also got the oyster porridge. Very solid dish, but that kalguksu reigns supreme. Valet parking in the lot will run you $5-6, and the best time to go is within an hour of opening. The place fills quickly. The team works efficiently to turn tables without making you feel rushed. Highly recommended.

    A K-Town staple! I've been here a couple times and it never gets old. Just wish the lines weren't…read moreso long every time. I tried coming 15 minutes before opening on a Sunday during lunch time and that helped a lot! Would recommend coming during the day if you want to avoid waits. Some of our favorites: -Chicken Kalguksu: I get this every time! The broth is amazing, have never had such a rich, flavorful chicken broth before. You can taste all the herbs, seasonings, and time they took to prepare. The broth is a little on the thicker end, but super filling. -Seafood Kalguksu: the broth is so flavorful and it comes filled to the brim with all types of seafood! The spice actually pairs really well with the seafood too. If you want a spicy stew, this is it! Noodles are thick and chewy too. -Bossam: so yummy! I wish I could get it more often but it's a huge portion, so come with a group so you can try it and the noodles! Everything is quality- the bossam slices, the lettuce, the toppings on the wide. Chefs kiss! My only small gripe is the portions are so big that when I come with one other person, we only have the stomach capacity to eat two dishes! Always excited to come back and try more.

    Photos
    Hangari Kalguksu - Belly and Jowl & Chicken-KALGUKSU

    Belly and Jowl & Chicken-KALGUKSU

    Hangari Kalguksu - Bossam jowl combo

    Bossam jowl combo

    Hangari Kalguksu - (MEDIUM) Hangari Bossam (Serves 2)

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    (MEDIUM) Hangari Bossam (Serves 2)

    Kobawoo House - Banchan! Cabbage, beef, mushrooms and kimchi

    Kobawoo House

    4.3(1.6k reviews)
    0.6 mi•Wilshire Center, Koreatown
    •$$

    Respected reputation & long lasting & since the 80s. Kobawoo serves traditional Korean dishes that…read morestay true to the old country. Claim to fame ~ signature succulent pork Bossam, clean & tender. Banchan assortment simple yet fresh & tasty. A satisfying meal in Ktown.

    One of the oldest Korean restaurants in Los Angeles, Kobawoo (written in Korean as 고바우) House has…read morebeen at this Vermont Street strip mall in K-Town since 1983 (their moniker is 'traditional home style...'. It is pretty elegant inside, away from the shabbiness that most older strip malls in this area now reflect. I came with my daughter's father-in-law (SJ) for a weekend lunch, and we really enjoyed it. Kobawoo is named after the main character in a famous Korean satirical comic strip, with the name evoking resiliency in Korean culture, just like what the owners wanted for their restaurant. It has a nice modern website, with one page menu appearing with pictures. We took the Metro so didn't need to worry about parking (which was already packed) and were seated right away. Pretty much everyone inside were speaking Korean, and it was actually pretty quiet inside with a low key vibe (no flaming cheese or sizzling plates here). SJ ordered for us, getting the Combo Bossam ($75.99). The normal part was boiled pork belly with napa cabbage (both boiled plain and uncut pickled), pickled daikon, radish kimchi and wraps, and salt fermented shrimp. The combo portion added steamed skate and glazed pork feet (hock). We got to choose the steamed rice accompaniment, either white or purple. Later we got a large bottle of Cass Beer ($9.99) to share. Four banchans came immediately with the rice, and all were excellent: I really liked the egg omelet dish (def taking more than my share) and the cut napa kimchi. There was a bit of a lull, then the feet came out next. then the skate next, the main plate of pork belly with toppings last. The pork belly was served slightly warm, with the rest of the food being room temp (or cold). I enjoyed the pork belly, not so much the skate (didn't realize how gelatinous and [edible] boney it is) and the pork feet (served cold hock, not my favorite as the ratio of collagen/fat to muscle was too much for my taste, but glad I got to try it). Even though we ate meat from the most fatty/gelatinous parts of the pig, none of it was overly greasy. The ability to customize to get levels of spice and structure is what makes this so good. Each bite was an adventure, and I really enjoyed trying different combo wraps with the various ingredients laid out in front. Was glad that we had a booth for four, allowing us to spread out. We definitely ordered too big for the two of us, bringing a lot of it home. They have more affordable lunch specials as well, but it being a Saturday was not available. They do have the traditional dishes served by Korean restaurants (Kalbi, BibimBap, and JJigae). They are also known for their their jun (pancakes). Service was good, with them only coming over when asked. We had a lot to catch up on, and never felt hurried as we casually enjoyed our food and drink. They brought over take home containers once we asked, and paid at the table. The servers wished us well as we left, and we noticed how the parking situation had gotten even more hectic from the time we came in. The restaurant appears in Eater's 'Classic Los Angeles Restaurants Every Angeleno Must Try' list, specifically for the boiled pork belly dish. Bossam isn't usually the dish most folks think of when choosing Korean food. If it is, this restaurant certainly is the place to come to.

    Photos
    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 - Kimchi Jjigae

    Kimchi Jjigae

    Kobawoo House - Jangban Guksoo Vegan

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    Jangban Guksoo Vegan

    Borit Gogae - Dwenjang

    Borit Gogae

    4.4(547 reviews)
    0.5 mi•Koreatown
    •$$$

    The establishment is very clean and the service is friendly. The price is quite reasonable,…read moreespecially considering the overwhelming amount of food you get. As a party of 3, we all ordered the set menu with barley rice, and I could not even begin to tell you how shocked I was when the waitress brought out the food. It was dish after dish after dish, and by the end of it, the entire table was completely filled with food. All the dishes were well flavored and complemented each other nicely. I really enjoyed that you can mix everything together and create your own combination of flavors depending on what you're in the mood for. There's a nice variety of textures and flavors, so the meal never felt repetitive. To get some protein (and fat lol), we also ordered the bossam. The pork belly was cooked perfectly... tender, juicy, and flavorful. It paired really well with the crispy cabbage and pickled vegetables, which helped cut through the richness of the pork. Overall, this was a really satisfying meal. You get a ton of food for the price, the flavors are solid, and the experience was really unique. Definitely a great spot to come with a group so you can enjoy the variety of dishes together.

    What an experience!! Hehhe…read more We got the Set. We also ordered the galbi short ribs. It was about $50 for the ribs alone!! At first glance, everything looked amazing. Down the line, I realized that the set was basically a bunch of ban chan. Some were interesting because other Korean restaurants don't serve it. We were advised to use it to create our own bibimbap. The perilla porridge stood out most. I never had perilla porridge. The taste was unique. It had chicken inside. The small cup of pumpkin soup was yummy. The soybean soup (fermented soy bean stew) had a very pungent smell. I wanted to enjoy it, but it wasn't for me. I couldn't stand the smell and not comfortable with the taste. Wish they gave an option to choose from different stews. The desserts were good. I also like their plum tea/juice. The galbi was well marinated. Not as tender as I was hoping for, but it was still delicious. With the price, I do feel like the set should include a dish of meats. Especially since the restaurant requires 2 people at $34 each for the set. If you go 3 people, prob more worth it. Overall, it was a fun experience. Service was great.

    Photos
    Borit Gogae - Restaurant decor- art work and Korean figurines

    Restaurant decor- art work and Korean figurines

    Borit Gogae - Barley rice mixed with side dishes

    Barley rice mixed with side dishes

    Borit Gogae - Grilled spareribs

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    Grilled spareribs

    Ham Ji Park

    Ham Ji Park

    4.2(1.8k reviews)
    0.3 mi•Wilshire Center, Koreatown
    •$$$

    Great service and Very delicious! Loved it here. Will definitely come back!And will recommend to my…read morefriends n family!

    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.

    Photos
    Ham Ji Park
    Ham Ji Park
    Ham Ji Park

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    Yupdduk LA - korean - Updated October 2026

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