Best Korean Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)
7 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
#1
Baroo
8.9
A fermentation-driven modern Korean tasting menu from chefs Kwang Uh and Mina Park, served in an intimate Arts District room. The meal is layered and precise, with bold umami built from house-made jang and seasonal produce. Expect a slow, chef-led night that feels both experimental and rooted in tradition.
Must-Try Dishes:
Saeng (seasonal opening courses), Kimchi fried rice with house ferments, Bingsu-inspired dessert with grains and fruit
What makes it special: A chef’s-counter tasting menu centered on deep Korean fermentation technique.
8.7
Chef Ki Kim’s ten-seat counter delivers a tightly choreographed New Korean tasting menu that plays with nostalgia and high technique. Dishes balance richness with bright, herbaceous notes, and the pace feels personal without being stiff. It’s one of the most distinctive Korean meals in Downtown right now.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal 12-course tasting menu, Omija berry snow dessert, Fermented seafood jang pairings
What makes it special: A tiny, chef-driven counter pushing modern Korean flavors with finesse.
#3
Majordomo
8.6
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
David Chang’s warehouse-sized Chinatown restaurant blends Korean flavors with playful American and Asian riffs, built for sharing. The cooking leans smoky, savory, and big-format, with a lively open-kitchen energy. Massive review volume and long-running popularity back up its reputation as a Downtown destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bo ssäm-style pork shoulder, Bing bread with pickled butter, Spicy kimchi fusilli with pork jowl
What makes it special: Korean-leaning share plates in a high-energy, warehouse setting.
#4
Perilla LA
8.2
A courtyard banchan and lunch-plate spot from chef Jihee Kim, focused on vegetables, fermentation, and bright seasonal flavors. The menu is compact but thoughtful, and the outdoor seating makes it feel like a calm reset in the middle of Chinatown. Perfect for a lingering midday meal with a rotating lineup of sides.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dosirak lunch box combo, Seasonal banchan sampler, Perilla oil noodles (when available)
What makes it special: Banchan-first Korean lunches highlighting ferment and peak produce.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Late Night Legends
Comfort Food Classics
A Downtown all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ room that keeps things efficient and crowd-friendly. Meat quality is solid for the price, with quick refills and a straightforward banchan lineup. Best used as a reliable, no-frills KBBQ fix near Chinatown and El Pueblo.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy pork belly, Marinated galbi, Cheese corn side
What makes it special: AYCE KBBQ in DTLA with dependable meat and fast turnarounds.
#6
Jumsim
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Business Lunch Power Players
Comfort Food Classics
A casual lunch counter serving comforting Korean plates in the Historic Core. Flavors are homestyle and straightforward—think stews, rice bowls, and dependable banchan. It’s a practical, well-priced stop for a quick midday Korean fix downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kimchi jjigae, Bulgogi rice bowl, Homemade kimchi banchan
What makes it special: Fast, homey Korean lunches at wallet-friendly prices.
7.6
A Little Tokyo mall standby offering classic Korean BBQ plates and grilled meats in a low-key setting. Don’t expect polish—this is more about quick satisfaction, generous portions, and familiar flavors. A useful hidden-in-plain-sight option when you want Korean food without crossing town.
Must-Try Dishes:
Galbi plate, Spicy pork BBQ, Bibimbap with gochujang
What makes it special: Straightforward Korean BBQ plates tucked inside Japanese Village Plaza.