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Calic Bagel
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Calic Bagel
8.3
LA-style bagels using the Asian Tangzhong technique create an unusually fluffy, soft interior with a thin blistered crust designed for ripping and dipping. Founded by husband-and-wife team Alex and Sun Sohn in 2023 after their garlic bread kits went viral during COVID, they've built a following for stuffed bagels filled with creative cream cheeses and Korean-inspired schmears like Jeju tangerine and gochujang butter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Calic (Garlic Stuffed Bagel), LA Lox Sandwich, Habanero Calic
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Asian-inspired baking technique creates distinctly fluffy bagels unlike traditional New York style
Who should go: Social media foodies and adventurous bagel enthusiasts
When to visit: Weekday mornings to avoid weekend crowds, sells out early
What to order: Signature garlic stuffed bagel, LA Lox with scallion cream cheese, fig pecan schmear
Insider tip: Order online ahead—lines can be 20+ minutes and they sell out by early afternoon
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available but competitive in Koreatown - arrive 10-15 min early to circle for spots. Nearby paid lots on Western Ave
Dress code: Ultra casual - athleisure, hoodies, whatever. This is a grab-and-go bagel shop
Noise level: Moderate cafe bustle - fine for chatting but not intimate. Mostly takeout traffic
Weekend wait: Not applicable - closes by mid-afternoon once sold out
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min in line typically, but order ahead online to skip it entirely
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - most bagels work vegetarian with veggie schmears and cream cheeses
Vegan options: Limited - plain bagels available, ask about vegan schmear options
Gluten-free options: No - this is a bagel-focused concept with no GF alternatives
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better as a casual second or third date spot - it's counter service with limited seating, more 'let's grab bagels and walk around Koreatown' than romantic sit-down. The Instagram-worthy bagels give you something to talk about though.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed or accepted - it's counter service with a few seats inside. Most people take their bagels to go. Just be prepared to wait in line on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - casual vibes, quick service, and bagels kids actually like. The stuffed bagels are fun for them. Just note limited seating if you want to eat in with a stroller.
Best For
Better for: Instagram content and trying something genuinely different in the bagel world - the Asian technique creates a texture you can't find at traditional bagel shops. Also better if you want creative Korean-fusion flavors like gochujang butter over classic NYC-style schmears
Skip if: You're a bagel purist who wants dense, chewy New York-style bagels - these are intentionally fluffier and softer. Also skip if you need a sit-down brunch experience with full table service
Calic Bagel
8.4
This viral Koreatown destination revolutionized LA's bagel scene with stuffed bagels using Tangzhong technique for impossibly soft texture. Founded during COVID by husband-wife duo, the shop gained fame for garlic cream cheese-filled bagels dipped in garlic butter, creating Instagram-worthy creations that deliver on taste.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Calic Garlic, Habanero Calic, LA Lox Sandwich
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: LA-style stuffed bagels with Asian baking technique and viral social media fame
Who should go: Bagel enthusiasts seeking innovative takes on classics
When to visit: Order ahead weekday mornings to avoid 20+ minute waits
What to order: Signature garlic bagel, habanero stuffed, schmears for dipping
Insider tip: Free parking lot attached to building
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free parking lot attached to building - rare Koreatown perk
Dress code: Ultra casual - athleisure and streetwear are the norm
Noise level: Moderate - counter-service setup keeps it conversational
Weekend wait: N/A - closes at 3pm, brunch/lunch only
Weekday lunch: 20-30 min during peak (11am-1pm) without pre-order
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - most bagels work, multiple veggie schmear options
Vegan options: Limited - plain bagels available, ask about dairy-free spreads
Gluten-free options: No - all about that Tangzhong dough technique
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual 2nd-3rd dates - quick counter service and inevitable Instagram photo ops make it low-pressure and fun, but not intimate enough for serious getting-to-know-you conversation
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken - it's order-at-counter only. Pro move: mobile order 15-20 min ahead on weekends to skip the line entirely
Is it kid-friendly? Absolutely - quick service keeps restless kids happy, and the stuffed bagels feel like a treat. Casual vibe means no stress about noise. Just know it's small inside if you have a stroller
How early do they sell out? Popular flavors (garlic, habanero) can sell out by 1-2pm on weekends. Weekdays are safer, but order ahead if you have your heart set on a specific bagel
Is the hype actually worth it? Yes if you love soft, pillowy bagels with creative stuffings - this is truly different from NY-style. Skip if you're a purist who wants dense, chewy traditional bagels
Best For
Better for: Instagram-worthy innovation and ultra-soft texture that feels more like stuffed bread than traditional bagels - plus the free parking and garlic butter dipping experience you can't get elsewhere in LA
Skip if: You want authentic dense NY-style bagels (hit Wexler's instead), need a sit-down brunch experience with full service, or are visiting after 3pm (they close early)
Calic Bagel
8.4
This viral Korean-American bagel shop bakes fresh LA-style bagels every 30 minutes using the Tangzhong technique for impossibly fluffy interiors. The signature Calic stuffed bagel filled with garlic cream cheese and dipped in garlic butter has earned TikTok fame, while their rip-and-dip plain bagels with creative schmears like sweet corn and fig pecan offer lighter options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Calic (Garlic Butter Stuffed Bagel), LA Lox Sandwich, Pizza Calic
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Viral LA-style bagels using Asian baking technique with creative stuffed options
Who should go: Bagel lovers seeking unique Korean-American fusion breakfast
When to visit: Early morning before 10am to avoid lines and ensure availability
What to order: Signature Calic, LA Lox, any rip & dip schmear
Insider tip: Bagels baked fresh every 30 minutes, free parking in garage underneath
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free parking garage directly underneath - rare for Koreatown, arrive early on weekends
Dress code: Ultra casual - athleisure and streetwear standard, it's a quick-serve bagel shop
Noise level: Moderate to loud - bustling counter-service vibes, fine for casual chat but not intimate
Weekend wait: N/A - closes after breakfast/brunch service
Weekday lunch: 15-25 min line typical, moves quickly but bagels may sell out by noon
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - most bagels and schmears are vegetarian, only lox and bacon options aren't
Vegan options: Limited - plain bagels available but most schmears contain dairy, ask about seasonal vegan options
Gluten-free options: No - this is a bagel-focused concept with no GF alternatives
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for romantic first dates - it's counter-service with communal seating and high energy. Better for casual early-stage hangouts or coffee dates where you're grabbing bagels to-go and walking around Koreatown.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations taken - it's walk-up counter service only. Seating is limited and communal style. Most people grab and go or eat standing. Arrive before 9:30am on weekends to avoid the Instagram crowd.
Is it kid-friendly? Very kid-friendly - quick service, approachable menu, and kids love the fluffy bagels. The garlic butter can be messy for toddlers, but the rip & dip options work great for little hands. No high chairs or changing tables though.
Best For
Better for: Instagram-worthy breakfast that's actually delicious (not just pretty), unique Korean-American fusion bagels you can't find elsewhere in LA, quick satisfying breakfast under $15 per person, avoiding the typical brunch wait times
Skip if: You want traditional NYC-style bagels (these are fluffier and softer, not dense and chewy), need a sit-down brunch experience with table service, want gluten-free options, or are visiting after 1pm when they're likely sold out