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DTLA AYCE KBBQ
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
DTLA AYCE KBBQ
7.5
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
This open-air all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ spot in Chinatown offers 56 menu items including cheese ribs, rib eye steak, and beef dumplings under a covered patio setting. The modern, hip atmosphere features murals and city views with tabletop grilling and attentive service at $27-40 per person.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese Ribs, Rib Eye Steak, Ramen Fried Rice
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.1
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Only AYCE KBBQ in Chinatown with unique open-air design
Who should go: Groups and families wanting unlimited Korean BBQ value
When to visit: Weekends for brunch, weeknights to avoid crowds
What to order: Cheese ribs, premium cuts from 56-item menu, extras
Insider tip: $5 public parking lot across street at 655 N Spring
Logistics & Planning
Parking: $5 public lot at 655 N Spring St (across street) - best option. Street parking very limited and metered until 8pm.
Dress code: Casual - wear clothes you don't mind smelling like BBQ smoke. Tank tops and shorts totally fine.
Noise level: Loud - open-air patio plus groups celebrating means expect to raise your voice
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation (5-9pm peak). Book ahead or arrive before 5pm.
Weekday lunch: 15-30 min wait typical. Weekday dinners (Mon-Thu) 20-40 min.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - grilled mushrooms, corn, kimchi, veggie dumplings, tofu options. About 8-10 items from the 56-item menu.
Vegan options: Very limited - plain rice, select vegetables, kimchi (ask about fish sauce). Not ideal for vegans.
Gluten-free options: Challenging - most marinades contain soy sauce. Plain unseasoned meats available but reduces the experience significantly.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal - it's loud, you'll smell like smoke, and grilling meat together is more 3rd date energy. Better for groups or casual dates where you already know each other.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekdays yes (expect 20-40 min wait). Weekends absolutely book ahead - walk-ins face 60-90 min waits Friday-Sunday dinner. They take reservations via Yelp.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for kids 8+ who can sit through a 90-min meal. Hot grills at every table require supervision. High chairs available. Plenty of mild options like plain beef and rice.
How long should I plan to spend here? Budget 90-120 minutes total - rounds of meat take time to cook, and AYCE format encourages lingering. 2-hour time limits may apply during peak hours.
Do I need to cook the food myself? Yes - it's tabletop grilling. Staff brings raw meat, you grill it. They'll help if you're new to KBBQ, but expect to be hands-on.
Best For
Better for: Groups wanting unlimited food variety (56 items) in a fun, social outdoor atmosphere. Best AYCE value in Chinatown/DTLA. Great for birthdays where you want energy and space without fine-dining pressure.
Skip if: You want intimate conversation (too loud), authentic hole-in-the-wall vibes (this is trendy/Instagrammable), or you're solo (AYCE requires 2+ people). Also skip if you hate smelling like BBQ smoke.
DTLA AYCE KBBQ
8.0
Modern all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ spot with an open-air covered patio concept and downtown skyline views. The contemporary space offers unlimited quality meats including marinated galbi, ribeye, and pork belly with tableside grilling, drawing younger crowds looking for energetic group dining.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheese Ribs, Marinated Rib Eye Steak, Beef Brisket
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Hip open-air AYCE concept with downtown views and modern Korean BBQ vibe
Who should go: Groups and young diners seeking Instagram-worthy unlimited Korean BBQ
When to visit: Friday or Saturday dinner for full energy buzz
What to order: Premium AYCE option with ribeye, cheese ribs, kimchi fried rice
Insider tip: Reservations via Yelp recommended; covered patio stays comfortable year-round
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking in Chinatown is challenging after 5pm; paid lots within 2 blocks run $8-15. Arrive early or rideshare recommended
Dress code: Casual trendy - jeans and nice tops work, but groups often dress up for photos. Your clothes will smell like BBQ
Noise level: Loud - energetic crowd, sizzling grills, open-air acoustics. Plan to lean in to chat
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation, even with Yelp waitlist. Book ahead or arrive at 5pm sharp
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, walk-ins usually seated within 15 min
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - mushrooms, corn, rice cakes, tofu, kimchi fried rice included in AYCE. Not a huge selection but workable
Vegan options: Very limited - steamed rice, some banchan, grilled veggies. Better suited for non-vegans accommodating one vegan friend
Gluten-free options: Challenging - most marinades contain soy sauce. Ask for unmarinated meats and confirm banchan ingredients
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Risky unless you both love interactive dining. The loud atmosphere and smoky setting work better for casual/later dates where you're already comfortable. Save quiet getting-to-know-you conversations for elsewhere
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunches and early weekday dinners (before 6pm), yes. Friday/Saturday dinners, you'll wait 1-2 hours or get turned away. Use Yelp waitlist before arriving or book ahead
Is it kid-friendly? Physically yes (kids love grilling their food), but the late-night crowd skews 20s-30s and gets rowdy. Best for teens and up, or bring younger kids for early dinner before 7pm
Best For
Better for: Modern atmosphere over traditional Korean BBQ, groups of 4-8 wanting unlimited food and Instagram moments, outdoor dining with skyline views, value-focused unlimited eaters who want quality without traditional KBBQ stuffiness
Skip if: You want quiet/romantic ambiance, prefer traditional Korean BBQ spots with serious meat programs, hate smoke and noise, need extensive vegetarian options, dining solo or as a couple seeking intimate conversation