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Manna
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Manna
8.3
Neighborhood Korean spot known for well-marinated Kal Bi grilled over high heat for a lacquered, smoky crust. Portions are generous and the banchan set makes this a reliable Inner Sunset stop for satisfying short ribs at lunch or dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kal Bi (BBQ Beef Short Ribs), Bulgogi & Kal Bi Combo, Seafood Pancake
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Classic LA-style galbi with proper caramelization and hearty banchan.
Who should go: Short-rib fans who want big portions
When to visit: Weeknights before 7 pm to avoid waits
What to order: Kal Bi; Bulgogi & Kal Bi combo; Soft tofu stew side
Insider tip: Ask for extra grill sear on Kal Bi for deeper char.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Irving and nearby residential blocks; metered until 6 pm, fills up fast on weekends.
Dress code: Casual—comfortable clothes fine, but avoid anything too delicate due to grill smoke.
Noise level: Moderate—lively but manageable, you can hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak hours; no reservations taken.
Weekday lunch: Usually seated immediately or within 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few banchan and tofu dishes available, but mains focus on meat.
Vegan options: Very limited—some sides like kimchi may contain fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: Some grilled meats can be made gluten-free if you ask them to skip soy-based marinades.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual date than a romantic one—the sizzling grills and smoky air make it fun and informal rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a short wait during dinner rushes. Arrive early or join the list in person—tables turn over fairly quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families are common here. The banchan keeps kids entertained, and staff are accommodating with extra rice or mild dishes.
Best For
Better for: Perfect for classic Korean BBQ flavors and generous short rib portions at a reasonable price.
Skip if: You're seeking a sleek modern K-BBQ setup with built-in table grills or a quieter fine-dining vibe.
Manna
7.6
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Old-school Korean standby where soy-sauce fried wings share the menu with stews, pancakes, and soon tofu. Dependable for a casual weeknight plate near 9th & Irving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soy-sauce fried wings, Kimchi pancake, Soon tofu (soft tofu stew)
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 6.6
What makes it special: Soy-glazed wings on a broad, affordable Korean comfort menu.
Who should go: Casual weeknight diners
When to visit: Early dinner before 6:30 pm for faster seating
What to order: Soy-sauce wings; kimchi pancake; soon tofu
Insider tip: Pair wings with bubbling soon-tofu—share both to balance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Irving and nearby side streets; can be tight after 6pm but generally manageable if you circle once or twice.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—jeans and a hoodie are totally fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate—conversation-friendly except for brief dinner rush peaks.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for a table during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, especially before noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—soft tofu stews, bibimbap without meat, and pancakes are good options.
Vegan options: Limited—some tofu soups and veggie sides, but sauces may contain fish or egg.
Gluten-free options: Partially—soy sauce in many dishes; request plain grilled meats or soups if avoiding gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual catch-up than a romantic first date; the lighting is bright and the vibe is relaxed, not intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Manna doesn’t take reservations. Walk-ins are the norm and tables turn over fairly quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—quiet atmosphere, quick service, and mild Korean dishes make it easy for families with children.
Best For
Better for: Homestyle Korean comfort food at neighborhood prices with steady, reliable execution.
Skip if: You’re looking for trendy cocktails or modern plating—this is a no-frills, classic spot.
Manna
7.6
Old-school Korean standby serving soy-sauce fried chicken wings alongside stews and classics. A dependable Inner Sunset option when you want wings with a broader comfort menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soy-Sauce Chicken Wings, Dak Bulgogi (as a side order), Kimchi Pancake
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Soy-glazed fried wings on a broad, affordable Korean menu.
Who should go: Casual weeknight diners
When to visit: Early dinner before 6:30pm for faster seating
What to order: Soy-sauce wings; soft tofu soup; kimchi pancake
Insider tip: Wings pair well with a bubbling soon-tofu—share both to balance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Irving and nearby side streets; can be competitive after 6pm but turns over regularly.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—jeans and sweaters fit the neighborhood vibe.
Noise level: Moderate during dinner rush; quiet enough for easy conversation on weekdays.
Weekend wait: 25–40 minutes during peak 6–8pm window.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; walk-ins seated immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some dishes like tofu soups, vegetable pancakes, and bibimbap are vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Limited—only a couple of side dishes and soups qualify with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Few naturally gluten-free items; sauces and marinades often contain soy sauce with wheat.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for a casual, low-pressure meal—homey rather than romantic, with comfort food focus and cozy booths.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t common here; arrive before 6:30pm or after 8pm to avoid short waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—family-friendly setting with mild dishes and ample booth seating; staff are patient with kids.
Best For
Better for: Broader menu variety and homestyle comfort dishes beyond wings make it ideal for groups with mixed tastes.
Skip if: You’re chasing trendy or ultra-crisp Korean fried chicken—head to Um.Ma or Toyose instead.
Manna
7.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Neighborhood Korean spot serving homestyle barbecue plates—galbi, bulgogi—and bubbling stews. Friendly service and fair prices make it an Inner Sunset standby for casual K-BBQ flavors without the tabletop grill.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kalbi (BBQ Short Ribs), Beef Bulgogi Plate, Soft Tofu Stew with Pork
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Comfort-first Korean plates with dependable portions and pricing.
Who should go: Casual diners craving galbi and bulgogi
When to visit: Early dinner 5–6pm for easy seating
What to order: Kalbi; beef bulgogi; soft tofu stew
Insider tip: Request extra banchan refills—staff is accommodating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking; can usually find spots on Irving or 9th before 6:30pm. No private lot or valet.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, hoodies, and sneakers fit right in; locals often drop by post-errand or after work.
Noise level: Moderate—low hum from sizzling plates but still fine for casual conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes typical wait during peak 6–7:30pm hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, especially before noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—few non-meat stews or tofu dishes, but most mains feature beef or pork.
Vegan options: Minimal—some banchan qualify, but mains center on meat and fish sauces.
Gluten-free options: Partial—grilled meats can be safe if ordered without soy marinades; staff can advise.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual meal than a first date—the space is compact and functional, with focus on food over ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, it’s walk-in friendly. Arrive early evening for minimal wait; they don’t take reservations for small parties.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—friendly staff, quick service, and approachable dishes like bulgogi make it easy for families with kids 6+.
Best For
Better for: Quick, comforting Korean barbecue plates without smoke or high prices—ideal for solo or low-key dinners.
Skip if: You’re seeking grill-at-table K-BBQ or a trendy setting—Kogi Gogi or Han Il Kwan are better fits.
Manna
8.0
Neighborhood Korean spot known for hot stone bibimbap, stews, and shareable plates at fair prices. Reliable execution and friendly service make it a go-to for casual groups and weeknight dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dolsot bibimbap, Haemul pajeon (seafood pancake), Spicy pork bulgogi
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Classic Korean menu with hot stone specialties at neighborhood pricing.
Who should go: Casual groups and stew lovers
When to visit: Early dinner Tue–Thu for fastest seating
What to order: Dolsot bibimbap, seafood pancake, spicy pork bulgogi
Insider tip: Ask for extra banchan refills—staff is accommodating when not slammed.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Irving and nearby residential blocks is usually available after 6pm; meters end earlier on side streets.
Dress code: Casual; jeans and sweaters are common—come comfortable for a neighborhood meal.
Noise level: Moderate—easy for conversation, but expect a lively hum during dinner rush.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes typical during peak hours; no reservations accepted.
Weekday lunch: Rarely a wait—usually seated within 5 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bibimbap and tofu stews are strong options with customizable toppings.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 dishes can be made vegan by omitting egg or meat; communicate clearly to staff.
Gluten-free options: Partially—rice-based dishes and stews are safe, but soy sauce marinades may contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual comfort than formality—good choice if you want warm food and easy conversation without pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins only. Arrive before 6:30pm on weekends to minimize waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—staff are patient with families, and dishes like bulgogi and fried dumplings appeal to younger eaters.
Best For
Better for: Reliable homestyle stews and hot stone bibimbap at lower prices than trendier Korean spots nearby.
Skip if: You’re seeking upscale BBQ or elaborate plating—go to Um.Ma instead for a modern Korean dining experience.
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday11:30am - 9pm
Wednesday11:30am - 9pm
Thursday11:30am - 9pm
Friday11:30am - 9pm
Saturday11:30am - 9pm
Sunday11:30am - 9pm