1 week Ago
For a classic Korean barbecue with noticeable tweaks: Baekjeong. | Matthew Kang Your handy guide on where to eat from the editors at Eater LA Every Friday, our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here now are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, here’s our list of the hottest places to get cocktails in town.
For classic Korean barbecue with some noticeable new tweaks: Baekjeong Matthew Kang For classic Korean barbecue with noticeable tweaks: Baekjeong. In the last few months, popular Korean barbecue chain Baekjeong has been tweaking some of its banchan game, switching up salads and kimchi to refresh the table. Gone are the utilitarian metal bowls, replaced by colorful faux porcelain dishes that look plucked out of a quirky Korean mom-and-pop restaurant.
The restaurant’s director of ops, Sam Kim, is a longtime East Coast fine dining veteran, but has introduced plenty of new banchan options that will continue to rotate through the seasons. At the center of the table, Baekjeong’s trademark grill with egg and corn cheese moat remains, as well as the top-notch meat quality cooking in the center. (Just a side note, that gyeran jjim, or steamed egg, must cost the restaurant a pretty penny given the price of eggs right now, but it doesn’t cost any extra.
) On a recent visit to the Baekjeong in Torrance, the thinly sliced brisket was tender and easy to pair with tangy, crunchy rounds of pickled Korean radish. Later in the meal, aggressively marinated chunks of short rib were seared on the grill without a burn mark, an impressive feat for the table servers who do most of the actual cooking. Baekjeong will soon reopen in Koreatown, bringing back one of LA’s most beloved Korean barbecue spots, but I’m happy to report that the chain continues to be one of the most consistently excellent places for my favorite food.
1725 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90501. — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/SouthwestFor an easy lunch in Koreatown: Damsot Damsot For an easy lunch in Koreatown: Damsot.
South Korean-based pot rice chain Damsot debuted to long lines a few months ago, but now that it's settled into its home in the Brown Derby, it's much easier to grab a seat for lunch. Each meal comes with a choice of sot bap (pot rice), surrounded by kimchi, banchan, and boricha (barley tea) to pour over the rice and make nurungji. The steak pot rice, with tender bites of beef, is a crowd favorite for good reason.
Or for a house specialty, try the eggplant pot rice (available mild or spicy), which is served with ground pork. The dining room is sparse, but clean, and it serves its purpose. After lunch, head over to Honeymee for some of the best soft serve LA has to offer.
3377 Wilshire Boulevard #112, Los Angeles, CA 90010. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/SouthwestFor baked goods in Culver City: Helms Bakery Rebecca Roland For baked goods in Culver City: Helms Bakery. After a 12-year delay, chef Sang Yoon’s Helms Bakery is finally open in Culver City, and even after a wait that long, it does not disappoint.
Start at the bakery counter with a coffee and a delicately laminated croissant, before heading towards the cake and cookie counter. The options can be overwhelming, but just follow your heart, and definitely try a slice of whatever pie is ready. On the other side of the spacious bakery, savory reigns with a deli-style counter serving fried chicken, chicken pot pie, and more.
For something quicker, there are also prepared breakfast trays in the warmer, and gimbap in the fridge. It's easy to spend a few hours (or even a whole day) here between the dishes that continue rolling out throughout the day, and the tempting shoppy shop items to peruse inside. If looking for more of a sit-down meal, head to chef Sang Yoon’s neighboring burger spot, Father’s Office.
3220 Helms Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/SouthwestFor an inventive pre-Lakers or Kings playoff game dinner at L.A.
Live: Sendero Matthew Kang For an inventive pre-Lakers or Kings playoff game dinner at L.A. Live: Sendero.
Former Amour chef Hendrix Vega, trained in European fine dining kitchens and Bouley in New York City, has taken over the massive Sendero project at the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles at L.A. Live.
The mostly Latin American influence remains in the trio of concepts, including a new tasting menu at the Agave Library, Argentine steakhouse Leña, and the more casual Corteza. Dishes are gussied up across the board, with striking presentation and plating, like the trio of sauces accompanying the grilled New York steak that’s sliced and sectioned off to show its medium rare status. Most folks who will want something pre-Laker or King’s playoff games, which commence this weekend, will want the more laid-back Corteza, which served konbu-cured hamachi with avocado miso and blue spirulina.
Leña’s menu leans more meat-centric, like an 18-ounce ojo de bife Australian wagyu with bottarga-topped white asparagus. The Agave Library is a longer set tasting menu with Vega’s best dishes, paired with various kinds of tequila and mezcal pours. The best part of Sendero is that it means skipping over the frankly forgettable stadium food at Crypto.
com and getting a winning meal before tip-off or face-off. 900 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 90015.
— Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest.
