Posts Tagged ‘North Western Avenue’

Todamgol Korean BBQ Restaurant

Friday, April 24th, 2009

If only this restaurant didn’t allow smoking, I’d go and try the 재주산 똥돼지 — pork from the Cheju Island black pigs, traditionally living off from under the household’s latrine/privy/bathroom. (Does the US government allow the meat to be imported?)

Todamgol Korean BBQ Restaurant

토담골 (To Dam Gol) Korean BBQ Restaurant

The reason the place is still closed in the picture is that they don’t open until 4 PM. They close at around midnight.

Other Korean dishes in addition to 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal = fatty slices of pork): 아구전골 (monkfish stew), 굴보쌈 (cabbage-wrapped oysters), 깻잎+고추전 (sesame laves with red peppers), 낙지 (octopus)

Soju and beer to go with the barbecued meat.

203 N Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Telephone number: (323) 467-1299

Banchan A La Carte on Western Avenue

Friday, April 24th, 2009

반찬 아라까르떼 (Banchan A La Carte) is surrounded by dingy establishments on Western Avenue, but it’s a pretty upscale place that serves Korean and pan-Asian fusion dishes without MSG or other preservatives. It is owned by famous Korean chef Jayne Chang who founded the California Premier Culinary School in Los Angeles.

Banchan A La Carte in Koreatown

Banchan A La Carte opened in 2007 as a Korean sort of Whole Foods or Famima with a tiny patio garden. The banchan (sides for authentic Korean meals) are relatively expensive because of the organic, local ingredients used — if you don’t mind mass-produced ingredients, get your banchan across the street at HK Supermarket.

Different types of organic coffee are served at the cafe. Lunch boxes can be picked up Mondays to Fridays from 11: 30 am to 2:30 pm. Price: under $9 – 12. Soups and sandwiches. Meals served on site. Bibimbap from $8. Pasta dishes $9-$12. Catering for parties and weddings is a big part of the business at $35 per plate. Credit cards accepted.

Address: 141 North Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Between 1st Street and Beverly Boulevard.
Phone number: (323) 465-2400. Parking not a problem.