Posts Tagged ‘South Western’

Mandoo (Korean Dumplings) at California Market

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

On one side of the Korean supermarket California Market (Gaju Mah-ket)

MANDU: Korean Dumplings at California Market

HONG KONG MANDOO = 홍콩만두

I found the name interesting because the initials of Hong Kong, HK, also stand for HanKook, which means Korea. California Market’s chief competitor in this area of Koreatown in HK Super just a few blocks north.

The window sign says “Please knock.” When you do, it opens and you can ask for what you want. They sell fried dumplings, king dumplings (hwang-mandu, which could actually be “emperor” dumplings), steamed bread (jjinbbang), kimchi dumplings, pork dumplings, cold dumplings (neng mandu), shrimp dumplings (se-u mandu) and boiled dumplings.

Price seems to be $7 for a dozen. I’ll check next time I’m there. Mmm, you can probably just go inside the supermarket and order while enjoying the air conditioning, and even sit down to eat. You can buy a bag of mandoo (Aisle 7, frozen foods) and fix them up yourself at home.

The phone number shown (213) 385-2174 has been disconnected.
Gaju Address: 450 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020

LA Safeway Self-Storage in Koreatown

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

Address: 116 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
A few blocks north of Wilshire Boulevard, before Beverly
Same building as Hanmi Unhaeng (Korean Bank)

LA Safeway Self-Storage in Koreatown Los Angeles

LA Safeway Self-Storage in Koreatown

The manager speaks mostly Korean, but they have a new Korean-American clerk named Eugene who speaks fluent English.

Hours Open: Mon-Sat 8 am-6 pm; Sunday 10 am-2:30 pm. Phone number: 213-738-9048. Auction of contents of abandoned storage units scheduled for July 29 (Wednesday), 2009.

Berry Nutty Frozen Yogurt in Koreatown

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Berry Nutty replaced Snowberry in this strip mall about a year ago.

Berry Nutty Frozen Yogurt in Koreatown

Only 8 flavors: strawberry, peach, plain, coffee, strawberry & banana, blueberry, pineapple, mango. Toppings: white chocolate chips, cheesecake bites, cap’n crunch, mochi balls, kiwi, lychee jello, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, granola, cereal, coconut…

Price: 38 cents an ounce. To compare, (Yogurberry a block away on Wilshire Boulevard offers fro-yo at 30 cents an ounce. Entirely self-service!

Address: 549 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Strip mall, corner of 6th Street and Western Avenue
Phone number: (213) 386-1199

UPDATE: Berry Nutty replaced by Yogo Zone in September 2009

Strip Mall on 6th Street corner Western Avenue

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Two-level strip mall in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Behind the sign, you can see the Wilshire Solair.

Strip Mall on 6th Street and Western Avenue

Shops: Diamant, E Lord, 구본성 치과 (dentist), 이화고전방 (LeeHwa traditional Korean wedding dresses, children’s clothing, hair jewelry and comforters), Tanning Sun Plus, 허리케인 (auto accessories and gifts) 복가 (Korean restaurant), 지오평 한의원 (Korean medicine), 이발 (barber), 영동당구장 (table tennis), liquor, 헤어 디자인 클럽 (Hair Design Club), 벌컴컴푸터 (Computers), 영동만화방 (comic books rentals), Berry Nutty Frozen Yogurt, Mr. Coffee, 웨스턴순대 (Western Soon Dae blood sausages), 케익타운가든 (Caketown Garden bakeshop), 하이이불 (Yibool = Korean quilts)

Address: 549-551 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Strip mall, corner of 6th Street and Western Avenue

Caketown Garden on Western Avenue

Saturday, May 30th, 2009

Technically north of Koreatown proper. It’s one block north of Wilshire Boulevard. 케익타운 가든

Caketown Garden on Western Avenue

Inside the strip mall on the corner of 6th Street and Western Avenue

The service people here are more attentive than at Paris Baguette, but there’s nothing remarkable about the baked products at Caketown Garden. Lots of cake made to order and different variants of individually packaged slices of kastera such as honey and corn. Good for when you need an inexpensive pastry fix that will set you back just $1.50.

Address: 551 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Pho Western Restaurant 24 Hours

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009

Westminster Square is a small, dingy strip mall on Western Avenue between 4th Street and 5th Street. The businesses there include a nightclub, coffee shop, beauty salon and Pho Western Restaurant.

Westminster Square strip mall

The only thing that Pho Western Restaurant has going for it seems to be the fact that it is open 24 hours and offers takeout.

It was last inspected by the Los Angeles Health Department on March 25, 2009. For three years now, it has consistently received a letter grade of B in the lower numerical range. Every six months they are inspected and their score is almost always between 81 and 83.

Address: 425 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Telephone number: (213) 387-9100

Suhrabal Korean BBQ Restaurant

Friday, April 24th, 2009

A murder-suicide occurred here on May 22, 2007. The owner was shot dead by a man, who then shot himself. It was a love triangle involving the killer’s wife.

Suhrabal Korean BBQ Restaurant on Western

New management since then, but in September 2008 a diner found a band-aid in his soup.

I have never eaten here, but it’s known that they serve bulgogi, galbi pork ribs and lettuce wraps.

Address: 100 S Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Telephone Number: (213) 388-1975
Hours Open: Monday – Sunday, 11 am – 11 pm
Street parking or valet parking in tiny lot