Culinary Correctness: The Korean Eatery On Vermont


My friend and I had pub-crawled until the wee hours and still wondered where we might end up for after hours. The City of Angels and its glamour coupled with all that Hollywood wannabes is what keeps this amazing metropolis jamming, and without a doubt, it is happening all around the city 24/7; and you bet, if you get trapped you are then on your own.

As it happened, I had decdided to try something else to fill up my empty stomach which I do every now and then, that is, when the ofe olugbo, bitter leaf soup, egusi soup, okra soup, and all the nkwobi and ngwongwo got to be supplemented. Whenever I am in the need to supplement all the African dishes, I go for something entirely different, and that is how I found myself at Yong Su San Restaurant on the 900 block of South Vermont Avenue in Korean Town, and right inside the hub of the Wilshire Corridor. This normally happens after the all night pub-crawling.

And landing at these restaurants not of my origin has always been an attempt to free myself from the regular isi-ewu, goat meat, nkwobi-ngwongwo ritual.


When we found parking, we walked in and the waitress offered us a table which at all times makes me feel indulge. The've seen my face before so it wasn't a problem for them to think otherwise, I mean, wondering what the heck a black guy and his friend would be doing in Korean Town at 2-something a.m., especially during unholy hours. The waitress was nice, though. She served us well and was all smiles.

When I want a damn good Korean barbacue in Los Angeles, I know the best joints and Yong Su San Restaurant is one of them. The brisket, marinated boneless ribs, tongue and baby octopus plus that burning charcoal that helps you prepare the barbecue your self is just beautiful and nothing is as good as that. In addition, we had some spinach, roasted mushroom and some other vegetables I had no idea where they came from. We topped the entire dish with steamed rice, and of course, some Korean wine imported somewhere from South Asia.

The place sits a lot of people and it's always packed, and as usual, a hangout for University of Southern California students who are known to party hard. So far, I haven't seen the hood rats there. Check it out and tell me about it!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Ambrose, I heard those Korean BBQ restarants are fantastic though some of them are slow in service and the waitresses speak little English.
Anonymous said…
I was at Soowon Galbi Korean Restaurant. Pretty good I have to say... the charcoal grill is the bomb.
Anonymous said…
pretty good place to hangout after hours.
Anonymous said…
Food is tasty.
Anonymous said…
Denise,

In a slow mo or no speak English kind of stuff, all you have to is yell "juh-gee-yoh" whatever that is, and you will get the attention.
Anonymous said…
You are a fun guy.
Anonymous said…
I like Tofu Villa on Sawtelle Blvd. in West Los Angeles. A perfect Korean cuisine and y'all will love it.
Anonymous said…
They got it going on.
Anonymous said…
LA gets one thing right. It's not the traffic jam. It's not the gangbangers. It's not even da noise. The Korean BBQ is da bomb.
Anonymous said…
Came here upon a recommendation and I love Korean barbeque and I am always up to finding places to try and it's just too many of them in Los Angeles.
Anonymous said…
I was freelancing in the Wilshire District and told my friend about Genwa Korean BBQ, and he was like let's try the one down the street. It rocks.
Anonymous said…
I like the silver codfish fillets with stir fried mushrooms and fresh vegetables in hot and spicy broth. Sometimes I go for the hot, spicy octopus stir-fried with seasonal vegetables and a hint of garlic. Pretty good stuff. Yet to try the charcoal grilled barbeque.
Anonymous said…
Hey guys, I like the robust sliced prime sirloin surrounded by assorted vegetables, including mushrooms, spinach, carrots, daikon radish and bean sprouts with steamed rice, topped with eggs and chili sauce, and served on a piping hot, stone skillet. Delicious. Check it out at Da-Rae Korean Restaurant on 6th Street.
Luke said…
It's just too many of them. Some good some with attitude.
Anonymous said…
I live in Glendale and we do not have very good restaurants. So far, I love their spicy pork and the best spot is the one on Western and 5th Street.
Rosco said…
You guys should try the Seoul Korean BBQ in Burbank on N San Fernando Blvd.
Ambrose said…
Korean BBQ restaurants are spreading all over the place. There is a new spot on the Washington Corridor by Nate Holden Performing Arts Center and another one just popped up in upscale Marina del Rey. It's kind booming.
Ardis said…
Ambrose, isn't that on Vineyard and Washington?
Lucas said…
Always good and tasty.
Ambrose said…
Ardis,

Yep, right by the Ghanaian run African Market.
Adanna said…
Ambrose my brother when are you going to retire? You party too much.
Ambrose said…
Ada,

What are the requirements for one to retire?
Calle said…
Ain't no retirement in LA my brother. This is Los Angeles and the fun goes on.
Tracy said…
I discovered another spot guys... by the pier in Long Beach.
Su Papra said…
Have you guys ever heard of the "Kogi Kulture," the Korean taco truck sensation in LA? It's now the name of the game.
Sing said…
I generally love Korean bbqs...my friends say that I am obsessed with Korean bbq... always making jokes about how I should find myself a nice Korean girl to make me a bbq, etc.
Ambrose said…
You all must be party animals. I guess that's what LA is all about, and for sure, the best is yet to come. So, stick around.
Ardis said…
Block party on Sunset in West Hollywood tonight.