Rediscovering LA Korea Town

Korea Town has a special place in my heart. As a Korean-American growing up in Southern California, Ktown was my playground, and a place where I was reunited with my cultural heritage.

Lately it’s been going through some major developments which is long overdue (it’s sort of embarrassing whenever visitors from Korea say that it looks like it’s still stuck in the 80′s.. :T). As a result, new cafes and restaurants are popping up left and right, some of them straight from Korea.

Presenting… School Food.

From what I understand, this is a US branch of the popular Korean chain. Being the self-proclaimed foodies that we are, we had to see ourselves what the hype was about.

It’s a Korean boon-shik joint in a new plaza called “Ma-Dang” or Wilshire Center (sorry, but don’t know what to call it in English. It’s a Korean restaurant but far from being formal or fancy… yet not fast food… menu is pretty much consistent across these Book-Shik places ranging from Rolls (Kim Bap), Dumplings,  Spicy Rice Cake, and Noodles).

Roll Combo #1: Fried Kimchi (very flavorful, just the way I like it!), Seasoned Anchovy (I know it sounds strange but you MUST try this… probably one of the best rolls or Kim Bap I’ve had in my life besides the one my mom makes, of course), & Tuna (my all-time fav!)

Street(?) Spicy Rice Cake w/ Mozzarella Cheese Combo w/ Boiled Eggs, Fried Dumplings, & the Black Stuff (Soon-Dae: you don’t want to know what it is.. just eat it lol): OMG! This is very very close to the Dduk Bok Ki (Spicy Rice Cake) sold on the streets in Korea as the name indicates. But be aware, major BTS warning. The hubs was sweating like he was in a sauna because its spiciness level was like 10 out of 10. I liked it a lot, however despite the ulcer-like symptoms that followed. :O

Liked the little details they were adding to the building. Korea Town has been in a need for something original that brings us back to our roots. Nice job… Now, finish building it already! :P

School Food
621 S Western Ave #301
Los Angeles, CA 90005

If you are craving some authentic Boon-Shik, or those dduk bok kis from the streets, this is as close as it will get for now. Check it out before the place becomes popular; because of its remoteness (it is indeed on a third floor of a building that’s still in construction) and the fact that there is nothing else open in the building at the moment, it seems like it’s not as crowded as it should be. Oh, and I forgot to mention how cute and clean the interior is- definitely reminds me of those cutesy cafes in Seoul.

As Korea town in Los Angeles continues to rebuild and improve itself, it adds another reason to the list of why one should consider living in LA especially if you are looking for a culturally diverse and dynamic place to live. I mean, we all know that LA is the place to be, thanks to the beautiful sunny weather, the beaches, even skiing during winter, and of course, the Lakers! It also helps that it’s got some of the best schools in the country in addition to all the cultural and culinary experiences it provides. West Coast all the way~ yayuh! :)

(If you are planning to move to LA or should you suddenly feel compelled to move to the City of Angels (because as someone who has moved 10+ times in a short period, trust me, I know how tiring and painful the moving process can be) to ameliorate the pain, consider hiring experienced movers Los Angeles.)

© 2010 – 2012, Tomi. All rights reserved.

Tags: Korea Town, Korean Restaurant, Los Angeles, Madang, Rice Cake, Rolls, School Food