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 Korean barbecue that feels like a night out: Baekjeong
Baekjeong is finally back and settling in nicely to its new home on Eighth Street. It’s always been the barbecue spot to go to if you’re looking to have a good time and eat a certified parade of meat; the latest iteration of the restaurant is no different. Tables of varying sizes, to accommodate any group, are spread throughout the expansive dining room, all equipped with grills. The banchan spread is impressive; the kimchi well-fermented. The meats here are clearly high-quality, with marbled cuts of beef and fatty pork belly. A few meat sets are available, but if you’re looking for something more customized, go for the single meat options. I prefer the unseasonal cuts, like the brisket and pork jowl, over their saucier siblings. Add in a steamed egg, doenjang stew, and plenty of somaek (soju and beer) to make a night out of it. There are plenty of karaoke spots in the area to head to after. 3429 W. Eighth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a comforting escape to Busan in a Gardena strip mall: Jagalchi
I always say that Korean cuisine bounces between extremes: boiling hot soup served in a stone pot that keeps it warm throughout the meal, or something so cold it might hurt your teeth. Jalgachi doesn’t quite approach the full contrast, but it certainly comes close with its array of bubbling soups and chilled fresh seafood featuring regional dishes from Busan. Named after the famed Jagalchi fish market in South Korea’s second-largest city, the restaurant occupies a relaxed Gardena strip mall location in the area’s greater Korean cuisine zone. As soon as we sat down, the owner told us in Korean that fresh live octopus had arrived and were swimming in the tank, ready to be chopped into sannakji (a somewhat rare find in Southern California). We declined this time, but perhaps next time, cold beers and risky bites of wriggling octopus will be in order.
The pork gukbap, popularized at Koreatown’s Jinsol Gukbap, is a terrific version, chock-full of tender pork belly slices swimming in a milky broth. Sided with extra fermented kimchi and radish, it becomes an umami bomb very quickly. But the other way to go is the fantastic hwedupbap, a heaping bowl of sliced lettuce, vegetables, and raw fish pieces. While the setup might resemble poke, think of it more like a cold fish version of bibimbap, served in an amply sized plastic bowl so the ingredients don’t fly out when you mix it up with lukewarm rice and chojang — a loose gochujang sauce with sesame oil. We happened to order both for lunch recently, and the switchover from hot to cold was a fun way to experience the range of Busan food. 15410 S Western Avenue, Gardena, CA 90249 — Matthew Kang, lead editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For restaurant-quality sushi at grocery store prices: Yama Sushi Marketplace
Now with three locations across Los Angeles, Yama Sushi Marketplace has solidified itself as the best place to get restaurant-quality sushi at an approachable price. Each location offers a cooler full of pre-cut rolls like salmon and toro, alongside pickled garlic and assorted nigiri. Spam musubi and crispy karaage are stacked in an adjacent hot rack, which is constantly refreshed with new batches from the kitchen. Staff behind the counter can help with larger cuts of fish meant for sashimi, or party trays that would be welcome at any event. Make sure to explore the rest of the shop, beyond just the sushi, which has imported Japanese snacks, hard-to-find ingredients, and fun tchotchke. A meal here won’t break the bank either; there are plenty of rolls that come in for less than $10 each, and even vegan options for those who don’t eat fish. 3178 W. Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90006. — Rebecca Roland, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a dining experience that feels like an escape: Somerville
Since opening in November 2024, it was challenging, if not impossible, to get a table at one of Los Angeles’s most popular restaurants, Somerville. The typically fully booked dining room appears to have more available slots, so now is the time to start plotting a visit and make a reservation. Walk-ins are always available, just wear comfortable shoes and settle in for the people watching that always happens directly in front of the restaurant on Slauson near Overhill Drive. Owners Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan collaborated with actor and producer Issa Rae to bring Somerville to light in View Park-Windsor Hills and help give South LA residents options other than traveling outside of their neighborhood and into adjacent communities for a fine dining meal. The partners studied Los Angeles history, specifically Historic South-Central’s vibrant scene from 1921 to 1956, centered around the Dunbar Hotel and Central Avenue’s bustling jazz venues. Chef Geter Atienza’s menu can satisfy most with steaks, crudos, a braised lamb shank, and Parker House rolls. Even sitting at the bar is a vibe: beautiful, elegant, retro, and still modern. Dress the part and sip on a cocktail while catching the live jazz that plays on most nights. 4437 W. Slauson Avenue, View Park, CA, 90043. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
