The ownership of Chung Gi Wa BBQ in Los Angeles has changed, and it truly shows in a positive way. Rather than offering all-you-can-eat BBQ, they focus on quality, with the owner personally grilling and slicing the meat at the table. The overall experience feels elevated, and honestly, it now feels even better than Suwon Galbi. I hope they continue to maintain this level of quality, and I sincerely wish them great success.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annette GARAY
Chung Ki Wa in Koreatown is truly one of the OG Korean BBQ spots in Los Angeles, and it shows in every detail. This is not an all-you-can-eat spot like the majority of the restaurants , it’s about quality, skill, and top-tier service. From the moment we sat down, the experience felt elevated.
One of the first things that stood out was the beautiful natural wood tables, shaped like sliced tree trunks — such a unique and intentional touch that sets the tone for the entire meal. The food presentation was on point, and the service was outstanding. The staff took care of everything cooking, cutting, and even serving making us feel genuinely taken care of throughout the meal.
The food was absolutely delicious, but the standout for us was the Black Angus short rib beef. It was hands down the most expensive cut we tried and completely worth it rich, tender, and full of flavor. Every dish we had contributed to an amazing experience, and our whole family loved it.
We left full, happy, and impressed, feeling like we experienced something special. Chung Ki Wa truly stands out for its taste, style, and service. Highly recommend if you’re looking for authentic Korean BBQ done right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diana Chang
Chung Ki Wa isn’t just a meal — it’s a piece of LA Koreatown history🇰🇷🫶🏼
Ranked #3 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in LA, this iconic spot has been serving traditional Korean cuisine since 1989, with deep respect for Korean culture and an uncompromising focus on quality.
They specialize in certified Black Angus beef BBQ, cooked on a stone grill that holds heat beautifully and cooks the meat evenly — no flare-ups, just perfectly controlled char. The Black Angus marinated short ribs are a standout, grilled tableside by the servers to tender, smoky perfection.
Beyond BBQ, don’t skip the classics. The braised black cod comes rich and buttery, paired with comforting stone pot rice that crisps at the bottom just right. And their cold buckwheat noodles — a longtime bestseller — are refreshing, chewy, and deeply satisfying, especially alongside grilled meats.
This is the kind of place that reminds you why traditional spots last decades: consistency, care, and flavors that never chase trends — they set the standard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phoebe
A long-standing Korean BBQ restaurant that appears to have changed ownership over a year ago. The meat quality and portions are generous, and the side dishes are decent. The setup is well done, with spacious tables, though the interior feels very old-school. A comfortable place I’d likely return to.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Seung Lee
Best Naeng Myeon(cold noodle) & Galbi(rib) combo in Ktown. Seems taken over by a new owner(as 10/2025). Min Yeo Mae-Un-Tang (Sea croaker spicy stew) is a must-try in this restaurant.
Robert Kim
New management. Good meat quality and and price for the amount of food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
David Cho
Update 10/22/23
Still great food, service and deals. Went with combo C again, but brought my mom for help. We did much better on the food, but still had leftovers so I think it can feed four avg appetites. We did order the small cold noodle again, but still stick by my assessment cause we didn't really eat that much rice. They offer the stone pot rice too! Anyway, service was even better this time it seems because they refilled our banchan quickly and without even asking. Great bang for your buck at KBBQ with the quality of meat , banchan and service from a higher end place.
Parking tip: there was a valet on a Wed evening which surprised us, but for $3, very convenient as their parking is limited and service was great! ———
Amazing! Only regret is that I haven’t tried them sooner. After an under whelming experience at Quarters last month, we were more than pleasantly surprised with our experience at Chung Ki Wa. The combo C was perfect combinations of all of our favorites and while the cost was comparable to Quarters, the portion and quality was head and shoulders above. Could easily feed four “avg” adults. Service was top notch as well and again, head and shoulders above. Yes, they did cook the meat for us!!! Ditto for the banchan and love the fact they had a small portion of their cold noodles to try and super refreshing on a hot summer evening. Add the fact that there was free street and lot parking and barley tea, I see no reason to go anywhere else when craving Korean food while in LA. Be back soon!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
D J
We visited the restaurant on Saturday to celebrate a senior family member's birthday and ordered Combo B. Personally, I wasn’t too fond of the brisket, but the fresh sirloin, short ribs, and premium ribeye were absolutely delicious. The two staff members who assisted us were also incredibly kind and attentive, which made the experience even better.
Combo B was quite a generous portion for three people we couldn’t finish the pork belly, but we managed to eat everything else. The doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) was flavorful, and the stone pot rice was a lovely touch. The scorched rice (nurungji) formed at the bottom of the pot was out of this world a real hidden gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Paul Kim
Its one of the historic Korean restaurants in K-Town Los Angeles, and it's slightly change inside and their menus since the new owner took over recently. It's fancy but worthy if you want fine and quality bbq and various Korean foods. Recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So
The food here, from the banchan to the main dishes, is delicious and of really good quality! • Banchan: Very diverse,they even serve fried fish with egg batter, which I’ve never seen elsewhere. • LA Galbi: The meat was tender, not chewy, and the marinade was excellent. • Cold Noodle: Normally I’m not a fan of cold noodles, but this one was actually quite good (I ordered it because my husband wanted to try). • Grilled Fish: Pretty standard, but I loved that it came with 누룽지 (crispy rice soup). The fresh, crunchy vegetables on the side were also impressive!
The atmosphere is great, big, clean, and it really feels like dining in Korea. The staff are older but super kind and attentive, always making sure our banchan was refilled
Family went to eat here for dinner today. Food and service were good. Beef brisket was a bit dry but the other steak meats were amazing. Side dishes were plentiful. Overall satisfied.
However, my rating is low only due to what happened as we were leaving.
Upon leaving, we asked the valet if he could move a car that was blocking our car from leaving the lot. He replied with a snarky “can you say please” and gave us attitude. All of us were confused as to what was happening.
I asked him if everything is okay and he responded with “is everything okay with you?”
We felt very disrespected, especially having just had a family dinner. He gave us dirty looks and his energy was way off.
I wouldn’t visit again if I saw the same valet guy there. It didn’t feel safe. Terrible feeling to leave a restaurant after a good meal.
Please advise 🙏
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Stephen Choi
One of my new fav for Korean BBQ and for their spicy seafood soup (민어탕)! My family used to go to Chosun Galbi but we now prefer Chung Kiwa. Their base side dishes taste better, and the service is top notch. Highly recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
RUBEN MENDOZA
Best food in the area !! Can't wait to get back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa Lee
I went to CheongGiWa with my family of four and ordered raw sirloin, raw galbi, and cold noodles. Ssam vegetables and various Korean side dishes were served as basic, and all the food we ordered was delicious. Both the owner and the staff were kind, and the atmosphere was bright and good because it was remodeled.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wave
Cheonggyehwa in LA’s Koreatown stands out for one simple reason — it serves real, heartfelt Korean food without the hype. Among all the dishes, their eundaegu jorim (braised black cod) is a must-try. The fish is perfectly cooked — tender, buttery, and soaked in a deep, flavorful soy-based sauce with just the right amount of spice. Paired with soft radish and rice, every bite feels like a warm, home-cooked memory.
While many restaurants in K-Town lean toward trendy or fusion dishes, Cheonggyehwa focuses on authenticity. The side dishes are always fresh and plentiful, and the staff treat you like family — attentive but never pushy. There’s a comforting, unpretentious vibe here that’s getting harder to find these days.
If you’re looking for a place that captures the soul of Korean home cooking, Cheonggyehwa delivers — especially with that unforgettable eundaegu jorim.
The ownership of Chung Gi Wa BBQ in Los Angeles has changed, and it truly shows in a positive way. Rather than offering all-you-can-eat BBQ, they focus on quality, with the owner personally grilling and slicing the meat at the table. The overall experience feels elevated, and honestly, it now feels even better than Suwon Galbi. I hope they continue to maintain this level of quality, and I sincerely wish them great success.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chung Ki Wa in Koreatown is truly one of the OG Korean BBQ spots in Los Angeles, and it shows in every detail. This is not an all-you-can-eat spot like the majority of the restaurants , it’s about quality, skill, and top-tier service. From the moment we sat down, the experience felt elevated.
One of the first things that stood out was the beautiful natural wood tables, shaped like sliced tree trunks — such a unique and intentional touch that sets the tone for the entire meal. The food presentation was on point, and the service was outstanding. The staff took care of everything cooking, cutting, and even serving making us feel genuinely taken care of throughout the meal.
The food was absolutely delicious, but the standout for us was the Black Angus short rib beef. It was hands down the most expensive cut we tried and completely worth it rich, tender, and full of flavor. Every dish we had contributed to an amazing experience, and our whole family loved it.
We left full, happy, and impressed, feeling like we experienced something special. Chung Ki Wa truly stands out for its taste, style, and service. Highly recommend if you’re looking for authentic Korean BBQ done right.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chung Ki Wa isn’t just a meal — it’s a piece of LA Koreatown history🇰🇷🫶🏼
Ranked #3 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in LA, this iconic spot has been serving traditional Korean cuisine since 1989, with deep respect for Korean culture and an uncompromising focus on quality.
They specialize in certified Black Angus beef BBQ, cooked on a stone grill that holds heat beautifully and cooks the meat evenly — no flare-ups, just perfectly controlled char. The Black Angus marinated short ribs are a standout, grilled tableside by the servers to tender, smoky perfection.
Beyond BBQ, don’t skip the classics. The braised black cod comes rich and buttery, paired with comforting stone pot rice that crisps at the bottom just right. And their cold buckwheat noodles — a longtime bestseller — are refreshing, chewy, and deeply satisfying, especially alongside grilled meats.
This is the kind of place that reminds you why traditional spots last decades: consistency, care, and flavors that never chase trends — they set the standard.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A long-standing Korean BBQ restaurant that appears to have changed ownership over a year ago.
The meat quality and portions are generous, and the side dishes are decent.
The setup is well done, with spacious tables, though the interior feels very old-school.
A comfortable place I’d likely return to.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Best Naeng Myeon(cold noodle) & Galbi(rib) combo in Ktown. Seems taken over by a new owner(as 10/2025). Min Yeo Mae-Un-Tang (Sea croaker spicy stew) is a must-try in this restaurant.
New management. Good meat quality and and price for the amount of food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Update 10/22/23
Still great food, service and deals. Went with combo C again, but brought my mom for help. We did much better on the food, but still had leftovers so I think it can feed four avg appetites. We did order the small cold noodle again, but still stick by my assessment cause we didn't really eat that much rice. They offer the stone pot rice too! Anyway, service was even better this time it seems because they refilled our banchan quickly and without even asking. Great bang for your buck at KBBQ with the quality of meat , banchan and service from a higher end place.
Parking tip: there was a valet on a Wed evening which surprised us, but for $3, very convenient as their parking is limited and service was great!
———
Amazing! Only regret is that I haven’t tried them sooner. After an under whelming experience at Quarters last month, we were more than pleasantly surprised with our experience at Chung Ki Wa. The combo C was perfect combinations of all of our favorites and while the cost was comparable to Quarters, the portion and quality was head and shoulders above. Could easily feed four “avg” adults. Service was top notch as well and again, head and shoulders above. Yes, they did cook the meat for us!!! Ditto for the banchan and love the fact they had a small portion of their cold noodles to try and super refreshing on a hot summer evening. Add the fact that there was free street and lot parking and barley tea, I see no reason to go anywhere else when craving Korean food while in LA. Be back soon!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We visited the restaurant on Saturday to celebrate a senior family member's birthday and ordered Combo B. Personally, I wasn’t too fond of the brisket, but the fresh sirloin, short ribs, and premium ribeye were absolutely delicious. The two staff members who assisted us were also incredibly kind and attentive, which made the experience even better.
Combo B was quite a generous portion for three people we couldn’t finish the pork belly, but we managed to eat everything else. The doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) was flavorful, and the stone pot rice was a lovely touch. The scorched rice (nurungji) formed at the bottom of the pot was out of this world a real hidden gem.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Its one of the historic Korean restaurants in K-Town Los Angeles, and it's slightly change inside and their menus since the new owner took over recently. It's fancy but worthy if you want fine and quality bbq and various Korean foods. Recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food here, from the banchan to the main dishes, is delicious and of really good quality!
• Banchan: Very diverse,they even serve fried fish with egg batter, which I’ve never seen elsewhere.
• LA Galbi: The meat was tender, not chewy, and the marinade was excellent.
• Cold Noodle: Normally I’m not a fan of cold noodles, but this one was actually quite good (I ordered it because my husband wanted to try).
• Grilled Fish: Pretty standard, but I loved that it came with 누룽지 (crispy rice soup). The fresh, crunchy vegetables on the side were also impressive!
The atmosphere is great, big, clean, and it really feels like dining in Korea.
The staff are older but super kind and attentive, always making sure our banchan was refilled
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Family went to eat here for dinner today. Food and service were good. Beef brisket was a bit dry but the other steak meats were amazing. Side dishes were plentiful. Overall satisfied.
However, my rating is low only due to what happened as we were leaving.
Upon leaving, we asked the valet if he could move a car that was blocking our car from leaving the lot. He replied with a snarky “can you say please” and gave us attitude. All of us were confused as to what was happening.
I asked him if everything is okay and he responded with “is everything okay with you?”
We felt very disrespected, especially having just had a family dinner. He gave us dirty looks and his energy was way off.
I wouldn’t visit again if I saw the same valet guy there. It didn’t feel safe. Terrible feeling to leave a restaurant after a good meal.
Please advise 🙏
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
One of my new fav for Korean BBQ and for their spicy seafood soup (민어탕)! My family used to go to Chosun Galbi but we now prefer Chung Kiwa. Their base side dishes taste better, and the service is top notch. Highly recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best food in the area !!
Can't wait to get back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went to CheongGiWa with my family of four and ordered raw sirloin, raw galbi, and cold noodles. Ssam vegetables and various Korean side dishes were served as basic, and all the food we ordered was delicious. Both the owner and the staff were kind, and the atmosphere was bright and good because it was remodeled.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cheonggyehwa in LA’s Koreatown stands out for one simple reason — it serves real, heartfelt Korean food without the hype. Among all the dishes, their eundaegu jorim (braised black cod) is a must-try. The fish is perfectly cooked — tender, buttery, and soaked in a deep, flavorful soy-based sauce with just the right amount of spice. Paired with soft radish and rice, every bite feels like a warm, home-cooked memory.
While many restaurants in K-Town lean toward trendy or fusion dishes, Cheonggyehwa focuses on authenticity. The side dishes are always fresh and plentiful, and the staff treat you like family — attentive but never pushy. There’s a comforting, unpretentious vibe here that’s getting harder to find these days.
If you’re looking for a place that captures the soul of Korean home cooking, Cheonggyehwa delivers — especially with that unforgettable eundaegu jorim.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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