Finally tried this place after driving past it so many times, and wow… total hidden gem 💎
The pork jawl was thick-cut and insanely good. Juicy, rich, and cooked just right 🥩
The yukhoe was super soft, and they give you a generous amount of pear, so it was more than enough to share 🍐
Also need to talk about the kimchi. It’s house-made and you can tell. They grill it on the iron plate with the meat, so the pork fat hits the kimchi and basically stir-fries it for you. Simple, but so good 🤌
The steamed egg was fluffy and soft, exactly how it should be 🍳
Service was super fast, and watching the owner cut the meat was honestly impressive. The speed and precision were straight-up Wolverine level 🐺🔪 Blink and it’s already perfectly sliced.
Also, the little detail of having photos of happy baby pigs up on the wall while you’re eating pork is wild in the best way. That sense of humor is on another level 😂🐷
But honestly, the best part might be the vibe. It feels a little worn-in, like an old-school Korean pork BBQ spot. For a second, I genuinely felt like I was back in Korea 🇰🇷
I always thought this place would be my kind of spot just from seeing it while driving by, and I’m so glad I finally stopped in. Found a true hidden gem and lowkey hoping it does not get too popular 🥲
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joan Hudson
Such a great spot. Pork meat quality on point!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
chang han
Food,service,price,worst.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Kristie Kang
What a hidden gem. I dare say the best kbbq I've ever had in Koreatown and I've tried all of them. You should get the 삼겹살, 항정살 and 고추장찌개 for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Derek Pyun
Literal hidden gem. If you're looking for an authentic traditional Korean BBQ experience, look no further. 도꺼비집 (Toad House) is one of the BEST I've had in LA. Super underrated and extremely overlooked. The atmosphere and food is soo good, I felt like I was actually in Korea. The owner is super cool and actually really funny. Don't fall for those typical fancy looking Korean restaurants, serving you low quality food for stupid high prices. 12/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
D Y
Love the old school KBBQ atmosphere & the pork belly with the fried kimchi was so good. Would definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jihyun Song
Pork belly is good. It’s thick and fat portion balance is good to enjoy meat flavor enough. With stir-fried kimchi and green onion kimchi make more perfect. Stew goes well with meat. Staff is also friendly and good service :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
sam koo
“Toad House is a hidden gem. The samgyeopsal was thick, juicy, and had the perfect smoky flavor. Grilling it with the green onion kimchi took it to the next level. The place has a nostalgic old-school vibe, and the owner was super friendly, making the whole experience even better. Definitely coming back!”
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lucia Kim
All side dishes were tasty 😋 Spice pepper soup was good.
What an amazing family run hidden gem! The food was delicious and the service was great. It was a very friendly and personalized experience and we will absolutely be back! Definitely recommend checking it out. The tofu and brisket were my favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Baxter Leman
A truly authentic Korean BBQ experience that feels like being welcomed into a family's home. The son provided attentive service with excellent recommendations - the beef brisket and pork belly were perfectly marbled and cooked beautifully on the traditional grill. The homemade kimchi (cabbage and scallion), made by the mother herself, was exceptional with a unique fizzy, bright flavor that sets it apart from any other kimchi I've tried.
What makes this place special is the family atmosphere - watching the mother cooking in the kitchen while the son takes care of guests with genuine hospitality. The tofu side dishes were delicious and generously replenished. At around $30-40 per meat dish, the quality justifies the price point compared to all-you-can-eat options.
This hidden gem in Koreatown has been serving the community for over 20 years, and it's easy to see why. The intimate setting makes you feel like you're dining in someone's living room rather than a restaurant. Everything from the service to the food speaks to authenticity and tradition. Will definitely be returning for more of that incredible house-made kimchi and perfectly prepared meats.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Megan Mackey
One of the best Kbbq places Ive been to in LA. Delicious food and amazing service! Mom and son stayed open late for us and were very accommodating and welcoming. Felt like we were coming over for dinner at a friends house! Will be back :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eileen Leman
Food is insane, service just as good. Definition of a hidden gem (which is wild because they’ve been around for 20+ years). Can’t recommend this place enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
김민석
Wow... I really don't write reviews like this, but this is a really good restaurant in LA... You must definitely eat pork belly here. I'm a picky eater, so I eat wrong food when I visit a foreign country, but it was really delicious. The side dishes and stew were all great. Kimchi is actually better than Korea. The owner is also very friendly
Finally tried this place after driving past it so many times, and wow… total hidden gem 💎
The pork jawl was thick-cut and insanely good. Juicy, rich, and cooked just right 🥩
The yukhoe was super soft, and they give you a generous amount of pear, so it was more than enough to share 🍐
Also need to talk about the kimchi. It’s house-made and you can tell. They grill it on the iron plate with the meat, so the pork fat hits the kimchi and basically stir-fries it for you. Simple, but so good 🤌
The steamed egg was fluffy and soft, exactly how it should be 🍳
Service was super fast, and watching the owner cut the meat was honestly impressive. The speed and precision were straight-up Wolverine level 🐺🔪 Blink and it’s already perfectly sliced.
Also, the little detail of having photos of happy baby pigs up on the wall while you’re eating pork is wild in the best way. That sense of humor is on another level 😂🐷
But honestly, the best part might be the vibe. It feels a little worn-in, like an old-school Korean pork BBQ spot. For a second, I genuinely felt like I was back in Korea 🇰🇷
I always thought this place would be my kind of spot just from seeing it while driving by, and I’m so glad I finally stopped in. Found a true hidden gem and lowkey hoping it does not get too popular 🥲
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Such a great spot. Pork meat quality on point!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food,service,price,worst.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
What a hidden gem. I dare say the best kbbq I've ever had in Koreatown and I've tried all of them. You should get the 삼겹살, 항정살 and 고추장찌개 for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Literal hidden gem. If you're looking for an authentic traditional Korean BBQ experience, look no further. 도꺼비집 (Toad House) is one of the BEST I've had in LA. Super underrated and extremely overlooked. The atmosphere and food is soo good, I felt like I was actually in Korea. The owner is super cool and actually really funny. Don't fall for those typical fancy looking Korean restaurants, serving you low quality food for stupid high prices. 12/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the old school KBBQ atmosphere & the pork belly with the fried kimchi was so good. Would definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pork belly is good. It’s thick and fat portion balance is good to enjoy meat flavor enough.
With stir-fried kimchi and green onion kimchi make more perfect. Stew goes well with meat. Staff is also friendly and good service :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
“Toad House is a hidden gem. The samgyeopsal was thick, juicy, and had the perfect smoky flavor. Grilling it with the green onion kimchi took it to the next level. The place has a nostalgic old-school vibe, and the owner was super friendly, making the whole experience even better. Definitely coming back!”
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
All side dishes were tasty 😋
Spice pepper soup was good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Samgyeopsal, Soup
Best Samgyeopsal Pork Belly in LA
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Soup
Restaurantji Recommends
What an amazing family run hidden gem! The food was delicious and the service was great. It was a very friendly and personalized experience and we will absolutely be back! Definitely recommend checking it out. The tofu and brisket were my favorite.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A truly authentic Korean BBQ experience that feels like being welcomed into a family's home. The son provided attentive service with excellent recommendations - the beef brisket and pork belly were perfectly marbled and cooked beautifully on the traditional grill. The homemade kimchi (cabbage and scallion), made by the mother herself, was exceptional with a unique fizzy, bright flavor that sets it apart from any other kimchi I've tried.
What makes this place special is the family atmosphere - watching the mother cooking in the kitchen while the son takes care of guests with genuine hospitality. The tofu side dishes were delicious and generously replenished. At around $30-40 per meat dish, the quality justifies the price point compared to all-you-can-eat options.
This hidden gem in Koreatown has been serving the community for over 20 years, and it's easy to see why. The intimate setting makes you feel like you're dining in someone's living room rather than a restaurant. Everything from the service to the food speaks to authenticity and tradition. Will definitely be returning for more of that incredible house-made kimchi and perfectly prepared meats.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best Kbbq places Ive been to in LA. Delicious food and amazing service! Mom and son stayed open late for us and were very accommodating and welcoming. Felt like we were coming over for dinner at a friends house! Will be back :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is insane, service just as good. Definition of a hidden gem (which is wild because they’ve been around for 20+ years). Can’t recommend this place enough.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow... I really don't write reviews like this, but this is a really good restaurant in LA...
You must definitely eat pork belly here.
I'm a picky eater, so I eat wrong food when I visit a foreign country, but it was really delicious. The side dishes and stew were all great.
Kimchi is actually better than Korea.
The owner is also very friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: 생삼겹살, 비빔국수
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