Korean BBQ - Dong Il Jang
Saturday, January 21, 2006 9:22
3455… this must be the place.
Welcome!
Dong Il Jang Restaurant is on 3455 West 8th Street.
It was a mid-week evening and I had a craving for Korean BBQ. I had heard that the really swanky place for Korean BBQ is Chosun Galbee. To read reviews of Chosun Galbee, go here, here, here and here. I have not been yet so perhaps one day I will go and review unless one of my fellow LA.foodblogging reviewers beat me to it.
Most of the time though, I’m not in the mood for swanky. So where to go on a typical weeknight?
Dong Il Jang came to mind.
I have heard generally positive reports about the place. In particular, renown food blogger, Sarah seemed to like the place. If you want a more detailed report, a lot more (and better) photos and comments from a Korean perspective, then be sure to check out her excellent review.
Street parking is hard to find as is typical for Los Angeles. I did find a space in the lot in the back which was very close to full.
Me and my buddy were probable the only non-Korean folks there so it is usually a good sign that in an ethnic restaurant, most of the people are from that ethnic group!
We ordered up Korean BBQ (of course) with chicken and beef.
I can confirm that all the reports of the waitresses wearing brown dresses are true. In one of the reviews on Citysearch, there was a complaint about the service. My experience was more positive. The wait staff was not chatty by any means but the service was attentive but not intrusive.
And do I have to say the food was pretty good?
Tax and tip, dinner for two came to $49.
Dong Il Jang Restaurant
3455 West 8th Street
at Hobart
Los Angeles, CA 90005-2517
(213) 383-5757
By Rene (see more of his posts). You can find more of Rene's writing at his own website Rene's Ramblings
Jeffrey says:
January 25th, 2006 at 10:43 am
My sister got me to come to this place a couple of years ago and I believe I had come to this place 10 years before by a Korean girl. Anyways, what can I say to a place where the food is fantastic, the meat cuts are just perfect, and the little side dishes and the rice are cooked to perfection. As can be attested to by the numberous Korean clientele, the grilled meats marinade and everything else is wonderful. Chapjae (starch noodles with mushrooms, meat, vegetables) are great here with a wonderful consistency and great flavor and not too wet.
I haven’t tried any other dishes, so I don’t know how similar they are to other restaurants, like the venerable Wu Le Oak(sp?). Again, a spot where the Locals come and hang, seen birthday parties and such here.