🌟 First Impressions: Hojokban – LA’s New Modern Korean Hotspot!

Over the past few years, the modern Korean food scene in LA has been heating up — from the early buzz around Baroo to the recent hype for Restaurant Ki. Last weekend, a new player joined the game: Hojokban. Located in the DTLA Arts District right next to Sushi 715, the space blends American classic touches with traditional Korean art — clean, intentional, and full of atmosphere. You can tell the team put real thought into the vibe 🎨✨ Hojokban is already a hit in Korea and NYC, and now it’s bringing that next-gen Korean culinary spirit to LA. The menu here mirrors the New York offering — consistent, familiar, yet fresh. While the food may not blow your mind, it’s delicious and deeply satisfying. Perfect for Arts District locals who want a nice Korean meal without trekking to Ktown — great for after-work hangs or weekend catch-ups 🍶👭 🍽️ My Top 3 Picks: 1️⃣ Truffle Potato Pancake Crispy on the outside, soft inside — shredded ultra-fine and pan-fried till golden. Topped with a full slice of Parmesan cheese for an Italian-Korean twist 🧀✨ I prefer LA’s drier, crispier style over the melted-cheese NYC version. 2️⃣ Beef Tartare Well-seasoned, letting the natural sweetness of the beef shine. The green sauce underneath is like a richer, smoother guacamole — a delicious surprise! Scoop it up with crispy lotus root chips for crunch + tenderness in one bite. My favorite appetitor! 3️⃣ NAK-GOK-SAE A sizzling pot with octopus, shrimp, and chewy glass noodles — feels like a Korean take on Chinese dry pot. Spiced with Sichuan peppercorns and aromatics — so fragrant and perfect with rice. They even include a bowl of seaweed rice… though trust me, one bowl isn’t enough 🍚🔥 🍸 On Drinks: The cocktail list is small and leans sweet. Better to explore their soju and makgeolli selection if you prefer something light and easy to sip. ✅ Verdict: If you’re looking for “Korean food with style, without going to Ktown” — Hojokban is worth the visit. 📍 Hojokban 734 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 #ModernKorean #HojokbanLA #LAEats #DTLAFoodie #KoreanFusion #NewInLA #FoodReview 🇰🇷