LA | Diving into Koreatown — Mirak Restaurant

Last night, my friends and I planned to meet up in Koreatown for dinner and a game of basketball. We decided to visit Mirak, a restaurant that had been on our wishlists for a while. Mirak is located in an inconspicuous plaza, and the all-Korean signage made us think we might have taken a wrong turn. 🌐 Once we stepped inside, we realized we were in the right place. The restaurant was packed with Korean patrons, and even the staff spoke only Korean. We knew we were in for an authentic experience! 🎉 The menu at Mirak is pretty straightforward—mostly goat meat dishes. We tried several dishes, and while they all had a similar flavor profile, the portions were generous. After finishing the goat meat in the pot, the ajumma (Korean auntie) brought us a big bowl of kimchi and seaweed rice. She instructed us to mix it all together in the pot and stir-fry it. The resulting fried rice was a perfect blend of seaweed, the aroma of goat meat, and the tangy flavor of kimchi—it was magical! 🍔 Other patrons around us ordered various types of soju and rice wine. Since we had basketball plans afterward, we opted for a bottle of Baeksaeju (Hundred-Year Liquor) to relax and get in the zone for a good game. The taste of Baeksaeju was delightful—a rich grain flavor with a hint of herbal notes. I loved it! 🍻 #LA #LosAngeles #HiddenGems #AuthenticKoreanFood