Genghis Cohen — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I will agree with many other reviews in that the food is good, but not great. However given it’s history, it’s been open since 1983 in the Fairfax District, and how well known it is around LA, I feel it’s important for any local to visit at least once. They have a fairly large free parking lot attached too so parking is refreshingly easy. They have a live stage show area attached to the building, and there was a punk show just starting as we were sitting down to eat, but they do a good job with noise management so we didn’t hear them. I really enjoyed the all red interior and red lanterns hanging from the ceiling because they both added to the mood and really made you feel like you had been transported to another decade. We had to wait about 10mins after arriving on time for our reservation to sit down, but our wait was very nice and did a good job.

For our meal we chose a few classic starters and two of our favorite traditional Chinese entrees. To start we ordered the New York Style Eggrolls (they were pretty good although I wish the shell was crispier and there was a larger meat to veggie ratio), Cream Cheese Wontons (these were great, however pretty small and only came with 4), and the Skewered Beef (probably my favorite starter because it had the classic flavor that I am used to). For our entrees we chose Mongolian Beef with Broccoli added, and Orange Chicken. We enjoyed both and would order both again, however we both have had other better versions around town.

Overall a good, historic, Chinese restaurant and venue in the Fairfax District. It also was very lively so would be a fun place to have a dinner and/or...

Not the greatest welcome. My first time here. Wanted to try because it’s soon closing and relocating. My friend’s been here before. We walk in for a spontaneous meet up, he had just eaten but was gona still get an appy or something. I think it was last Tuesday at approximately 4 PM, very slow. There are literally four customers and approximately 15 empty booths and a completely empty bar area. We sit down and the first thing the waiter says is how busy the restaurant’s going to be in about an hour… In other words, telling us that there is a time limit. I get it, I’ve been a server before, so I ask “so there’s a time limit?” he says yes.

The food was really, really good and most of it was delivered by bus boys who were very polite. My friend and I enjoyed our time here, and we were gonna take our sweet time anyway!

We stayed a little over an hour and by the way probably four people max walked in during that entire timeframe. Last thing, I ate the most, and my friend only had an appetizer and tea as this was a spontaneous meal and he had eaten just before. The bill was like $43 I gave the guy three 20s, and he asks me if I need any change ha ha ha! And no joke, I could both see and feel the waiters and bartender glaring at me when I laid down a five dollar tip he barely deserved. I should’ve given the bus boys a 10, but I know the waiters would bicker and complain over it. I’ve been a server before and I know how it goes.

I may be back for the food, but it wasn’t a great first...

WOW ALL I HAVE IS GRATITUDE FOR GENGHIS COHEN AND STAFF! I take my grandma here about once a week~ she can most definitely be a difficult. She’s a cool 87 year old lady but is EXTREMELY picky and intense at restaurants. She likes her water ‘Luke warm but not too hot’ and orders the beef and broccoli ‘no salt, soft to chew and no broccoli only mixed veg’. The staff always accommodates her specific requests but today, they went above and beyond!

It’s pretty hot outside and they allowed us to eat at a table not even in the main dining area, but on the side so my grandma felt comfortable. They keep checking in, making sure we were good, grabbing all this extra sauce and stuff for her. All smiles even though my grumpy grandma was hella demanding. Their positivity even got her smiling !

BIG THANKU to Caesar and Shue. Caesar is normally our server and is consistently amazing, but today he (and shue) really did so much for us. THANK YOU!!!

Also genghis cohen is such a vibe. Cool dragony decor, cute for a date spot. I hear it’s sooo rad at night with performances but haven’t been to one yet! but man... all that AND they make dinner with my grandma a breeze??? I’d give 11/10 stars if I could this is an amazing spot.

Thanku caeser, shue and everyone at genhis Cohen see...