Genwa Korean BBQ (Downtown LA) — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Parking: Finding parking in Downtown LA is always a challenge. Metered street parking is available until 8 PM, except on Sundays. Additionally, there is a public parking lot behind 7-Eleven across the restaurant on S Grand Ave, which requires a fee. To avoid the hassle of parking, we decided to walk to the restaurant.

Service: Upon our arrival, our server, Christina L., warmly greeted us and escorted us to our table. We had a pleasant experience with her service. We visited on a Thursday at 3 PM and found ourselves as the only customers there.

Ambiance: Genwa Korean BBQ sets itself apart from typical AYCE KBBQ joints with its upscale ambiance. The restaurant is conveniently located on a corner, making it easy to spot. Inside, there is a cozy bar that offers a selection of alcoholic beverages.

Menu and Ordering: Genwa's menu includes a lunch menu on weekdays from 12 PM to 3 PM, excluding holidays. Unfortunately, we arrived a few minutes after the cutoff time, and the server informed us that the ordering system switches promptly at 3 PM. Although we were disappointed, we understood the policy. The menu at Genwa diverges from the traditional AYCE KBBQ experience and features a range of higher-priced options. They provide set courses labeled A to E, each tailored to a specific number of people, with higher-letter courses being more expensive. I have attached pictures of the menu for detailed course descriptions and other offerings.

Food Quality and Preparation: The Banchan (Korean side dishes) at Genwa were delicious, and we appreciated that they offered unlimited refills. The quality of the meat was noticeably superior to that of typical AYCE KBBQ places. The bulgogi stood out as one of the best dishes, and we wished we had received larger portions of all the meats in our Course C. The Dolsot Bibimbap, which came towards the end of the meat course, didn't meet our expectations. We would have preferred some basic white rice to complement our meat. We enjoyed the fact that our server cooked the meat for us entirely.

Dessert: For dessert, we opted for the Hotteok, a Korean sweet pancake served with a choice of vanilla or green tea ice cream for $20. Unfortunately, the portion size didn't meet our expectations for three people, and the flavor didn't quite justify the premium price tag. We had a more satisfying hotteok experience at a different AYCE KBBQ restaurant where you could order as many as you desired. I will attach a picture of the Hotteok for reference.

Value for Price: Genwa Korean BBQ offers an upscale a la carte experience, with higher prices reflecting the quality of the meat. However, considering the relatively small portion sizes of our course and overall satisfaction, the cost left us somewhat disappointed. The final bill for Course C and dessert amounted to $70+, which we found to be on the steep side when splitting it between three people.

Overall Impression: Genwa Korean BBQ is worth considering if you're looking for an upscale a la carte KBBQ experience in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. I would rate our experience at Genwa Korean BBQ as 3 out of 5 stars. The restaurant offers a pleasant ambiance, delivers high-quality food, and ensures you won't leave smelling like meat! However, the combination of high prices, small portions, and the challenge of street parking makes it a less appealing dining option. If you're seeking a more budget-friendly experience, Koreatown, just 3 miles away, offers plenty of options. Genwa is better suited for date nights, meat enthusiasts, or corporate gatherings.

Date and Time of Visit: June 2023 on a...

I've had KBBQ in plenty of places including South Korea, I think I have some references to judge a KBBQ joint.

TLDR, this is an upscale KBBQ place, if you want to have lots of meat, feeling full and satisfied without spending $150 per person, NOT HERE. Go to K-town LA, plenty of choices.

We stayed in a hotel downtown so we chose to walk to a KBBQ nearby. It's pricy yes, but there are many reasons for that. The meat(beef) on the menu is at least USDA Prime and American Wagyu from well known farm. It's located in downtown LA and ambience is very nice. All these operating cost put together drives up the price. 2 or us spent $200 after tax and tip(serve 2 combo comes with 2 type of meat and order additional a beef tartare). It's good amount of good to get us comfortably full but not like full & satisfying.

Meat quality is great and they also slice beef bulgogi thicker than most other KBBQ places(I'm not saying other KBBQ meat quality is not as good, the difference is not too distinct after marinade, not-marinated USDA prime short rib is already extremely flavorful and soft).

They do give you freaking 18 side dishes(banchan) and they are all flavorful. I love it. TBH, I love good quality food a/o big variety in a meal. I should be giving this restaurant 5 star. But I'm not a romantic person so I'm just cannot justify paying extra for the upscale dinning experience. But if you are into romantic dining experience + KBBQ, it's totally...

My New Favorite Korean BBQ Spot! Wow, I just had the most incredible meal at Genwa . From the moment my group and I walked in, I was so impressed. The place just felt super clean and welcoming, which is always a great start.

But let's talk about the food – absolutely top-notch quality! Every single dish was just packed with authentic Korean flavors, like someone's grandma was back in the kitchen cooking with love. And oh my goodness, the banchan (side dishes)! I swear they just kept coming, plate after glorious plate. I was in pure heaven with all the variety and freshness. It felt like a true feast, and I was so happy!

And the staff? Seriously, the nicest people. So friendly, super attentive, and they genuinely seemed happy to help with anything. Their warmth really made the whole experience even better.

Honestly, if you're looking for a Korean restaurant that nails it on food quality, spoils you with amazing banchan, and has the sweetest staff in a spotless setting, this is THE place to go. I'm already counting down the days until I can go back! You absolutely have to...