Hangari Kalguksu — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Made a reservation with a group of friends to Hangari Kalguksu. One thing to note is that the parking lot is rather small, and during peak hours, it might get crowded quickly, even with valet service available. If the lot is full, consider parking at the nearby shopping mall and taking a short stroll to the restaurant. It's a small inconvenience well worth the incredible dining experience awaiting you. Also keep in mind that the restaurant follows a policy of taking orders for the entire group before seating. While it might take a bit longer, it ensures a smoother experience once seated, as they won't take additional orders at the table.

We ordered the following:

Hangari Bossam (Extra-Large, Serves 6): For a feast to remember, the Hangari Bossam was the perfect choice. The boiled pork belly, paired with crisp cabbage leaves and the delightful sweet and spicy radish kimchi, was a symphony of flavors and textures.

Beef Bulgogi: Hangari's prized dish lived up to its reputation! The tender and marinated beef bulgogi, accompanied by a house salad, rice, and a soul-soothing soup, made for an unforgettable and satisfying meal.

Chicken-Kalguksu: Seeking comfort in a bowl? The Chicken-Kalguksu delivered just that! The knife-cut noodles in a rich chicken and anchovy broth created a heartwarming experience that left us content and thoroughly satisfied.

Clam-Kalguksu: Seafood enthusiasts will be pleased with the Clam-Kalguksu. The knife-cut noodles soaked in anchovy broth, infused with the essence of fresh clams, offered a delightful and umami-rich flavor.

Seafood-Kalguksu (Attention: Spicy): Adventurous diners, this one's for you! The Spicy Seafood-Kalguksu was a rollercoaster of flavors, with the heat of spiciness balanced perfectly by the soothing anchovy broth.

Prepare to be amazed by the ample serving sizes at Hangari Kalguksu! Especially when it comes to dishes with noodles, like the Chicken-Kalguksu, Clam-Kalguksu, and Seafood-Kalguksu, each portion could easily feed two hungry diners. Our party of eight ordered five dishes and found ourselves unable to finish everything in one sitting. If you're planning to visit Hangari Kalguksu with a group, consider sharing a few dishes rather than ordering one for...

I came here for DINELA and ordered from that menu. I liked how the restaurant caters to vegetarian/vegan diners clearly marking the menu of what is vegan/vegetarian/gluten free. They even offer plant based chicken as an add on to your meal.

I ordered the Thai Ginger Salad as a starter. It had mango, soba noodles, Asian slaw, avocado, peanuts, and sesame dressing. I actually got the salad because they were out of the butternut squash soup which was my first choice. I was surprised that a restaurant would be out of soup especially since it is on the special menu and is definitely something that could be stored in the freezer for emergencies.

Turns out not having the soup was a blessing in disguise. I LOVED the Thai Ginger salad. It was my favorite thing I ordered. I loved all the flavors and the taste of the dressing. The mango and avocado tasted so fresh. Would 100% order this dish again. I felt this dish was really special, one you can't get too many places.

For an entree I had the poblano quinoa. It had spiced pepitas, tempeh, squash, zucchini, and red bell peppers. It had a delicious sauce on it and delicious roasted veggies. The tempeh was okay. I would have preferred tofu in here as it has a lighter texture. However, tempeh is higher in protein and quinoa is also high in protein so I guess, nutritionally tempeh is the better choice.

For dessert I had the flourless chocolate cake. Rich and decadent and fudgey with a cherry on top. A classic dessert. The added cherries made it special.

My dining partner ordered the mac and cheese as a starter and omitted the chicken. It had peas and asparagus. I was told it was a delicious choice.

I loved that the DINELA menu also had drinks. I had the pink lemonade. It had fruit on top and unlimited refills.

Granville is a beautiful restaurant. It is a pretty large venue with high ceilings. It is a large indoor space but it opens up to the outside. There is also a bar area with lots of seating and a happy hour. They are also known for their brunch which I have not been to. I found metered parking on the side streets. They also have valet parking...

Diners beware- parking is painstakingly sparse. Hangari Kalgusku is a traditional Korean hot-pot venue located in the Korea-Town district of Los Angeles. With that being said, parking is available but comes at a monetary premium. Looking for street parking? You will experience great difficulty securing street parking in the general vicinity. This hassle in itself impacted our impression prior to even stepping foot into the door. Not only was the valet lot full, garage parking comes at a premium of $10 p/30 min. We eventually secured street parking, and entered the doors of Hangari Kalguksu. The venue is undoubtedly traditional both in atmosphere & menu items. Guests can find South-Korean hot-pot and bowls traditionally served abroad. Traditional value was what inspired our visit for a late dinner (12AM) after spending time in the general vicinity. Our orders arrived with a complimentary appetizer display containing fermented Korean vegetables. (Radish, scallion, kimchi, sprouts & rice.) I particularly enjoyed this, having experience with the culture's cuisine. Our entree orders arrived shortly after and were served with portion generosity in mind. To put it shortly, XL portion size & very hot in temperature. Thick, buckwheat noodles, potato, scallion & muscles spread a-top seasoned broth. Presentation was aesthetic, ingredients were fresh & seasoned well & portion size provided an excellent value to price point ratio. Had I not endured such a struggle to secure parking for our group, Hangari Kalguksu easily contends for 4/5. Unfortunately, when dining here- there is a high probability that you will find difficulty in securing a location to park. 3/5- portion size, aestheticism, service &...