Kimbap Paradise (Torrance) — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I’ve had kimbap before, but I bought the prepackaged ones from grocery stores. I thought they were okay. Then I watched Kpop Demon Hunters and saw Rumi sniffing and swallowing a whole roll, and was like, “Am I missing something?” So my search for freshly made kimbap landed me here.

I was hesitant to go to the Ktown location, and made the 90 minute drive to the Torrance location. At first glance the kimbap looked like any other kimbap. Just with a slightly nicer presentation. But the smell radiating from my to-go bag was permeating my car. The scent of roasted sesame oil. I had to try one before making my long drive back home. It was, in short, very delicious. I can see why Rumi was shoving it down her throat.

I bought the beef and tuna kimbap. The beef had a nice savoriness. While the tuna had a creaminess to it. Both were delicious, but I liked the beef more.

I also just finished my order of tteokbokki, as I’m writing this review. It was spicy, umami, chewy, and paired well with the adobo rice I made. Yes, we are expert big backs over here.

Overall, I really liked their kimbap. Next time I’ll go to their Vermont location since...

This strip mall restaurant has a small seating area and does a lot of take-out. It was clean with a small bathroom down a short hallway towards the back of the premises.

I am just starting to learn about Korean food after watching a lot of Kdramas. I visited twice in 2 days, first having the pork bulgogi and the following day having the beef bulgogi. The food was solid but not as prepared as I expected. I really love beef bulgogi.

Some of the food didn't work for me. I just prefer the flavors of sushi, not kimbap. I liked the bulgogi - I tried both beef and pork - but it is not the incredible beef bulgogi flavors I expected, nor as I remember from other restaurants. The bulgogi here has many vegetables. The beef bulgogi did not have the thick dark sauce it usually has. I haven't had pork bulgogi before. My bulgogi dishes were tasty, but not the incredible taste that I associate with beef bulgogi. I would go back and try more - like the japchae - but I am not often in Torrance. I moved to Long Beach near the airport and CSULB and need to check out Korean restaurants...

One of my favorite casual eateries to go for quick and flavorful Korean food. I’ve tried most of the menu items over the last year and can say they do many dishes well. Their kimbap is seriously the best; it’s packed with veggies and protein unlike other places that fill you up on rice. -Kimchi fried rice is fantastic. Lots of flavor, very cheesy, and the egg on top adds silliness to round out each bite fried chicken is consistently good and comes with cabbage salad I usually go for the clam soup or the kimchi soup. Or army stew if you want something more spicy and flavorful. Squid tempura is done well, big cuts of tentacles in a seasoned batter. BUT...pass on the bossam, they’re better at the quick snack dishes and bossam is difficult to get right.

The owners are so sweet and friendly and they’ll remember you if you come back! Service is attentive...