Ko Ryo Jung Korean BBQ — Restaurant in Los Angeles

To summarize this large paragraph this place doesn't look anything like the photos (it was small and looked dirty). When my friends and I came in we were discriminated against, perhaps because we're young, or perhaps because we're young women. We noticed after being there for a few minutes that although we weren't allowed to sit in the booths (that could hold 4 people) the older men (that came later than us) were. (Do note that they don't hold reservations).

First of all, this place looks NOTHING like the photos. Recently went here a few days ago with a couple friends and upon entrance we were treated terribly. When we came inside it was around 4 and only two other groups were there with us. This group of older men and a family of around 6 to 8 people. We had three people, and when we asked to sit in the booth the waiter had to ask the boss if we were allowed. The boss said we could only sit in the wooden chairs. (Just a little extra side info: we called ahead to ask if they had reservations and they said no.) We didn't understand why we could not sit in the booth, but compliantly sat down in the wooden chairs. The grill was already in there so we don't know how long it was there because when we tried to cook the meat it kept sticking, and this was with our first plate of meat. We barely put two pieces of meet on and it was already sticking to the grill as if it hadn't been oiled well enough. The meat started to burn and fire started blazing out of the grill after only a couple minutes. We were initially going to leave because we felt like this place was just a scam. It looked nothing like the photos posted by the owner. We only stayed because of how hungry my friends were. After eating for a few minutes we saw these two men come in and they got to sit in the booth. What happened was extremy unfair and the owner was probably discriminating against us due to how we're young women. (I don't believe everyone is discriminating against me because I'm a woman, but probably because my friends and I are younger.) Even so, we are still paying the same price as every other person that walks into that restaurant and it was unfair that we were not allowed to sit in the booth which could hold 4 people and that the 2 older men were allowed when we had to sit in the cheap seats. Never coming back, if it weren't for the decent waiters we wouldn't even...

As a veteran enjoyer of KBBQ, I tend to judge places like this very harshly, especially when they are as expensive as this one! (Almost $30 per person, with a 2 person minimum.) However, Ko Ryo Jung checked all my boxes perfectly.

Firstly, the grills are top notch. I think they may be treated cast iron (as opposed to wire, aluminum, or stainless steel). The meat cooked quickly, evenly, and never stuck to the grill. Despite how quickly the meat cooked, my hand never felt hot while cooking, which tells me that heat was not wasted (again, as opposed to wire, aluminum, or stainless steel).

The selection of meat is stunning. Even on the limited menu (Menu A), you have exotic/non-standard choices, such as Baby Octopus. The meat is also of obvious quality, looking and tasting fresh from the time it arrives to the time you bite into it.

The establishment allows you to order up to 3 plates of meat at a time, reducing wait times between meats drastically. In addition, the waitstaff is incredibly attentive and prompt. I never felt like I was waiting.

I only have 2 minor complaints:

Selection of sides is limited, compared to other KBBQ establishments. The sides are also self-serve, put out like a buffet line. (This is a negative in my opinion, especially during COVID Times.)

Interior of restaurant is LOUD. I couldn't hear the music (Standard KPop fare, with the music videos playing on wall-mounted TVs) and I also couldn't hear my partner. This combined with the width of the tables made it near impossible to hold a conversation with her.

All in all, unless you are looking for a venue for a romantic date, I highly recommend...

Wow they FINALLY remodeled the old furniture! LOL this place was falling apart but it’s ok now. The food is excellent here we have been going for eons and never had a bad experience ever. This is our favorite KBBQ because it’s not too loud or smoky but not all hip like Gen it can get crowded but most times we get seated quickly. The best thing is the little condiment and side dish bar it is SO yummy!!! The potato salad is home made like mom’s. Kimchi and sides are all very fresh, they always have a fruit - oranges or watermelon. They have butter bacon and asparagus sometimes OMG you can wrap the asparagus in bacon that’s AMAZING. I can’t imagine being Vegan, pescatarian or whatever I’m sorry this place is my air. I will die without it this place. LOL I don’t care if the service is slow which it is usually not… the food is so good I didn’t care if the floors were greasy or sticky or seats were ripped I could care less and they did fix all that and I am happy they did but it doesn’t matter to me. This is my to go and favorite KBBQ. I know everyone orders beef brisket but try the beef belly a tad more fat it is softer and juicier and you can burn off the fat. The bulgogi flavor is the best -the soy based dipping sauce is also better than the others it is slightly more flavorful. I put it on the kimchi, salad, potatoes and everything. Drooling just writing this review. Oh and yes there are higher quality meat places like Mampuku etc but you will pay a lot more and it won’t be AYCE. I eat like a TRex when I come here I don’t need anything fancy and the beef belly meat is good enough...