LEE GA 이가 — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Amazing quality and taste! Easily makes my list of best value restaurants in LA. Simple, clean casual vibe. Keep this place a secret.

Galbi tang (7.8/10). Add a dash of salt to bring out the flavors. Dumplings (7.5/10). Arguably the best dumplings I’ve had at a Korean restaurant. Steamed to perfection. Definitely prefer my own dumpling fillings wayy more (I’m biased here) but still excellent. (Update April 2023: sometimes oversteamed and the wrappers fall apart too easily) Spicy cold noodles with raw fish and beef (8/10). Only cold noodles I think is as good as Lee Ga is from Yu Chun. Extra noodles is just $4!!! (See my 2025 updates below. Not sure if extra noodle refills is offered anymore) Banchan (8/10). Excellent. Had better, but still top tier. Love the kimchi with oyster flavor. Note: kimchi batches can vary depending on how long they ferment it. (April 2023 update: inconsistent banchan quality. Few great batches my first few visits. Noticeably under fermented kimchi in my most recent visit. Radish was a bit bitter to my liking: 6.5/10; july 2025 update: kimchi was ok (7.3/10). Radish was noticeably fermented (7.5/10), which I enjoy but not everyone’s cup of tea)

Shared the 3 dishes above + extra noodles with two other hungry friends and was well fed (and I’m someone who needs to eat equivalent amount to two burritos before being satisfied). $3 valet parking. City/public parking lot right next door is free after certain times.

UPDATE: Chicken Galbi (7/10). Big portions and comes out piping hot on a gas burner. Seasoned with soy sauce and a pinch of sugar. Delicious potatoes soaking up the juices. Paired well with the purple rice/spicy cold noodles and banchan. Do ga ni (8/10). Broth is fire. Don’t forget to season it with salt and perhaps even some of that savory dipping sauce they serve. I get this every time now. Must be comfortable with eating gelatinous tendons and stuff (which I am). Plain cold noodles on the combo menu (6/10). Forgettable esp compared to other noodle options on the menu and elsewhere in ktown.

Update: 7/2025 The menu has evolved since Lee Ga’s early days. I keep coming back here because the quality is still consistent and delish. It’s debatably staked its claim as one of the best no frills Korean spots in Ktown. It’s Galbi Jim with flaming cheese (8.5/10) rivals Sun Nong dan (Rowland heights 6th street western) and is up there as one of my favorite single Korean dishes anywhere. Just depends on the mood of the chef at each place on different days, but I certainly would hedge my bets towards Lee Ga in a blind taste test. Its Galbi tang is still solid (7.7/10). Dumplings (7/10) took a major hit in recent months sadly, but I’m overly picky on dumplings since I make it at home all the time. If you’re getting a cold noodle, get the $21 one with veggies beef and raw skate (7.5/10). Their pancakes (7/10) were nice and crispy, better than most places, my friend’s favorite tho. They no longer have their braised chicken dish, sadly. Seems like it never got enough orders even though the portion size was too good. There was never a wait in years past, but you can expect one on the busy weekends. My biggest complaint, albeit minor, is that they serve burning hot beef broth in a paper cup. Second biggest complaint is not having a chicken or tofu dish for people who don’t eat red meat. Their kimchi is a bit more generic now, but decent. This place is no longer a secret but it’s not nearly as popular as it deserves. $30-50/person isn’t cheap anymore but everything in Ktown doubled in price in the...

TERRIBLE PLACE TO DATE, DINE, only if you want to grab a bite in a overcrowded, noisy, unpleasant restaurant.

When we were waiting to get out of the restaurant the owner pulled my friend over when he was walking out, scolding us as an elder that we gave too little of a tip. He was yelling really loudly saying “so you guys dont have any money”.

First things first, tips were never a legal binding of customers, the amount is given according to the service one received.

As a k restaurant, the appetizers in the beginning were yet the littlest and the simplest of all. Kimchi, pickled radish, and water boiled cabbage was all, and while dining, we found out other tables had more choices than we were given.

Additionally, while serving food, the server constantly came between me and my friend while we were talking, just for the sake of convenience, even thought there is a wonderfully open seat right across from us.

The while place was complete overcrowded, my arms has to be folded while eating, the place was filled with loud music and people yelling over each other just so the person sitting across will be able to hear them.

The service and environment did not very much meet the standards of a restaurant charging such high the amount.

I just want to say, if one was satisfied, 15-20% tip will be given as social norm, but i have never seen any single restaurant grabbing a customer with such rude matter, scolding and...

🍲 Beef Short Rib Soup w/ Dried Cabbage The biggest surprise of the meal! The broth is rich yet clean, filled with deep beef-bone flavor. The dried cabbage soaks up all the goodness — soft, tender, and flavorful. Every sip is comforting and hearty, perfect for cutting through any greasiness. The short ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and full of beefy aroma — one spoonful and it’s pure happiness on a cold day.

🐮 Beef Short Rib Soup A lighter version of the classic — clearer broth with a pure beef taste. Perfect if you love something clean and simple. Pair it with a bowl of rice, and you’ll find yourself eating nonstop — one bite of meat, one sip of soup, totally addictive.

🔥 Bulgogi Jeongol (Korean Bulgogi Hot Pot) The aroma hits you the second it arrives! The beef is marinated in a sweet Korean-style sauce that’s super flavorful, cooked together with glass noodles, enoki mushrooms, and veggies. The longer it simmers, the richer it gets — and the leftover broth is perfect for mixing with rice. Huge portions, easily enough for 3–4 people!

🥟 Meat Dumplings Thin wrapper, juicy filling — the perfect pork and chive combo! Each bite bursts with flavor, and the chive aroma really brings it to life. Dip it in their house chili soy sauce for the...