Hangari Kalguksu Reviews

We had 36 hours in LA on our way to Fiji. The wife picked out this noodle house for us to try in K Town. It was pouring rain when we go to the restaurant and the small parking lot was full. Don’t despair as valet parking is available for $5. We had to wait a few min, but we got a seat and ordered the cut noodle with clams with some dumplings. In Korean cuisine, the side dishes or ban-chan is sometimes just as important as the main meal. They gave us a nice selection of quality side dishes and even the kimchi was actually fermented, where busy restaurants usually don’t bother and serve what we call ready kimchi. Note that the serving is rather large and we were glad we shared as we had other places to go and eat.

One of my friend recommended this handmade noodle place in LA. It's a small restaurant in Ktown complex but don't be fooled by its size. The portions are very generous you could almost share between two people and they start serve you with appetizer size of Barley rice with radish kimchi so you can make bibibap while you wait for your order. The noodles are thick and irregular but I love the texture just like how you make it at home. This is my regular spot when I get hang over and keep that it mind it's always busy here wait is expected.

There was a wait when I first arrived with my family. The food is worth the wait because you get very large portions that are good for sharing with the family. I ordered Chicken Kalguksoo, Seafood Kalguksoo, Clams Kalguksoo, and Dumplings. I really enjoyed how the servers continued to replace the side dishes at a rapid pace.

I loved my kimchee/manila clam noodle soup, but it was just so spicy I couldn't finish it. We could have easily split one meal. I was the only white girl here, and I seemed to be the only one suffering from the spice - sweating and snot and all. But it was so good I did my best to eat as much as possible. With all the side dishes they bring, it was just too much food for me. Hubby ate all of his bulgogi, even though he promised to share. I am not quite sure what the tea-like stuff they brought was, but I did not care for that, and neither did hubby. But we made an effort to drink it so we didn't offend. Very friendly staff. I would have liked a little more explanation of the various foods on the menu, to make it more user friendly for non-Koreans visiting the restaurant.

There is not much parking slot available but there are a few parking around (not free) The food is good (the side dishes are also pretty good) and served quickly. The restaurant is clean. The place is nice.

The seafood soup I had here was incredible!! The broth was rich and tasty, and there was a generous serving of all sorts of seafood. Authentic and delicious homecooked Korean food, something that was very much needed after travelling for month with mostly burgers and fast food!

We went here with a group of 9 people on a weekend before New Year and waited almost 2 hours to get a table and the food were great. We liked all the dishes we ordered especially the colossal chicken Kalgusku and the Hangari Bossam. These two dishes are unique and good and don't think we can find anywhere in California except for LA. Would definitely come back again the next time we visit Universal Studio.

Came here on a Saturday night before 7 pm. Put our names down on the sign in sheet. Already a long line of people waiting. Efficient and fast. We ordered hot stone bowl bibimbap and beef bulgogi. Portion was big. Bibimbap came piping hot with crispy rice on the bottom. Very popular with groups. Parking can be a challenge although valet is available.

This is not a fancy restaurant - it's a Korean noodle shop located in the corner of a strip mall; however, the food is authentic and delicious. Based on the recommendation from the Korean folks sitting next to our table, we ordered the Seafood noodle soup (Kal Guk Su) and Bibimbap, accompanied with steamed dumplings as appetizer, all came with generous big portions. The noodle soup has a lot of fresh seafood, including a half crab, and the broth is rich, flavorful and refreshing. The Bibimbap comes in a hot stone bowl, sizzling the rice and pickled vegetables in front of you when served. And, of course, like all Korean restaurant, your table is "packed" with "a lot" of small dishes, from pickled daikon, kimchi, marinated vegetables, to Korean bean paste. We were stuffed. Service is good. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. Some of them might not speak perfect English, but they try to explain the menu to you in the best way they can. The price is also very reasonable in LA standard. I will definitely come back next time I am in town.

When chores of the day were over, it was almost 10 PM; and we were tired. Through dark streets of Los Angeles, devoid of street lights, we managed to arrive at this very small strip mall or a “plaza” as they call it. As usual, few parking spaces situated in the mall were maned by “valet” and costing two dollars. Surprisingly, quite few eateries and a bakery cramped in the mall; and every one was open at that hour for business. We chose the eatery known for their “hand-cut” Noodles and served with Manila Clams. We were given a table promptly. The placemats were already on the table which functioned as the menu as well. Two ladies and a young man tending our table were courteous and helpful. One of them brought a pitcher of “Barley Tea” and another brought three different kinds of Gimchie. I am a visitor to Los Angeles; do not pretend that I know much about culture of this Town/City, nor do I claim an expertise in this genre of cusines. Now, back to the Gimchies. One was made of Raddish Greens and was swimming in cold liquid. The solid parts were tough and fiberish; the liquid part was cold and refreshing. The other two Gimchies were distinctively different: one was of Napa Cabbage and the other of Radish commonly known as Daikon. Both were doused with syrupy red-pepper based sauces but very flavorful, but they were overpowering to me, and yet had mature Gimchie flavors which would be difficult to perfect. With the help of one of ladies, we ordered (a) Steamed Dumplings, (b) Dolsot Bibimbob, and (c) Manila Clam Kalgooksoo. Food began arriving: each beautifully presented, each consisting of gigantic volume with fabulous and exotic aroma. Both Dumplings and Bibimbob were qualitatively at par with other distinguished eateries we were accustomed with. Kalgooksoo was outstanding: the noodles were cooked perfectly and the texture was heavenly. Clams were adorable in size and exuding most fascinating colors. The broth was phenomenal. Now, I know why people line up for this establishment which I heard. On a different subject, as my dining partner who was a daughter of mine and I were slurping away our acquisitions, a man who, twice the size of Sumo Wrestler, was sitting at the next table near the door whispered to me. First I am a near deaf and the second, I have not spoken a certain language over sixty years. It took long time before I could decipher what the man was saying. Essentially, he was saying that he was hungry and whether I could help him out. Well I could afford to buy him a meal plus taxes plus tip. But, the issue is much larger and beyond the incidence of that moment. Well, we lost our enthusiasm for our own meals; depressed, and helpless of larger societal issues. In Summary: Ambience: Clean but Cluttered Corners, Functional Food: Good - Very Good (But too much food) Service: Most Attentive, Courteous, and Prompt Value: Very Good Conclusion: Eating is adventure and adaptation

We beat the insane dinner rush one evening and were seated at the only table open when we walked in. Didn't take long to decide what to get. I already had this place bookmarked for some time now for their kalguksu and bossam. Needless to say, I ordered those two things for our family of four. Boiled pork belly served with sides such as kimchi, garlic slices, jalapeño, and napa cabbage to wrap and eat everything with is more delicious than it sounds. That, my friends is what a Bossam is. Want a taste of heaven? Order this! A medium size for $32.99 serves 2 and was more than sufficient in size with our order of kalguksu. The Spicy Seafood Kalguksu $16.99 was a no-brainer. It's a heaping bowl of knife cut noodles (perfectly chewy) swimming in anchovy broth featuring a nice kick to it. With clams, mussels, shrimps, and crab, as well as some zucchini and potatoes mixed in, you can only imagine how packed this was with flavor. Absolutely an excellent option for comfort food. I didn't realize my love for Korean food could still be elevated to a whole new level. Thanks to these two amazing dishes, it just did.

Kalgooksoo here is legit! There are several varieties, but it seems the seafood and the chicken knife-cut noodles are the best. You can get the super-sized version, which can feed more than 4 people. If you want to try something other than kalgooksoo, the teji bulgogi isn't a bad option either. Prices are inexpensive and food is great, but service can be lacking at times and banchan is limited.

Food is tasty. Servings are reasonably big. Waitress gave good recommendations. Easy to find in Koreatown. Parking could be an issue though.

I went alone to eat Korean food for the first time while in the Koreatown. I have enjoyed the experience. Went on a weekday at 9:30 PM, so not too crowded. Still the place was relatively full. Mostly Koreans, a good sign. Staff was very nice, food was really good. Of course I didn’t do it right but the staff was very supportive of my ignorance. Very nice experience.

I tried to go to this place twice. I used to frequent LA Koreatown during my single days, but I haven't been able to get out here much since I had kids. I was in town and met with an old friend. This is the place he chose for us to meet. Too bad the line to get into the restaurant was too long and we opted for another restaurant in the strip mall. So it's time to decide on dinner. I suggested to the rest of my family (wife, two sons, sister, and mother) that we try this out. We got there around 5:15 and had a short wait to get inside. They did allow us to order while waiting, so our food came out a lot quicker. The line continued to grow as we waited and finally were seated. They start you out with a quick complimentary bowl filled with a little bit of brown rice and soy bean paste. Ban chans are out quickly food follows shortly after. Portions are huge! We ordered a medium bossam (steamed pork belly with fixings), two orders of sujaebee (potato flakes), two orders of kalguksu (their specialty-one with clams and one with kimchi), and one order of kongguksu (cold soybean noodle). Way too much food! We observed after the fact, that a typical table of four ordered three dishes: a medium bossam and two kalguksu dishes. That was enough to feed four adults with some leftover. We ended up taking 6 takeout bowls home with us. Next time, we go with four dishes and that will be more than enough for our group. Parking is a valet and a pain. Make extra time for coming in and getting out. As for the quality of food, everything we tried was excellent, but the bossam was the star of the show. Kalguksu is served in a hot broth, so it's not my go-to on a hot summer day. But the pork belly, I could have eaten that all by myself.

One of my favorite restaurants. All noodles are delicious. My favorite is bajirak. The soup is just delicious. The portion is generous. Good comfort food. Price is ok. Love the place. Just remember that it can be crowded...

Popular noodle soup and bossam spot in KTown. Came here with a friend on a Friday evening around 7:30pm and there was a long line, but we ended up only waiting for 20 minutes. You order at the door before getting a seat. Credit cards accepted. There’s two single occupant restrooms in the back by the drinks machine. Indoor dining only (no outdoor options). Valet parking or you can try your luck with street parking. We got a medium bossam and a small kalgasuku (spicy seafood). The seafood included were shrimp, mussels, and clams. The noodle texture was perfect. The bossam was really tender and comes warm, with a side of garlic, jalapeños, radish, and cabbage. They give you two sauces to dip the meat in, but it’s flavorful enough on its own. The waiters were busy but still nice. They give you a small serving of rice as well as banchan. They do have alcohol. It seems more suited for a small group given the restaurant size, but there was one large group there. Overall, this was a busy spot with a focus on noodle soups and bossam.

Bossam is one of me favorite Korean dishes - boiled tender pork belly served with bite size crunch cabbage pickle, sweet & spicy radish kimchi. I usually order it at my favorite Korean restaurant. I gotta say the bossam at Hangari is much better! The pork belly was very tender and ate few fatty slices. The side dishes were very good, too especially the radish kimchi and cabbage kimchi. Quick service and friendly staff. Probably eat here again before we leave LA!

I've never had Kalguksu but goodness gracious its delicious! Especially when the noods are made in house! Hangari is known for them, I've heard people will wait hours just to try them lucky for me I try and eat at odd times to ensure I get the full experience and of course not wait in line. They are also known for their bossum but I wasn't in the mood. Instead, we opted for the bulgogi, I've had a fair share in my lifetime and I get Hangari wanted to be creative and throw in peppers, mushrooms and onions but doing this lacked authenticity and changed the flavor, felt like I was eating a Philly cheese steak without the cheese, sub rice. This is the only reason why they are missing a star. Just come for the kalguksu, you won't regret it.

My family recently took out dinner from this Korean Restaurant and throughly enjoyed the food. We ordered a variety of dishes, all of which were very tasty. Of particular note was a spicy lamb dish. We would definitely go back.

We had dinner at this Korean restaurant while visiting Los Angeles. The portion sizes are very generous and the food is very good. There is valet parking available for $3.

Flavorful traditional hand cut noodles in seafood broth, tender vegetables, mushrooms and meat in stone bowl. The food is fresh, spicy and packed with flavor. Very popular with young and old.

So I went to Korea town for a lunch and wasn’t really prepared. This joint did not disappoint at all. Felt really lucky thatI stumbled into this place. Good prices for great Korean noodle soups, but before you get to that some lovely kimchi is served. Awesome place!

The hot stone bi bim bop is the best I have ever had. Granted I am a white dude who eats a decent amount of Korean food, so take it with a grain of salt. Most of the patrons were Korean, but they were welcoming to the handful of non-Asian guests.

Passed by the place a couple times and it has always been packed. The finally had a chance to try to out and I must say that the noodles don't really love up to the hype, although their portions are big, then again, you are paying 11 bucks per serving. I think the taste has been adjusted to fit the local demographic, so authenticity is questionable. Nevertheless, if your are craving for Korean home style noodle and don't have a budget in mind, check it out!

Their food is tasty. From noodle to bibimbap and dduk bok gi (I hope I spell it correctly). Portion is big. Staff is friendly and fast!

Awesome!!! The owner makes sure the staff greets you in Korean when you walk in & out of the restaurant. We are from Seoul Korea. My mom is known as a good cook among Koreans. We lived in NYC for 23 years. Trust me, we know good Korean food!!! We went to several Korean restaurants, this was delicious 😋

It was my first time here and we got the spicy clam noodles, tteobokki, and mandu. They provide lots of clams in the clam noodles. We loved the food there and the dishes are reasonably priced. Please note that you may need to wait for a table as this place is really popular.

12.31.2014 - tucked in a corner of a Mini Mall this noodle shop was hard to spot. The main sign was in Korean and we were looking for "Hangari Balsarik Kalgooksoo" as reviewed by LA Weekly. We ended up passing it by twice, before asking the Valet. Rather than trying to snag street parking which is impossible in Koreatown, go for Valet Parking - well worth the $2. Despite some wait, once seated, the food service was very efficient. The servers spoke minimal English but were very polite, nodding, bowing, smiling. You can see the noodles being made by hand in the kitchen. The broth in the noodle soup was excellent -- rustic and robust. The noodles were al dente. The Seafood noodle came with about a dozen clams, 2 pieces of crab, 2 pieces of shrimp. The crab was bland though. The Goza were average tasting. The chicken noodle soup came with half a bone-in cornish game hen. Ask for disposable plastic gloves when deboning the hen yourself without messing up your fingers. All noodle orders come with Barley rice. Drizzle that with sesame oil to enhance the flavor. They are a somewhat stingy with their pickled side-dishes "Banchan" though. Generally we really appreciate the traditional, simple cuisine and old-fashion, service. We will visit again soon. Thumbs up!

I went here after Crystal Spa next door at 10:15am. They were busy getting ready to open at 10:30am. I could see the chef in the kitchen working on the doe for noodles. And Lord behold, when the noodle came out, just seeing the quality of noodle I knew I found my favorite noodle place in Korea town without even tasting the soup. I haven't had this kind of noodle for almost twenty years! Soup base was very simple and delicate - well balanced with subtle sweetness of pumpkin and natural saltyness of clams. Real good foods are always balanced so you don't taste one dominant flavor. I am so happy I found this place.

we visited for an early lunch on a holiday and there was already a wait-list around 11 am. Extremely popular among South Asians - which is probably a good sign of authentic Korean food. The service was good and our server was able to communicate in English and explain the dishes. All their broths have anchovies and none of them are gluten free. The vegetarian options on the menu are limited to bi bim baps - they have a couple different varieties. They also serve barley tea (instead of water). Water is also available.

The place is packed with students and younger age groups for a simple and solid noodle meal or something similar. The taste is good but the nature of the noodle is starchy and hence gave the soup a very coarse texture. Price point is average and the ingredients were somewhat generous. Be prepared to wait for seating.