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Our first challenge was finding the place. Danbi sits behind Chapman Market, and the name is written in white on the window with a white shade behind it, so it was easy to miss. We went for the DineLA menu. We had reservations and were immediately seated. Overall, the restaurant had a modern, relaxed vibe. Our server was very personable and helped me choose the Kimchi Mule, which turned out to be an excellent choice. The food started rolling out right away, beginning with the Honey Butter Potato Chips. They were good, but probably not something I would order again. Next came the kimchi watermelon and spicy sashimi noodles, and I was impressed with both. I had a hard time imagining what kimchi watermelon would taste like and was surprised by how much I liked it. The spicy sashimi noodles were the standout for me. I kept going back for another bite and would come back just for those. The Corn and Cheese Roll came out next along with the Pork Jowl. Both were good, although if I returned, I would probably try something different. Up until that point, everything had gone extremely well. The food came out at a good pace, people checked on us, our waters were refilled, and dishes were cleared almost as soon as we finished them. Then we waited. And waited some more. Our server kept apologizing and telling us, "The dessert is coming!" After at least 20 minutes, we started talking about simply leaving without it. I finally flagged down the host and asked if there was a problem in the kitchen because we had been waiting so long for the parfait. A few minutes later, he came back and explained that there was an issue involving the whipped cream. At that point I asked how much longer we were expected to wait. Eventually the parfait arrived, and I couldn't help thinking that we had waited close to half an hour for what amounted to a small dollop of whipped cream on top. To make matters worse, the dessert wasn't very good. We couldn't finish it. I left disappointed, especially because the rest of the meal had gone so well. I know the kitchen delay wasn't our server's fault, but I would have expected someone to proactively explain what was happening or offer us another dessert rather than leaving us sitting there wondering when--or if--it was coming.
Danbi is a modern Korean restaurant located in Koreatown in Los Angeles. It translates to "sweet rain" referencing the rain after a long period of drought. The restaurant was recommended on the Michelin guide. We made reservations online ahead of time. There is lot parking for $20 as well as street parking. HONEY BUTTER CHIPS ($8) - these were crispy, sweet, and salty. They're inspired by the ones in the bags but these were way better. The honey butter sauce on top was addicting. 4.5/5 SCALLOP PANCAKE ($25) - this was crispy, flavorful, and there were lots of scallops. I also liked the strawberry mentaiko dipping sauce. 5/5 BEEF TARTARE ($36) - this was silky from the bone marrow and the egg yolk. They came with the same chips as the honey butter chips to scoop. 4.5/5 UNI BIBIMBAP ($60) - I loved the sweet shrimp and the uni was silky. Note that this is sold at market price; it was definitely a smaller portion of food and you're mostly paying for the uni. 4/5 ZABUTON STEAK ($85) - the steak was tender and perfectly cooked. It tasted like it was in some sweet Korean marinade and was one of the best steaks I've had in a long time, even better than steak houses. Also, don't forget the delicious garlic rice cooked in beef tallow. This was absolutely amazing! 5/5 For cocktails both the luv u so matcha ($18) and hwachae milk punch ($16) were delicious and easy to drink. Note that they're soju-based and none of their cocktails contain hard liquor. Everything was so flavorful and we loved our meal. It's definitely a pricey one but we both thought it was worth it. This is a place I can see myself coming back to eat again.
In the evening of Sunday, August 23rd tonight, I went to Danbi with My Mom for their Dine LA dinner. Danbi has been extremely popular lately, and getting a reservation has been very difficult. I made our reservation about two weeks in advance, but every date and every time slot for the following week was already completely booked. The only times available two weeks later were 7:45 PM or 9:00 PM, so we ended up making a 7:45 PM reservation, which was much later than the time we normally have dinner. I was really curious to see what this restaurant was like since it was so difficult to get a reservation. Some members of my group had also really wanted to try Danbi, but they couldn't get reservations because everything was fully booked. They all asked me to let them know what I thought after I went. Today, we finally got to go. We arrived a little early, around 7:20 PM. I told the hostess that our reservation was for 7:45 PM and that we had arrived early. She said okay and immediately seated us at our table, which I really appreciated. We didn't have to wait at all. We were seated at a table for two. There were also two women sitting at a table for two on our left and another two women sitting at a table for two on our right. Interestingly, both tables were having the exact same Dine LA menu as we were. So before we even ordered, we could actually see the dishes that we were going to be eating right next to us, which was kind of fun. The first dish that came out was the Honey Potato Chips. They were slightly sweet and sticky, probably because honey had been drizzled over them. I ate them with chopsticks because they were so sticky. My Mom initially picked them up with her hands, but her fingers got so sticky that she eventually started eating them with chopsticks too. Next came the Watermelon Kimchi. It looked like the watermelon had been seasoned with pepper or some other kind of seasoning. It was cool, refreshing, and really delicious. I thought it was perfect as a light and refreshing summer dish. Then we had two Cheese Rolls, and they were absolutely delicious. After that came the Spicy Sashimi Noodle. It was basically like spicy mixed soba noodles with a gochujang-based sauce underneath, along with pieces of sashimi. Our server told us to mix everything together really well before eating it, so I mixed it thoroughly with a spoon. It was slightly spicy, but really tasty. Then the Pork Jowl came out with rice and chili crisp. The pork was incredibly tender and soft, and it was delicious. On its own, the pork tasted a little rich and greasy, but when I ate it together with the sauce and the chili crisp, it was really good. For dessert, we had the Goguma Parfait. Our server explained that it was made with strawberries, blueberries, sweet potato, and potato. It wasn't overly sweet, which I really liked, and it was surprisingly delicious. There were also two pieces of chocolate on top, and everything went really well together. After trying everything, I finally understood why this restaurant is so popular and why every date and time slot seems to fill up so quickly. Every dish was incredibly creative, unique, and delicious. It honestly felt like we were experiencing and savoring little works of art through food. After we finished, I asked My Mom which dish she liked the most. She said that every single dish was delicious. Personally, my favorites were the Cheese Rolls, the Watermelon Kimchi, the Spicy Sashimi Noodles, and the Goguma Parfait. I also really liked our server. I can't remember her name, but she was a female server and was extremely kind and attentive. We had some pork and Honey Potato Chips left over and asked for two to-go boxes. She said she would pack them for us herself, and she carefully packed everything into the to-go boxes and brought them back to us in a brown paper bag. I thought that was incredibly kind. The other servers who brought out our food were also very friendly. At one point, I asked for two extra plates, and they brought them to us very quickly. It was also funny and interesting that the two women sitting at the table on our left and the two women sitting at the table on our right were all having the exact same Dine LA menu as us, and they were also just drinking water, just like we were. Overall, I really enjoyed Danbi. All of the food was delicious, the atmosphere was nice, and the staff was extremely friendly and attentive. I definitely want to come back next time and explore their regular menu. I feel like it would be another very creative and unique culinary adventure. There was only one major downside: it was VERY, VERY noisy. I think part of the reason is that the mall itself is a popular place for younger people. I actually used to go to this mall all the time with my friends when I was in my 20s and 30s, so I know how lively it can get.
Nice spot if you're looking for Korean food with a modern twist. The interior is modern, sleek, and thoughtfully designed, and the service was friendly and attentive throughout the meal. The food here is definitely more creative than your standard Korean restaurant. A lot of familiar Korean flavors and dishes are presented in a more modern, elevated way. Scallop Pancake -- 7.5/10 Think scallion pancake, but with scallops. I really enjoyed this, especially because they don't skimp on the scallops. My only complaint is that the batter is a little too thick, and combined with how oily it is, the dish gets filling pretty quickly. This is definitely something I'd recommend ordering with a larger group so everyone can have a couple pieces rather than trying to tackle the whole thing. The dipping sauce is chef's kiss. Uni Bibimbap -- 9/10 My favourite dish of the night. All the different ingredients work together incredibly well. Every bite is balanced and flavourful, and honestly, I could probably eat an entire bowl of this myself. Beef Tartare -- 7.5/10 I love beef tartare, and this was no exception. My main complaint is that I found it a little lacking in flavuor compared to some of the tartares and yukhoe I've had at other Korean restaurants. The bone marrow is a cool addition, although I think it contributes more to the presentation and interactive aspect than the actual flavour of the dish. If you don't eat the tartare relatively quickly, the bone marrow starts to solidify and you end up with little pieces of hardened fat, which I found a bit unappealing. Honey Butter Chips -- 5/10 Not bad, but personally I wouldn't order these again. The honey butter sauce started becoming a little too rich and sickening for me after a few chips.
Came here for a birthday dinner and service was incredible! The uni ebi bowl was bursting with umami and so creamy. Also really loved the wagyu dish. Scallop pancake was delicious although it got a little heavy after the first slice. Vibes are immaculate especially paired with a cocktail. Def one of my favorite Asian fusion restaurants for a special occasion!
Danbi has been on my list to try for over a year! I was super excited when my friend wanted to go try this place with me. They had parking for $10 in their shared lot. We got to try a couple of things. The first thing we ate was their corn cheese roll. The waiter said this is new to the menu and I hope it stays. If you are a fan of Korean cheese corn, you are going to love this. It's corn and cheese wrapped up in an egg roll like wrapper. It was a great starter. Next, we got the endive salad! This salad was beautiful and fresh! Everything you want in a salad and more. I love the sweet corn in this salad too. Every ingredient balance each other so well. We also got the scallop pancake. This was the dish I always wanted to try here but after eating it, it felt a bit heavy compare to the other dishes. It was okay but the other dishes shined more. Lastly, we got the pork jowl, my favorite of the night. It came with a side of garlic rice! You dip the pork with the chili crisp and eat it with a scoop of rice, delicious!! I wish I had that dish right now. Overall, a great dinner spot in ktown!!!
Korean food with a twist. Chips: definitely in the sweeter side. Saltiness of the chips helped balance it out Scallop pancake: wish they were the larger scallops instead of the small ones but they were fried really well. The breading pancake part def was a bit doughy and a little undercooked Jowl: great. Loved the ssamjang and traditional peppers they gave with it. Should've asked for extra samjang Steak: most of my groups favorite. Cooked incredibly well and the perilla leaf chimchurri was very unique. Might have to incorporate that myself when making chimichurri. They had Korean inspired drinks which were yummy. The injeolmi flavor in mine came through really strongly (good thing). The gim-let tasted like a standard gimlet asides from the piece of fried seaweed ggim on top. Hwachae cocktail was also tasty but didn't taste unique
I've exhausted all the restaurants in this plaza and this one came last but definitely not least. What a little gem this was. Great food, great service, and really enjoyable ambiance. Quiet, intimate, clean. Honey butter chips: For me they are a must try. Very sweet and unique and perfect for snacking during the meal. Thin, crispy, flavorful. Scallop pancake: the scallop pancake works so well, the scallop is crunchy and the side of sauce goes very well. Tuna tartare: I would definitely order this one. The bone marrow is a very subtle but nice addition, the tartare is dominated by the sesame oil and needs nothing more. Tartare comes in a generous portion Pork jowl: must order if you like pork. Good quality, cooked perfectly, pairs really well with the chili oil. So good with the accompanying rice Corn latte: order if you like unique desserts. It is sweet, has the hint of saltiness from the foam, a very faint corn flavor, the jelly adds great texture especially paired with the coffee flavored bed of shaved ice. I loved it but it's not for everyone
Really enjoyed this modern yet cozy spot in Ktown. It's a great spot for date night, girls night or even family dinner. The staff was very kind and seated me early without any hesitation, they do keep to the strict 1:30 for the dinner time to ensure other diners are on time which I appreciate. We went for DineLA and highlights of that pre fixe family style menu were the honey butter chips, soba noodles, corn cheese fried egg rolls and sweet potato parfait. Also the garlic rice that comes with the pork jowl was so good and flavorful. I'd love to come back and try other dishes in the future to try more dishes. Also plus, the location has self parking for $10 which is extremely helpful in Ktown.
Haven't been here in a while and came by with a group of friends for dinner. I noticed some of the drinks and food items changed a little since I've been here last. Overall, the experience was good but was a bit disappointed with the drinks. Last time, the favorite was the lychee cocktail with foam but this time the taste was a little different and there was no foam. But we found a new favorite, which was the I love you so matcha. Very refreshing cocktail. The food was still amazing. You can't go wrong with the focused menu that they have. All you really need are the scallop pancakes, beef tartare, pork jowl, and the plate of beef. The whole tables set! Staff was super friendly and attentive and made sure we were perfectly accommodated. Glad to see danbi is still busy after all these years
My bf and I came here for a date night a few months ago after hearing so many raving reviews about this Michelin star restaurant and although the interior is beautiful (romantic and dimly lit with candles), we were disappointed by the food. The zabuton was tender and juicy, but tbh it was nothing too special and somehow tasted more sweet than savory. For $75, we expected more. I've had better tasting wagyu for cheaper The honey butter chips were great at first but over time became a heavy dish. These also tasted incredibly sweet (which makes sense bc it's honey butter), but combined with the zabuton it was overly sweet, to the extent that we couldn't finish the chips even with the provided palate cleanser. The uni bibimbap was okay, served in a small bowl. At the end, they gave us each a yuzu popsicle which I liked! Very refreshing and almost like a palate cleanser too No complaints about the service though- everyone was friendly, we just wished the food tasted better and that the portions were larger for the price point.
Came here with some girlfriends for Dine LA. Cocktails (not included in Dine LA offer): Kimchi mule: 8/10. Inspired by white kimchi, not the traditional kimchi that most people are familiar with. It was unique savory and gingery. Didn't get much pear flavor though Hwachae punch: 5/10. Did not give any essence of hwachae, no milk flavor. Just tasted like strawberry juice honestly. Honey butter chips: 6/10. Chips were thin and crispy. The honey butter sauce was not distributed evenly across all chips, so some chips were just plain potato chips. It left me craving to go to Hmart and purchase a bag of honey butter chips instead. Corn cheese roll 7/10: fried well and the corn was sweet, but a bit bland Watermelon kimchi: 9/10. Refreshing and complimented the heaviness of the other dishes well. I liked that they included both watermelon and Hami melon. Spicy sashimi noodle: 7.5/10. The sauce was nice, balanced, barely spicy. Could have used more of the sauce. Noodles were a good texture and sea bream was fresh and not fishy, no sinew in the fish pieces. Pork jowl: 9/10. Highlight of the meal. Cooked well, tender, not gamey, good ratio of meat to fat. Paired well with the bean sauce given. The rice it came with was delicious. Goguma parfait: 8/10. Goguma was cooked well and a creamy texture Value: keep in mind that for the Dine LA deal, each pair of people receives 1 dish of each to share (with the exception of the cheese roll, which is 1 roll per person). So 1 bowl of rice was for 2 people to share. Overall I'm glad I got to try this place on the Dine LA deal to sample multiple dishes. I probably would not return unless for another Dine LA offer with new dishes
I've been meaning to try Danbi for a while now, and finally popped in after they reopened. It's a great spot for date night or drinks with a few friends. Order the scallop pancake and the grilled pork jowls with some drinks and prepare to have a nice, chill evening. We tried a lot of food and the grilled pork jowl was our favorite dish. Scallop pancake was also great, topped with lots of scallops and stayed crispy until the end of the meal. The zabuton, which I was most excited for, was good, but nothing special that you can't get anywhere else. I was also thrown off by the sweet marinade. Docked a star because service was just ok on my visit and it's pretty expensive.
5 months ago
Food Seaweed salad. Elevated and the best I've had, easily. The only issue is I can't really eat too much of it. The cherry tomatoes bursted with acidity and umami. 4.7/5 Honey butter chips. I've eaten an alarming amount of chips in my life and I will say these are solid but nothing noteworthy. The chips had no warmth to them and were slathered with decently flavorful honey butter that pooled to the bottom. 4.2/5 Mushroom bimibap - A very balanced dish with cohesive elements. Wish there were more mushrooms as they of course were the best part. The chili sauce was solid but the dish benefitted when we added another half portion of it and mixed it in. 4.4/5 Waygu - A decent flavor (definitely needed the flakey salt), portion and a nice medium rare cook, wall to wall. The steak was not as tender as I hoped it would be and some extra chewing was required. The banchan was all solid. It reminded me of Cote's but actually edible. 4.5/5 Yuzu popsicle - Definitely the best popsicle I've ever had. Refreshing and light. Balanced sweet to sour flavor. 4.7/5 Service A decent job. Good hostess. The steak took longer than expected to come out? Perhaps the kitchen messed it up and had to start over. Either that or maybe the waiters were busy. Or maybe it just takes a while to make it. Not sure. The waitress did the job competently but nothing above that. Overall, definitely not Michelin level service. 4.4/5 Ambiance A little too loud and it affected the entire vibe because I had to raise my voice to speak with the waitress. It became easier to just use nods and thumbs up. Like Cobis, a very modern and upscale restaurant that is hampered by lighting that is too dark. Pictures turned out good because I used another phone's flash. Just a little more light would be so much of an improvement without losing the romantic intent. Bathroom was average. 4.5/5 Overall, I had a solid meal that left my mood elevated. The service or food weren't as good as Cobis, Barsha, Ammatoli, or even Sonoratown - all top LA restaurants, but still worthy of a experience and I may return. 4.5/5 I would highly recommend Chois in San Diego as an extremely similar modern Korean fusion restaurant that also had better food, service, and ambiance. That place was 5/5 in every way. read more
Overall great experience! We did the dine LA menu which i felt was a great deal. Honey butter chips - loved this in-house made version on the classic bag of chips Perilla cold noodles - v fresh and loved the flavors. maybe the noodles were a tad overcooked? or maybe i left it too long while i was finishing the chips lol Scallop pancake - love!!! crispy and flavorful. Love the mentaiko dip Zabuton - Loved the little sides that come with it like the scallion kimchi. Not a big steak gal but it was enjoyable The injeolmie mousse cake was also great. The hwachae dessert i wouldnt get again bc i can make that at home haha. Service was great and ambiance fantastic. read more
One of the best meals I've had in LA as of recently! My husband and I came here for a celebratory dinner after hearing many good things about Danbi and we were not disappointed. We ordered: the honey butter chips (so tasty and a great way to start the meal, great if you like a salty + sweet combo), the tartare (this was good but not amazing IMO; we also added on the bibimbap which I would skip next time), the scallop pancake (we really liked this and there were so many scallops), and the zabuton (super tender and delicious). Service was great and our server was really attentive, and the ambiance here was nice, dimly lit, and moody - great for a date night or for a nicer meal with a larger group! Would definitely come back and try some of their cocktails/mocktails next time as they all sounded really good. read more
Came to Danbi for a special occasion and had an absolutely delightful experience! We enjoyed their DineLA menu. Parking is tough in ktown but I think the lot in Chapman plaza is worth it generally, although we parked on the street right before 7pm when the spots become available. They were able to move our reservation a few times to accommodate our party's logistical needs which was too kind of them. Every staff member we interacted with was so kind and polite and attentive. Shoutout to Jack in particular who took great care of us. The DineLA courses included the chips, the perilla noodles, the seafood pancake, the steak, and choice of dessert. The chips were fun with an interesting flavor, the perilla noodles made me want to slurp up the broth after and I barely controlled myself . The noodles were light and flavorful with a nice mix of flavors. The seafood pancake was HUGE! I'm accustomed to getting less than the amount I want on a tasting menu course but wow, the scallops were absolutely abundant! Great dipping sauce rounded out this course. The steak was unbelievable. So tender, so flavorful, and balanced so so so well with the misc side dishes available. Every bite was a delight and there was plenty of steak for the table--I love that they served it family style for these courses! Finally, for dessert the staff was so sweet for our special occasion and Jack took care of us with some extra popsicles which I loved! The mousse and the hwachae were both tasty and flavorful, a total throw back, we all agreed it was such a nostalgic flavor. All in all, I am extremely pleased at the overall experience at Danbi. I had been to Chapman plaza several times but I am so glad we chose Danbi this time, I'm very excited to try more of the menu and enjoy more of the environment and wonderfully curated vibes here! read more
Danbi is located in the Chapman Plaza. I did not recommend getting the cold noodles as the noodles were not fresh and had a stale taste to it. The steak is definitely worth getting along with the tart. I thought the scallop pancakes were too fried and definitely was missing something. The service was great and really appreciated our server, Andy! read more
Solid place for ktown dinner with great ambiance for friends or date night. Recommend making a reservation in case they're busy. Service was nice, but it can def get loud depending on the people sitting next to your table haha. Food was all exceptional, you can definitely taste the ingredients in each dish. Cons are that parking can be pricey with valet parking since street parking is impossible and even then, the lot can get full. I'd say the food is also on the pricier side. read more
I celebrated a birthday here at Danbi with our group of 11 this weekend and had a phenomenal experience! Danbi has been on our list for a long time and we finally got to come here for this special occasion. We had high expectations for the food and it truly did not disappoint. I loved the familiar flavors creative takes on the dishes and so many of the cocktails sounded delicious, it was hard to choose what to order! I emailed to reserve our large table reservation and had to provide a pre-order of our items in advance (with the ability to add onto it when we dined in person) Some of my favorites were: -Scallop pancake, so crispy with amazing sauce -Uni bibimbap (wasn't sure if I should order this because not the biggest fan of uni and it's an extra charge but it was soso worth it and good) -Snapper crudo, stunning presentation, great flavor, good quality -Honey butter chips - OMG forever thinking about this. The perfect little sweet and salty crunchy snack for the table. -Kale Salad - so good, I loved the texture and nice fresh element to the dinner. I loved this meal because there was truly something for everyone. Vegetarian? Mushroom bibimbap. Seafood lover? Crudo, uni bibimbap, japchae Meat eater? Steak, pork jowl and beef tartare (I only wish that the chips with the beef tartare were more solid. The lotus roots weren't enough to hold up all the tartare/bone marrow mixture. But still delicious!) I really wish I got the name of our waitress but she pushed this already great dinner experience to the next level with her patience and attentiveness. Someone on our table dropped a chopstick, and I saw that she was at another table taking orders. A split second later she was already over giving them another pair of chopsticks. I have no idea how she caught that or how she was able to come by so quickly. Superior service and such great food! I already can't wait to return!! read more
7 months ago
Danbi was delicious!!! The portions are big - I ordered the honey butter chips, zabuton, and scallop pancake. The honey butter chips were a bit salty for my taste, but I loved them and would get them again. The scallop pancake was flavorful and crispy. The staff were very attentive and kept everything clean, even refilling our water before we noticed it was empty. My only issue was the parking - it took us 15-20 minutes to find a spot. Overall, I'd definitely come back! read more
Food was really good. Definitely get reservation ahead of time. There's a bar but can be filled up quickly on weekend. Service was no fuss they want you in and out which is totally fine. Must get: Zabuton (sizzling steak with garlic rice) and scallop pancake (very crispy and pairs well with the mentaiko cream but could get heavy after a couple of slices). Hwakae milk (a milk infused soju drink so delicious!) We also got kale salad to balance out. It was refreshing and good but nothing to write home about. Price is on the higher end but for the portion we got I thought it was reasonable. Would definitely be back to try other dishes (maybe the pork jowl!) read more
3 months ago
Danbi was one of the best dining experiences I've had in Koreatown recently. The atmosphere was cozy, stylish, and perfect for a special night out. We ordered the Zabuton steak and the scallop pancake, and both were outstanding. The steak was tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The scallop pancake was crispy on the outside, packed with scallops, and paired beautifully with the sauce. The presentation was beautiful, the service was attentive, and every dish felt thoughtfully prepared. I can see why reservations are hard to get. We will definitely be back to try more of the menu. Highly recommend if you're looking for a modern Korean dining experience in LA! read more
I visited this restaurant three years ago and had a great experience, so I was excited to return during Dine LA. Unfortunately, the new chef and revamped menu were a complete letdown. The entire meal left me feeling queasy and uncomfortable. The raw preparations had an overpowering fishy taste that was quite off-putting. While the honey chips had good flavor, they were drowning in oil, and combined with the heavy pork-focused dishes throughout the meal, it became genuinely difficult to enjoy. The cold soba and salad were forgettable at best. At this point, it feels like the restaurant prioritizes Instagram aesthetics over actual food quality. Really disappointing given my previous positive experience here. read more
1 year ago
The Chapman Plaza is full of delicious restaurants that don't miss. Sadly my first visit to Danbi did not live up to that. It wasn't all bad. We arrived at dinner time on a weekend and were able to get a table right away. We ordered two cocktails, the 'love you so matcha' and the 'kimchi mule' and also ordered the seaweed salad, uni bibimbap and the wagyu soup. Things came out as they were ready but we were nearly finished with our meal before reminding our server about our missing cocktails. She apologized told us she brought them to the wrong table and they just sat there... the cocktails were the only thing I'd come back for. The uni bibimbap was beautiful and had very fresh tasting uni but the texture and temperature of the rest of the dish were not pleasant. At mp $58 it was disappointing neither of us could finish it. The wagyu soup was also high quality meat but the broth was bland and the rice was soggy. It tasted more watery than it should have been. I told the server about our less than stellar experience and even with the drink mistake nothing was offered other than the invitation to come back and try different dishes... It is a beautiful environment, if I came back I would likely sit at the bar and order different dishes. read more
6 months ago
A thoughtfully curated dining experience with a strong cocktail program and well executed, modern Korean dishes. The concise menu immediately signals intention, and overall, the quality delivers. We started with the gimlet and the hwachae milk both beautifully balanced in their own way. The gimlet leaned savory and complex, with a unique depth that made it especially memorable, while the hache was smoother and slightly sweet, with the alcohol very well integrated. For food, the pork jowls were flavorful, but I was hoping for a fully rendered cut with each slice properly seared for an all-around crisp texture. The zabuton was a standout I appreciated being able to select two different cooking temperatures, which made the experience more interactive and tailored. The uni bibimbap was rich and deeply flavorful, with a nice balance of umami throughout. The scallion pancake was delicious, though I would have preferred a thinner batter. As for the beef tartare, the quality of the dish itself was solid, though the accompanying chips were a bit too hard and not my preferred pairing it slightly took away from the overall bite. The ambiance is relaxed yet refined, making it a great spot for a date night or a casual night out with friends. Service was attentive and well paced. read more
At Chapman Plaza's outdoor corridor, Danbi has a playful menu with thoughtful spins on classics, such as scallop pancakes and uni bibimbap. Sliced Pork Jowl: The long metal tray contains a row of thinly-sliced strips of pork jowl. The meaty slices ooze with perhaps a bit too much luscious richness. That's quickly remedied by the house red sauce. The gochujang-based sauce is garlicky and tangy. Ribbons of carrots and scallions create a slick slaw. Korean pear is sweet and mild. The scallion kimchi packs an intense punch of zing. Strong fermentation gives a bubbly sensation on the tongue while staying really sweet and juicy. It's perfect for cutting the oiliness. Dining Area: The room is modern and dimly lit. Parking: Be prepared to hoof it or pay. read more
We ordered the nightcap and luv u so matcha mocktail drinks to start. Both drinks were pretty good and I thought the nightcap was a good version of an espresso martini. For food, we got the scallop pancake, uni bibimbap, and sliced pork jowl. The pancake was huge and I thought generously filled with scallops. The bibimbap was fresh and I thought the shrimps were sweet. What surprised us the most was the sliced pork jowl. It was very tender and the thinly sliced vegetables paired so nicely with the pork. At the end, we got the latte dessert which we weren't too sure if we liked. It had hot frothed milk but something about it wasn't entirely to our liking. Overall, I thought the meal and service was very good! read more
Atmosphere: 5/5 - I loved the interior of this restaurant and thought it was well designed and decorated. It's a pretty busy restaurant, so it's recommended that you have reservations beforehand. It's located in a plaza in Ktown, and has it's own (paid) parking lot, otherwise you'll have to find street parking. Service: 5/5 - Service was great here. My bf and I got seated right away upon arrival, but we also had reservations and arrived on time. We were given water and menus, and the waitress provided good recommendations for us. Food: 4/5 - honey butter chips: 4/5 - these were delicious and a great appetizer. They're pretty expensive for what it is, as it really does taste like those honey butter chips that you can buy at the asian store, but it was a great starter to the dinner. scallop pancake: 4/5 - we ordered this because it was really popular, and I'm glad to say that it is pretty good. It was a unique dish, but out of the 3 items that we got, this was the least stand out to me. The sauce that it came with helped elevate the dish, but I think without the sauce, it would've just been an average pancake. zabuton: 5/5 - This was my favorite dish, and was surprised by how big the portion was. This dish could easily feed two people, and I really liked how it was cooked and seasoned. Definitely recommend this dish out of everything that we ordered. Overall, this restaurant is a more treat-yourself type of place. It's pretty pricey, but the food does taste good and the portions are big. read more
Upscale Korean restaurant! Great cocktails and unique dishes here. The must get is the scallop pancake. A twist from the traditional seafood pancake with loads of scallops instead. Very crispy and fried perfectly. The sweet honey tastes similar to the chips at a store but can taste the freshness of the chips. The japchae and pork jowl were solid but nothing mind blowing. The star of the night was the beef. Comes out sizzling and has amazing flavor. The problem I had with the beef was some of the pieces were very tough and chewy. The garlic rice that comes with it has generous amount of garlic flavor. Cocktails were mixed well and have unique flavors. Service was great. They have $10 self parking in the plaza but do get filled on the weekends. read more
9 months ago
A must try dinner spot in ktown. They have elevated Korean food and everything was so good. Really enjoyed the uni bibimbap, and scallop pajeon. They steak was good but not super memorable compared to the other dishes. Also their mixed drinks were unique and great. The restaurant can be a bit loud so it's a bit hard to hear but overall great dinner spot. Service was also really good, everyone was attentive and friendly. read more
9 months ago
One of the best modern Korean dining experiences I've had! The menu is very small but the few things we got really stood out. We got three dishes and a dessert and weren't sure if this would be enough for two of us, but it was more than enough. Out of everything, the uni bibimbap was my favorite. The uni and shrimp were so fresh they were almost creamy in texture. The beef tartare paired with the bone marrow was also so delicious, and I liked that it came with fried lotus root to add some crispy textures. The scallop pancake was probably the best value out of everything we got. For $25, it had a lot of baby scallops and the pancake was so thick that we got full too fast. It also came with a creamy mentaiko sauce and I think that also made this dish feel heavier. It's probably the crispiest Korean pancake I've ever had. The dalgona cake was nice to have after a lot of savory food. It was light and not too sweet which was great because we were feeling really weighed down by everything, majority being from the pancake. I'd definitely come back and would try something new since items seem to rotate depending on the season. Parking is challenging with it being in the Chapman Market which already draws a huge crowd, and because the area gets a lot of traffic the street parking can be another challenge of its own. read more
Amazing Korean fusion restaurant! Quickly became one of my favorites in LA where the Korean food game is the strongest. The food was all so flavorful and delicious: Zabuton - the hype is real. This was super tender, juicy, and very flavorful. The meat comes sizzling on a pan. I will definitely get this again. Scallop seafood pancake - this was one of our favorites as well. A twist on traditional Korean seafood pancake - I love that they put so many scallops and it goes really well with the Mentaiko sauce. Beef tartare - one of the best beef tartare I've had, and I thought I had good ones before... the meat is fresh but the flavor is out of this world. As a group, we actually ordered every single drink on the menu lol our favorites were the night cap (has some sweet coffee flavor) and hwachae milk! Service was good, inside is super vibey, and a great place to eat and drink! Definitely make reservations! read more
9 months ago
Was just getting a casual dinner and then came here and my my was it elegant and chic! My friend and I split the scallion pancake (which yes has real scallions and I didn't realize what the boil looking bubbles were which the play on words and presentation threw me off greatly), the cold noodles which was such a great balance of flavors! The matchatini wasn't the sweetest but pretty good for a first one that I've tried and the lycheetini was just absolutely delectable! I would definitely come back here and perhaps try their award winning meat or fancy desserts!! read more
we've been waiting to try this place for several months and it was great! the service was good and the ambiance was comfortable and relaxed. food was amazing, and they have generous portions. we got the pork jowl, perilla cold noodle, scallop pancake, and mushroom bibimbap. everything was flavorful and the standout dish for us was the pork jowl. the cold noodle sauce was great but the texture of the noodles were a bit mushy. the scallop pancake was loaded with scallops and the mentaiko sauce with it was the incredible. the mushroom bibimbap was a good rice dish to pair with the pork jowl. we definitely will come back and next time will try the zabuton read more
1 month ago
Danbi was such a pleasant surprise! It's located in K Town and is in the same plaza as KazuNori. There is a small parking lot there that is valet or you can get street parking. The interior is very modern and the decor is nice. I made a reservation for 2 and was seated right away. The drinks and food blew me away! The flavors worked extremely well together and the service was very good. read more
This restaurant has quickly become one of my top Korean spots. The interior has a nice vibe and the food is great! It's definitely not your traditional homey mom and pop shop for an authentic Korean meal (which k-town has a plethora of) but their subtle twists on classic Korean dishes are unique and delicious! I would say my top dishes have been the Zabuton which comes with garlic rice, the scallop pancake and the mushroom bibimbap have been my favorites. However the parking situation is awful as the valet lot is usually filled. Maybe if you come on an off time or weekday you might be able to get lucky with the parking but both times I have been here it was a struggle. Besides that, I have nothing to fault regarding the restaurant itself! read more
1 month ago
Lovely restaurant, I really liked the ambience and the service was very friendly. I think my expectations were so high that I was a little let down, but overall it was a good experience. We ordered the beef tartare that comes with bone marrow (nice touch), uni bibimbap and pork jowl. We also had a few of their cocktails, and I loved their kimchi mule, so refreshing and delicious! I didn't like the Sesame Street but the Sweet Rain was pretty yummy. I'd highly recommend the kimchi mule if you make it out there. So interesting to fuse dongchimi into cocktails-- love it. Food wise, we enjoyed the beef tartare and uni bibimbap, but the pork jowl was just soaked in so much oil that I couldn't finish it. I get that pork is oily meat, but the way it was swimming in oil was very unappetizing. I'd come back and try their other dishes. I love that they're trying to make such innovative dishes with traditional Korean ingredients. Definitely worth a visit. read more
Goddamn soooooooo bomb!!!! Note: They don't have a full bar so if you're expecting cocktails made of spirits, this ain't the spot! But the bar menu is super creative soju cocktails and pairs really well with their food options! Very whimsical, loved it! Ok the food. Everything hit. EVERYTHING. That rarely happens especially at places attempting upscale Korean. My group ordered: Honey butter chips tartare Sliced pork jowl (omggggg my fave) Zabuton (super fatty, be ready for it) Scallop pancakes (bomb af) Crudo (nice fresh bite since everything was heavier) Uni bibimbap If you haven't gone or contemplating- just do it. Go with a bigger group so you can try everything! read more
If you're looking for a great date night or occasion to celebrate, I highly recommend Danbi. They have some amazing staff who are very knowledgeable and attentive. It was our anniversary and they were fantastic about it. The drinks are great, the matcha and the mule were super tasty. All of these dishes were super delicious. Their jowl was cooked to perfection and the zabuton was very tender. Every dish was amazing. I will definitely be coming back. read more
Definitely order the honey butter chips and scallop pancakes 10/10! Wish there was a soy based sauce for the scallop pancakes since the aioli was too heavy. Wagyu was fantastic too! Crudo was a hard miss though... fish was meh and the seasoning a bit too sweet for my palette. Ambience and service 10/10 too! read more
1 year ago
I loved: Uni Bibimbap Zabuton (Steak and Garlic Rice) Hwachae Milk I really liked: Scallop Pancake Nightcap Luv U So Matcha Barley Soju I liked: Kimchi Mule Raspberry Matcha This was ok: Honey Butter Chips Danbi hosts fantastic Korean #goodeats in an unassuming corner of a busy plaza. Shoutout to Calli the host for helping us find it -- it's easy to walk past, but what's inside is 100% worth the stop. Here's what stood out: Uni Bibimbap - Absolutely incredible. Rich, creamy uni flavor that coats the rice perfectly. The bites of sweet shrimp add just the right touch of sweetness and texture. Luxurious and balanced. Zabuton Steak and Garlic Rice - Steak cooked medium rare to perfection. The garlic rice is flavorful without being too strong, and the grilled onions bring it all together. Total comfort food done right. Hwachae Milk - Tastes like candy, and you can't even taste the alcohol. Sweet, smooth, and so easy to drink. Probably my favorite drink of the night. Scallop Pancake - Good but definitely on the heavier side. The pancake overpowers the scallop a bit, and it's best shared with a group. Not bad, just outshined by the other standouts. Nightcap - Our server forgot to bring it initially but totally made up for it with complimentary nightcap shots before we left. Great recovery and great service. Luv U So Matcha - Tasty and sweet, though the matcha flavor is a little subtle unless you're really drinking it down. Barley Soju - Amazing roasted barley tea flavor. If you love barley tea, you'll love this. Kimchi Mule - Strong, punchy kimchi flavor. Definitely a bold drink, and I really enjoyed it. Raspberry Matcha Tiramisu - Very raspberry-forward with a fluffy, creamy top. Not really a tiramisu, and the matcha cake was a bit dry, but still a fun dessert if you're into fruity flavors. Honey Butter Chips - These didn't do it for me. A little too sweet, and honestly not really worth ordering. They also packed up our leftovers with no problem, which is always appreciated. Danbi brings bold, creative flavors, thoughtful cocktails, and great service. Whether you're here for a full dinner or drinks and bites with friends, it's absolutely worth checking out. read more
2 days ago
1 year ago
4.5 stars! I was a big fan of Tokki when it used to occupy the same space but I am so glad Danbi is able to serve the same quality- though a bit different - they still execute elevated Korean fusion with precision and excellence. We got the zabuton, pork jowl, and the uni bibimbap and while the 1st two dishes were good the Uni Bibimbap was truly the star of the show and wow factor. While people think they may be able to buy the same ingredients and mirror the bibimbap bowl the way it was made was truly special that had secret ingredients and fusion of flavors - that even if I bought the same ingredients at Hmart I could not make the bowl taste the same nor the flavors blend as harmoniously as Danbi. The drinks were good and ambiance classy as well. Service was decent but I did notice that the server was telling the tables near us the daily specials and drinks but forgot to inform us. read more
danbi has been on the bucket list for a while now and we finally got around to it! we arrived as a walk in and only had our table for 70 minutes which was perfect timing in my opinion. the atmosphere was very instagram worthy! we ordered the wagyu and it was perfect. the rice it came with was 10/10 as well. service was great though it was on the pricier side, it is definitely worth it. 10/10 would come back :)))) read more
Modern Korean dishes in the heart of Koreatown. Went on a Friday night - was pretty busy and was a bit loud but not deafening where you can't hear your party. Decor was minimalist. Was seated and served promptly. Had the crudo, uni bibimbap, perilla cold noodles, and sliced pork jowl. Crudo wasn't bad, uni bibimbap was good but probably not worth the price ($50~). The noodles and pork jowl were awesome. Had a beer - was pretty good. Also had a strawberry tiramisu for dessert - which was not too sweet, a little tart. Overall, thought it was a good restaurant - probably wouldn't get the uni and crudo again, but the other dishes were delicious (especially the noodles) - would come again and try some of the meat dishes and mushroom bibimbap. read more
Managed to grab two seats at the bar right when they opened on a Thursday night!! Would definitely recommend reservations, even on a weeknight, if you want tables because it otherwise would've been a 1.5 hour wait for a table for us. Parking lot is $10 for parking or you can try your luck with ktown street parking. The menu was surprisingly smaller than I had expected but the mushroom bibimbap and scallop pancake we got were delicious!!! I personally didn't love the mentaiko sauce that came with the pancake but my friend loved pairing it with the crispy pancake. The bibimbap was also so simple but so well made and flavorful. I'd definitely come back and try other items on their menu but it'd be difficult since I'd also want to reorder these dishes. Cocktails and dessert menu also looked really yummy but we unfortunately didn't try any that night. Overall would be excited to come back. I loved the service, the food, and the vibes of the place and can see why they're so well rated! read more
Friday night girls dinner. Went to a sample sale first and had a reservation for Danbi, which we were super excited for. It's been on my list and I love Korean fusion and shareable plates. The ambience was loud in a lively, inviting way. Lots of groups. You could tell that some groups were getting ready to go out after dinner. Drinks were being had and the vibes were high. There was a compilation of early 2000s movie clips (like mean girls) that was playing on the projector on one of the walls. Lighting was generally low to set the mood and the decoration was kind of a mix between modern pocha / izakaya vibes with lots of plants everywhere including hanging from the ceiling. We ordered the tartare (bone marrow, burdock, egg, pine nut) with a bibimbap add-on, scallop pancake (baby scallops, mentaiko sauce), and sliced pork jowl (with korean pear and house red sauce) to share. We didn't get any drinks that night but their cocktails looked especially tasty and I'll definitely be trying the Kimchi Mule (house white kimchi, infused soju, ginger, lime, pear), Sesame Street (toasted black sesame soju, bokbunja, almond, egg white), or barley soju next time. They also seem to have a pretty big selection of soju, rice wine, and beer. There are even a couple mocktail options. The tartare came first, with the bibimbap. Bone marrow and tartare are always delicious together, especially with the egg yolk on top. The fried burdock root added a nice crunch. Paired with the bibimbap, that was rice, sweet pickled veggies, and seaweed made it a more complete dish. Tartare is pretty standard but I'd say bone marrow tartare bibimbap is pretty unique. 8/10. The scallop pancake was fantastic. It's pretty heavy, so it's hard to eat too much of it. But the juicy scallops, crispiness, creamy mentaiko sauce, and spritz of lime to balance it the fat were SO GOOD together. I think the batter also really made a difference. Thick enough to hold everything together and have that satisfying, carby, chewy texture, but also cooked through and super crispy on the outside. 9/10. Pork jowl is usually one of my favorite cuts of meat at kbbq. This one came very thinly sliced, with green onion kimchi that we were told to wrap with the pork jowl and dip in the sauce. It was so delicious eaten this way. One bite with a thin slice of fatty meat, herby and fresh kimchi, and sweetness from the pear and sauce. I love little bites like this. 8.5/10. I would definitely come back and try other menu items, especially the uni bibimbap with Korean raw shrimp and perilla cold noodles. And the cocktails! Fun spot for dinner. Seems like they can accommodate larger groups too. Great food. Good vibes. read more
More info about Danbi
3465 W 6th St
Ste 90-100
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Wilshire Center, Koreatown
Directions
(818) 527-2213
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http://www.danbi-la.com
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Ask the Community - Danbi
Are reservations required for the specific dine LA menu?
i don't believe so but reservations there are always a good idea as they do get crowded.
Is this restaurant kids friendly?
Kids are welcome but we would recommend an earlier time and on days outside of Friday and Saturday as our restaurant is on the more energetic and louder side. Thanks!
Is there anything gluten free or that can be gluten free?
For gluten free options, we have our pork dishes without the sauce (most of our sauces contain soy sauce), beef tartare (modified), and Mushroom bibimbap without the bibimbap sauce. Hope this helps and please do mention to your server! Also, our…
Is it dog friendly restaurant?
We do not allow pets/animals as we do not have an outdoor space and in consideration to our other guests and staff.
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Danbi - korean - Updated September 2026
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