I had to cook overnight, so I was feeling grumpy and exhausted. I decided to stop by this cozy little restaurant for a comforting bowl of soup. I ordered Soondae-guk (Korean blood sausage soup), one of the most popular and common breakfast dishes in Korea. It was exactly the warm, comforting meal I needed after a long night. Soondae is made by stuffing beef or pork intestines with various ingredients, making it quite similar to sausage in the way it's prepared. The rich broth and nutty perilla seed powder felt like they washed away all the fatigue from the previous night. Although the restaurant was small and cozy, the owner's warm hospitality made the meal even more enjoyable. read more

See all

This is the best meal I had in LA so far. The owner is so nice and the meal was so good. Service was amazing and I am in love.

A place I will forever gatekeep. The place is small (about five tables) and is very much home style Korean food for very cheap price. A place that Korean grandmas and moms would like and not complain about if they just wanted classic Korean food. Sorry, but they don't have an english menu. So bring your friend who can speak/read Korean! Street parking only read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - side dishes - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Hole-in-the-wall spot!! My friend has been craving Soondae and she took me to her favorite place! Don Don Lee Soondae is small inside with around 4-5 tables. We ordered the Korean Sausage "Soondae" Plate and Steamed Dumplings. The plate comes with slices of blood sausage and boiled meats. The Soondae is made of pork blood, glass noodles, and glutinous rice. We got the medium blood sausage combo, but we asked if can only do the blood sausage only! The Banchan was delicious! The Steamed Dumplings are SUPER filling! It was definitely a great starter! The Soondae was super fresh and authentic! Remember to eat the Soondae with the pickled jalapenos and salt for dipping! Can't wait to come back for their Soondae plate! read more

See all

Best soondae guk in Ktown. The service or food is up to debate which is greater. You'll understand the love and pride they put into their food on the first taste. read more

Mom and Pop traditional Korean Food. Homemade! I had the seaweed soup and will be back for more. The side dishes are amazing! I can eat those all day long. They have a spicy stir fried squid that looks delicious. read more

I need to mention the cleanliness first. If you are like me, and gets grossed out seeing sticky condiment containers and utensils, this is your haven. They keep the table, utensils and condiment containers so clean, you will feel super comfortable. Never seen any restaurant that peovides the utensils in hot water to show how serious they are about sanitation. The soondae soup was legit and their banchans were soooo good too!!! The ladies were so friendly too so this will be my go to place for soon dae soup going forward. read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Soondae gook(blood sausage and mixed meat(tongue, ears..etc) soup. Sooooo yumm! - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

The first time I passed it and didn't know it was a restaurant. This place was small and quant but it had the feeling that I was going to be served something special. And I ordered the suggested blood sausage combo (small) which is more than enough for 2 people to share and the Pollock soup that came hot and steamy. The service was very kind and generous. They treated you with the familiarity that you are interested in trying something new. And I was definitely surprised by how good it tasted. By far the best definition of a mom and pop Korean shop that's a hidden gem. Looking forward to coming back to try the food with friends read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Pollack Soup is great during the cold winter with lots of side dishes to choose from. - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

I really really wanted to like this place bc hole in the wall spots are my jam. I got the soondae soup and I found it to be very porky (not in a good way). I also got a combo soondae and while the soondae itself is ok, the rest of the organ meats were pretty tough. The banchan they give you is bombbb though and their kimchi is perfect for gookbap. I'm not sure if I'd come back for another go considering there are so many other great gookbap options in ktown :( Also I tried making soondae bokkkeum with the leftover soondae and it was still so porky that I gave up eating it halfway. I absolutely love soondae so this was a travesty for me :( read more

Such a hidden gem! Food and service all great. $10 for breakfast including soup, rice, and 6 side dishes is incredible. $12.99 for SoonDae soup was great as well. Grilled fish (GaJaMi) tasted great without any fish smell. They said they dried them on their own. Server was very attentive to check if we would need any side dishes, like she was reading my mind. They had a very welcoming ambiance, Juhng in Korean, that they really want to feed customers well with the highest care they show, even to strangers. I appreciate feeling that welcome from Korean restaurants, but not all Korean restaurants offer that welcoming feeling. Their open time 7am also helped a lot, as waiting until 9am to have breakfast starves me. It's a small restaurant with 4-5 tables. The chef and server made it so nice and warm. I took my spouse here for their birthday and ate there several times during my last visit to LA. I will definitely want to go back here next time I would be around. Please stay strong and have this business for a long time. read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Seaweed soup, GaJaMi, & SoonDae soup. - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place is a very cute and cozy restaurant but don't let the visual fool you. The food was so good and staff were so wonderful. Even though they were busy, everyone was friendly and attentive. I ordered SoonDae (korean blood sausage) and GulJun (oyster pancake) food came out super fast. Every Banchan (side dishes) were delicious and put together very neatly. My favorite SoonDae place was closed so I chose this place thanks to yelp and I'm so glad I came by. SoonDae had No smell, wasn't dry at all and casing wasn't chewy. read more

hole-in-the-wall restaurant entrance from ardmore on the corner of 8th...pink racoon looking cartoon character...opens 6:30am with $10 korean soup breakfast specials until 10am...korean comfort food served...small restaurant with couple tables in a humble environment...taking a kong-guksoo (bean broth noodles) $15.50...an acquired taste for those who love the earthy flavors of the thick ground soybean broth...served cold with hint of salt...quite refreshing and good...others taking the dweji gukbap (pork soup with rice) $16.50...clean white flavorful broth loaded with pork...garnish with green onions and season as needed, but quite a hearty soup...soondae-guk (blood sausage soup) $16 is similar soup, but served with blood sausages on the side...soups were delicious and hearty...filling for an adult...while the location and atmosphere is quite humble, the food is traditional korean and soups are quite soothing... read more

See all

so fire! legit a hole in the wall place with a korean grandma cooking. she was super sweet as well read more

Great spot for Korean food! Given the name of this place we of course had to order the Soondae Plate, which was great! It's a shame there are so few soondae places in LA but this place delivers. We also ordered the Pork Soup with Rice, which went great with the soondae. Definitely worth the visit! read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - soondae plate: so good! - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Don't let the humble hole-in-the-wall facade fool you. I understand why this place has stellar reviews. The petite auntie is super sweet and efficient. All of the tables were full, but somehow, she managed to be at the right place at the right time. The stir-fried soondae was melt-in-the-mouth yum and so savory. The clear broth soup that I did not get the name of, with chunks of pork, had that umami richness. The pork was very fresh and tender. The kimchi was served fermented but not overdone. The kimchi pancakes were also perfectly done. It was a perfect meal. I can't rave about it enough. Don't forget to get your canned soda for $1.50 a pop. read more

See all

WOW! i havent had this feeling of "home cooked" meal in awhile! This place hits the spot! Ordered small Soondae Plate and Soybean Jjigae. VERY GOOD. Soondae lover like myself had tried many (probably all of soondae places in LA & OC) places but this place tops it all. All this for $30?? Cant beat that. Slices of liver was the far best and the freshest liver i've ever had. I will be back! read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - (S) Soondae Plate + soybean jjigae - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Affordable, fast, and delicious. Perfect morning soup place! Recommend their morning specials and soondae! They even give you fried eggs for the morning specials. read more

Small mom and pop shop that sells Korean soup I was craving pork blood sausage and this definitely hit the spot! read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Pork Blood Sausage soup - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

It's a cozy little mom-and-pop joint, but man oh man is their soondae amazing! A small soondae combo runs about $16.50 and the soondae tastes so clean and fresh, without that sort of musky meat flavor that soondae can sometimes have. The liver that came with the combo was also very fresh and SO tasty. We called ahead and the order was ready within 10 min. They also give you a generous serving of the salty tiny shrimp dip, as well as pickled jalapenos and red salt for dipping. Would highly recommend! read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Small soondae combo, about $16.50. Delicious and super fresh! - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I was in the area for a consulate appointment and wanted authentic Korean food. It was pretty chilly after the rain so I thought I would get 순대국 (soondaeguk). Soondaeguk can be a little tricky - even from some famous soondaeguk places in Korea you may get this "pork smell/aftertaste" which turns you off. This place's soondaeguk didn't have that. It was clean and comforting, and hit the spot. It was just what I wanted for a chilly morning. All banchan dishes were good too. Most importantly, the ladies who tend the shop were so sweet and clean. The lady who served the food took care in putting banchan in each dish in a clean and delicate manner, which I really appreciated. Everything was served to me in a way that I felt I was cared for. She gave me space to enjoy the food but also checked if I needed more banchan dishes or anything else in a very sweet, nice, low-key way. I really really appreciated her service. The place was small, but very homey and clean. I definitely recommend this place for a nice, authentic Soondaeguk. This place made a two hour drive to the consulate worth it. read more

Tried this place for the first time -- SOOOOO GOOD . It's a small mom and pop shop, but it was so worth it. The texture was good and had it during rainy season. They brought the food out so quickly too! Worth it - read more

The ladies who work here are so friendly! Their pork soup is full of meat and delicious. I'm a fan

The soondae is good but. No more liver or stomach pieces on th side.. kinda like a burger with no fries.. isn't complete.

I am browned away by how good the food is. You can tell when a restaurant is good by their banchan. Kimchi was so good! Pepper was fresh and crisp!! We got the galbi soup and fish soup. It was amazing!! I am a soondae lover and this place did it so well!! It taste so fresh and soft. Just like what everyone else is saying. Everything just taste so fresh and clean. Definitely coming back for more!!! read more

Amazing home cooked style food. We got doenjang soup, pollack soup, and soondae soup which was all delicious and the side dishes did not disappoint! I recommend this restaurant read more

Hearty traditional soondaeguk with lots of meats. Soup had different kinds of innards. It was well cooked without smell, My mom had Kong/guksu (cold bean soup) with potato pancake combo. It was only $13.99. Bang for the bucks. Place is tiny and old but good place to fix my craving read more

See all

It is very clean side dishes. I ordered fish called "Gajemi"- so crispy and delicious and spice soondae soup. It was a good pair. Very friendly staff and served well with extra side dish that I liked. read more

See all

I thought the food I had were average. I kinda want to go back to try other food on the menu though. read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Soondae soup and KimChee pancake. - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Another hole in the wall of Koreatown, and another solid! They focus on soondae and other homey soups. The interior is exactly what you'd expect from a hole in the wall and seats around 15. Their kimchi is good, but their ggakdugi is fantastic. They serve asparagus and pickled jalapenos as a side dish. The small soondae is definitely too much for one person, so plentiful serving sizes. I also ordered the soy bean noodle (congguksoo) that is seasonal and it was decent as well. I heard from the owner and other locals that the dwejigukbap (pork rice + soup) and the sengtaejjigae (Pollack soup) are the best on the menu besides the soondae. Would have to come back to try those and see if they blow my mind! read more

See all

This place has Best Soondae and Spicy Soup in Ktown. Their soondae (Korean blood sausage) is super tasty. The spicy soup hits the perfect level of heat and is really good. The place has a cozy vibe and the staff is friendly. Portions are good. It's walking distance which is nice for me. read more

This place is the real gem! The place can be small and the neighborhood can be little sketchy though. After tasting the banchan/kimchi, I knew right away that the food's going to be good. The soondae soup and mandu was so good. The service was beyond good. I'm going back to try other soups and dishes. read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Very gooddddd! Quick, super fresh and top notch service/pickup experience. Got the potato pancake that was made fresh and a small soondae plate. Came with a small bowl of broth on the side. It was about 15min walk home and the food was still piping hot and fresh when unpacked. Don't miss out! read more

I can't believe it took me so long to find this gem!! The quality of their food and banchan is seriously so hard to find these days. Just LOOK at the organization!! They give you SO much banchan and they actually all taste amazing. Their radish kimchi is the BEST... It's probably because the super sweet grandma here pours a lotta love into her cooking :') Ive only tried the soondae guk & ground soybean stew so far (both delicious) but they have a pretty diverse range of dishes which I'm excited to try! read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Soondae guk + banchan - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

It took me 15 minutes and two phone calls to figure out the name of this place that my coworker raved about for their kimchi jjigae. We ordered for my coworker's birthday lunch and although they don't have delivery through any food delivery services, it was close enough to work that I was able to run out and pick it up. The soup was bland so you definitely have to add salt but the BANCHAN was delicious. I ate every last piece of everything. The soon dae was a little hard but great after you dip it in the shrimp sauce and into your soup. Highly recommend for reasonably priced soup (4 soondae gook combos for $64). read more

Amazing breakfast place and soondae place. The place is run by an owner who reminds of ajumma in small hole-in-wall in Korea. Its cozy and sit down is allowed. Recommend !!! read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Soon dae small - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came here for home-made style Korean food. I ordered the Kimchi stew and Potato pancake! Their food is by far the best I have ever had :P So great and delicious that I couldn't stop eating. I will come back and recommend this place read more

Tried this place with a bit of doubt first. Had no one who tried this place when asked around. To my surprise, the soon dae was quite good. Bought just soon dae since my friend doesn't eat any liver or anything. Simple and good. Soon Will try others when i come to LA read more

It was so delicious.. the broth was so rich and flavorful.. The owner was so kind also.. I had to pick up order during Covid-19, yet I was able to eat at the outside patio table. If you love soondae broth this is must try place... read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Soondae and soondae broth - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Super authentic, tiny hole in the wall restaurant. The soondae tastes just like in Korea. The lady who works there (maybe the owner?) was super friendly and attentive. read more

Don Don Lee Soondae - Soondaeguk - Korean Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Don Don Lee Soondae is a gem. The food is GOOD. Soondae has good bite/texture and balanced flavor - goes nicely with either the salt or salted shrimp. I am sensitive to gamey, strong odors so one reviewer's/comment about the soondae being 'porky not in a good way' caught my eye, but to me the soondae tasted subtle and refined. Banchan is fresh, tasty, and varied - shows care/attention! Same said for everything I've ever had here. Ground soybean stew ("kongbiji jjigae") is not easy to find, and the one here reminds me of my grandma Kind and welcoming ambiance. I am so grateful this place exists. read more