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    Gaju Gimbap

    4.0 (128 reviews)
    ModerateKorean
    Closed 8:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Gaju Gimbap Photos

    GAJU GIMBAP ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Gaju Gimbap

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    Sarah S.

    Back in the corner of California Market, furthest from the parking entrance, you'll find the Gaju Gimbap stand. Because it's in the market, it makes it super easy to pop over here during my lunch hour. I can drive over, park in the free garage on the top floor for idyllic views, get any groceries I need along with the gimbap, then I'm back home on my laptop 60 minutes later. You can grab one of their already prepared gimbaps like I do if you want to grab & go, paying right at their own separate register. Or you can order off their menu if something you want isn't already out. Bulgogi is always reliable, crab, fish cakes, ham - they have many fillings to choose from ~ tuna is usually my go to. But they also have some soups, fried rice and fried tofu options, as well if Gimbap isn't for you. But...gimbap is amazing! California Market Gimbap (often called Gaju Gimbap as Gaju loosely translates to our english slang of Cali) has been open 10 years now and is truly the best in Koreatown! My friend and I love getting gimbap from here! It's priced well, fresh & big portions and it's always delicious.

    북어국
    Kathy M.

    This is located in the back of the California market. They have a variety of gimbap, noodles, soups, and combos with half a roll of kimbap & a noodle dish, inexpensive and fast service. Seating is limited but people eat quickly & leave, being considerate of others standing & waiting. We enjoy eating here then shop & the market. Remember, don't shop with an empty stomach.

    Daniel H.

    Gaju Kimbap!! This is the best kimbap spot in LA! It's not particularly fancy or flashy--it's just like the kimbap your mom would make. There's nothing overly special about it, but the seasoning of the ingredients is just right, and everything blends together perfectly. Plus, the prices are still very affordable, making it a comfortable place to enjoy a meal, even on your own.

    Diet Tuna Kimbap
    Hanna T.

    Simple shop you can't go wrong with. The kimbap is filling, cheap, and delicious. I love their diet version and it comes out pretty quick. Hidden gem I absolutely love!

    Tuna Diet Roll
    Salvina L.

    My absolute favorite roll here is the tuna kimbap and they deliver a consistently good roll every time at a really good price. I like that they offer a diet roll option, which replaces the rice with egg. This option is $1 more than getting a normal roll. Arguably I think this style of kimbap for the tuna roll tastes better than with rice. However for the beef roll I prefer it with rice instead of egg, because the texture works better together like that. This is a no frills spot where you can either order to go or eat there. Parking in the California Market structure is free.

    Only $19 for a satisfying meal
    Aiko K.

    Gaju Gimbap, thank you for always being our comfort meal that doesn't disappoint us!! We have been here at least 4x now (within 3 months) and their food always hit the spot. Few days ago we were disappointed by a pho restaurant that was charging $20 for the worst pho I've ever had and we took 2 sips of their soup and left.. To make up for it we knew Gali Gimbap would satisfy our soup craving so we drove over to Ktown and sure enough, we had a great meal for less than $19 (for 2 ppl!). There is always a line every time we come here and there's limited seating next to the restaurant but you can take your food to go and eat it on the rooftop on top of the market! The service is great too every time we come here.. I just wish they would sell their kimchi because I would buy a tub of that immediately!

    Solid Ktown meal lol
    Troy B.

    Love Kimbap and this place is SO great for the price. No frills but just homey, hearty food. It's a quick pick-up stall in the back left corner of California Market and truly a hidden gem. I'm pretty picky about the ratios in my kimbaps, but they really have this down. It's the ideal ratio of protein to veggies to rice. Generally, I tend to prefer less rice, and I feel like they do that well. The prices are also very reasonable for the amount of food you get.

    1st floor, tucked in the back of California market
    Jane L.

    Food taste great and is freshly made. The price is fantastic. Plenty of free parking. Don't know what else you can ask for. This shop is on the 1st floor in the back of the California market.

    Half tuna/half crab diet kimbap
    Christina K.

    My go-to kimbap deli in ktown. I come here at least once a week. I usually get half tuna/half sausage. Sometimes I switch it up with crab (imitation), which is like a Koreanized california roll. They also have excellent kimbap and noodle combos. I usually get the tuna kimbap with the janchi noodles, which is a simple, homey noodle soup with anchovy broth and veggies. Tip: You can now order "diet", keto-style kimbap that subs egg for rice, as well half and half mixed filling for a double roll order! (Instead of 1 roll of tuna and 1 roll of sausage, you get 2 rolls of tuna and sausage mixed filling!)

    Tuna diet roll and cheese diet roll
    Cece L.

    I love that this place is inside the market! I can place my order, browse the market, then pick up my food. You have to pay at this booth. They make delicious gimbap! Very flavorful and seasoned well. If you don't like rice, you can ask for diet roll and they replace the rice with egg!! Perfect for people watching their calorie intake as well. You can see my picture to see what the diet rolls look like. I was satisfied and happy with the portion and cost.

    Beef Gimbap
    Cindy N.

    Initially I came to the supermarket in search of the Korean corn dog spot and ended up walking around inside the supermarket exploring then stumbled upon this Gimbap spot. It was pretty busy at night and wanted to give it a try considering I really love Gimbap and there were so many types of Gimbap available! I settled in trying the beef gimbap with something I'm familiar with. The portions were so filling and really great ratio of meat to veggies. It all went so well together. Overall, it was totally worth visiting this spot!

    Aiza C.

    Amazing kimpap!! the best i've ever had! The dopokki was okay, great prices though. There is like 5 tables and it's inside a market!

    Seaweed soup with a side of rice, fresh kimchi and pickled radish
    Katie W.

    We got their seaweed soup and tuna kimbap. The food is so good and the portions are nice! The seaweed soup came with a side of fresh kimchi. It's delicious! I highly recommend this place.

    Menu 12/4/22

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    4 months ago

    Amazing food and service . Loooooooveee the pace and people looooooveeeeeeeee the place

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    11 months ago

    Since change of ownership and the ladies making kimbap.... It doesn't taste the same. Pricing still can't be beat for two rolls.

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    1 year ago

    The lady taking the order is extremely rude, food is good but service has been negative, will not come back anymore

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    1 year ago

    Underrated spot. One of the best Gimbap I've ever tried in ktown market. Extremely fast service. Prices affordable and quantity is ample.

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    Page 1 of 4

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    Hangari Kalguksu

    Hangari Kalguksu

    4.4
    (3.3k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    10 years in business

    I came here with a big group of 10 people and we were allowed to make a reservation! Since we did…read morehave a lot of people we were excited to eat family style. The service was also quick. The restaurant was kind of small but it was clean. Everything was so flavorful and delicious! Seafood kalguksu 9/10: it was def filled with various seafoods. The flavor was super bold and a bit spicy but not intolerable. I love the texture of the noodles. Perfectly cooked. Bossam 9/10: also such an amazing dish! Perfect ratio of fat to meat. I do wish that for this large plate they gave us more cabbage. We ended up ordering more for $5 but I think it should be included given the amount of meat. Parking was valet and it's a small lot. I think we paid $5 for parking. I think there's also street parking but we wanted to play it safe and just do valet. Overall it's such nice place to eat with a group of friends. The portions are large and food taste better shared!!

    Good but not amazing. I was expecting to be mind blown by the amount of people who rave about this…read moreplace but I think it is pretty on par with many other Korean places in ktown. I especially wanted to try their bossam but didn't think it was out of the ordinary. With that said, food was still very good. Parking was difficult to find (obviously it's ktown) but they do offer valet. Food comes out very quick. I would recommend coming with a group because portions are large so you can try many things.

    Photos
    Belly and Jowl & Chicken-KALGUKSU
    Belly and Jowl & Chicken-KALGUKSU
    Bossam jowl combo
    Bossam jowl combo
    (MEDIUM) Hangari Bossam (Serves 2)

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    (MEDIUM) Hangari Bossam (Serves 2)
    Kobawoo House

    Kobawoo House

    4.3
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Found this place by mistake. We were in the area due to the Mexico/Korea match and were starving…read more We consulted yelp and Google and settled on this place. I really wanted authentic Korean food that was not kbbq and not tofu and this place delivered! This restaurant is in a small strip mall. The strip mall has other Korean food options. They have a valet parking system of sorts but we didn't pay, we self parked. The attendant told us we were fine. It was approx 9pm when we arrived and also a week night. I have no idea how much valet parking is here. We were a small party of two. Upon arrival, we were notified they were out of RICE. Um..what?? That's a good problem (for them to have) but not for consumers. I feel this really limited our options to just soup. I honestly didn't want soup but there wasn't much else we could order. The bowls were large and came out piping hot. It was a satisfying meal and not too heavy. The price point was on the pricey side. Our waiter told us business has not been the same post covid. Some dishes are between $40-$60. I asked for a soup and they were able to make it less spicy. My friend got a soup with dumplings in it. He put a good amount of soy sauce to give the broth some life. Also, the banchan is on point. We asked for a refill and devoured the second portions. If you wanna impress friends with Korean food, bring them here! Its a casual place.

    Was hungry for bossam and chungukjang so went to kobawoo. It's been a couple years since I came…read morehere but it seems to have died down on popularity. Restaurant was half empty and no Ike which surprised us on a Saturday night. Ordered some bossam and chungukjang and it didn't taste the same as it used to couple years ago. Not sure what the issue was but it lacked flavor. Also they were cleaning the kitchen while serving food which was kinda not sanitary with all the water splashing on the floor of the kitchen while they were making food. Overall it's not what it used to be and cleaning the kitchen while making and serving food is not a good combo.

    Photos
    Popular place. Had to wait 30 minutes for a table for 6 on a weekday at 6:15pm which is not bad!
    Popular place. Had to wait 30 minutes for a table for 6 on a weekday at 6:15pm which is not bad!
    Kimchi Jjigae
    Kimchi Jjigae
    Jangban Guksoo Vegan

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    Jangban Guksoo Vegan
    Borit Gogae

    Borit Gogae

    4.4
    (520 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    Good features: - off-street parking lot behind the building…read more- immediately seated (almost every time we go) - warm, friendly staff - interior was extremely home-like and familiar. this place has a very calming ambiance and attitude overall The food: - Set menu for two: we order this prefix meal every time. It's so much food and there are so many unique flavors and textures. Notable favorites: the perilla seed soup, acorn jelly salad, water kimchi, doenjang jjigae and the final piece of Gotgamssam at the end. I was very full but also felt pretty light. They're very sparing on salt and fat on this one. I loved it.

    Looking for a healthy vegan meal in Ktown LA? Look no further, come over to Borit gogae. They…read moreoffer a preset menu but do require minimum of two orders. If you ever had Korean Bibimbop, this is similar but with some minor differences. This one uses a barley rice base (compared to white rice in Bibimbop). The barley rice is topped your choice of about 15 different side dishes of lightly flavored savory mountain roots, greens, mushrooms, and peppers. Comes with a soy bean paste that you use to further season. Just mix everything in a larger bowl and serve. OMG. Absolutely incredible!!!!!!!!!! Before this main course, you do get three small bites (pumpkin porridge, scorched rice/tea, and tempura). Additionally three different sides are also served (acorn jelly salad, Korean escargot/snail dish, steamed cabbage), along with perilla chicken soup, and soy bean soup, the latter which is the most traditional Korean dish. Last for dessert you get red bean porridge, dried persimmon rolls, and plum tea. Nothing like this in all of SoCal. A must come and try for all.

    Photos
    Restaurant decor- art work and Korean figurines
    Restaurant decor- art work and Korean figurines
    Barley rice mixed with side dishes
    Barley rice mixed with side dishes
    Grilled spareribs

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    Grilled spareribs
    Ham Ji Park

    Ham Ji Park

    4.2
    (1.8k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$

    Really sad that Ham Ji Park is closing down permanently. For years, this place has been our…read morefamily's go-to place for pork spare ribs - the best in town. In fact, we regularly brought visitors here. They raved about how good the spare ribs were and even insisted that their last meal before LA should be at Ham Ji Park.  Here's my belated review of what I consider the best spare ribs in LA. From the moment the Korean-style spare ribs arrived at the table, it was clear this was a dish worth savoring. Each rib bore a beautifully charred exterior--deeply caramelized without a hint of bitterness--offering that irresistible smoky aroma the moment it was placed before us. The glaze was nothing short of spectacular. A perfect balance of sweet and spicy, it clung to the meat with a glossy sheen that promised flavor in every bite. There was just enough heat to make your taste buds sit up and pay attention, but it never overwhelmed the deeper, richer notes of the sweet components. But what truly set these ribs apart was the texture. Beneath the charred surface lay meat so tender it practically fell off the bone with the gentlest tug of a fork. Each bite was juicy and succulent, the result of careful cooking and a respect for quality ingredients. Ham Ji Park, you will be missed. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for the food.

    tl;dr the delectable pork ribs overshadow the otherwise authentic but standard lineup at this…read morenow-shuttered Korean stalwart Los Angeles Koreatown is home to restaurants that specialize in every facet of Korean cuisine. If you're searching for some of the city's best pork, then those in the know will bring up Ham Ji Park. For 2 decades, generous platters of pork ribs and pork neck stew decked every table. Now, our Korean friends lament the loss of their favorite pork joint in the city. The Koreatown proper location is located in the Royal Plaza mini-mall, just a few blocks off bustling Wilshire. Discounted parking is available in a lot across the street from the Chevron gas station. From the street, the entrance is flanked by potted plants and an enclosed street-ery. Inside, stainless steel chairs are pressed up against wooden tables, each outfitted with a metal grill. Oppressive fluorescent lighting shines down on the stone grey walls, which are left undecorated apart from a few flatscreens. Multi-lingual chatter blends with the sizzle of platters. I visited with some friends for a weeknight dinner, and about half of the tables were occupied. We shared a spread of grilled platters and sizzling soups. The meal began with a carafe of barley tea and a mostly standard spread of banchan. Across our food, the best dish was the signature Charbroiled Pork Spare Rib. The ribs were flavorful without feeling gamey, and the meat was complemented by sweet caramelized onions. The pork ribs handily outdid the good-not-great Charbroiled Beef Short Rib. Lastly, the Milt and Cod Rose with Vegetables stew was fishy and briny, appropriately flavored for the Korean palate. The service was appropriately attentive, although I would've appreciated more intentional refills of our banchan ramikens. The rib plates cost upward of $35 each, while the soup was just under $30. The portions were hearty; a single entree platter could reasonably feed 2 moderately hungry bellies. It's a shame to hear that Ham Ji Park has closed; I'm kicking myself for not trying their pork neck stew earlier.

    Photos
    Ham Ji Park
    Ham Ji Park
    Ham Ji Park

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    Ahgassi Gopchang

    Ahgassi Gopchang

    4.3
    (2.8k reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$$

    We love Ahgassi Gopchang. We don't live in Los Angeles, in fact we are over 400 miles north. But…read morewhenever we're in the area, it is a must stop for our family. We enjoyed the Large Beef Combo. There were 5 of us, but my grandaughter is a vegetarian. The meat, all the sides, the service, the atmosphere, everything was perfect. As for my grandaughter, she found plenty to eat that allowed her to enjoy the experience as well. I would recommend Ahgassi Gopchang to everyone. At least try it once. You will keep coming back.

    We ordered the set menu, and the quality of the meats was a bit mixed--some cuts were excellent,…read morewhile others were just okay. The service, however, was outstanding and definitely one of the highlights of our visit. If it's your first time visiting, finding the entrance can be a little confusing. We parked on the street and spent a few minutes trying to figure out where to go. For anyone visiting, it's much easier to enter through the parking lot, where the restaurant entrance is located. The banchan (side dishes) were quite good, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere inside. The decor was fun and unique, making the dining experience feel more special. Overall, the food was good, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was enjoyable. I'd come back, especially for the service and the overall experience.

    Photos
    Beef brisket with bean sprouts
    Beef brisket with bean sprouts
    Steamed egg
    Steamed egg
    Super close up of the large intestines. How does it look?

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    Super close up of the large intestines. How does it look?

    Gaju Gimbap - korean - Updated June 2026

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