Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    KOBUNGA

    4.3 (252 reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Barbeque
    Open 10:45 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    KOBUNGA Photos

    Business Info

    KOBUNGA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    More like KOBUNGA

    Recommended Reviews - KOBUNGA

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    soy sauce pickles, korean cabbage slaw, japchae with pork belly
    Rita C.

    came here to eat after the yelp event at the california science museum because i wanted dulce nearby! i got the build your own with japchae, pork belly, soy sauce pickled cucumbers, and the korean cabbage slaw. the japchae was pretty flavorful and paired well with the pork belly, as the pork belly didn't have much flavor. i wish it had more vegetables in the japchae, but the slaw and cucumbers made up for it! my partner got the kimchi pickles and i actually liked those more than the soy sauce ones! seating is outdoors at the USC village and you can ask for a cup of water at the counter!

    Drink selection
    Kat C.

    I first visited Kobunga about a year ago and was super impressed. As someone who's gluten-free, it's rare to find Korean food that accommodates that--and Kobunga really stood out. Most of the menu is gluten-free, which was such a pleasant surprise! Huge bonus: the kimchi is vegan, so no fish sauce or shrimp like traditional versions. That alone made me happy. However, during that first visit, I was told the dumplings were gluten-free by the front staff... unfortunately, they weren't--and I found out the hard way. The good news is the owners were incredibly kind and proactive. They apologized, took it seriously, and made sure to update the staff and labeling so future customers wouldn't have the same issue. I really appreciated that accountability. Fast forward to a year later--I finally made it back (I live far, or I would've come back sooner!). I was excited to try more items and went with a plate this time instead of a bowl. In hindsight, I should've stuck with the bowl--it felt like you get more bang for your buck that way. I definitely got more beef in my bowl during the first visit than I did on this plate. Still, that doesn't mean it wasn't delicious--the bulgogi and short rib were both flavorful and tender. The chapchae was also really good, and the kimchi, though a bit on the sweeter side for me, was still tasty. The staff were friendly, and overall it was a solid experience. Not quite as wow'd as my first time, but I'll definitely be back when I'm in the area again. Still one of the better gluten-free-friendly Korean spots around!

    Bowl - Beef Bulgogi
    Maria S.

    One of the best features of USC is the Village - and Kobunga is my favorite place to have lunch! The bulgogi is so good. I love their bowls. Everything is so flavorful. The employees are so friendly and always happy to give recommendations. Reasonable prices too. So glad to have this option for Korean food at USC!

    Beef bulgogi bowl

    I ordered a beef bulgogi bowl via a delivery app. When it arrived, it was still warm, a good sign of the preparation Kobunga took in completing the order. The bulgogi was flavorful and chewy, with very little tough meat or super fatty cuts. The rice was your standard part of the bowl, but thankfully they didn't make the bowl where the rice was the vast majority of the dish. Some vegetables and corn were also added to the bowl, which made for a good mix when you stirred it up! Lastly, spicy yet slightly sweet sauce was added for that extra kick! All in all, Kobunga has a great beef bulgogi bowl, which is something you should try if you visit!

    TBDT (Soft Tofu)
    Mallory C.

    Pretty good spot in USC Village with quick service and delicious food! I've gotten the TBDT (The Best Damn Tofu) and the USC Special (Slow Cooked Short Rib). Both were really good, but I will say they don't include a lot of protein, but always include a ton of rice. As for sides, the Soy Sauce Pickles were incredible. Never had those before! And the lemonade has free refills! I really enjoyed the yuzu lemonade.

    Price
    Nick L.

    Korean style food with modifications that cater to wider customers. The pork tastes great. If you want to avoid the crowds and save time during dining rush hours, it will be an alternative option.

    Build Your Own Plate (Short Rib & Pork Belly)
    Theresa L.

    I got the Build Your Own Plate with pork belly, and it was DELICIOUS!! The meat melts in your mouth and is very tender and juicy. I love the paring between the side and base with the meat. The short rib is also very flavorful and tender. The side of kimchi also tasted very fresh! A super delicious meal near campus. The food was ready very quickly, and the staff is very nice too! Plenty of seating around USC Village, and the underground parking lot is very convenient. I wish I gave this place a try earlier, but I liked it so much I went back two days in a row.

    Helga W.

    Stopped in after Trader Joe's. Service was prompt. While I was browsing the menu I was immediately greeted. I ordered a chicken bowl and was asked if I wanted rice, noodles or salad. I didn't get to read the fill menu so I was caught off guard. I got noodles, which is jap chae. I was thinking yakisoba when I hear noodles. Bowl was served in a reusable, microwavable container. It came with sour pickles and coleslaw. The pickles were reminisce of American sour pickles rather than Korean, so the sides were kinda weird. Chicken was cooked well and jap chae was cooked well. The drinks are great. I tried the plum lemonade and yuzu lemonade. Plum was sour and sweet. Perfect balance. Did not taste the yuzu too well, but it's perfect lemonade.

    Build Your Own Plate -1/2 white rice -1/2 japchae noodles -BBQ Chicken -Side Sauteed Corn -Side Korean Cabbage Slaw -Kobunga Sauce
    Tammy V.

    Quick easy lunch at USC Village where there is free 2-hr parking! Staff was kind and service was quick. This is the first time I've gotten the chicken as my protein, and it was served over white rice and japchae noodles. Flavor's pretty good, but I prefer the pork. The sides were nice and offered textural differences. The Kobunga sauce tastes similar to a bibimbap sauce. The convenience that is offered makes this place notable, but I wouldn't come here to expect mind-blowing, authentic Korean food.

    Cassidy F.

    This is one of the best places to eat on campus hands down! I'm surprised I didn't try this place out sooner, it's really good! We ordered 2 build your owns. We ordered the pork belly and the beef bulgogi. I personally favored the pork belly a lot more but I would definitely buy the bulgogi again! The japchae noodles were also really delicious! The sides were really good. Most of the options were fermented vegetables of some sort and we really liked their cucumbers. Overall, I definitely would come back. It really is one of the best places on campus. Service is fast and easy too!

    1st part of menu
    Mike L.

    tl;dr: easy and fast; you choose a base, protein, and two banchans. Pork belly is tasty and filling, great lunch. Their kimchi cucumber is sweet and with the right amount of gochugaru, even though I'd prefer it be a tad bit fermented. Not much acidity. The sweet carrots are in nice bite size and has a great texture (not overcooked). This pairs well with their japchae. Japchae is not too shabby. It is light (in flavor/saltiness) and not unctuous. There's a bit of soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil (mainly soybean oil I presume). The texture is almost perfect but what can I say for fast Korean lunch? It's a great base alternative; I'd pick this over rice or greens. The pork belly (kobunga) is well braised and seasoned. The gochujang pasted(like literally, did they brush or sprinkle the sauce tho?) on top tastes in-house made being light and syrupy (unlike the cooking/flavor one where it's floury thick), pairs well with the belly and even their japchae! It has the pork flavors your are looking for: savory, meaty (like eating pure meat cut against the grain), sweet braise, and a great balance of meat to fat ratio. I do wish they render the fat more with a better roasted/seared skin because it has no texture even though there's color (where's the burnt sugar crust tho). It may seem like there's some sort of crusty finish on the skin surface, but once you bite in...it's a bit one dimensional. I'm just being picky. Zzz still good. Despite being pork belly, it delivers a velvety soft palate that doesn't make you feel so predacious like eating American or Korean BBQ (where it's just proteins on proteins with lots of grease ~ bold flavor). Perfect for late breakfast or lunch. I'm glad it's not just a cut of fat, they do choose their cuts well. I can see why this place's namesake is the dish. Overall, for $11.95 I cannot complain. Yes it's like Chipotle of Korean BBQ, but not in a way where it feels like Chipotle nor kbbq. It's more as if your S.O. or your mum packed you a light lunch that is filling without being overwhelming. I do say the flavors (hint: sugar heavy, I did say it like 5-6 times lol) are to cater young adults (no shit, it's in the Village) or American palate: there's literally sugar in every component of my plate, but it doesn't subtract from the experience.

    Sarah S.

    Fast, casual, reasonable prices and darn good food means Kobunga gets all five of them stars. Pick a base, a protein and two sides. Seems simple enough but they execute really well with some truly great dishes. I had the pork belly which was cooked to perfection, seriously I'm a big fan of the thick cut swine and it was great. Their honey roasted carrots were tasty and made me pretend feel like I was healthy. I also did the corn which I greatly enjoyed. Just loved the whole shebang. With prices like this, I'll be back for more quick lunches.

    See all

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John K.

    John K.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John K.

    John K.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Very bad quality!!! The side were cold and very tasteless!! The prices are high for the quality of the food...

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    This was some of the BEST Korean Barbecue I have ever TASTED. It was LIFE CHANGING. You have got to try it.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    i'm a vegetarian so i got the kale salad. best kale salad i've had in my life. keep it up guys :)

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bee J.
    0
    18
    0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of John K.

    John K.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    fantastic SAUCES add tremendous flavor to the kimchi and meats! really enjoyed the food here.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 7 of 7

    KOBUNGA Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - KOBUNGA

    Do you have to get the sauce with the short ribs or can you get plain short ribs with just salt?

    The short ribs are cooked in a marinade they come as is they don't have a sauce .. you can ask for one of their sauces on the side

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Korean 379,967 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Hangari Kalguksu

    Hangari Kalguksu

    4.4
    (3.3k reviews)
    2.7 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)

    See all

    (MEDIUM) Hangari Bossam (Serves 2)
    Kobawoo House

    Kobawoo House

    4.3
    (1.6k reviews)
    2.4 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
    Lunch Jangban Guksoo

    See all

    Lunch Jangban Guksoo
    Borit Gogae

    Borit Gogae

    4.4
    (520 reviews)
    2.5 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

    See all

    Grilled spareribs
    Ham Ji Park

    Ham Ji Park

    4.2
    (1.8k reviews)
    2.7 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

    See all

    Ahgassi Gopchang

    Ahgassi Gopchang

    4.3
    (2.8k reviews)
    2.9 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?

    See all

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

    KOBUNGA - korean - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...