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    Ma Dang Gook Soo

    4.0 (793 reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Noodles
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Ma Dang Gook Soo Photos

    Business Info

    MA DANG GOOK SOO ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Banquet Noodles, their namesake
    Clement K.

    I came here after returning from LAX after a long overseas journey. I was pretty exhausted and just glad to finally be back. A friend I was traveling with suggested we stop by this place to recharge. I'd never had banquet noodles before so I didn't really know what to expect. I gotta say, the banquet noodles here were good and a nice way to rejuvenate. It sort of reminded me of pho, but a simpler broth and similar thin noodles (but buckwheat instead of rice I believe. Similar texture and taste due to thin size though) I also had the tteokbokki and that was pretty good too. Not super spicy or anything and packed with flavor. Honestly the place isn't like super special, service was fine (my friend was korean and communicated that way), but it hit all the right spots coming back from that long trip so I was pretty happy. I will say the other comments about cleanliness might be a thing- I saw a fly that was constantly hovering around the restaurant during my entire experience.

    Ashley Y.

    The noodles are fine, the cleanliness questionable, and the service is terrible. It's my first time there and I've never felt so awkward eating somewhere. Long story short does the food make up for the service? Absolutely not. The moment you walk in you're not greeted or welcomed, more like "ugh how dare you interrupt my conversation it was getting good" type vibe from the aunties. They slap down the menus and then come back in a MINUTE and get annoyed when you're not ready to order. And then when you are ready to order (5 minutes max) they're talking in the back and take forever to acknowledge you!!!! We went from just hands like small hand up (not even arms raised just like trying to make eye contact) and were ignored. The arms up? Ignored. Waited and figured we'll try again in a little bit .... But they didn't come out to take our order. In the end luckily one of my friends is Korean and just shouted out in Korean for their attention-- to which one of them comes out to take our order. No smile, no "how are you", very much like "ok what" and then left. We finally order and then there's NOTHING for the next while. No water, no banchan, no service. Everything comes out with the food later (which is not my typical experience with Korean restaurants). The food comes and it IS good. The food is not the problem. Maybe little protein but whatever. Is it the best ever? No. But it's really not bad like I'd be lying if I said the food sucked. But there's at least 3-4 different flies buzzing around and it's like the hand Olympics of eating with your dominant hand and shooing away flies with the other hand. We had 4 people total and were all actively trying to protect our food. My guess is because the back door (through the kitchen) is open and it must be near a garbage can or something like that. Very off putting and unhygienic. The banchan wasn't great. We didn't finish it. But even if we wanted refills, wouldn't have gotten it. There was NO service at all. They take your order and put your food down and THAT'S IT. Hope you don't need extra water or extra napkins because you're not getting any. We're there not even an hour yet (it's not busy at all with so many open tables) and they come and put the check down. Cut our conversation short but ok yeah we'll put a card down. The problem is when they come back with the receipt where you'll add tip-- SHE STANDS THERE. We're trying to figure out 10%? 15%? How much do we want to give given we got pretty much no service ... but still feel bad for the aunties working. And she SCOFFS saying why is it taking us so long and walks away, only to come back within the minute like?? You're not done yet ?? I don't remember how much we agreed to leave (wasn't on my card) but you just see the disapproval in her face/body language. Pretty sure she complained in Korean after but ignorance is bliss (my friend who does speak Korean was NOT vibing with the experience either it's probably worse if you understand all the conversation going on) Obviously after all that we no longer were welcome and just decided to leave. Just wasn't a pleasant experience at all. Now I don't expect Asian restaurants to have 5 star service but this was ridiculous. Won't be coming back.

    Jenn L.

    My boyfriend and I love this Mom and Pop restaurant and often dine in for lunch or dinner. Usually there isn't a long wait and are seated with 5-10 mins. The staff is very friendly, there are a few who may not converse in English (Korean speaking) but that isn't an issue with ordering and there is usually another worker who is English speaking if you really need to ask for recommendations. The food is SOOOO good, I always look forward to their hand pulled noodles.

    Dumplings
    Carlo G.

    Authentic Korean restaurant for spicy cold noodles, Kalguksu, and more! I visited this restaurant for an early Sunday dinner and my experience here was pretty good. The restaurant was busy, but the service was quick and the patrons at the time I went didn't have to wait for a table. I ordered the Cold Spicy Mixed Noodles and they were delicious! The noodles were cooked well and the sauce was tangy and nutty, almost ketchup like. The portions were also big! I also got the kimbap which wasn't my favorite since the sausage flavor was strong, but I really liked the dumplings which were soft and juicy. The Kalguksu dishes I tried were also good, but I've had better. The service was mixed. We had some servers who were nice and patient with my group. One even explained how to eat some dishes. But one other server was a bit impatient and rude when handing us the to-go materials. Parking is also good since there's a big and free parking lot where the restaurant is located at. Overall, a good experience here! I would come back for the cold noodles and dumplings.

    Sara P.

    Ma Dang Gook Soo served up all the comfort vibes. I got spicy cold noodles, hubby went acorn, and kimbap for the toddler = win-win. Service was sweet, parking a breeze, and yes it was warm with some flies, but we survived. Food tastes like Korean aunties put their heart into it. That side broth with the noodles? Mood. Home-cooked, cozy, and exactly what my soul needed.

    sides
    Ashley C.

    Delicious and simple homestyle food with generous portions. Free parking! The restaurant is small, and you'll notice some flies around. The staff are generally friendly, but I've noticed they force customers to tip. One time, they chased after a foreign customer, claiming he didn't tip and told him he needed to. This kind of behavior isn't allowed, but they do it anyway. It's a bit uncomfortable, especially since some people have said the staff changed their tip amount without notifying them. For this, I think a 3.5/5 is fair. Each table gets kimchi. It's not the best, but not terrible either. It tastes a bit stale. The chicken noodle soup is very simple but one of my favorites. I order it every time and can usually finish the whole thing myself, though it's easily shareable between two people. The noodles are chewy, and it comes with a decent amount of chicken (though it could use more). The kimchi noodle soup uses the same noodles and isn't too spicy. The spicy rice cakes were good, but I probably wouldn't order them again. Still, it never hurts to add them on.

    Dennis N.

    On a cold day and feeling a bit sick, the kimchi hand cut noodle soup just hit so hard. The bowl was steaming hot which made it just even better to eat, and the noodles are just amazing to eat. The servers were also really nice to us, and was what I expected of an Asian restaurant. Straight to the point, no conversing, and made sure we had what we needed. The restaurant itself is also pretty small, with pretty limited seatings as there's roughly only 8 tables within the restaurant.

    Jennifer H.

    This is a place you naturally crave on a rainy day. The restaurant isn't very modern or spotless, but it seems more like an older, long-standing place. Most of the food was good, though the pork cutlet was a little soggy, which was disappointing. Still, it was a satisfying meal overall.

    kimbap, bibim guksu
    Celine D.

    we stopped by to check out this korean resturant. - the inside was small but the outside was covered up..interesting lol - we ordered the bibim guksu and the kimbap for two people. the bibim gooksoo (4.6/5) had the right amount of flavor but wished it was a tad bit spicier. the kimbap (4.6/5) was flavorful and loved the vegetables that were in it. the soup and the side dishes that they gave out paired well with the food we got. - the food was great but the service could be improved. when we walked in, we were not given menus so we had to look at the pictures on the front wall of the resturant to order. we were the only ones left in the resturant but it took us a while to get our check because all the servers were in the kitchen area. however, the servers were still helpful to our needs like when they were serving our food

    Mugwort noodles with soy acorn soup (BLAND!)
    Michelle X.

    The food was ok, but the service here left a bad taste in my mouth. The waiters definitely gave preferential treatment to parties who spoke Korean and had the audacity to pressure us for more tip at the end. The food was nothing to write home to. The mugwort noodles in the soy acorn broth were super bland and had way too much soup compared to the amount of noodles. I will never come back here due to how uncomfortable I felt dining in and would not recommend this restaurant to anyone

    Chicken kalguksu
    Michelle X.

    Maybe it was the craving of hot bowl of soupy noodles during a heat wave that didn't quite hit for me. First off, this place is very traditional, mom and pop shop, where people stop for a quick homecooked meal, so vibes were there. The chicken kalguksu I had was heavy on the noodles versus chicken/vegetables and the whole thing reminded me of a everything but the sink soup: a bit bland, thick, and gigantic. The only other time I had kalguksu was more of a wonton soup than an egg drop soup and I prefer that version.

    Chicken kalguksu
    Daniel C.

    I've been here multiple times at this point. As a Korean, this is the best Korean noodle restaurant in Koreatown, in my opinion. I believe it's been open for decades, when my parents knew the place too. Authentic taste, fair prices, fast service!

    Chicken noodle man dooooos and konguksu

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    Page 1 of 20

    Ask the Community - Ma Dang Gook Soo

    Are there any vegan options?

    Do they sell their own kimchi?

    Great question, and YES they do. It's cash only for the Kimchi.

    What is their specialty?

    Noodles - also "gook soo" means noodles in Korean

    How's the air conditioning?

    Good. Nice & cool. You're not sweating 😓 while eating.

    View All 7 Questions

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    Hangari Kalguksu

    Hangari Kalguksu

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

    Hangari is absolutely worth the wait. The restaurant is very lively and crowded with people who…read moreknow this spot is good. What seemed like a deceptively simple bowl was one of the most delicious and flavorful meals I've had - I'll be thinking about my bowl for a long time. I got the plain kalgaksu, mainly because it included pork potstickers. The anchovy broth isn't fishy (which I was concerned about), it's deep and full in a way that's hard to describe. It penetrates the noodles and potatoes well. The broth is similar if not the same between most bowl types. The cold noodles were also delicious, which a couple of my friends ordered. Quite large portions, as just about everyone had to take some home. They also have bibimbap if you're craving a rice based meal instead. I can't wait to come back - maybe not on a Saturday night next time so I don't have to look so long for parking!

    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)
    Danbi

    Danbi

    4.5
    (393 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    our first time at danbi was in december 2025 and the zabuton was honestly really good! it was so…read moretender and the onions complimented the dish well. we were excited to return back to danbi after hearing they were open after renovations but we were very disappointed in the zabuton. comparing the two experiences it felt like we were given half the amount of meat for $10 dollars more than last time! they ask if medium rare is okay, and when it came out it was barely medium rare too! definitely not worth the $75 dollar price and would not be getting it again *_*

    It's been a while since I ate at danbi. Sad to see the menu change :( i also forgot to take pics of…read morethe food but overall was amazing Tried some new items- golden nuggets- fried ground chicken which I highly do not recommend. I ordered this so that my daughter had something to eat. Pork jowl and scallop pancakes were still delicious and tasty as I remembered the first time we had it. They didn't have the perilla cold noodles but they had pine nut cold noodles. And man was this dish so memorable. I really enjoyed the creaminess and how it just came together with the sliced pear and candied walnuts. Wish i ordered one bowl just for myself haha. Was sad that the zabuton was not on the menu but they had the chuck flat. Still think the zabuton tasted better! Service was great. Music wasn't as loud as when we first went. It was a great family meal! Can't wait to come back.

    Photos
    Inside bar
    Inside bar
    Scallop Pancakes
    Scallop Pancakes
    Perilla Cild Noodle

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    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
    (523 reviews)
    0.2 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.

    This is not your average Korean restaurant for many who may not be in the know. Designed around…read moremore traditional dishes you may have experienced, the variety and creativity here are amazing. Centered around a large display of Banchan, your table may feel too small to accommodate the dining experience. Best be enjoyed in small groups, the communal experience is incredible. Pricing is fixed, and there is a minimum order requirement of two protein dishes. Everything else will be included to round out the dining experience. The service was beyond agreeable. Especially for new patrons, the staff is understanding and willing to explain the menu. This is a fine dining experience elevated by many traditional Korean flavors. Everyone gets a large bowl of barley rice, and you can build your own bowl with the many kinds of Banchan. Sauces and soups are also served to round the palate. Priced as fine dining, this place feels like a special occasion choice, or if you're seeking more traditional Korean foods. Parking is available in a private lot, which can be quite the godsend in this neighborhood.

    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)
    0.9 mi
    $$$

    I just walked by, all the Ham Ji stuff still inside but construction was underway with the door to…read more6th St. wide open. Plastic sheeting was up to protect the kitchen and other areas, so it's nothing major whatever is happening. Anyone know more info?

    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)
    0.6 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?

    Ma Dang Gook Soo - korean - Updated July 2026

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