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    The Ppong

    4.2 (309 reviews)
    ModerateKorean, Chinese, Soup
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

    Order The Ppong Takeout or Delivery

    The Ppong Photos

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    THE PPONG ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Ben H.

    The most enjoyable Korean food I've had in a while. After living in Seoul for 2 months, sometimes I forget how lucky we are that ktown exists and this place does too. Seafood Jjam Ppong: GETTTT This was the star of the show and omg the perfectly spicy and bright flavors will make your day and make you do the happy dance with every bite. Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles): GET! This was flavorered so well and the perfect amount of savory and creaminess. This is probably my favorite Korean dish and this place does it justice. Sweet and sour pork: Get I've had a lot of places recently and this place does it well. A good balance of sweet and sour where one doesn't overpower the other. It could use a touch more flavor though Ofc like any other LA spot, parking can be touch but there's a small lot in front Food: 9/10 Service: 7/10 Atmosphere: 6/10 Value: 6/10

    I was looking for a place to park and eat, here it is , couple of blocks from Koreatown and h market (15 min free parking), this place , if you are lucky allow you to park. The noodle is big bowl and $20, you will enjoy it, spicy, soup is genuine, a little complain is the crab leg, not fresh (smell of ammonia ), well at least it get the soup to have seafood smell. I just tossed that into the empty bowl on the right. Given I have been to Korea on business (suwon samsung) a couple of times, this place is legit!

    Sweet and Sour Pork
    Tricia T.

    Pros: - Parking lot (no valet) - good deals with noodles and pork set - Jamppong was massive! - efficient service, have tablets to order Cons: - Jamppong was delicious. I prefer a more clear broth, but this felt a little heavier - Jajjangmyeon was a bit in the blander side - pork had an assortment of meat to flour ratio of some being a lot of meat/little Looking forward to trying different ones around ktown

    Jjajangmyeon
    Donovan C.

    One of the weaker jjajangmyeon spots I've tried in Ktown. The staff was extremely nice and welcoming, and getting seated was immediate. The inside is decently sized and well lit. You order through a tablet at your table which was convenient, and parking wasn't too bad in their lot. Unfortunately, that's where the positives end. We got the Jjajangmyeon + Sweet & Sour Pork Combo which seemed like a decent deal. The noodles themselves were fine, but the sauce was bland and underseasoned. It felt like it was just there to mix into the noodles without actually bringing any taste. There were only two tiny pork pieces in it, which at that point, might as well have been taken out completely. Maybe we just got an unlucky scoop? The pork also had similar issues. They were more soft than crispy, and the sauce was barely sweet or sour. Like the jjajangmyeon, the sauce felt like it was just kinda there to exist. Admittedly, the portions also could've been a little bigger. I feel bad leaving a negative review since our server was genuinely really nice, but flavor-wise, it just didn't hit. I wouldn't come back unless the recipes see some major changes.

    Jajangmyeon / Sweet and Sour Pork
    Vivian D.

    The Ppong is a spot for those who enjoy Jajangmyeon and Jamppong noodles. I heard of this restaurant from TikTok, during the period when Covid was at it's peak in 2020. Over the past 4 years, I've found myself periodically craving Jajangmyeon and this place was always the first restaurant to come to mind. The quality of the food at The Ppong is consistently impressive. Ingredients are fresh, and the flavors are well-balanced. The dishes are generally on the more afforable side, compared to other establishment that serve the same dishes, which I definitely appreciate. Service at The Ppong is generally attentive and friendly. However, during peak hours, there can be a bit of a wait, and service might slow done slightly due to the shortness in staff and seating in the restaurant. Nonetheless, the staff professionalism and eagerness to assist make up for any minor delays. Overall, The Ppong is a great casual dining location with its newly innovative ordering system, and high quality food. I would 10/10 recommend getting the Black Bean Noodles w/ Sweet and Sour Pork. The portions are absolutely amazing and will satisfy every craving you have.

    Black bean noodles, Sweet and Sour Pork,Deep Fried Dumplings
    Madeline V.

    Their black bean noodles are amazingly saucy, flavorful and enjoyable to chew on! The price for their dishes is very affordable and I love coming back because of the service, vibe and delicious food! The deep fried dumplings are great, v crispy and the sauce was delectable to the point where my bf and I dipped the pork in :) the pork isn't my favorite due to not eating pork too much but my bf and other friends who have tried it enjoy it!! I will say that i wish the jajangmyeon had some more beef in it because if it did I wouldn't mind paying more for it :)

    Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup

    The bowl or visual containing jjamppong was delicious. But when I took a bite, it was just a food that didn't really taste like jjamppong. I think they should pay more attention to the taste of the soup than the visible visuals. The order is also made with the machine on the table, You can only order the payment, but you can go to the front separately and pay the cashier. I hesitated for a while. I wondered how much I should give Cashier a tip.

    Trinny T.

    Beware with the black bean noodles. They took instant black bean noodles. The dish is not restaurant made. You go to the Ppong, you should just get the jam ppong only. The jam ppong are actually quite tasty with average spicy level and hot flavorful soup. The meals came out super fast. The sweet and sour pork is also good but I like Zzamong's more. The parking lot is private with decent ample parking. I would come here only for jam ppong.

    Vivian P.

    Great casual spot for good Korean-Chinese food! The restaurant is small but with decent seating. We ordered two types of the champong (one seafood and one with meat and seafood), the black bean noodles, and the ttangsuyuk (fried pork with sweet sauce). In all the dishes, the ingredients were top-tier quality. The noodles were also very chewy, unlike a lot of other places. Our favorite dish was the fried pork. They serve it with fresh cut cabbage and other vegetables which was a fun take on the dish that added a lot of freshness. The noodle dishes taste-wise was average, but I think the quality of the ingredients definitely give them brownie points. What made me give this place 5 stars was the service. Who I presume to be the owner was so kind and accommodating. He was very attentive and quick to bring us anything we needed. I definitely recommend supporting this business!

    Black Bean Noodle
    Samuel L.

    A cute restaurant that serves up good black bean noodles and sweet and sour pork. The staff here is some of the friendliest I've met in Ktown so that is definitely a plus! Clean restaurant and modern vibes is what I would say the atmosphere is like. Onto the food, the food is pretty standard for what it is, though the flavors are good and they make everything fresh which is a great touch. Not my favorite black bean noodle place but Ppong is definitely above the average black bean noodle joint! I would recommend this place if you're looking for a reasonably priced black bean noodle place! Authentic in flavors, friendly staff, and parking in ktown all lead to a good experience!

    Sweet and Sour Pork Black Bean Noodle Seafood Jjam Ppong
    Dan C.

    A very casual Korean place that specializes in (and really only serves) jjjamppong and jajangmyeon. And they do it pretty well. We came on a Saturday afternoon and were greeted by the single server very warmly. He asked us if we've tried these dishes before; we had, but another couple after us did not and he took time to explain the menu to them. Food is ordered through a kiosk on the table and brought out to you, which means when you're seated the service is very fast. We saw the jajajangmyeon and pork combo on Instagram and came for that. The black bean noodles were sweet, savory, and pleasantly chewy. But the portion is a little small, and I kind of wish it had more meat and was warmer when it came to us. We've never had Korean sweet and sour pork before, and I like how separating the sauce and meat kept it nice and crispy. The sauce legit tasted like apple pie filling; it was delicious, but I added a healthy amount vinegar to balance it out. We tried the jjamppong too just because it's in the name and the combination is classic, but it was by far our favorite. It's *loaded* with a variety of seafood, veggies, and noodles, with tons of smoky wok flavor packed into the creamy and delicious broth. It's just spicy enough, and I added plenty of gochugaru on the side for more heat. They don't have a combo plate, so bring a friend to try both the jjamppong and jajangmyeon. Or don't, come extra hungry, and inhale both yourself. We're definitely coming back, for two jjamppongs and a jajangmyeon to share.

    Marc N.

    Came here to try the black bean noodles and the pork. Maybe this isn't really my cup of tea, I'm not too sure, but it's whatever you prefer right? I just thought it was pretty decent. If I were to describe the flavor, I would say it's more on the sweet side with long and chewy noodles. I have not tried the 2nd thing on the menu which almost looks like a crab/seafood casserole. I will have to come back and try this. The price point on this is actually really good though. I got the set for black bean noodles and it fed 2 people easy.

    Seafood jjam ppong, Black Bean Noodle, Extra noodle
    Sandy S.

    This tiny little restaurant nestled right between Hancock Park and Ktown is super cute and feels like a snack shop you'd find in an alley Seoul. The tiny menu (maybe 8 items) is limited but delicious. I can appreciate them only having a few things but doing those dishes right! Jjamppong (the restaurant's namesake) is soooooo satisfying. Scalding hot, spicy, full of seafood and scorched onions for that wok flavor, and chewy bouncy noods! Definitely the standout dish. We also had jjajang myun and it was solid, but nothing out of the ordinary. The sweet & sour pork, must when eating these noodles was so refined from the old school version. The quality of pork seemed high and lean, and love the touch of shredded fresh veggie slaw on top for some freshness. The young man, the only person working the front of house was gentle, kind, attentive and efficient. What More can you ask for at a 10 table restaurant. It's may have given five stars if they served fresh crunchy cabbage kimchi (no kimchi here so manage your expectations). Regardless, Deeeelish!

    Sweet and Sour Pork

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    Delicious, albeit spicy, food!! Great portions, inviting environment. Great little place to know!

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    The Ppong Reviews in Other Languages

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    Hangari Kalguksu

    Hangari Kalguksu

    4.4
    (3.3k reviews)
    1.0 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!!

    Love coming to this place every time I'm in the area. There's a small parking lot associated with…read morethe plaza they're in if you get lucky. You line up outside to wait and the turnover is usually fairly fast. They will take your order as you wait in line so by the time you're seated, you're not waiting forever for your food. My go to is their spicy seafood kalguksu, which contains plenty of seafood and always hits the spot. I've also had their chicken and clam ones as well, which are both super flavorful. I enjoy the squash and potatoes that they put in their noodles though sometimes the potato is less mushy/cooked through than what I prefer. The portion sizes are generous so definitely come hungry or you can share as well. I've tried their bossam and jowl combo as well and both are definitely great in their own way, but I absolutely love the minced garlic sauce that comes with the jowl. The jowl is a fattier cut while the bossam is meatier.

    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
    (386 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    wow the scallop pajeon was really good. also got the uni bibimbap and the steak. steak was juicy…read more uni bibimbamp had plenty of uni + shrimp (makes sense they own gebang sikdang as well). service was so friendly. a lot of the workers were knicks fan and I was playing game 5 of the playoffs where the knicks won the 2026 finals and they appreciated it (lots of ex-new yorkers)

    My bf and I had an 8:30pm reservation for his birthday and we were seated immediately upon arrival…read more Our server started us off with water and everything got off to a great start. The ambiance was lovely and perfect for a date night. The dining room felt dark, intimate, and cozy, and I especially loved the little candle on the table. It was a small touch, but it made the experience feel warm and special. We ordered the perilla oil noodle, scallop pancake, pork jowl, and hwaechae milk to share. The perilla oil noodle had a strong perilla aroma which I loved, but beyond that it didn't really taste like much. It wasn't bad but it's probably the one dish I'd skip next time. The scallop pancake was great. It was crispy, packed with scallops, and the dipping sauce complemented it really well. The pork jowl was easily our favorite dish of the night. It was tender, flavorful, and paired perfectly with all of the accompanying condiments. Every bite felt balanced and well thought out. The hwaechae milk was also delicious and refreshing. It was a fun drink to share and a nice contrast to the richer dishes. While the food was good overall, the portions felt pretty small for the price point. Everything tasted good but it was hard not to notice how quickly the dishes disappeared given what we paid. Maybe it was just the specific dishes we ordered but considering Danbi is on the Michelin Guide, I was expecting bolder and more memorable flavors. Korean cuisine is known for being vibrant and packed with flavor so I left feeling a little underwhelmed. Nothing we had was bad but aside from the pork jowl there wasn't a dish that really wowed me. To end the meal, the staff brought us a yuzu popsicle topped with a birthday candle, which ended up being my favorite part of the entire night. The popsicle was perfectly tangy, refreshing, and honestly more memorable than any of the dishes we ordered. It made the celebration feel thoughtful without being over the top. Overall, we had a great experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, the service was attentive, and it was a lovely place to celebrate a special occasion even though it was a bit overhyped given the small portions, high prices, and flavors that didn't quite live up to my expectations. I'd still come back to try the steak tartare, uni bibimbap, and the zabuton!

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

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    Perilla Cild Noodle
    Kobawoo House

    Kobawoo House

    4.3
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    What more can I say? This K-town staple consistently delivers when you're craving Korean cuisine…read more We started our meal with a generous portion of Haemool Pajeon (Seafood Pancake), which arrived sizzling on a hot plate reminiscent of a Chili's Fajita Plate. Next came the main attraction: the Bossam Plate, featuring simmered and cooled pork belly sliced to perfection. When you wrap all the other ingredients together, they create the perfect bite. Just after the Bossam Plate hits the table, a bubbling cauldron of Kimchi JJigae (Kimchi Stew) follows behind just in time to help wash down the delectable bites of bossam. Don't forget to order some rice because you'll need something to soak up the stew which turns the rice into a whole meal by itself. The service was jovial and welcoming, and like other Korean establishments, they have a handy-dandy button that jolts the attention of every server working whenever you're in need of service. The small space is very cozy, just the way I like it when I'm visiting with my loved ones. They don't have an extensive menu, just the OG staple items, but I feel the taste has improved over the years. I wish Kobawoo were closer to where I live, or I would be here this weekend, but perhaps it's a good thing we're so far apart.

    This place has been here for so long, I haven't been here in yrs! I was in the area so I decide to…read moredo a take out for lunch to take home for me and my family, such a disappointment! $76.80 for 3 dishes and what a puny portions these are, like a kid's portion. Very small kimchi maybe one or two bites. Three orders that I'm surprised that they give such a small amount of banchan. How can establishment justify this high priced meal for such small portions? God and I drove all the way from South Bay, stuck in traffic for almost 1 1/2 hrs of this. Maybe this is the type of place you should dine in only?? Do not ever do take out here! The food in general was just ok. Nothing special and Kimchi soup was very salty. Threw all 3. Wow, what a waste of money. Very disappointing... I guess I won't be coming here ever again.

    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!
    Lunch Jangban Guksoo
    Lunch Jangban Guksoo
    Jangban Guksoo Vegan

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    Jangban Guksoo Vegan
    Borit Gogae

    Borit Gogae

    4.4
    (518 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    Been to Borit Gogae about 4-5 times now after seeing it posted on social media during the pandemic…read moreto help boost sales and been a fan ever since! First, this being in KTown, know parking is always a big issue. Parking is available in the back usually. If not, there is street parking. Once you come in, there's a good number of tables; high ceilings; and a nice vibe overall with some screens that are showing nature + some K-Pop. The wait staff is also usually pretty nice and are able to do a good job to describe the menu / what you're getting. Most likely, you're here to get the banchan $35 set - an amazing value for the amount of food you get. Noting that this set doesn't include meat which you can order on the side along with some other dishes. But you get nearly 30 mini dishes such as barley rice, pumpkin porridge, scorched rice soup, spinach salad, stir-fried chili peppers, rice kimchi, perilla chicken soup, acorn jelly salad, snail salad, and corn porridge. It's basically a riches of really good side dishes, centered around some delicious barley rice/sesame oil. You may find a few of the side dishes not to your style, but most people will most likely find something that you really enjoy. For instance, I think the acorn side salad is absolutely delicious and saucy while the seasoned soybean paste is full of flavor and perfect with the barley rice. For the pricing, it feels like a steal. And has been consistent ever since I first had it back a few years ago. We've taken to go boxes each time I've went because it's so filling. Totally recommended!

    Be prepared to walk away feeling very full. We got the set meal here, which came served with…read moreappetizers, barley rice, a lot of banchan (and by that I meant a LOT), soup, congee, dessert, etc. It was definitely more than enough food. We also got an additional order of LA kalbi for some protein. The meat quality was good but I felt like the meat was not marinated long enough and so the flavor was a little bit lacking. If only it just sat in the marinade for a couple more hours, I think this would have been perfect. The tofu soup was not my favorite, to be very honest. There was some flavor in there that made it smell like a stinky towel. Very different from other soondubu soup places and unfortunately not for me. Everything else we had was excellent and I would definitely come back again just for the barley rice and banchan. Service was quick and servers were nice. We also came at 3pm on Saturday so there was no wait. Recommended!

    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)
    1.1 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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    The Ppong - korean - Updated June 2026

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