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    Woowa

    4.9 (455 reviews)
    Closed 11:45 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated a few days ago

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    WOOWA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Woowa

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    Emily T.

    Very impressed by how tasty everything was! We came around 9pm with a group of 7 and we were seated at a table. Appreciated that they have a small parking lot. Street parking is also available. Service was a little slow but it was a busy night and it looked like it was just two people. We didn't really mind the wait. It's a bit loud inside but a fun vibe with friends to chat over a good meal. They put a fan near us which was appreciated because it was a warm night. Everything we had was delicious. Most of our dishes came from their recommended list! Will definitely be coming back to try more of their food!

    Pork jowl
    Michelle J.

    Woowa (wow-ah) is right! The food matches Chef Joon's impressive credentials, experience, and attention to detail. Yes, service can be slow at times because he's a one man show, but good/great/amazingly delicious things come to those who wait--and the food here is absolutely worth the wait! Rose suljebi - 5/5 Oil suljebi - 5/5 Cucumber arugula salad - 5/5 Pork belly - 4.999/5 Pork jowl - 5/5

    Derek T.

    우와~ This is a great cozy place to dine in Gardena if you haven't checked it out yet. It's a little nondescript but that makes it a great find when you walk in. It's giving pocha vibes if you're into that. We had just landed from a late night flight and were craving some comfort food so we came here. Sudok sudok, Jjapaghetti, and Rose sujebi were all bangers. Everything was comforting, yummy, and savory. The portions were reasonable. For the food quality and the fact that they're open late, this place deserves all the support. We're hoping to come back to try the rest of the menu eventually heh. They have a small parking lot out back or street parking is available as well. Either way, this is a nice spot to stop by any time of the week and any time of the day.

    Creamy Toowoomba Ramyeon Risotto  Tteok Galbi Meal seat with Salad and Rice
    Supardi D.

    We saw this late night join that have great review that open till Midnight. Was hungry after Sofi Stadium concert and finally arrived past 11pm. Small cozy restaurant with the few tables for 4 and 1 longer table at front. You can enter from with street parking or back door with back parking, better. Saw the Chef's sommelier long certificates wall posted. Great accomplishment! Only ordered 2 item. The Tteok Galbi Meal Set and Creamy Toowoomba Ramyeon Risotto. Food taste is 9/10. Very delicious and yummy. The Galbi is marinated meatballs, very tasty. Including Salad and dressing. The risotto is a mini show. Come in Buldak Ramen Cup upside down with cheese at the bottom. Interesting. Creamy and yummy. Portion is on larger side, like family style, thus the price is on higher side. Might come again and try different item.

    Kitchen and photo wall
    David G.

    Stopped by after Ho'olaule'a at Alondra Park. Long lines for food. Parking is on street or there is a small lot behind the restaurant and you can enter through the back door. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and told we could sit at any open table. I think the chef was the host, waiter and busser. He was working hard but we couldn't tell he was working solo. Service was great. Inside is small with 10 tables and a small counter with 3-4 seats. The inside got kinda hot if you're eating a spicy dish. There was no airflow. We ordered a lot of food for two because we wanted to try more than two main dishes. We ordered the pork belly, spicy pork belly, the Redondo Seafood Jeon, and Ttokbokki(red). My first time trying Ttokbokki seeing it so many times on Korean TV. Now I know why it's a popular dish. Everything was delicious.

    Spicy cucumber salad
    Yaneisy V.

    This is a quaint little restaurant run by a wife and husband duo. You can tell both are passionate and hard working. We were greeted at the door and quickly sat. Super friendly service. We were checked on throughout the evening and communication was honest about the possible delays in the kitchen as it's just the chef pumping out all the orders. It was so worth the wait for amazing flavor and freshness! We ordered the spicy cucumber salad, Rosè pasta with meatball and Dad's kimchi fried rice. We truly enjoyed everything. Can't wait to return with family and try more items on the menu. I wish this duo lots of success. I highly recommend this gem.

    dads fried rice
    Tim H.

    Why Woowa? An intimate small Korean spot off the Main Street of Western. - Not sure why it gives off bar vibes for a fusion Korean x Italian spot. - Consistently busy throughout the weekend nights though you can't tell from the outside. - Love the top 10 list on the menu wonder if it changes quarter to quarter? Would I come back? Yes, I would much better than the other Korean spot around the perimeter. Note: The food is very HEAVY based on what was eaten below. Food 4/5 - N Pork Belly = Loved how it was cooked and crispy + quality was solid - Dad's Kim chee fried rice = Solid with the egg on-top Service 4/5 Consistent follow-up from staff to ensure all is well. You can truly tell they care for their customers! Parking 4/5 Easy parking in the back or on Main Street of Western

    Galbi set and galbi with French fries

    Food is sooo delicious! We tried the galbi with rice and salad as well as galbi with French fries. Both were amazing! Service is incredible! I will definitely be coming back and recommending my friends and family. We were seated right away and the host didn't oversell but was honest about recommendations and portion size. If you are craving yummy Korean food, this is your spot! Nice music playing in the background and relaxed ambiance!

    Tteokgalbi - Monday lunch special $19.99
    Jordan K.

    This place itched my korean food craving scratch - and then some. The portions were huge! I got tbe tteokgalbi monday lunch special and truly was expecting a small bowl with a patty on top. I was not expecting a container packed with meat, lettuce, and rice that was hard to close. Their spicy pork on top of tofu was also awesome. Flavorful and humongous portion also for an appetizer. I could probably have that as a complete meal. I think this place will make Mondays a lot brighter because now I cant wait to get this lunch special again! Oh and the owner was so kind..makes you want to support these businesses where they really do seem to care about each person's experience! He gave my daughter a little cracker to snack on while we waited for our food to be finished. Woowa has my loyalty now! Can't wait for Monday!

    Spicy arugula cucumber salad
    Ina K.

    Okay, this is my first time here. I usually don't like Korean fusion food, but my colleagues wanted to try this place out. We are soooo happy that we came here. Every item tasted really good. Not bland, not salty, just perfect amount of sodium lol also, unlike other Korean restaurants in CA, food here is NOT sweet. It's more savory side, so I enjoyed all the menus we ordered. Staff members were extremely friendly. Not just to upsell, but they were very kind enough to explain what food tastes like how, what's more popular, what Korean people prefer, what others prefer, etc. Definitely coming back! Thanks WOOWA :)

    Spicy cucumber arugula salad
    Joy C.

    A hole in the wall restaurant that is 100% worth trying in the Gardena area. Met up with friends and went as soon as they opened. They have a lot in the back where you can park. The food was AMAZING. The server/cook, Joon, was so helpful when we were trying to decide what to order. Love that they have a page of their recommended food items. The spicy cucumber arugula salad was definitely one of the best I've had. Nice and refreshing! I also enjoyed their seafood pajeon and pork belly dish. I wish I lived closer because this would be a great place to go to for drinks too! Highly recommend!

    chapaghetti with pork belly
    Johnny T.

    Woowa is an extremely charming late-night spot nested on Western Ave, the legendary street that spans from Hollywood all the way down to PV. I highly recommend making a visit as they do Korean-Italian fusion in a very interesting way that you can't find anywhere else. I've been here about three times now -- earlier into the restaurant's opening and have been pleased to see its growth in such a short amount of time. Let's start with the appetizers; the rice paper-wrapped boneless fried chicken was very surprising. It's unlike other fried chicken, with a lighter texture that doesn't sacrifice the juice. It's a great snack throughout the night. I wasn't a big fan of the arugula salad as it was way too acidic (too much vinegar) and hope that gets adjusted. I do wish they'd add soy garlic WINGS... we are severely lacking in quality wings in Gardena and think Woowa would kill it. CM chicken across the street does not pass my bar, nor does Love Letter a few blocks down. There's also the kimchi pancake, which was very sizable and perfect for a group of 4. They fortunately provide a "top hits" menu, so I recommend you order from that list on your first visit. The top one is the bulgogi meatball, served with a killer gochujang salad. The salad needs to be a side option! The meatball was juicy and well-balanced; the rice was impeccably soft and paired well. You did order alcohol, right...? Because there's more to discuss. The N Pork Belly was INCREDIBLE. It's the highest quality pork belly in Korea and the dish was served on a cast-iron skillet, making every bite juicy and crispy all at once. It's a nice "side dish" as it doesn't come with rice or pasta. The brisket set is no longer on the menu as of writing but I quite enjoyed that one! Next top dish would be the carbonara and risotto - very creamy, yet the Korean flavors shine through to make every bite nostalgic and playful. I thoroughly enjoyed the chapaghetti - I ordered it with pork belly but they should add a steak option to reference the dish in the Parasite film...! I would probably pass on the smoke bulgogi next time around as it didn't wow me enough; the Ilsan style chicken noodle soup was very heartwarming and I think it'd be perfect after tons of alcohol. I've even been to Woowa during the world cup game and it was the perfect atmosphere. The owners and staff are so friendly and welcoming and you can tell every detail has been treated with care. I will say, between the dishes and drinking, the bill can run you up. I believe my average check is ~$120. I wished there were smaller plates with smaller prices so that groups of 2 can budget better, or groups can try more options. During the daytime, they do sell Korean-inspired sandwiches, so that's also another way to get a cheaper bite. Reminds me of The Bear... :) Overall, I am always a champion for late-night eats in Gardena; we always need more! Woowa is the perfect destination spot or even a companion spot to Donna's bar nextdoor. Give them a try!!! I'll see you there.

    Sergio J.

    This place has been on my list of places to try and it did not disappoint. The food tasted incredible. Big portions so great for family style to try different plates. Service was friendly and attentive as well. Will be coming back soon!

    Pork Jowl dish in a puddle of oil

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    29 days ago

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    1 day ago

    great korean food, wonderful prices, impeccable service and excellent ambiance. I will be coming back here for sure!

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    Woowa Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Woowa

    Wooga Sullungtang - Mul Mil-Myeon - chewy noodles in cold beef broth

    Wooga Sullungtang

    4.5(421 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Quick dinner before headed back to our hotel, this restaurant was bustling when we came in around…read more7p on a Friday night. We were seated immediately which was super nice and able to order fairly quickly. The restaurant is decently sized and run by the nicest people ever. They were very patient and courteous our whole dining experience in the restaurant. The menu is extensive but with the humid weather my friend and I were very excited for a bowl of cold noodles. The cold noodles were perfect, and the portions were huge for the price you pay! Everything was delicious, and the banchan was probably some of the best I've ever had at any Korean restaurant in the US. Highly recommend coming here if you're in the area!

    Came here as our post-church lunch spot. A Korean place open on Sunday is already rare. Came…read morelooking for Naeng-Myeon on this hot, summer day, and this fit the bill. It was a busy day for Mul Naeng-Myeon but they conveniently had a couple tables for us. They can get busy, and there was a line forming as we were eating, so it is understandable if the service can seem a little pushy at times, and this comes out in very subtle ways (i.e. There's no AC, only a small fan. If they want you to leave, they'll position the fan away from you). Cold water is also only available upon request, as well as extra napkins. Otherwise, you'll be wiping your mouth with a one-ply napkin the whole time. The banchan was great. I especially loved the onions and perilla leaves. The kimchi tasted fresh and tangy, but the radishes were a bit too sweet and cut very clunky. The Naeng-Myeon was good; it tasted very heavily of sesame, and not much else. The meat was also pretty tough to chew. Very filling, but expensive for the amount of meat you get. Definitely made use of the vinegar and mustard, which they eventually took away to give to another table. I'm thinking I just ordered the wrong thing and came on the wrong day. I saw what other people ordered, and it looked delicious, always served with enthusiasm. Next time, I'll have what they're having.

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    Wooga Sullungtang
    Wooga Sullungtang - Spicy Jjimdak

    Spicy Jjimdak

    Wooga Sullungtang - Spicy Jjimdak

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    Spicy Jjimdak

    Yuk Dae Jang - Gardena - Yuk Kal Myun (Ramen Noodle option) by Maggie Chan

    Yuk Dae Jang - Gardena

    4.2(351 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Our group of 5 stopped by for a quick dinner before heading to LAX on a Sunday at around 4:30pm and…read morewere the 1st party there. The inside is nice and spacious, a little dimly lit and clean. The worker was very friendly and service was quick. We asked for his recommendation and he suggested we try any of the yukgaejang. He brought out two sets of banchan - fish cakes which were firmer and more seasoned with sesame oil than some other place which was pleasant, a nice sweet fresh kimchi, and some chive kimchi, as well as the condiments for our dishes. To split, we got the small bossam, the rice cake and dumpling soup, the mul naengmyeon, and the yukgaejang with fresh pasta. Everything was super flavorful, large enough to split between the 5 of us, and delicious. The standouts are definitely the yukgaejang - the fresh pasta may sound weird but is a nice chewy thick noodle and the broth is rich and flavorful with just a bit of spice - and the bossam - at a lot of places the small bossam is still huge, and this was a good size so that we still had room for other dishes, and the meat itself was more flavorful, tender and nice and warm on the steamer that it came out on! The rice cake and dumpling soup and the mul naengmyeon were also solid. I'll definitely be back at Yuk Dae Jang for a warm comforting bowl of yukgaejang and bossam with friends :) Bonus, you don't have to go to ktown!

    I had one of the worst customer service experiences I've ever had at this restaurant. I came in…read moreintending to order food, but before I could even sit down, I politely asked if I could sit inside for a moment because of the extreme heat while I requested an Uber home. Instead of showing any understanding or hospitality, the owner told me to leave the restaurant and wait in the coffee shop next door. I was shocked because I had every intention of purchasing food. I wasn't causing a disturbance or asking for anything unreasonable. The way I was spoken to and treated made me feel embarrassed, unwelcome, and honestly as though I was being judged before I was even given a chance to order. I left feeling humiliated. Customer service is about treating people with basic kindness and respect, and unfortunately, that was completely missing during my visit. I won't be returning, and I hope the owner learns that a little compassion can make a huge difference in how customers are treated.

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    Yuk Dae Jang - Gardena - Premium Pork Belly

    Premium Pork Belly

    Yuk Dae Jang - Gardena
    Yuk Dae Jang - Gardena - Triple lift

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    The Place Gu Jip Restaurant

    The Place Gu Jip Restaurant

    4.0(296 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Gu Jip used to be my go to Korean restaurant. Haven't been here in a couple years. The food has…read morechanged. The meal comes with 6 Panchan appetizers. I ordered the soon dubu soup and Galbi combo. The Galbi was 2 strips of LA cut shortibs. The meat was very fatty, chewy, and it tasted like it was bottled marinade. The dubu soup was nicely prepared. Not sure if this was an off day for food. I'd be glad to go try it again. Service was friendly and welcoming

    Came here recently and noticed they upgraded their menus from the typical placemat printouts to…read morephysical menus. It also seemed to include some new items, or at least ones that weren't printed out on the placemats. We've previously tried their cold noodles, galbi, hot stone bimbimbap, tofu soup and seafood pancake. All are pretty good but the cold noodle is our favorite. This time we ordered their fishcake kimbap and the cold noodle and galbi combo. I previously saw photos of their kimbap but didn't see it on their menu until now so I was excited to try it. It comes with 20-24 pieces and a side of soup, quite a lot actually for one person. The kimbap was as expected, it was flavorful, had a slight crunch (from the pickled radish) and didn't fall apart easily while eating. It comes with a dipping sauce but it wasn't particularly noteworthy and I didn't feel it is required to use. The cold noodles were a bit different this time but overall had the same flavor. It comes with half an egg, pickled vegetables, slices of cucumber, and slices of meat in an icy broth with buckwheat noodles. Be sure to add the mustard and vinegar for added flavor. The side of galbi was as expected, but doesn't arrive sizzling like at many other Korean restaurants. The flavor can vary, sometimes more flavorful than other times but overall it still pairs well with the cold noodle. Service can be a bit spotty, especially when they only have one server doing everything. It can be hard to flag someone down so be prepared to sit around for a while if they have less staff and many customers. Overall not a dealbreaker but just something to be aware of.

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    The Place Gu Jip Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    The Place Gu Jip Restaurant
    The Place Gu Jip Restaurant

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    Yellow Cow Korean BBQ Restaurant

    Yellow Cow Korean BBQ Restaurant

    4.2(875 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    Good food, amazing service, been back here multiple times and it's perfect every time. The reviews…read moreain't lying y'all, you need to try this.

    Among Southern California's K‑BBQ spots, Yellow Cow has long been recognized for its refined Korean…read morefundamentals and consistent meat quality. At the Gardena location, I tried the banchan crafted directly by Kim Young‑sook, a certified Korean culinary master, along with the chadol + samgyeopsal + nakji stir‑fry combo, kimchi stew, steamed egg, and cheese pancake. Her banchan are known for being: Never excessive Focused on the natural flavor of each ingredient Clean, balanced, and beautifully composed Served with a banchan cover that keeps everything protected and perfectly neat. Each dish feels like a quiet supporter that enhances the meat without ever overpowering it. Chadolbagi : The richness is unbeatable -- pure, clean beefy flavor. Samgyeopsal : A perfect match with aged kimchi. Truly a dream pairing. Nakji-bokkeum : Sweet, salty, and spicy all at once -- the kind of flavor that makes you reach for a spoonful of rice immediately. Cheese Pancake : Crispy outside, soft inside, with melted cheese wrapping around the green onions. Great texture between bites of meat. Kimchi Stew : The depth of aged kimchi comes through clearly -- not harsh, just clean and comforting. Steamed Egg : Soft, fluffy, and cloud‑like. Simple but perfect.

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    Yellow Cow Korean BBQ Restaurant
    Yellow Cow Korean BBQ Restaurant
    Yellow Cow Korean BBQ Restaurant

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    Woowa - korean - Updated September 2026

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