HOJOKBAN LA

I’ve walked past their NYC location so many times and always told myself I needed to try it. It instantly caught my attention, and I’d been curious ever since. I finally got the chance to dine at their LA location for my friend’s birthday, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Every single dish we ordered was scrumptious. Not one plate disappointed. And that includes the side dishes, which were just as thoughtfully prepared as the mains. The flavors were bold, creative, and perfectly balanced, blending Korean influences with a modern fusion twist. You can tell a lot of care goes into both the recipes and presentation. Fair warning: there are definitely a lot of carbs involved. But honestly, they’re completely worth it. Each bite felt indulgent and satisfying, and we left very full and very happy. The only small downside is that they charge an extra fee if you want to enjoy your birthday cake at the restaurant, which caught us a bit off guard. Still, it didn’t take away from the overall experience. Great food, fun atmosphere, and a memorable celebration spot. I’ll definitely be back.

I visited Hojokban in LA with my family as soon as we heard they had finally opened. The moment we walked in, the beautifully Korean-inspired interior truly impressed us, and you could feel how much care went into every detail—from the décor to the smallest items. Our family spans a wide range of ages, and there were more than enough options for everyone to enjoy. Hojokban’s signature Hojok Galbi was outstanding, and the meat was so tender that even the kids loved it. The Salmon Ssambap made with fresh salmon, caviar, and uni, and the Cucumber Sobagi with tofu cream were the kind of unique dishes you can only find at Hojokban, and they were absolutely delicious. The Mulhoe with seasonal amberjack—something that’s hard to find outside its peak season in Korea—was also very impressive. Every ingredient was incredibly fresh. The kimchi served as a side dish was so good that I asked about it and learned that they make it in-house. You can really feel the care put into every dish. My nephew, who’s currently obsessed with K-Pop Demon Hunters, even clapped with excitement when he saw "Lumi" appear in the Ramyeon Fried Rice, which made our meal even more fun and memorable. The staff were extremely kind, and I was genuinely touched by how attentive they were—refilling our water and checking in with great care, especially toward the kids. Even though it’s still early after opening, both the service and the food quality were excellent. I honestly didn’t expect to experience Korean food at this level in LA. I’m planning to return soon with friends who have recently become very interested in Korean cuisine!

Parking was easy in a paid lot right across the street. Comfortable booty seating. I was already excited to eat here based on photos, but OMG the food is delicious. Everything was so good, high level and presented wonderfully. The staff is so professional and kind. The food was nicely portioned. Definitely share so you can try a lot of stuff. The drink menu has unique flavors. Complimentary melona bars for dessert is a fun Korean touch. Nothing hits better than the original green melona flavor!! Can’t wait to come back!

Absolutely loved my experience at Hojokban. From the moment you walk in, the interior really stands out—Korean-inspired but modern and fancy, with a vibe that immediately makes you excited to eat here. The menu has a great variety, and everything we tried was delicious. The salmon rice bowl was super fresh, and the yukhoe was a standout. There’s a sauce underneath the yukhoe that ties everything together, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. But honestly, the cucumber muchim was insane. I liked it so much that I ordered a second one. It was even better than what I’ve had at many Korean restaurants. The cocktails were also a pleasant surprise—nutty, well-balanced, and totally unique. Definitely a spot I’ll be coming back to.

Dinner was quite excellent. We enjoyed all the food we ordered, and the service was professional and friendly. Ambiance but we were a bit too close to other tables. Details below: Cocktail - we only had the Sagwa "Old-Fashioned." I put quotes there because there's no whiskey in this. Instead the bartender used apple soju as the alcohol. It really worked well and was very refreshing. Similar flavor profile to a real old-fashioned but lighter and sweeter. 5/5 Food - the banchan was fine, but only one stood out, green apple kimchi. The combination of sweet, tart, and spicy was a delight for my taste buds. For starters, we picked honey fried chicken and asked our server to surprise us with the second, which was yukhwe (beef tartare with lotus root chips). They were both good, but I liked the flavor and contrast in texture of the tartare more. It was also more original than the chicken, which was good but not unique. For the main we ordered ramyeon fried rice and Manila clam tang. It was really chilly outside and these two were the perfect comfort food pairing. I had mixed feelings about the plating of the fried rice. It is served with an empty cup of Shin Ramyun. It's eye-catching but gimmicky, and the fried rice tastes good enough without the distraction. For me the winner of the night was the clam tang. Hojokban was not stingy with the amount of clams in the pot. The broth was so savory and flavor, and the heat (temperature and the jalapenos) warmed me up. Food overall was good. Also enjoyed the ice cream bar treat at the end of the meal. 4/5 Service - our server was patient and helpful as we reviewed the menu. Especially as I am allergic to a couple items on the menu, our server was asking detailed questions. Other staff was great at subtly making sure we were comfortable dining there. 5/5 Ambiance - overall stylish. Appreciated the lighting level and brighter table lights. Only negatives were we were a bit too close to other tables (if I can hear their conversations, we're too close), and I would have preferred to not be seated further away from the restroom. 4/5 Side note - not the restaurant's fault (so not factored in my rating), but the person who used the restroom before me did not flush 🤬😡 -∞/5

I went to Hojokban Restaurant with my family yesterday. Their food was surprisingly good, even better than I expected. My favorite dishes were the nurungji chicken and the hojok galbi. Spending quality time with my family, enjoying delicious food, was a part of my happy life this year. I'd like to thank the chefs for their delicious food...! 🙏🏻

Such a wonderful dining experience. It is THE BEST Korean restaurant in LA I’ve ever been to. The meal included an amazing variety of side dishes — fresh, flavorful! Everything we tried was delicious and absolutely worth it. The highlight was Salmon rice. Perfect. The Hojok Galbi meat was fall-apart tender, with bold, heartwarming flavors that made it unforgettable. Service was excellent and attentive. Hostess was extremely helpful and nice. Can’t wait to come back!