Michin Dak

Tucked into the corner of 6th and Catalina in the heart of Koreatown, Michin Dak is a humble food stand that punches well above its weight class. This isn’t some trendy sit-down spot with mood lighting and craft cocktails—it’s an unassuming counter where the focus is entirely on delivering some of the best fried chicken sandwiches in Los Angeles.

What sets Michin Dak apart from the Nashville hot chicken craze is their distinctly Korean approach. The chicken sports an impossibly thin, shatteringly crisp coating that acts like a sponge for whatever sauce you choose. Their heat scale ranges from a gentle “Original” to progressively more intense levels—medium delivers a respectable slap, extra hot packs a proper punch, and the aptly named “Michin Spicy” is not for the faint of heart.

The McDak Combo is the way to go here. You get a beautifully assembled sandwich on what might be the best brioche bun in the city—golden and glistening under the LA sun. Inside, layers of cool, creamy coleslaw and thick pickle slices balance the heat, while their signature spicy mayo adds another dimension of flavor. The steak-cut fries on the side carry their own kick of spice and pair perfectly with the sandwich.

This is quintessential LA eating at its finest: standing streetside, watching traffic roll by while you work through a sandwich that’s both comfortingly familiar and uniquely Korean. Come hungry, bring some napkins, and maybe start with medium before working your way up the spice ladder.