Yangban

Walking into Yangban feels like stepping into a moody art gallery that happens to serve some of the most exciting Korean-American food in Los Angeles. The Arts District restaurant has undergone several transformations since opening in 2021, shedding its earlier casual deli vibes for a more refined dining experience with sleek black walls and striking modern art installations. Despite the upscale makeover, Yangban maintains a playful spirit that keeps the experience from feeling stuffy.

The menu blurs the lines between Korean tradition and California creativity in the best way possible. The twice-fried chicken wings have achieved near-legendary status—massive, shatteringly crispy flappers glazed with soy and garlic that might just be the best wings in the city. The golden scallop toast is pure indulgence, with sweet Hokkaido scallops swimming in a torched mayonnaise-based sauce that you’ll want to lick off the plate. The smoked trout schmear piled high with dill and served with soft potato rolls could convert anyone who thinks they don’t like fish salad.

Yangban works brilliantly for date nights when you want to impress without being too precious about it. The stone pot rice arrives with a bit of tableside theater as servers pour bean sprout dashi into a sizzling pot of rice, kimchi, and pork belly that gets better with every passing minute. Don’t skip the buffalo soft serve for dessert—the tangy, silky custard topped with funky doenjang caramel is unlike anything else in the city.

This is the kind of restaurant that makes LA’s dining scene feel genuinely innovative. While some dishes can occasionally miss the mark on seasoning, the hits far outweigh the misses. Yangban represents what Korean-American cooking can be when you stop worrying about authenticity and start having fun with tradition.