Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong

Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong is a Korean barbecue restaurant on West 6th Street in Koreatown, Los Angeles, California, and it is one of the best-known grill houses in the district. It is the Los Angeles branch of a chain associated with Kang Ho-dong, a well-known South Korean television personality and former wrestler, and it has been known for lively crowds since it opened. The restaurant is known for tabletop grilling, with diners cooking meat on a grill at the centre of each table. The menu is focused on pork and beef. Marinated short rib, or galbi, is a staple, and the pork belly, grilled until crisp at the edges, is among the most ordered items. The restaurant is especially noted for its grill-top steamed egg, a ring of beaten egg that is poured around the edge of the grill and rises as it cooks, and for corn cheese, melted cheese over sweet corn that is cooked on the same surface. These are served with the usual array of banchan, the small side dishes including kimchi, pickles and salads, as well as lettuce for wrapping. Soju and beer are the usual accompaniments, and the soju cocktails are popular with groups. The dining room is large, casual and loud, with an energetic atmosphere, music, and groups of friends celebrating, and staff often help with the grilling. Dress is casual. Reservations can be made through the website, and walk-ins may face a wait on weekends, when the restaurant is at its busiest, so a booking is advisable for groups. Prices are moderate to high, with a meal typically costing about 45 to 75 US dollars per person. The restaurant is in a plaza with parking, and the surrounding blocks of Koreatown offer numerous cafes, dessert shops and karaoke venues for continuing the evening.