Yangban

Yangban

712 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States

+1 213-866-1987

Korean restaurant, American restaurant, Asian restaurant, New American restaurant
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About This Place

Nestled in the vibrant Arts District of downtown Los Angeles, Yangban offers an extraordinary fusion of Korean and New American flavors that delights the senses from the very first bite. This is no ordinary dining experience — Yangban artfully bridges traditional Korean culinary artistry with inventive American twists, crafting a menu that is as dynamic as the city itself.

From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between contemporary elegance and warm, inviting comfort, making it an ideal spot for everything from intimate dinners to lively group celebrations. The kitchen’s emphasis on high-quality, thoughtfully sourced ingredients shines through every dish, showcasing an impressive range of textures and flavor profiles.

The menu is a treasure trove of standout plates that linger in memory. The Chilled Acorn Noodle is a delicate interplay of cool, chewy noodles with subtle nutty undertones, delivering a refreshing contrast to the richly savory Banchan — a variety of Korean side dishes that elevate the meal with vibrant, fermented, and crisp notes. Fans of bold flavors rave about the Yangban Wings, renowned for their juicy tenderness and perfectly balanced sweet soy glaze that rivals the best Korean fried chicken in K-town.

Adventurous diners will be captivated by the creative fusion signatures like the Congee Pot Pie, where comforting porridge meets flaky golden pastry, or the unique Grandma Matzo Soup Dumplings that deliver a nostalgic yet innovative flavor journey. The interplay of heritage and innovation continues with standout dishes such as the Bone-In Heritage Pork Katsu, richly satisfying and crispy, and the refreshing Pear Salad, which brightens the palate with crisp fruitiness.

Yangban’s deli section offers remarkable delicatessen-style options such as the tangy “Danmuji” Pickled Korean radish & cauliflower, blistered snap peas sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning, and honey walnut carrots glazed with a perfect balance of sweet soy and gochujang spice. These small plates perfectly complement the mains, making each meal a multi-dimensional experience.

The dining experience is rounded out by thoughtful extras like the Ssam Kit for wrapping bursts of flavor in crisp leafy greens, or indulgent touches like premium caviar and trout roe. For those with a sweet tooth, the Buffalo Milk Soft Serve offers a luxuriously creamy finish that is both unique and satisfying.

Customer feedback consistently highlights Yangban’s meticulous attention to detail and the thoughtful balance of textures and flavors. Jiacheng Liu praises the appetizers, noting the impeccable and unique textures that set them apart, while Rick Lupert celebrates the bounty of vegetarian options that are as visually stunning as they are flavorful. For guests seeking an elevated, memorable meal, Greg Rossi describes Yangban as “a true masterpiece” and one of the most exciting dining destinations in LA—where the chefs’ creativity turns every dish into a work of culinary art.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply in search of a restaurant that elevates Korean-American cuisine to new heights, Yangban promises a deeply satisfying and unforgettable dining experience. Prepare to be welcomed by thoughtful service, exquisite plating, and a vibrant menu that invites you to explore the best of both worlds in one remarkable journey.

Yangban
712 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Phone: +1 213-866-1987

From the business
Identifies as Asian-owned Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Comfort food Late-night food Small plates Spirits Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Dinner Catering Counter service Dessert Seating
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets Toilet
Crowd
Family friendly LGBTQ+ friendly Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs
Parking
Valet parking
Pets
Dogs allowed

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • Jiacheng Liu
    1 month ago

    All the appetizers are so good. Their textures and flavors are unique and impeccable. Their Tteok is also very good. I honestly would get it in my next visit. Super savory (love the mushroom, truffle cream base) While everyone talks about their wings, I personally find it on par with all the great Korean fried chicken in K-town (juicy and dipped in sweet soy sauce)

  • Chat Sarmiento-Steinwald
    1 month ago

    Yangban in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles offers an amazing Korean-American dining experience, especially for large groups like that of what we have as a family of 8. We had the pre-fixed dinner option offered to our group that clearly showcased the restaurant’s ability to deliver a diverse and impressive array of dishes. While I didn’t know all the names of the dishes, it’s evident that the quality and presentation were all amazing! The seamless transition from appetizers to desserts speaks to the kitchen’s ability to maintain a high standard throughout the meal. The cocktails complementing our meal were also very good, which suggests a well-curated drink menu that pairs well with the food. The modern decor of Yangban complements the eclectic vibe of the Arts District. The clean lines and contemporary design provide a stylish backdrop that is both inviting and refined, setting a sophisticated tone for the evening. The service stood out as a highlight of the evening. Handling a party of eight can be challenging, but the server ( I apologize for not remembering his name) managed it with ease and professionalism. This level of attentive and seamless service is crucial for maintaining a pleasant dining experience for larger groups. The valet service is a practical touch, especially given the difficulty of finding street parking in the area. This convenience adds to the overall positive experience, allowing guests to focus on their dining rather than parking woes. Overall Impression: Yangban excels in providing a refined and enjoyable dining experience. The combination of modern decor, exceptional service, and a well-executed menu ensures that it stands out in the vibrant culinary scene of downtown Los Angeles. For large groups, the pre-fixed menu is a smart choice that allows everyone to experience a range of flavors without the hassle of ordering individually.

  • Rick Lupert
    2 month ago

    Our experience at Yangban was beyond great. There is plenty for vegetarians to choose from and everything we ordered was gorgeous to look at and tasted fantastic. Not a disappointing dish from the 5 we selected! These included the Tteok, a dumpling-like affair with lots of good flavors, including corn. Plus, from the Banchan menu, we ordered the Brokaw Avocado & Shinko Pear dish which was, by far, the most interesting and satisfying pear-based dish I've eaten. Also, the Pea Shoots and Chives were a beautiful tower of green freshness in our mouths. And, although I'm not necessarily a huge sweet potato fan, the Goguma dish was fantastic! For dessert, we tried the Yangban "The Works" ice cream dish. We could have used more of the doenjang caramel it came with but it tasted great otherwise. The service was great too. The food came out quickly. Our server was very knowledgeable about everything on the menu and gave us good and detailed recommendations. We'd come back and eat here again. This is definitely a unique, destination restaurant in LA.

  • Mikinzie Stuart
    2 month ago

    One of the best meals I’ve had in LA. The prix fixe for $95 was well worth the money, very high quality ingredients and beautiful plating, but best of all, it was a ton of food! Definitely come hungry. My partner and I came here for our anniversary and they gave us a small glass of champagne to celebrate, which was a nice touch. And the vibes!!! I came here once before they redid the space (which reminded me more of a deli/ cafe/ cafeteria), but they’ve managed to transform it into a hip, contemporary, sexy spot that makes you feel like an A-lister. The only minor criticisms I have is that we were seated at a smaller table, and while I assumed the booths were for parties over 2 people, two couples were seated in booths immediately after us, so it would have been nice to have a booth since it was a special occasion. Service could have been slightly more attentive, as we did have to ask for our server to order another drink, but overall wasn’t bad. Everyone was really professional and friendly.

  • Greg Rossi
    2 month ago

    Yangban is a true masterpiece, probably the most exciting place to eat in LA right now. I love just about everything about the place, the concept, and the food. Everything feels new and inventive, and the chefs have created something truly original. One of my favorite things is that you can order the tasting menu to share with your table (instead of everyone having to order their own tasting menu) and add on whatever else you'd like. More restaurants should do this, as oftentimes not everyone wants the same thing (or the same amount of courses). This way we could try way more stuff and order more of our favorites and everyone is happy. Basically everything on the menu is fantastic, and I definitely suggest you go out of our comfort zone and try new things, you will be surprised in a good way. I'm not typically a fan of tofu or blood sausage, but those were my two favorite dishes on my second visit. I can't really think of words to describe how good and original everything is. The portions are great and the it's got to be the best bang for your buck in LA when you look at quality, originality, and flavor, it's just insanely good all around. Last thing to mention is the chefs are truly amazing people. Chef Kat is so friendly and nice and just wants to share her amazing dishes and ideas with you. She ended up giving me great ideas for what to do with our leftovers, and even gave me extra so I could try new things at home (I will post on Instagram soon, Chef!). Can't wait to go back and see what else they have and to keep supporting this awesome place.

  • Jason Schmid
    3 month ago

    Playfulness and expression are evident across much of the menu in this cool and vibey space. After ordering at least a third of the menu, it was hard to pick a favorite because everything was just so good. Cocktails are excellent and they even stick the landing with an excellent cup of coffee. An easy five star experience.

  • Maryam Khoshreza
    3 month ago

    So excited to write this review because we had the best experience here, I cannot even explain how delicious was the food, for sure go for the prefix menu, you should trust the chef and order the prefix menu. I still craving some of those side dishes. The interior was so nice, beautiful ambience, food was perfect. The staff were so nice, everything was excellent, I should say, I had the best delicious cheesecake ever, I still craving that cheesecake and I would definitely go back to this restaurant and I already told a lot of friends about this beautiful, modern Korean restaurant!

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