California Market

"California Market in Koreatown is the kind of grocery store you walk into with only a few things on your list, then end up spending two hours inside just exploring. Aside from excellent produce and an extensive seafood counter, there’s also a banchan bar, a Korean fried chicken vendor, and a Tous Les Jours bakery inside. Oh, and an entire food court on the roof, too. Parking can be downright hellacious in this part of town, but luckily, California Market also has a five-story parking structure attached, with ample spots available." - Brant Cox, Sylvio Martins, Kat Hong

"What was formerly called Gaju Marketplace has recently been remodeled into an incredibly vast food court and grocery store that’s a staple for the goop staffers who live in Koreatown. The banchan (small prepared sides like bean sprouts with sesame oil) are convenient to pick up for a light solo meal or for an impromptu dinner party. And because of the big Latino community that also lives within K-town, you’ll find the freshest avocados and papayas alongside daikon and jars of kimchi. The best part: the free, on-site, five-floor parking structure with panoramic views stretching from DTLA to Culver City."

"California Market in Koreatown is the kind of grocery store you walk into with only a few things on your list, then end up spending two hours inside just exploring. Aside from excellent produce and an extensive seafood counter, there’s also a banchan bar, a Korean fried chicken vendor, and a Tous Les Jours bakery inside. Oh, and an entire food court on the roof, too. Parking can be downright hellacious in this part of town, but luckily, California Market also has a five-story parking structure attached, with ample spots available." - Brant Cox

"Korean banquet noodles, or janchi guksu, are proof that Korean flavors aren’t necessarily a dialed-up, in-your-face affair. The noodle and gimbap stand at California Market might adorn their janchi guksu with a generous helping of scallion, but the dish is still a refreshing exercise in finesse — the clean anchovy based broth closely resembles a Japanese dashi broth without the smokiness afforded by bonito. With a helping hand from zucchini, puffy morsels of fried bean curd and zucchini for texture, it’s a slightly unorthodox but delicious rendition of the Korean wedding favorite." - Euno Lee