Soban
Korean restaurant · Koreatown
4001 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66289650/1199768376.jpg.0.jpg "Soban by Getty")
Highlights
Soban is a vibrant Korean spot where you can savor exceptional seafood and beef dishes, all served with a side of friendly service.
Soban is a vibrant Korean spot where you can savor exceptional seafood and beef dishes, all served with a side of friendly service.
"Soban’s tight menu features a rarity: ganjang gejang — raw marinated flower crab — which tastes like the pinnacle of Korean cuisine with its rich, slightly fermented umami and buttery sweetness (especially over warm rice). Spicy braised black cod and braised short ribs are soulful companions to help complete the experience. The family-owned restaurant holds such a special place in the Korean community that the director and stars of the South Korean film Parasite celebrated their historic 2020 Oscar victory right here. — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Matthew Kang
"Soban’s tight menu features a rarity: ganjang gejang — raw marinated flower crab — which tastes like the pinnacle of Korean cuisine with its rich, slightly fermented umami and buttery sweetness (especially over warm rice). Spicy braised black cod and braised short ribs are soulful companions to help complete the experience. The family-owned restaurant holds such a special place in the Korean community that the director and stars of the South Korean film Parasite celebrated their historic 2020 Oscar victory right here. — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Eater Staff
"Famous for its Korean dishes, frequented by Matthew Kang." - Eater Staff
"Soban may have spiked in popularity after Bong Joon Ho and the “Parasite” cast headed to the restaurant after the 2020 Oscars, but it’s been an excellent dinner spot for many years. Head to Koreatown on a Monday night for its ganjang gejang (soy-marinated raw crab) and galbi jjim (braised short ribs), plus the best shot at actually finding street parking." - Eater Staff
"You’ll find banchan at most Korean restaurants in Koreatown, but Soban goes beyond. There are 16 different side dishes here, from vinegar-y lotus root and shishitos to excellent boiled potatoes. When it comes to main courses, the black cod is the specialty—it’s slow-braised, and comes with a spicy red sauce and radishes. It’s very good, but we like the simple, pleasantly salty short rib galbi jjim stew even more." - brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins
