Mu Dang Sang + + + + + $ $

Who? Kingson, Steve, Themos, Andrew, and later Andrew+Satsuki with a Marco/Evan sighting
Where? Western and Conneticut (one block south of Wilshire)

Hallelujah! No more 1.5 hr waits in line at Manna! (see Manna post - although there is still a wait on weekend nights). This establishment (purported to be run by the same owners as Manna?) is a replica of that super busy restaurant. But the place is completely indoors, cleaner, with better facilities (newer non-stick cooking apparatus, better vent hoods) with all the same trimmings. A huge bowl of salad, kimchi, beansprouts, that wheat-gluten-thingy, potato salad... all come immediately as appetizing morsels before the gorging begins. The most important part? Those little white wrappers. I don't know why I like them, but I do. My favourite meat is still the short rib. Some advice for people that have been starving themselves all day for this: start by grilling the thin sliced beef (ready in minutes), then cook the heftier meats like the chicken. Valet is OK - I have no idea where they put the car. Else park on the nearby residentials. Thumbs up!

Soot Bull Jeep + + + $ $

Who? Don, Aly, Vanessa, Rajiv, Zvi, Jason, Andrew, Nate
Where? 8th and Catalina

Great tasting Korean BBQ cooked not with gas but with charcoal. As a result, the heat is crazy (especially on a 100°F day) and the clothes that you wear will smell of smoke pretty much forever. The beef, chicken and shrimp are very tasty and of great quality. I definitely believe BBQ tastes better through the use of coals. For some reason, the watery Hite beer washes everything down perfectly. Side platters are decent. The place is a bit too dark and a bit too cramped for my liking. Parking in a lot next to the restaurant, else fight for street parking.

Woo Ri Jip + + + + $$

Where? Pico, between Oxford and Western
Who? 30 odd CASA people

Manna * * * * * / + + + + + $$

Who? Tim, Evan, Marco, Andrew aka. the Manna Boys
Who? Themos, Stayros, CostasZ, Dimitri
Where? Arlington and Olympic
How much? $18
Zagat: 21, $22

Themos's take: This is a real deal. The lines are long (1h+ on weekends) but it is worth the wait. For $15 you can get as much meat as you wish, until the stoamach is full ot until they close. What these places are missing is the way to make meats tastier: dip in olive oil, oregano and salt before, lemon juice on top after. The meats are great quality, including pork, beef and chicken. I also don't see the point of the various sides they bring :-)

Andrew's take: This place is just awesome. Unlimited, good quality meats accompanied with a crazy salad bowl and 20 little plates of niblets.

Nak Kwon + + +

Cousin to Hodori, this is another 24hr Koren picture set menu restaurant. I like the vegetables here better than at BCD. I was "forced" to eat tofu soup... but it's my favourite anyway. And it was good. Popular after-clubbing destination.

Who? Howie, Andrew, Su-chizzle, Gary, Steve

The nameless Korean BBQ * * * * / + + +

Themo's Take: This place has no english name nor a website. However it's classic Korean BBQ stuff (cook-it-yourself-play-with-the-fire-stuff) with really nice meats, although somewhat pricey. from the 10 freeway exit at Crenshaw North, right on Olympic, then the place is on the second block on the right side - the one with no english characters :-). It doesn't get 4 stars because of the relatively expensive meats - which are good, though.

Andrew's Take: It's a cute little place and it can get very cosy with 10 people! Good quality ingredients. I particularly liked the steamed egg and those white "dumpling" wrappers. But what they do need is some better ventilation! I was crying at night's end due to the smoke in my eyes :(. The funny quirky girl waitress was awesome. Maybe next time they won't spill hot oil all over my pants when they change the grill plate! Congrats on learning chopsticks Themo. Always fun to play with fire! Thumbs up.

Who? Andrew, Themo, Darren, Chris, Yao, 5 of Yao's friends + 1 quirky waitress

BCD Tofu House * * * / + + + +

Themo's Take: This place is pretty good, but it's hard for me to give more than 3 stars in an asian restaurant. They never impress me for some reason.

Andrew's Take: Excellent Korean food for a chain restaurant at decent prices. The Tofu dinner combos are superb - perhaps because I'm partial to thick and spicy tofu soups and mounds and mounds of Bulgogi. However, I was not a big fan of the small-dish vegetables they put out. The Kimchi was average as was a lot of the other vegs. The one on Wilshire is open 24 hours a day. Parking is readily available in a huge lot. Don't push the little button on the table repeatedly, it actually does something! Thumbs up.

Who? Themo, Dora, Rajay, Steve, Andrew

Hodori * * * / + + + +

Andrew's take: Located at Vermont and Olympic, this place caters a Korean set-meal "picture" menu. Lots of nice dishes at very affordable prices. The restaurant is open 24hrs a day... so you can get your Tofu Soup fix after a few Gin and Tonics... Nak Kwon, Hodori's neighbour is also open late and serves pretty much identical food. Thumbs up.

Themos's take: I love 24h restaurants, escpecially if they are open 365 days a year. It's good to know there is someone you can always rely on. The pricing is very good for the amount of food you get.

Who? Alex, Andrew, Steve

Buffet Land Seafood and BBQ + + +

Located at Olympic and Westlake, this is one of the greatest Japanese/Korean buffets around. Do-it-yourselfers who enjoy BBQ'ing their way through the night will love the copious amounts of fresh meats and sea creatures. A tremendous selection of appetizers, sushi, vegetables, fruits and desserts. The low rating is due to the expensive price of dinner (~$25) - try lunch instead. Thumbs up.

Who? Andrew + Steier Research Group