Even in places like Southern California, you can feel the winter coming. The wind is no more a breeze and our beloved blue skies are hidden behind clouds.
The only asset I see in this kind of weather is the increased appetite for a warm bowl of noodle soup. Whether the broth is red or white, noodle soups taste much more delicious when it’s cold outside. Let’s slurp the noodle and savor the season!
1. Kalgooksoo @ Myung Dong Kyoja
Myung Dong Kyoja on Wilshire is an Los Angeles outpost of Myung Dong Kyoja in Seoul, which is famous for its long line outside and busy yet well-organized operation inside.
Myung Dong Kyoja here in Los Angeles has a short menu that is focused on kalgooksoo. Their version of kalgooksoo replicates the taste of the original one from Seoul exactly: chewy noodles in hot chicken broth topped with minced beef and some sliced vegetables.
Address: 3630 Wilshire Blvd
2. Jjampong @ Lee’s Noodles
Lee’s Noodles is a restaurant that offers an unusual combination of two popular Korean eats – fried chicken and Korean Chinese fusion dishes like jjajangmyun and jjampong. Although its menu is rather unfocused, Lee’s does an amazing job maintaining the traditional flavors of the two.
Although fried chicken is good for all occasions, try jjampong during the colder season. By the time you see the bottom of your bowl, you’ll be sweating already.
Address: 401 S Vermont Ave
3. Korean Festival Soup (a.k.a Janchigooksoo) @ Tofu and Noodles
Tofu and Noodles is the place where you can enjoy a variety of Korean noodles, ranging from refreshing cold mixed noodle to chicken noodle soup, in addition to boiling soon tofu. If you want to go for clear broth with simple flavor, festival soup here is a great choice.
Traditionally eaten at festive gatherings, festival soup is a simple noodle soup made with anchovy broth, somen noodles, and some toppings like sliced fried egg.
Address: 3068 W 8th St
4. Yuk Kal @ Yuk Kal Bap Sang
Popular restaurant franchise owner, Baek Jong-won, has opened restaurant of his in Los Angeles after the success of Hong Kong Banjum. This new place is a restaurant specialized in yuk kal, a mashup of yukgaejang and kalgooksoo.
As yukgaejang, which is a spicy soup made from shredded beef and vegetables, is popularly eaten with rice, the restaurant offers both rice and noodles so that you can enjoy the soup both ways.
Address: 861 S Western Ave
By Heewon Kim
