In the Los Angeles area, two of my favorites are ChoSun Galbee (조선갈비) and Soot Bull Jeep (숯불집), the latter still uses charcoal grills and gets really smoky, so make sure you don't wear anything too nice.

Kim Chi if that is how you spell it, is good to me. It is considered a "super food" and I eat it when I have a cold. It is a classic.

I thnk kimchi would need to be accompanied at least by a bowl of rice and soup to be considered a meal in Korea. And most likely other side dishes as well even on a simple occasion.

There have been at least a few Korean Dinner Do's in the LA/OC area with Soot Bull Jeep hosting two of them. Join us next time^

Also, nice thread on Korea Town restaurants in LA here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=307948

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You nailed it. Tyson Corner location is ever more lighter than original location. Both caters to non-Korean market and may be good introducer to Korean cuisine for non-adventuresome types.

Tokyo
 

My Father-in-law worked in Korea, speaks the language and loves the food. His favourite haunt in Tokyo was definitely the best Korean restaurant I've been to.

I reviewed it here: http://www.flyertalk.com/reviews/rev...?review_id=173

It's called Kannichikan.

http://www.kan-nichi-kan.com/

EDIT
Management changed late 2008. Not nearly so good anymore :(

Shin Toe Bul Yi in the Sunset District, San Francisco. They have the best Fried Chicken you'll ever had.

I know quite a few Korean restaurants in L.A. but very little in Northern CA. My current favorite is The Tofu House, which I think is part of So-Kong-Dong Tofu. I'm sure there are better soft tofu restaurants in L.A., but I absolutely love The Tofu House.

Is there any good Korean food in the San Gabriel Valley area? (So I could go after work without too much of an expedition involved?)

The ChoSun Galbee web page is either intentionally tongue-in-cheek funny or had an inattentive designer...check out the photo next to the caption, "At 7:30 on a Tuesday evening, diners waiting for tables pack the palatial reception area." :D But it looks like a nice elegant place to eat.

If you are around VA/DC area and can't get enough Korean food, I recommend "Heebin" Korean Buffet in Annandale, VA.

I love how they cook the chi geh in the clay pot.

There's a Manna Korean BBQ in Rosemead (San Gabriel Blvd and Potrero Grande) that I go to now and then. It's ok, but not great. I've not tried any of the Korean places in Pasadena yet.

Sounds interesting. I'll have to try that next time. My favorite thing about Yechon is that it is open 24 hours.
Also Bibimbap or my preference dolsot bibimbap

There are lots of tofu houses in LA, but not too many in the DC area. A good one is Vit Gol (Lighthouse Tofu). They have restaurants in Annandale and one in MD (Gaithersburg?) somewhere.

I ate at ChoSun on Tuesday night. It was very good. It is at 3330 Olympic Blvd just past St Andrew (I think) if headed west.
Also keeps you from getting the bird flu and SARS. ;)
I feel like the quality has been gone down at Heebin. We used to go there fairly often, but after a few not very good experiences, have put it on moratorium for a while. Last time I had hwe dup bap from there if made me sick to my stomach all evening.

Another winner in LA is Beverly Soon Tofu. I think it is on Olympic.

woo lae oak is not for koreans? im missing something here...

did i get a korean speakers menu (in english too) or something?

id say it was mostly koreans when i was there.

and again, by far the best quality kalbi ive had out of restaurants in annandale, rockville, clinton, VA beach.