Danbi Los Angeles Review, FULL MENU
I noticed that Danbi was one of six restaurants to earn Michelin recognition in 2024. And the Michelin Guide has never let me down thus far!
So I recommended it to a group of friends, and the rest is pure delicious history.
We ordered the entire menu minus one dish to share family-style, and between all six of us we tried almost every cocktail on the menu. So I can confidently tell you what to expect and what dishes not to miss!
This post is all about dining at Danbi, a Los Angeles Michelin Guide-recognized restaurant.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
About Danbi
The Hype
Danbi opened in spring of 2024, and has already made an impression on the LA food scene. Most notably, they were one of six restaurants to earn Michelin recognition in 2024, when they were featured in the Michelin Guide, which is how I found out about it.
Restaurant Vibe
The decor at Danbi is minimal, but elegant with industrial accents and a cozy vibe. The dimly-lit dining room and bar are in one large space with an open layout and high ceilings with hanging plants.
I thought the space was a perfect balance of casual and comfortable, with touches that show the quality and care of a fine-dining restaurant.
Parking
Parking is very limited in the area, so consider Ubering if possible!
The Chapman Plaza lot has $10 parking for restaurant guests, but often fills up quickly. We got there around 6pm on a Wednesday evening, and the lot was full. So we circled for about 10-12 minutes and eventually found a spot on the street nearby.
Reservations
Danbi accepts reservations through Resy, and reservations are recommended.
Danbi Menu
The Danbi menu rotates based on seasonality, and focuses on authentic Korean dishes with a contemporary twist.
To be honest, I don’t eat Korean dishes often and wasn’t sure what to expect. So I was excited to see the dishes and experience the flavor, and it did not disappoint!
The best part about the menu and the experience as a whole was how it shined in all categories. Every single course from the drinks to starters, then entrees and dessert wowed the entire table. You can really see the consistency and quality all throughout the meal.
Drinks
There were 6 of us dining and there are 7 cocktails on the menu. So I got a chance to taste almost every drink (except for the Barley Soju).
The cocktails are made from soju, which was a unique twist.
Everyone at the table had a different ranking, which I think shows that there is something for everyone on the cocktail menu. Here were my personal favorites listed in order:
- Sesame Street – toasted black sesame soju, bokbunja, almond, egg white
- Nightcap – cold brew soju, Korean coffee mix, makgeolli
- Sweet Rain – soju, bokbunja, strawberry, elderflower, lime, egg white
- Luv U So Matcha – khee soju, passionfruit, falernum, orgeat, lime, matcha
- Kimchi Mule – house white kimchee-infused soju, ginger, lime, pear
Starters
We ordered both the Heirloom Tomato Salad and the Honey Butter Chips.
The crowd favorite was the honey butter chips by far. I was surprised at how the honey butter and chives paired so well with potato chips. It was subtle, but addicting! We all kept grabbing for more.
The tomato salad was delicious with fresh tomatoes, scallion oil and a delicious sesame cream.
Entrees
Okay buckle up… we went all in and ordered every item in this category. So there were a lot of entrees to review. I’ll start at the favorites first:
‘Zabuton’ – charcoal-grilled Wagyu beef served with garlic rice
Just wow…. this might be the most tender and flavorful beef I’ve had in a long time. The presentation is on point and it’s perfect for sharing. This is a must-order!
Scallop Pancake Pizza
This was another popular dish at the table, and high-ranking dish. Unfortunately my shellfish allergy kept me from trying it, but it looked amazing!
Beef Tartare
The flavor on this dish was insane. It comes with bone marrow and egg that you mix in at the table, and burdock chips to enjoy it with. Absolutely lovely.
Mushroom Bibimbap
I appreciated the crunch from the cucumber, sprouts and veggies. I’m personally not a big fan of mushrooms in general, mostly because of the texture. But in this dish it was all perfectly balanced, and delicious! I ate every bite of my portion and went back for a little more.
Red Snapper Crudo
This was a smaller portion, but perfect for us since we had several dishes to share. The beautiful snapper is served soaking in a shallow bed of the kasho vinaigrette, and the pear jam added some sweetness. A small, but memorable bite.
Sliced Pork Jowl, Pork Broth Rice Soup, and Perilla Cold Noodles
Nothing against any of these fabulous dishes, but they don’t make the “would repeat” list. The sliced pork jowl was a bit thin and I wasn’t a fan of the texture. The cold noodles were good, but the bimimbap was better! I’m glad we gave the whole menu a try, but I’d skip these on my next visit.
Desserts
Of course we had to get both of the desserts, which were the Melon Semifreddo and the Coconut Flan. And it was really hard to pick a favorite. Both were delicious and unique. I’d re-order both of them again!
The menu does rotate frequently, but reviews show that they are all amazing!
FAQ
Where is Danbi Los Angeles located?
The restaurant is location in Chapman Plaza in Koreatown, about 7 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles.
Danbi Address:
3465 W 6th St, Suite 90-100
Los Angeles, CA 90020
What are the hours of Danbi?
As of August 2024, the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. They open at 6pm Wednesday through Sunday, and close at 10pm with the exception of Fridays and Saturdays which extend to 11pm.
Does Danbi participate in DineLA restaurant week?
Yes! At least, they have in the past. Always check the DineLA website for the latest dates and participating restaurants.
Check out my favorite romantic DineLA spots!
Quarter Sheets Pizza in Los Angeles
Run, Don’t Walk to Make Danbi Reservations…
The Michelin Guide does it once again! I have a feeling this place is going to get more and more popular in LA as the word spreads. So go make reservations now while you can.
Danbi was such a great meal from start to end. This is one to keep on your list. It would make for a perfect date night, or as a night out with friends so you can try lots of things like we did.
Happy eating!
Hannah
This post was a restaurant review of the cocktails and menu at Danbi Los Angeles.
Plate & Compass
Plate & Compass is a food and travel blog written by Hannah Falkosky. After quitting her job and spending 8 weeks in Europe on just a few thousand dollars, she found her love for budget travel and sharing tips to help others explore the world. She also spent 15 years working with award-winning chefs and developed a love for artful food and cocktails. Hannah is now based out of Los Angeles, and when she’s not traveling she makes it her mission to explore the best restaurants and cocktail bars while living life to the fullest.
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