Koreatown, Los Angeles

New traditional Korean cooking on Western Avenue

Chef Kang's HanEuem has held this corner of S Western Ave since 2021. Raw crab and shrimp cured in soy, wagyu short ribs braised for hours, jeon off the hot plate, and a table of banchan that never runs empty.

4.3from 224 Google reviews

Since May 2021

A chef's kitchen, run like a family table

HanEuem opened on 5 May 2021 as a new traditional Korean restaurant: the cooking of a Korean home table, held to a chef's standard. Chef Kang's name is on the door and on the dishes, from the kimchi fermented in house to the wagyu back ribs that go into the pot hours before anyone orders them.

The room is small and it gets busy. Guests describe it as a hidden gem, if hidden means full of people. Sit at the counter under the fanned timber ceiling, take an outdoor table on a warm evening, or call ahead and reserve.

4.3

Google rating

224 reviews

Since 2021

Serving Koreatown

Opened 5 May

Fri and Sat

Kitchen open late

Until 12:30am

The HanEuem sign, brush calligraphy on a black panel

The sign on S Western Ave

What we are known for

Raw crab and shrimp, cured in soy

It is the first thing we tell people about, and the thing guests come back across the city for. Fresh crab and shrimp, cured in our own soy or in a spicy garlic and vegetable marinade, served cold with hot rice.

Soy marinated raw shrimp served with purple rice
01

Soy Marinated Raw Shrimp

간장새우장

Ten pieces, cured in soy until the flesh turns sweet and translucent. Eaten over hot rice.

Spicy marinated raw crab on a bed of lettuce
02

Spicy Marinated Raw Crab

양념간장게장

Fresh raw crab fermented in a spicy garlic and vegetable sauce. One of the true Korean delicacies.

Soy marinated raw crab platter with a bowl of roe rice
03

Soy Marinated Raw Crab

간장게장

The rice thief. Served cold with roe, a bowl of hot rice, and the whole table of banchan.

Six banchan in black bowls arranged around a bowl of purple rice

The table

The banchan keep coming

Every meal arrives surrounded by side dishes, and one of the things guests write about most is that nobody has to ask for a refill. Staff watch the table and top them up before they empty, even out on the patio.

From the pass

What comes out of the kitchen

A full table of braised short ribs, jeon and stew with banchan
Soy marinated crab beside a rolled omelette and banchan
A spicy stir fry served over bean sprouts in a stone pot
Braised short ribs in a metal pot topped with fresh herbs
Two hot pots on portable burners with banchan around them
Trays of assorted jeon and rolled omelette ready for service

Guest reviews

What people say

Verified Google reviews, in the words they were written in.

4.3

224 Google reviews

너무 맛있어서 미치게 하는 식당. 다이어트 중인데 밥두공기 먹음. LA 갈비랑 고등어구이 시켰는데 특히 고등어 구이 너무 통통하고 맛있었어요! 가격 비싸지도 않고 엄마도 잘 드셨다고 합니다. 밥도 매번 새로 해서 금방 금방 주시더라고요! 추천합니다!

TranslationThis place? A hidden gem, if by hidden you mean packed with hungry people. I came for dinner and ended up inhaling two bowls of rice like it was a competitive sport. The mackerel? Life changing. Crispy, juicy, and seasoned like a K drama plot twist. If you are cool with a little hustle and bustle, this spot is totally worth it.

Heewon Lee

1 year ago

게장이 너무 먹고싶어서 찾아보다가 게장 전문점은 아닌것 같지만 음식이 정갈해 보여서 들렸는데요 새우장, 양념게장 시켰는데 너무너무너무 맛있어요. 미국에서 못먹어본 퀄리티! 다른 게장전문점보다 더 맛있고 싱싱해요. 새우장도 안짜고 맛있어요! 게다가 가격도 착하네요. 엘에이 떠나기전에 또 올게요

TranslationI was craving gejang, and although this is not a dedicated gejang house the food looked so carefully done that I stopped in. I ordered the marinated shrimp and the spicy crab and they were unbelievably good. A quality I have not had anywhere in the States, better and fresher than the specialists. The shrimp is not over salted either. I will be back before I leave LA.

소프라노밍 Soprano Minju

2 years ago

야외좌석에 앉았는데도 반찬 떨어졌는지 틈틈이 확인해서 채워주시는 일하시는 분 정말 감동입니다. 최근에 일손 부족으로 서비스 너무 별로인곳 많은데 음식 맛도 엄지척 서비스도 정말 만족스러워 또 갈 예정입니다.

TranslationEven though we sat outside, the staff kept checking whether our banchan had run low and topped them up. Genuinely moving. So many places have poor service right now because they are short staffed, but the food gets a thumbs up and the service was so good that we are already planning to go back.

Mandy Back

4 years ago

Find us

Visit HanEuem

Opening hours

Monday
11:00am - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 12:30am
Saturday
11:00am - 12:30am
Sunday
11:00am - 9:30pm

Kitchen closes between 3:00pm and 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

Address

539 S Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90020

Parking

Valet at the door, plus lot and street parking on Western Ave.

Access

Step free entrance, accessible parking, restroom and seating.

Open in Google Maps

Good to know

  • Reservations accepted
  • Dine in and outdoor seating
  • Takeout and delivery
  • Beer served
  • Cards and contactless accepted

Get in touch

Reserve a table or ask us anything

Calling is the fastest way to reach us, for a table tonight or for a larger party. We are on Instagram too, and the door is open six days a week.

Or just come in

539 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Walk ins are welcome. Valet at the door, and outdoor tables when the evening is warm.

Call 213-388-8988