Last Member Drive of 2025!

Your year-end tax-deductible gift powers our local newsroom. Help raise $1 million in essential funding for LAist by December 31.
$614,087 of $1,000,000 goal
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Food

Recession Obsession: Koreatown Galleria Food Court

Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.

The Official Recession has been upon us for thirteen official months. It’s still not a reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we’ve got plenty of cheap options! We last had our pick of choice, low-cost international cuisine at both the Grand Central Market and Thai Town.

When times are tough we’re compelled to cut spending. It’s a reaction so instinctive that it seems hard-wired. Let’s ignore our wiring and do another thing to do to our wallet during The Official Recession. Let’s stretch it. Today we’ll seek value at the Koreatown Galleria’s Food Court, LAist’s latest Recession Obsession.

The Koreatown Galleria is clean. It’s very, very clean, and bright. It still has that new mall smell (despite having opened 2001.) The Koreatown Galleria is so immaculate that you may conclude it offers tasteless, sterile food. Not true. Here you'll find authentic Korean food in large portions with some fun extras.

The Food Gallery

Most of the Food Court’s (”Food Gallery” they call it) dozen eateries specialize in Korean food there's Japanese as well.) The great thing about Korean food is that it doesn’t leave you hungry -- something especially good in this economy. The portions are hearty and you’ll find your tray full of complimentary side dishes (banchan.) They’re pretty good too.

On a recent Sunday LAist ordered the pork cutlet plate from Tonkatsu. For some this would’ve been two meals. For this LAist eater it was one hearty meal, and it was $10. Two meals at this Food Court is definitely enough for three eaters. Aside from the mayo-covered salad it was a very enjoyable meal. My pork cutlet was enormous and tasty. The side dishes were good too. Expect kim chi.

Pictured above: Two large slabs of lightly-fried pork. Miso soup. Spicy daikon (I think that’s what it was.) Salad. Orange slice. Macaroni salad. (Somehow no kim chi.)
Sponsored message

Relax On The PatioThis third-floor Food Court has a nice outdoor patio. At eye level you’ll note the many tall palm trees of Koreatown. It’s a nice place to eat a meal. Especially because it'll take some time to polish off your dense tray.

  • Koreatown Galleria Food Court (Food Gallery) @ Koreatown Galleria
  • Western & Olympic, Koreatown 3250 W Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90006 (Western & Olympic) (323) 733.6000

  • Mon - Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Sun 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Parking: Free in the lot.

Photos by Caleb Bacon for LAist

What do you like to eat at the Koreatown Galleria Food Court? Comment below!

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible year-end gift today

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right