Korean BBQ at Kang Hodong Baekjeong in KoreaTown, L.A.

Even after Korean food the night before, we still couldn’t get enough. With perhaps the hardest name for a non-Korean to remember, Kang Hodong Baekjeong has been on my queue of places to try in KoreaTown, L.A., for a couple of years. It’s named for a Korean comedian, and with my knowledge of the language limited to “mom,” “dad,” and “thank you,” it’s no wonder I can’t pronounce nor remember this name.But I don’t discriminate. Three of us came on a Saturday night, and there was a two-hour wait. Luckily, there were bars up and down and across the street, so we put our name down on the list and crossed 6th St. To grab a couple of aperitifs (if you count gin and tonics as aperitifs).When it was finally our turn, I felt like I’d just won an Academy Award. “Excuse me, excuse me. Coming through. Yes, that’s us. Thank you.”Inside, the restaurant was dark and hella bumpin’ with music from K-pop to old school Cyndi Lauper and ABBA. After several beers, it took all of me to not get up and dance.We ordered the pork belly, pork jowl, and the lunchbox (which is available not just for lunch). Still a little confused as to what the lunchbox entails, but I think it’s rice in a box and a spicy stew. The fried rice comes with kim chi, veggies, and egg, and the contents are shaken up inside a box. I barely got to try the stew because our dining companion inhaled it before I got a chance. (I like to eat the stew last to watch down all the barbecued grease.)Everything was really yummy but not mind-blowing as I’d expected per everyone’s constant raves about this place. Upon later discussion with a Korean friend who lives in L.A., though, I was told the beef is the meat to get, not the pork. Doh!With its late hours, mood lighting, and loud pop music, Kang Hodong Baekjeong gives off a very social vibe. I’m definitely hitting up this place next time I’m in L.A., and I’m going to get that damn beef combo! I’ll just have to make sure I’ve got several hours to spare because of the wait, but with the abundance of other establishments nearby, it should make for a fun social outing.Kang Hodong Baekjeong3465 W. 6th St., Ste. 20Los Angeles, CA 90020Phone: +1 213 384-9678