Ever heard of hip Korean? Well at Woo Lae Oak they are serving up some spicy cuisine to a trendy crowd on restaurant row in Beverly Hills. This place is ready to walk the red carpet of new “it” restaurants.

Who doesn’t love barbecuing at their own table, or dining on the newest chic cuisine in Los Angeles? You know you love it, and you’ve got to try it. At Woo Lae Oak they’ve got some great appetizers like; marinated tuna tartare over a bed of Asian pears, now doesn’t that sound divine? And a hot appetizer of slowly roasted baby pork ribs with a soy & chili glaze served over green tea crostini or the Dungeness crab & leek wrapped in spinach crepes with a mustard sauce.

Or if you are interested in trying the rare bird, order up some traditional bbq. Literally they serve Ostrich, completely amazing and simply unique. They’ve also got the old favorites like filet mignon, kobe beef and swordfish, but why not try something you’ve never had before? At Woo Lae Oak, you may just catch a glimpse of a celebrity with a plate of sliced beef tongue, nowhere else would that happen, but here.

Opening hours are Sun-Thurs, 11:30am to 10:30pm, Fri and Sat, 11:30am to 11pm. Woo Lake Oak is located at 623 S. Western Ave., in Los Angeles, 90005. General phone is 213-384-2244. For general inquiries or comments bh@wloak.com or for marketing questions elimartinez@wloak.com.  Phone is 310-652-4187 and their website is www.wloak.com.

Who hasn’t dreamed of being a chef, at least for one night? Wharo Korean BBQ in Marina Del Rey welcomes the culinary master in you.

At Wharo you can grill at the table if you like, or enjoy the kitchen’s mastery instead. They know Korean food and have blended the flavors together wonderfully. They were even rated among the “Top 10 New Restaurants” in Los Angeles Magazine in 2006 and “Best Korean Restaurant” on citysearch.com in 2005 and 2007.

Right when you walk in the door you know you are in for a treat. Everything is pleasant, the smells, the sights, the service. And you won’t feel intimidated by the menu either.

I suggest ordering a “tapas” to start. Try the Seared Tuna Sashimi Carpaccio with sesame dressing, or the Crab Wrap. Their salads are equally organic and wonderful. I suggest the Ahi Tuna Salad or the Ginseng Salad if you need a little kick start for your meal.

Their Kogi Gui “charcoal dining” is served ready to grill, right at your table. They suggest the diners be the chef for the evening. They have everything from boneless short ribs, to filet mignon and Kobe beef, to chicken, shrimp and scallops. Whether you are a meat eater, or a seafood lover, you’ll find something to grill up for sure.

And of course they have traditional Korean food like Beef Bibimbop or Spicy Kalbi Soup and Mul Naeng Myun for those of you who know what I’m talking about. Each meal is served warm, tasty and with a smile.

Wharo Korean BBQ is located at 4029 Lincoln Blvd., in Marina Del Rey, 90292. Located in a strip mall near Walgreens off Venice and Lincoln. Parking is available in the mall lot, along with reserved parking for customers. Hours are Mon-Fri, 5pm to 11pm, Sat, 4pm to 11pm, Sun, 4pm to 10:30pm. Contact them at 310-578-7114 or visit them online www.wharo.com. You may also email mijini73@gmail.com.

Now here is a deliciously different Korean restaurant in LA. The atmosphere is awesome, modern, yet traditional at the same time. They have some really cool pieces straight from Seoul, Korea. And the food is really delicious.

Located inside the Wilshire Grande on the lobby level, they are far from your average hotel coffee shop.  The barbecue here is critically acclaimed and absolutely habit-forming. Appetizers are two portions per order and I recommend the Crabmeat rolls, thinly wrapped in spinach crepes, the pan-fried beef and pork dumplings or the seafood scallion pancake with calamari, baby shrimp and bell pepper.

Onto the entrees, the coolest thing in Korean cooking is someone preparing food right at your table. Seoul Jung does not disappoint. Their tabletop barbecue includes side dishes, rice, soup and dipping sauce, and yes, they really do make it right at your table. Some noteworthy dishes are; tender, marinated boneless short ribs, prime rib-eye steak, and marinated filet mignon and lobster tail.

Another cool thing about Korean cuisine is their hot pot specialties, these are also cooked at your table but you must order for 2 or more. My favorite is the seafood and vegetable casserole of whole lobster, prawns, squid, Manila clams and rock cod in a spicy broth. Deliciously different.

They have an extensive wine list and also serve soju and sake, as well as Korean, Japanese, European and Domestic beers. And their dessert menu doesn’t disappoint. They offer fresh fruit, ice cream, strawberry sabayon and even crème brulee.

Seoul Jung is located at 930 Wilshire Blvd., in Los Angeles, 90017. They are open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and dinner seven days a week from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Seats 130 people (including 3 private rooms for seating up to 35 guests for special occasions or events). Direct Line: (213) 688-7880 or visit them online at http://www.wilshiregrand.com/restaurants&bars/seoul_jung.htm.

I’m always interested in trying new cuisine and Korean was one I hadn’t checked off my list. I’d highly suggest ChoSun Galbee for anyone who is a rookie in regards to this wonderfully different food.

First of all the ambience is great. Clean, open, friendly, and spacious. Dive right into the barbecue, some must try dishes are the short ribs, pork and black tiger shrimp. If you are a noodle lover try the Mul NengMyun; cold buckwheat noodle soup with special beef, it is delicious. Or try the Geh Chigae; crab and vegetable spicy stew served in a casserole. 

If you are a vegetarian, they have some really great dishes and you can just ask them to remove the meat. My favorite dish in the place is the Hwae Dup Bap; assorted sashimi and vegetables served over steamed rice with spicy sauce, simply beautiful.

To visit ChoSun Galbee find them at 3330 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, 90019. They are open 11am to 11pm daily and serve lunch Mon-Fri from 11am to 3pm. They offer a full bar and complimentary valet parking behind the restaurant. You may also visit them online at www.chosungalbee.com.