The native Angeleno whose parents founded Korean restaurant Kobawoo House reveals his top spots for omakase, bossam and more
A native Angeleno whose parents founded Korean restaurant Kobawoo House in 1983, Brian Baik grew up immersed in the culinary industry. After working at New York City’s prestigious Bouley, Eleven Madison Park, the Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare and Sushi Noz, he returned home and refined his concept through pop-ups before opening Bar 109 and Corridor 109 in Melrose Hill in 2025.
The latter recently received a Michelin star, and it showcases Baik’s love for seafood and premium ingredients through an 11-course tasting menu served at the 11-seat chef’s counter. The adjacent more casual Bar 109 is a neighborhood bar serving craft cocktails and bar bites. Here’s where Baik eats on his own time.
Pork Belly Bossam
Kobawoo House Restaurant
“This is at my parents’ restaurant, but the pork belly bossam is actually my favorite dish. It’s tender pork belly and shoulder that’s thinly sliced, and you make your own wrap (“bossam”) with fermented cabbage and radish, topped with an assortment of pickled vegetables to make the most flavorful bite. When people think of Korean food, they think K BBQ — but there’s so much variety to the cuisine, and this dish has been a Koreatown staple for 43 years. [Kobawoo] is where we take our friends to eat. Pair it with beer; makgeolli, Korean rice wine; soju; or bring your own wine.”
$56, 698 S. Vermont Ave., #109, Koreatown, kobawoola.com
Sushi Omakase
Sushi Kaneyoshi
“Chef Yoshi-san is a master at work. He uses exceptional ingredients, sourced meticulously, and his sushi omakase is my favorite in the city. His silver-skinned fish, specifically kohada, is a truly memorable bite.”
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$400, 250 1st St. B1, DTLA, restaurants. kaneyoshi.us/kaneyoshi.html
Aunt Emmy’s Pork & Green Chili Stew
Dunsmoor
“This dish came highly recommended to me, and now it’s one of my favorites in L.A. It’s a green chili stew with pork and cheddar, served with warm flour tortillas on the side. It’s comforting, delicious and a dish I can’t stop recommending.”
$27, 3501 Eagle Rock Blvd., Glassell Park, dunsmoor.la
Dining and Cooking