Ratings and reviews
Nam Won Gol Photos
Hours
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Nam Won Gol Reviews
Amazing and authentic. Everything is fresh!! I drive 30 miles to eat here at least once a month.
I came here expecting to order their mudfish soup since it's their specialty and was a bit worried that I wouldn't like it because I've never had it before. When I try to order it, the owner was nice enough to let me try a small bowl before I make my decision because she said a lot of Chinese people don't like the flavor. I thought it was good and no distinct taste to it. I mainly taste the dried cabbage. I really liked their stir fry squid dish. Probably the best Korean stir fry squid dish I've had. The sauce was delicious. The side dishes are also good.
Mudfish soup, this is the place for this soup. You can't really see the fish as it's ground up. But the flavors are good.
Great food, friendly staff, and pleasant ambiance! The mudfish stews were great, very tasty!! It kinda reminds me of a gamjatang bc of the perilla seeds. The side dishes were so good -- kimchi was very fresh (not too sour not too sweet) and the jelly one very yummy too. The restroom is spotless; you can tell that the owner really takes care of this place
The loach soup is delicious. If you have a group and are willing to pick through some whole fish, get the fried croaker!
Came here 12/17/2022. Nam Won Gol is a Korean restaurant specializing in cheap and hearty Korean stews. Their signature is "chew-au-tang" which is a soup that is made of ground-up loaches (think of a tiny catfish). I believe their signature is $17.99 or $16.99, but if you aren't in the mood for soup there are other options like stir-fried bulgogi, steamed fish, and grilled fish. The banchan spread is magnificent here and it can only be described as homemade, wholesome, and hearty. This is an amazing place to experience real Korean cuisine at an incredible cost. I recommend this place to get an authentic Korean experience.
This place isn't the most aesthetically pleasing and it'll never be in no culinary class tantamount to a Soowon or even a Chosun Galbee(restaurant/s), but Nam Won Gol makes really competent foods at great prices . Aka: A Seoul restaurant in the Gangnam district of Apkujeong has a corvina fish which is on par with this place yet this place in LA does it better ! Side note : It's always the restaurants with no pretense that do food right !! Always IMO
My mom LOVES this place. When a Korean mother LOVES a certain restaurant - it means a ton - so alas, I'm finally reviewing it to appease the Korean gods and those looking for a very specific flare in Ktown. FYI: the restaurant exterior signs are in Korean. If you can't read Korean you'll have to just make guesses. Luckily it's visible from the road. Food - Choo Uh Tang (Mudfish stew- $17): Mom loves this stew. Plus you add in some other spices on the side and there's a tingly sensation. You get the fermented taste but also has a depth of flavor that Koreans appreciate. Solid solid option since this is their signature dish. - Chung Gook Jang (#4): It's similar to a typical gwen jang jee gae and you have the fermented beanpaste stew but with a more deep flavor profile and thicker. Super healthy for you too. I enjoy the flavor of the fermentation and I greatly appreciate the consistency. - Stir Fried Squid: I really enjoy their version of their squid. Not only do they give a good solid portion - but it's coated really well with spice and a great assortment of veggies that go with the entree. If you want something safe but also spicy, go for this option! It's oddly really tasty and I'm always tend to go for this option over others. - Side dishes: A good assortment of fresh kimchi, acorn jelly, radish kimchi, and usually something else. I enjoy their selection even if it's only three. - RICE: Their rice is a mixture of white and purple rice. Gvies it a slight flavor for those who like purple rice. I think it creates a level of complexity. - WATER: okay so they dont use just barley for their cold and hot water, but some other mild ingredients that really gives it a very satisfying flavor. I'm a huge fan because it's not your typical tea water. I can drink this everyday. It's refreshing! Pros: - Solid flavors. There's always a few people in the restaurant - I wish it had more business. It's not that far from the heart of ktown. - I appreciate the homey flavors and touches. Easily supporting my 5-star review. - Extra rice cost $1. Not a bad price considering inflation Cons: - Can be a little pricey for each meal. But it also is made up with quality of ingredients. - $0.5 for to-go containers. hmm. I've been here like 5+ times and they consistently create delicious food. My mom eats here every time she visits from the east coast. I mean, honestly, that in itself says something special and is worthy of a 5-star review. Great job Nam Won Gol! I'll be beck...in a few months.
Honestly, I love this place. I've been craving Choouhtang since I got back from Chicago and this place hit the spot. The waitress is super friendly and their food tastes really healthy. I was esp impressed with their water/tea where they make their own tea from dates and healthy roots.
Nam Won Gol
Nam Won Gol is the go-to Korean BBQ spot in Los Angeles where sizzling meats, savory stews, and authentic banchan come together at 3623 W Pico Blvd, right in the heart of Koreatown.
Discovering Nam Won Gol for Authentic Korean BBQ in Los Angeles
Nam Won Gol isn’t just a restaurant — it’s an experience that transports you straight to Seoul. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by the comforting aroma of grilled beef short ribs, spicy kimchi stew bubbling in clay pots, and the smoky richness that clings to the air in every great Korean barbecue joint. This isn’t some polished, modern fusion spot. This is K-BBQ in its purest form, built for those who love their meals hot, hearty, and hands-on.
Located on West Pico Boulevard, Nam Won Gol is beloved by both Korean locals and BBQ lovers citywide. It’s not uncommon to see a table of friends digging into bulgogi while the server quickly swaps out a sizzling grill. The pace is brisk, the flavors deep, and the experience unforgettable.
You won’t find a fancy digital menu here, but what you will find is kalbi that melts in your mouth, pork belly that crisps up perfectly on the grill, and banchan that just keeps coming. With a cozy, low-lit interior and charcoal smoke wafting gently through the air, it’s a place that brings people together — chopsticks clinking, laughter flowing.
What Makes the Nam Won Gol Menu Truly Unmissable
The menu at Nam Won Gol is a treasure trove of traditional Korean flavors, served up with confidence and care. It revolves around the grill, but don’t skip the side dishes — they’re just as vital to the experience. Prime cuts of beef, pork, and marinated chicken are served raw and ready to sizzle on tabletop grills. Every bite is customizable, every combination a personal masterpiece.
Highlights include LA-style galbi, thin-sliced brisket, and samgyeopsal. Each cut is prepared for grilling right at your table, giving diners control over the crispness, texture, and timing of their meal. The kimchi jjigae, spicy and loaded with pork, tofu, and aged kimchi, warms you from the inside out. And the soy-marinated crab — raw, salty, and soft — is a bold and unforgettable detour.
Vegetarian options are more limited, but if you're here, you're likely here for the grill. Still, you’ll find japchae, tofu stew, and a rotating set of banchan that includes marinated bean sprouts, pickled radish, and chewy fish cake slices. Pair any meal with a cold bottle of soju or Makgeolli, and you've got yourself a night to remember.
Locals and Tourists Agree — Reviews Say It All
Walk into Nam Won Gol on any given weekend and you’ll find the place buzzing. Online reviews paint a consistent picture — this place is reliable, flavorful, and unapologetically Korean. Diners rave about the attentive service, even during peak hours. Servers are fast, efficient, and always ready to assist with grilling or recommend the right dipping sauce for your meat selection.
One reviewer shared their go-to order: brisket, spicy squid, kimchi stew, and at least two rounds of side dishes. Another noted how they bring out-of-town guests here every time, calling it “the best way to introduce someone to real Korean BBQ.” Many compliment the generous portions, fair pricing, and the way the restaurant sticks to its roots.
Nam Won Gol isn’t chasing trends — it’s staying true to what it does best. That’s what builds loyalty in a city packed with options. Customers keep coming back, not just for the food, but for the familiarity and consistency that’s hard to find elsewhere.
The Location and Atmosphere Make It a Koreatown Staple
Located at 3623 W Pico Blvd, Nam Won Gol sits right in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown, where neon signs glow late into the night and the scent of grilled meats dances in the air. Its modest exterior gives way to a cozy, often bustling dining space filled with chatter, clinking glasses, and the sizzle of grills. You’ll likely wait for a table during dinner hours, but the turnover is quick — and totally worth it.
There’s no pretense here. You’re not coming for the aesthetic. You’re coming for the perfect bite wrapped in lettuce with a swipe of ssamjang and a slice of garlic. It’s a place where regulars bring friends, where first-timers become converts, and where the sound of a grill lighting up means it’s time to dig in.
Service is quick and friendly, with staff navigating the tight spaces between tables like pros. Whether it’s a Tuesday night or a birthday bash, Nam Won Gol brings people together over hot coals and bold flavors.
So if you’re anywhere near Los Angeles and craving an honest-to-goodness Korean BBQ feast, this spot should be at the top of your list. Grab some friends, come hungry, and let Nam Won Gol remind you what great food is really all about.
Does Nam Won Gol allow dogs? No. Indoor seating only. Nam Won Gol, located in Arlington Heights just south of Koreatown, specializes in choo-uh-tang (mudfish stew). The restaurant is clean, and the staff is friendly and efficient. Their choo-uh-tang, kimchi jjigae, pork bulgogi, and banchan are all excellent. Prices are fair, and there's a small shared parking lot in the plaza.