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Asian-Ya Tokyo Kalbi
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
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11 reviews for Asian-Ya Tokyo Kalbi
This review is for the lunchtime Asian-ya, not the BBQ side.
Asian Ya basically has ramen, sundubu, donburi (rice bowl) and few other things sprinkled in such as pho (really?! I know, a bit unusual). In other words, this place is a Japanese restaurant that also serves other Asian dishes, but with a Japanese flair.
If you have dined in Japan, this place very much reminds me of Japanese shokudu type places (cafeteria, not in the institutional sense [hospital, school]). You will spend around $7-15 depending on your appettite. Of course, I had to get the sundubu + kara-age chicken combination for $13. A huge bonus, a second helping of rice complimentary. Nice!
The kara-age was the best I have had in ages. Light, not overly cooked, juicy and marinated just right. It was almost like home cooking. Plus, the portion was very generous, especially for being part of a combination. The sundubu was pretty standard, so don't get too teed up on that.
As an interesting side note, the rice was served in the Korean style metal bowl. And we were given four side dishes of panchan (seawood, kimchee, bean sprouts and namul style spinach). Pretty solid.
Anyway, this place was custom made for me.
If you are not accustomed to home style Japanese food or are looking for authentic Korean, then pass on this place, you'll be pouring haterade all over this place. However, if you have enjoyed meal in Japan at places like Yamada Udon, Matsuya or even Gust-o, this is your place.
It's not Korean BBQ but a Japanese style BBQ? What's the difference? Portion is much smaller, but beef quality is higher. The price is reasonable, but you can't eat like at a Korean joint. This is more of savoring type of place -- order some prime ribs or marinated sirloin, then have some other items such as grilled veggies, pancake, or cold noodles or rice dish. Everything is good. The atmosphere is slightly modern and simple, but tastefully decorated.
Better than other Japanese BBQ place on Sawtelle, at lower price and easier parking. Open until late.
Caution: These are actually two separate restaurants and I'm Yelping for Toyko Kalbi.
When we walked in, there seemed to be a lot of Japanese locals so I knew being a Japanese-Korean place it was J-owned. (Anyone knows that it's Galbi, not Kalbi...so that was a hint right off the bat)
The vegetables were good, but when we asked for refills, it was $3 (Japanese)
The meat was very tasty and I liked how you cooked it over charcoal and a grill that looked like a strainer. It's much better than those metal grills.
We got a couple of soups that were good. I forgot the names of them, but they had a Mondu flavor to them.
The kim chee wasn't hot, but it also wasn't bad.
Can't get a 5 with "Izakaya" sized portions.
This is my favorite neighborhood eatery. It's sort of a pan-asian place, and while not every dish is a winner, there are some really tasty staples I come back for nearly once a week.
The soon tofu tastes authentic, with a rich broth and the spiciness only slightly tamed down for the Westside crowd. The accompanying panchan is varied and interesting. I prefer the soon tofu here than the much more crowded Tofu-ya on Sawtelle.
Grilled beef tongue is very simple, and a petite portion, but packed in flavor and served with a heap of chopped green onion marinated in sesame oil. Yum!
Chicken Pho- I'm normally kind of a pho purist, but here the broth is so good that I don't miss the beef at all.
Jalapeno fried rice, which is a generous portion and tasty, without being too scary for the less adventurous eaters.
Stay away from the fried tofu, the sauce is bland and under seasoned, and it comes with this unidentified viscous goo that is kind of gross. Also beware the Japanese eggplant- I keep trying to like it, but it too is under seasoned and cooked poorly, so that the texture is too gummy.
They are only open for dinner on the weekends starting at 530pm.. I found out after trying to go for lunch =(
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/5/2009
I meant to go to lunch at Asahi Ramen but upon getting there, forgot that they were closed on… Read more »
Went last friday night at about 7:30 with the girls. The crowd seemed really dead, everyone there was oddly quiet (especially for a friday night) like they were just there to eat and then go. If I wasn't having a great time catching up with my girlfriends I would have been bored to death. The place isn't nice enough for it to be relaxing either, felt kinda diner-y.
I was starving but everything was just OK. The jalapeno fried rice with pork was good, not spicy, but then is there really such a thing as "bad" fried rice?? I did really enjoy their kimchee-very very spicy. Ebi chili was alright, short ribs were pretty good, eggplant was ok but drowning in the sweet sauce that was on it. The gyoza were good, but the soy sauce that was on the table that we all used for dipping was so damn salty it completely overpowered every other flavor. I think they must have taken all the salt from the reduced salt soy sauces and put it into this one. GET SOME NEW SOY SAUCE ASIANYA!!!!
I discussed how many stars to give Asianya with my friends and they said 2. I was thinking three, because I wouldn't be opposed to going back. and I was pleased with the prices. BUT, what it comes down to is whether I would return by choice. I WOULD NOT. 2 stars it is!!!
Wow this place is exactly what I need. This was Yokohama for years and it changed to Ramen Ya. Really good Negi Ramen and excellent service. This place also has no attitude and parking which is easy. I prefer this Ramen to Ramen-Ya up on Olympic. It stays open late at least 11:30pm which is around the time I am craving Ramen.
Normally I equate "galbi" with Korean cuisine but Tokyo Kalbi does do this genre right! Without the loud and crazy congestion of Korea Town traffic or other cigarette accessorized diners sitting, standing and milling around, my friend and I was able to enjoy an easy relaxed evening in an intimate but roomy booth in West L.A. We ordered about 6 dishes, the highlights being the liver sashimi (raw liver but oh so so good when dipped in the oil and eaten with some ginger), beef tongue (no talking back), premium kalbi (pay the 3.00 upgrade, its worth it!) and pork cheek. Normally, I'm adverse to leaving tips for restaurants where I have to do my own cooking but the chefs deserve recognition for the marination recipe and process of preparing the meat for a tasty and filling meal. However, I do suggest ordering the bimbibap as a filler.
Great Japanese style Korean BBQ. All food is great hear including Salad, Beef BBQ, Pork BBQ, Seafood BBQ and even deserts. Meets are very fresh and tasty. Small space so you may need to reserve your sheets ahead. Nicely decorated restaurant good for dates or family gatherings. I will come here again.
This place is pretty good. I usually get the soon tofu.. and if you ask for spicy..its realllyy spicy. I prefer mine to be medium. I love the bimbimbap as well. Its enough for 2 people to share. I haven't tried their ramen but that will be next on my list.
Mostly Japanese food but they also have Korean food (Soon Tofu, Bibim Bap, etc).
I had Jalapeno fried rice. It was spicy (but not too much) and delicious. Very unique..very close to a Kimchee Fried Rice (which strangely was not on the menu even though they had Kimchee).
Also had Surantan Men which is a special kind of ramen. It was okay. Noodle was good but soup needed a little spice.
That said, the menu has quite a variety and the quality of the fried rice has me hopeful that the Soon Tofu (the only on the Westside?) will be just as good.
Place also has Bento Boxes for lunch, lots of Ramen variety, salads and other rice dishys (Curry Rice, Chicken/Rice Bowls, etc).
Open late (11:30pm - but closed on Wednesday) and the variety of the menu probably means I'll be coming back to this place soon!
They have Japanese beer (even Yebisu) , but nothing on tap! :(
