The Backhouse

Have been wanting to try this place for quite a while specifically for their $1 oysters. It did not disappoint! I parked in the building lot and they validated for the entirety which was nice.

They have a pretty sizable dining room and a handful of tables outside. We got there right as they opened and got a table outside which gave us a pretty view of a palm tree lined ktown street just as the sun was setting.

Their lychee martini was also in happy hour and is a must try. We kept knocking these back and got three rounds of a dozen oysters each time. Oyster meat was a bit small but they tasted fresh and yummy so I didn't mind.

Since we came with oyster goal in mind we didn't really try much of anything else except an order of gyoza which were also yummy, except the sauce they brought with it was really oily.

In the past, pre-covid, the food and drinks were so delicious! Comparable to EMC or Big Catch Seafood. They had sushi, yakitori, appetizers, desserts, etc.

Okay now Covid days, the menu has changed... I understand maybe it's due to the need to adjust to tough times. The menu only consisted of yakitori, appetizers, and rice bowls. I ordered a lychee martini (my usual from this place) and it came in a huge wine glass (not even a standard glass) without lychees. My husband said he saw the guy make it a few times... lol maybe he was new?! The food that we ordered from the menu was good, except the truffle beef tongue fried rice- not enough flavor or seasoning.

The staff were all in full blown masks, face shields, and gloves so that was comforting.

You'd think with all the great reviews, this place would be good. WRONG!

First of all, the service was SO terrible! Everyone was so rude and didn't even come check up on our table. Why does everyone have so much attitude?

Second, the food is so mediocre. Its just like EMC. Why did they open a second place right above it if its going to be similar?

I would definitely not recommend this place to anyone.

Been coming here for awhile. Their izakaya and Yakitori options are fantastic. Owned and operated by EMC owners so you get the best of both worlds since you can order from either menu during Covid.

Their happy hour is amazing and def worth checking out, and they have a great selection of beers. Great cocktails and top shelf liquors as well. Oysters on the half shell year round.

Some of my favs:
Bacon wrapped enoki
Beef tongue
Braised pork belly
Chicken cartilage / gizzard / heart
Chicken meatball
Kara-age
Takoyaki

They are currently operating both restaurants from their upstairs open-air patio. It is located on the third floor of the Plaza on the northwest corner. Staff are masked and operate safely.

They don't take RSVP, so be sure to sign in on their wait list as soon as you arrive. Parties must be present to be seated, and wait times can be long esp during peak hours or weekends.

Okay, I am officially OBSESSED with The Backhouse. Let me clarify -- I am officially OBSESSED with the KOREATOWN location of The Backhouse.

After several visits to the one on Pico Boulevard by Santa Monica/West LA, I never imagined I would genuinely like The Backhouse. The Happy Hour selection is decent, especially the amazing $1 oysters, but I would not stop by otherwise. Too pricey, too average, too limited of a menu. When we picked The Backhouse in Koreatown for our group dinner on Saturday evening, therefore, I did not have the highest of expectations.

Well, I was blown away. This location is intimate, too, but much more spacious. We were 12 people, and we sat at the high tables. Before ordering, we asked to have split bills. They accommodated this request; we ended up paying four bills, one or two ways each. We were not charged a group gratuity, as a result. Let me stress that this is NOT common practice. Too many times, big groups have to scramble and people have to frantically Venmo each other to close out a tab. The fact that they were willing to split the bill even before ordering was quite a relief for the rest of the evening.

Yes, The Backhouse is a bit pricey, but portions are quite sizable here. The cut rolls actually have meat on them, though the hand rolls are rather anemic (order the blue crab, anyway!). The yakitori is not the thickest portion, but so rich and good. The pork belly fried rice -- some of the best I have ever had, by far -- is a huge serving that I was able to share with my boyfriend. Oh, and it is ridiculously good! I highly recommend this dish. I asked for no asparagus, and I did not use the provided sriracha.

Even the parking is better in Koreatown than in West LA. Park in the lot downstairs, show your receipt at the exit, and leave without spending a dime. In West LA, you have to find metered parking, which is several dollars per hour.

I got a splinter at your establishment and your manager brought me tweezers to pull it out. Meaning it's happened many times before. The comment you made that it only happens to employees is obviously incorrect because it happened to me... A non employee.

Yes, you got me an alcohol swab and band-aid but you forgot to apologize. Therefore one star.

Oh, and yes we paid for the entire bill. Including tip that was at least 15%. I feel that I should of been comped for at least a small dish as it was only $3-$6.

I didn't want to create a scene or make a big deal but here is my two cents!

4/100:
Such a delicious find! Worth a visit and we will revisit just because we loved the food and service so much! A great tasting menu to try almost all the Backhouse has to offer.
Restaurant is spacious and has a nice patio.
Large bar with lots of TV's
A five star " priced right, pre-date night" review for the Backhouse.

This is the overflow and separate restaurant that is above the EMC Seafood on 6th street. I have eatin here once, basically the same menu as EMC but more asian influenced. My wife and I shared yakitori dishes, sushi, and oysters. Everything was good except the *Uni nigiri. It was not fresh at all, disappointed, at the least, but I am use to and spoiled by Santa Barbara uni products.

Cool patio sushi spot with great happy hour!

We came here one day and it was nice and quiet, Wednesday I believe. And most people starting coming after 7 or 8.

The view was decent and so was the food and service. I was able to bring my dog on the patio which is always a plus so I am happy about that.

Usually I frequent the location on Pico and I love that one! Usually more busy so it felt more comfortable and the atmosphere keeps you more attracted. Funny thing is the place I go to, doesn't even have as nice of a view, interesting how that is.

They have oysters on their happy hour menu which is something I genuinely love and they are so fresh!

Would recommend and return again. This location is in a shopping mall so parking was close by in a parking garage.

Came here for happy hour and we had a blast. The prices for the happy hour menu were very affordable. Chamisul Fresh for $7 a bottle, oh please. Here's what we tried:

Chicken Gizzard Yakitori - crunchy but tender, and nice charred flavor. Paired well with the soju.

Beef Tongue Yakitori - tender, fatty, and melty.

Seared Salmon Truffle - the truffle sauce came through on every bite and the salmon tasted fresh, and the ponzu added a nice citrus component. Very well balanced starter.

Tako Wasabi - it was okay for me, but I can see why some folks would like it. It's raw octopus marinated in wasabi. I couldn't get over the slimy texture, but the wasabi marinade wasn't overbearing.

Tebasaki Chicken Wings - small bite size wings and almost good as Furaibo wings. Not much meat though given the size.

Pork Belly Yakitori - standard fare, and I found them to be a bit dry.

Sausage Yakitori - upscale sausage bites with a nice smoked flavor.

Overall, solid happy hour spot in the heart of K-Town. Service was prompt and parking wasn't an issue since the restaurant is in the City Center Mall.