(310) 838-3131

9540 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232 34.024 -118.3931

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Neighborhood: Downtown

MOKOSOCIAL.COM

Price:

$$$

Last updated 3.24.11

Category:

Restaurants, Barbecue Restaurants, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Family-Friendly Dining, Outdoor Dining, Private Rooms, People Watching, Family Style Dining, Lunch Spot, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Dine At The Bar

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Korean

What People Are Saying About Gyenari

Featured Review

Mar Yvette

Contributor

Yet another addition to downtown Culver City's resto revitalization, this sprawling space is ideally situated on the pedestrian stretch next to Rush Street and just a stone's throw from the historic (and happening) Culver Hotel. Walk past the sidewalk patio and the first things you'll notice are the cool front bar--stacked with just about every buzz-inducing beverage imaginable and set in its very own lounge area--and the back wall lit by an enormous lemon-colored mural of gyenari blossoms. After the quasi-industrial scene is absorbed, (exposed ceiling ducts, unfinished brick walls, yada yada)…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Don't feel adventurous? The bar menu features its own American-style additions.
Save Money:
Weekly happy hour is from 4pm to 7pm at the front lounge area with discounted drinks and yummy treats like $2 mini chuck sliders made with choice beef that is ground on the premises.
ambiance
90.0% positive
  1. Fantastic service, ambience, service, and good food!
  2. The decor was beautiful and we love the layout of the restaurant.
  3. love the ambiance, the popular location in the city, and the cuisine.
  4. love the atmosphere, in the front they have a fountain and a nice lounge area if you want to sit and wait for some friends and have a drink, or back to the booths were to your right and left is brick walls and in the back a nice yellow background!
  5. With a full bar and a great ambiance.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. my friends got a flourless chocolate cake that was really good too!
  2. My whole experience here was great, from the food to the most delicious desserts and the cocktails were amazing!
drinks
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. the service was great, our waitress made sure we had drinks at all times, she was on top of it!
  2. The bar drink are great and are not expensive.
  3. By the way, you HAVE to order the green tea donuts.
  4. love the atmosphere, in the front they have a fountain and a nice lounge area if you want to sit and wait for some friends and have a drink, or back to the booths were to your right and left is brick walls and in the back a nice yellow background!
  5. their drinks were awesome, i had this rasberry acai cocktail and it had lemon and other things it in, but it was incredible!
  6. With a full bar and a great ambiance.
  7. My whole experience here was great, from the food to the most delicious desserts and the cocktails were amazing!
food quality
94.2300033569336% positive
  1. The fresh fruit mojitos are a.
  2. When I was on the phone with the manager later, he asked me if I liked the food, and I said yes, but I wouldn't be coming back to his restaurant again, and he got rather indignant.
  3. My whole experience here was great, from the food to the most delicious desserts and the cocktails were amazing!
  4. The food is so good, the flavors are terrific.
  5. the food is great, the quality of the meat is BOMB and it was great for people who were afraid to try korean food.
  6. Everything was fresh and had lots of flavor.
  7. The food at Gynenari is really subpar and should not be a reflection of the bounties and flavor of Korean food.
  8. The food is lovely and has such a great balance of east and west.
  9. The Korean food is flavorful and the side dishes are very fresh.
  10. The food isn't bad, but not worth the subsequent aggravation.
  11. In addition to the great food.
  12. Try the GALBEE beef - nice strips of perfectly marbled grilling splendour - and try the spicey chicken & pork.
  13. Why would I know what Korean food taste like, well hell I am Korean and a foodie as well.
  14. We've been to Gyenari for a number of big family events and parties since it opened last year, and we've always been happy with the food and.
  15. The quality of the meat and veggies is so good and fresh.
  16. The food is not prepared fresh, it is microwaved and passed off as fresh cooked.
  17. The food seem pretty authentic (I've had Korean food before but I'm no expert) and the menu wasn't intimidating at all for someone new to Korean food.
  18. The food is good but comparitively overpriced.
  19. Atmosphere is metro, food is great, service is decent, and most
  20. the food was great, the service was awesome, and the prices weren't too bad!
  21. Fantastic service, ambience, service, and good food!
  22. The food here is amazing everything it's fresh and tasty.
  23. Definitely a place to go when you're craving great Korean food.
  24. The setting was fascinating, the food was delicious.
  25. love the ambiance, the popular location in the city, and the cuisine.
  26. do not think I would sit in the dinning room though because it is expensive and I would rather go to a more authentic place in Korea Town.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The food seem pretty authentic (I've had Korean food before but I'm no expert) and the menu wasn't intimidating at all for someone new to Korean food.
  2. The server was super nice and helpful in picking out items off of the menu.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. Just over a year old, and already the best place to eat in Culver City.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. Ive come back here several time and every time its a great experience.
service
90.0% positive
  1. Not to mention the outstanding service from all the waiters.
  2. the service was great, our waitress made sure we had drinks at all times, she was on top of it!
  3. Beyond this aggravation, though, the service was lousy.
  4. Atmosphere is metro, food is great, service is decent, and most
  5. The server was super nice and helpful in picking out items off of the menu.
  6. When I was on the phone with the manager later, he asked me if I liked the food, and I said yes, but I wouldn't be coming back to his restaurant again, and he got rather indignant.
  7. The service is impeccable, and the people are tending to your desires and your needs.
  8. Fantastic service, ambience, service, and good food!
  9. the food was great, the service was awesome, and the prices weren't too bad!
  10. the food is great, the quality of the meat is BOMB and it was great for people who were afraid to try korean food.
value
93.75% positive
  1. the food was great, the service was awesome, and the prices weren't too bad!
  2. Perfect for special occasions but also affordable enough for regular visits.
  3. Pricing: This is not an 'expensive' restaurant - middle of the road pricing.
  4. The food is good but comparitively overpriced.
  5. The food isn't bad, but not worth the subsequent aggravation.
  6. do not think I would sit in the dinning room though because it is expensive and I would rather go to a more authentic place in Korea Town.
  7. The bar drink are great and are not expensive.
  8. their mixology is great, the prices were reasonable.
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. (because everything is clean and prepared and made easy for you) - trust me, this is the perfect way to combine eating with an 'activity' - you will all remember this for a long time to come.
2 Star Rating: Below Average

06/29/09

Nothing taste like Korean Food here

by Lilybeans

Although this place is owned by Koreans, the must not have hired a Korean chef, or someone who understands how to make Korean food. The BBQ is lacking in taste in everyway, and the bunchan and the other food on the menu definately does not taste like it's korean. I've gone back a few times to give them the benefit of the doubt. What the heck happened to all the flavor??? Why would I know what Korean food taste like, well hell I am Korean and a foodie as well. Let me tell you it's probably one of the worst unauthenic places in los angeles. The owner should know better, should be ashame!!! I even emailed the owner of Gyenari, to let him know if changes would be made to the menu, as it is a far cry from any real Korean food. He said they are going to offer Shabu shabu, again not Korean but Japanese! The food at Gynenari is really subpar and should not be a reflection of the bounties and flavor of Korean food. They should be ashamed of serving unedibles! Head over to Wharo in MDR to have a taste of korean food. It's got SEOUL!!!! Or just drive over to Korea town and taste the food before heading over to Gynenari again. Please don't waste your $$$, it's precious especially these days.

  • Pros: Atmosphere
  • Cons: Food
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/18/09

My Very Bad Experience at Gyenari

by mattgazia

I want to echo the sentiments of the other reviewer who had her ATM charged several times... as we had shared the bill. My credit card was charged twice (both initially appeared as pending) and when I called to talk to the manager I was told this happens all the time in restaurants. When I told him it had never happened to me before in 30 years, he didn't respond. As of today, the correct charge has gone through, the incorrect charge is still pending. But as with the other reviewer, never once did the manager offer an apology or say that he would comp anything on the menu should I return. He did tell me that the owner would get back to me the next day but of course that never happened. Beyond this aggravation, though, the service was lousy. After our group had been seated (about 10pm on a Saturday night), it was at least ten minutes before a waitress came to take our drink order. And ten minutes later, we still hadn't received our drinks, so we managed to flag her down, and she asked us, "Oh, did you want me to serve them to you now?" The food is good but comparitively overpriced. When I was on the phone with the manager later, he asked me if I liked the food, and I said yes, but I wouldn't be coming back to his restaurant again, and he got rather indignant.

1 Star Rating: Poor

02/17/09

MY ATM GOT CHARGED MULTIPLE RANDOM CHARGES!!!

by velezia

The food isn't bad, but not worth the subsequent aggravation. My ATM card got charged 4 different times, for different amounts. I called the restaurant immediately, and made a point to be polite and understanding. I figured this must be a fluke, since they are a fairly new establishment. The words "we are sorry" NEVER crossed their lips. Instead they explained to me that "this happens all the time", and that because the charges appear as "pending" on my bank account, there was no cause for alarm on my part. How is the bank to know which is the legitimate charge? I asked. By now I could sense the gentleman was getting quite annoyed with, what he perceived, as my lack of savvy in matters of banking. His answer was: Because we will post the correct charge! Really??!! I am just supposed to trust the people who just charged random amount on my card?! I think not. I will never again eat there. Another one of my friends, who dine with me that evening, had his card charged twice as well. In these days of great fear over identity theft, I doubt anybody would have been fine with a simple apology. In my case, it certainly would have gone a long way.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/04/09

Wonderful Service and Great Space!

by betterfetter

I had a cocktail party at Gyenari last night with about 50 people. The owner, Jimmy was the most gracious, accommodating person I have ever had the pleasure to deal with. Our waitress was on top of it and worked her tail off with a smile on her face the whole time. The space is amazing and they treat you like royalty. Everyone from my party was very impressed. You guys made me look good! I highly recommend coming here and definitely having a party here.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/23/09

Landy Cognac

by liltamby5

In addition to the great food...this is the only bar I have been to that serves Landy Cognac. I've seen it online, but never found a place that serves it!

The Details on Gyenari

Place Categories:

  • great korean food
  • fantastic service
  • fresh amazing everything
  • not expensive korean restaurant
  • great whole experience
  • authentic place
  • fantastic ambience
  • like gyenari korean bbq
  • great ambiance
  • great bar drink
  • not too bad prices
  • famous designer
  • not worth food
  • great gyenari
  • fresh quality
  • wonderful lounge
  • incredible drinks
  • helpful server
  • nice strips
  • affordable enough
  • great christmas eve dinner spot
  • love atmosphere
  • nice yellow background
  • amazing space
  • big parties
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