Woo Lae Oak - Beverly Hills

08/05/09

Best quality meat!

by pb12 at Citysearch

My mom is usually very picky about her meat quality (fat-meat ratio, chewyness, etc), so this is one of the few Korean BBQ places she's willing to go. The owner is often there and after going there a few times, you'll get to know her. She gives us complimentary desserts (which, btw, look and taste quite amazing).

• Pros: the atmosphere, meat quality
• Cons: pricy

04/04/09

Worst Korean Food

by uttim75 at Citysearch

I'm Korean and have to say this is the worst Korean restaurant I've ever been to. While the ambience is nice, the food is subpar with small portions and the price is ridiculous when you can get much better food for half the cost.

• Pros: Ambience
• Cons: Price, not authentic

Gourmet Korean fare served in high-gloss surroundings along Beverly Hills' Restaurant Row.

by Jessica Hoolko at Citysearch

In Short
This sleek, industrial space, decorated with hanging scrolls and kite-like light fixtures sets the scene for the "Nouveau Korean" cuisine that's served to the local power set not willing to make the trek to K-Town. Meals begin with appetizers such as Korean sushi and crepe-wrapped Dungess crab with leeks and mustard sauce. Traditional entrees include chestnut-stuffed chicken breast or black cod in sweet garlic sauce, though the barbecue, like the dae ji (spicy pork) and the kal bi (boneless short rib) is the main attraction. A selection of soups, sides, rice dishes and desserts round out the menu.

04/19/08

Sooooo amazing!!!!

by bloodrush at Citysearch

great food ,great service and very romantic to hang out! I will definetely go back!

Very exclusive place... nice fire place and nice crowds.

04/17/08

Bridging the Korean Food Gap

by popojo at Citysearch

As a Korean, I think Woo Lae Oak is an amazing Korean restaurant. The quality of their food is extremely good and the ambiance is excellent. If you're looking to stuff yourself for under $20, then go to the other 50 Korean restaurants that serve average ingredients with average service. Woo Lae Oak has done a fantastic job of introducing the Korean cuisine to Americans by offering gourmet food with an artistic touch.

I strongly recommend the Ke Sal Mari (dungeness crab wrapped in spinach crepe) & Hae Mul Bokkum (calamari, scallop, and sweet shrimp sauteed in a spicy sauce) for appetizers, Kal Bi (boneless beef short rib) for an entree, and the Tropical Snow (shaved coconut ice surrounded by jellied fruit, sweet beans & coconut ice cream) for dessert.

Also, Woo Lae Oak isn't like your typical Korean restaurant, since most of the wait staff is not Korean, hence their location on La Cienega rather than Koreantown. If you only speak English, ordering is extremely easy, since there isn't a language barrier, and the wait staff is very helpful in describing each dish. The restaurant also has a private dining room for large parties.

• Pros: Quality of ingredients, Variety on Menu, Ambiance, Friendly Wait Staff
• Cons: Only Valet Parking ($2), Often very busy

04/07/08

OMG! Best Korean BBQ EVER!

by Xena505 at Citysearch

I have had some good Korean BBQ but this has surpassed my expectations! Every dish we had was prepared to perfection. The wait staff even helped us cook our food. Can't wait to go back!!! If you live in the neighborhood you MUST visit to appreciate my ranting and raving! You won't be dissappointed!

• Pros: Ambience, Food, Service
• Cons: Um.....can't think of any

04/07/08

To Die For Black Cod, Amazing Service,

by JTJ547 at Citysearch

Wow!!! This restaurant definitely sets the standard for Korean BBQ. It's KB gone gormet. Be Careful! As soon as u try it you will be hooked. Definitely the finest restaurant on La Cienega!!!

• Pros: Food, Service, Ambience
• Cons: You might have to cook it yourself, but ask your waiter to do it and he will gladly ablige.

04/03/08

LOVE LOVELOVE THIS PLACE!

by fmentier at Citysearch

Great restaurant, awesome location, more of a stylish/sophisticated korean BBQ. Very fresh, Great Staff, great service. I love this restaurant you can always get in, better than korea town BBQ houses and its right in Beverly Hills so its even easier to get to than korea town with all the traffic. When ever i go i see cool celebrities hanging out so that is always fun for my guests i have in town. All of their BBQs are great they have normal traditional food and some new exciting stuff the chef has whiped up on his own. Great atmosphere very romantic/trendy feel to it. Its very healthy and there is something for everyone even my young ones. Easy way to please everyone in one stop. Not as expensive as posted on here i personally feel. I would say its about $30-$40 a head depending on what you order and how much. Must for first timers with Korean food.

• Pros: Own $3 valet parking lot on restaurant row
• Cons: The cute wait staff HAHAHAHA

03/27/08

Do not go this restaurant.

by kindergarden at Citysearch

This is the worst Korean food that I ever tasted. These "fusion" Korean foods taste so bad, I will not go there again. Nang-myon(cold noodle) was terribley seasoned. The cook should know how to balance the soup. Kal-bi was not tasty. Side dishs were disappointing.

• Pros: Nice service
• Cons: Food

07/21/07

nice ambiance but don't pay for bad panchan

by gfor at Citysearch

People wanting to eat just meat and willing to pay more for korean bbq will get an OK meal without having to drive east into K-town. But the side dishes they give taste worse than those in a combo from a strip mall. Their kimchi, for example, is so Americanized you can't call it kimchi. Pickled with lots of salt and a bit of pepper, the white stalk at the base of the bok choy. They serve a few other things and expect you to pay for other side dishes. Let's face it. It's the side dishes that keep us coming back to these places, because I can cook rib eye steak strips anywhere. On the upside, this is a large restaurant that feels like it could turn into a Hollywood club at night, except that this place doesn't get crowded.

• Pros: ambiance, immediate seating
• Cons: side dishes not authentic