대성로 Dae Sung Ro

🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA / QUICK FIX: Does the latest KBBQ spot in a doomed Koreatown corner have a chance?

🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA
📍 3101 W. 8th Street,
Koreatown, Central Los Angeles
🅿️ Valet
🥤 Beer, soju, and sake

📸 All photos by Jared Cohee
for Eat the World Los Angeles

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May in Los Angeles is notorious for bringing gloomy weather, requiring jackets, and causing fury as residents see their friends in crappy weather places like New York City post photos of admittedly good weather. The good news is that the city presents all types of perfect options for eating in this type of weather, and Koreatown never disappoints whether it be with KBBQ or one of the many other offerings in the neighborhood.

On one particular corner in Koreatown, a space that seems to have had ten different businesses in the last ten years has a relatively new and somewhat notable occupant. For the last two years, the latest to try their hand at this corner is Dae Sung Ro, which seems to be going for quality over quantity unlike some of its predecessors.

There are plenty of folks here that come in groups of two, but when not eating at the all-you-can-eat spots, it makes sense to grab at least two more of your friends so that you can order a wider range of items. Like usual, Dae Sung Ro offers a couple combos to give you a variety, but there are strengths and weaknesses within these and side orders will lead to a better experience.

For the first year at least, the two combos were split between pork and beef, but recently the second has been turned into the DSR Combo, with the more expensive beef cuts combined with some Kurobuta pork belly slices. This replaces the prime boneless short rib, and most likely is a way to reduce costs and not raise the price of this premium combo, which is $87.99.

Since the majority of pork eaters have no problem enjoying grilled pork belly (below), this change is not really an issue. The excellent dipping sauce tray each diner gets has great choices for each cut.

There are two choices to be made within the combo as well, the first of which is between wagyu brisket (above) and wagyu belly. The former makes more sense for a well-rounded meal, and these thin cuts are so good that meals here usually decide to get at least one more side order ($28.99).

While not part of any combo, side orders of thinly sliced beef tongue ($33.99, below) are always an add-on for meals here.

The second choice you make for the DSR combo is between gochujang stew and beef brisket soybean paste stew (above). The latter is a real star here, and should be chosen every time! It is the kind of stew you end up drinking until the last drop.

As mentioned, the dipping sauces are all top notch, and the banchan are adequate enough to do their job. Combos come with two big bowls of salad, and the green onion mix is especially delicious.

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