Lasung Tofu & Pot Rice

The name ‘Lasung’ is an old Sino-Korean term for Los Angeles, and this modern Koreatown spot is built around two pillars of traditional comfort food – soft tofu stew and hot pot rice. You’ll find it on the ground floor of the 30Sixty apartment building on Olympic Boulevard, its contemporary exterior blending in with the new construction. Inside, the space is clean and simple, with a warm, minimalist aesthetic designed for casual meals and small groups, though private rooms are available for larger parties. The menu is split between its two specialties. First is the sotbap, or pot rice, where rice and toppings like prime boneless short ribs, eel, or grilled eggplant are cooked together in an individual heavy pot. This method creates a layer of crispy, scorched rice at the bottom known as nurungji. The other focus is soondubu jjigae, a bubbling soft tofu stew made with a long-simmered broth. It comes in a wide range of styles, from assorted seafood to kimchi with pork or beef brisket. Many people opt for a combo meal, pairing a choice of stew with a grilled item like LA Galbi or bulgogi. Meals come with a spread of complimentary banchan, with the soy-glazed potatoes being a particular standout. Once you’ve finished the main portion of the pot rice, a server will often pour hot barley tea into the pot. The tea soaks into the remaining nurungji, creating a savory, nutty infusion called sungnyung – a traditional, comforting way to finish the meal. For parking, there’s valet for a small fee and some covered parking in the building, which is usually the best bet as street parking is hard to find.