Baroo

Few restaurants have captured LA’s attention like Baroo, the order-at-the-counter Korean cafe that originally opened in 2015 in East Hollywood serving fermented vegetables to lines wrapped around the block. A second iteration arrived in 2019 inside a swap meet down the street before being demolished. Now, it’s time for Baroo’s third act. Located in a sleek, industrial space in the Arts District, this is Baroo all grown up—the only dining option is an eight-course tasting menu for $110, and there’s an extensive wine and sake list. While we do miss the hearty bowls and kimchi toasts of past locations, dishes at the new Baroo—red-yeast rice squares topped with 'nduja and pichuberry, fried fermented soft-shell crab, and chamoe panna cotta—are just as special as anything at the original. Just because there's a tasting menu doesn't mean Baroo is now stuffy and self-serious, either. This is one of the coolest places you can spend $150 right now in LA (that includes tax and tip).