Reviewing Daedo Sikdang: Serving experience and culture with a side of Korean barbeque in Koreatown, Los Angeles.  

My cousin’s favorite cuisine is Korean, specifically Korean barbeque. So for her birthday dinner, we decided on a fine-dining Korean barbeque restaurant called Daedo Sikdang in none other than Koreatown. We have been to several Korean barbeque restaurants in Koreatown, but this one was especially unique and distinct from others we have visited. Upon walking in, we were checked in at the host stand and then seated at a table where the side dishes had already been set out in preparation for our group’s arrival. The simplistic wooden chairs and table followed a very simple, modern aesthetic throughout Daedo Sikdang. The first thing I noticed was the ventilation system around the on-table grill to prevent diners from smelling like the food upon leaving the restaurant. It was quite busy, so the service was on the slow side. 

We ordered the Daedo Cut, the Daedo Bulgolgi, the Kkakdooki fried rice, and the Daedo Yukaejang. The Daedo Cut is Angus beef ribeye, and includes ribeye roll, ribeye cap, and ribeye strip. The meat was perfectly cooked as it was prepared with a torch fire in addition to the table stove top. The Daedo Bulgogi consists of thinly sliced upper portion of ribeye marinated with a special sauce served over grilled onions. This meat was extremely flavorful, and one of the group’s favorite dishes for sure. We had the Kkakdooki fried rice which is exclusive to Daedo, and is a signature dish that is both crispy and sour. This dish was packed with flavor, and I really appreciated the crispy bottom portion of the dish– it reminded me of hot pot crispy rice. Lastly, we had the Daedo Yukaejang which is a rich and spicy beef soup with seasonal vegetables. I am not typically a huge fan of Korean soups, but this dish was my favorite of the night! It was packed with fresh and rich ingredients. I did kind of miss the traditional Korean BBQ sides such as rice cakes, soybean sprouts, seasoned spinach, and sesame broccoli. However, Daedo Sikdang prides itself on having the best quality meat and they do not want to take away from that fact by accompanying each serving with the sides I mentioned above. To complete the dining experience, they bring out complimentary milk-flavored ice cream which is perfect for cleansing the palette and ending the meal on a sweet note. 

Daedo Sikdang’s mission statement is “We don’t just serve food. We serve experience and culture,” and I feel that they did just that during our time dining in. Although the service was on the slower side, the quality of the food made up for it! The franchise has been acknowledged by Louis Vuitton City Guide, Asahi TV, CNN, TvN, and many other media sources. KTLA 5 featured Daedo Sikdang in the First outside Seoul: LA’s hottest new Korean BBQ and “Eater” featured them in Seoul’s Most Celebrated Barbecue Restaurant, Daedo, Has Arrived in KTown. The quality of meat is evident in both the number of diners, and the fact that you do not leave the restaurant feeling heavy or overly full, which is common after eating Korean barbeque. This was definitely one of the most unique dining experiences I have ever had in Los Angeles! I highly recommend Daedo Sikdang to Korean food lovers, as well as those looking for a more high-end, upscale Korean Barbeque dining experience.