The Mulberry LA

Korean American Bistro the Mulberry Lands in Sawtelle With Fried Chicken and Jjigae | Eater LA

"A cozy Korean American bistro in Sawtelle Japantown, this neighborhood spot from owners Jennifer Chon and David Lee opened on November 12 in the former Plan Check Sawtelle Japantown space, pairing updated, homey Korean dishes with cocktails in a sleek, modern room warmed by ruffled white curtains, low French lighting, candles, and a tucked-away private dining room. With chef Curtis Park (Benu, Commis) at the helm, the menu centers on dishes he grew up eating with California ingredients: a Korean aguachile set in cold kimchi broth; soy-marinated blue prawn over barley rice topped with roe; sticky, sweet, spicy wings as his take on Korean fried chicken; and raw oysters with mignonette and chojang. Larger plates include a soondubu jjigae–inspired silken tofu stew with wagyu, chilled acorn noodle soup with salted cucumber, steak tartare on crispy rice crowned with an egg yolk, spicy braised black cod in a stone bowl, and charcoal-grilled pork spare ribs, plus sides like a savory egg soufflé and ssam with assorted lettuces, herbs, and ssamjang. Desserts range from mango shaved ice and cheesecake to a caramelized cinnamon hotteok with vanilla ice cream, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds. RVR’s Zak Kellum developed cocktails that channel Korean flavors—think a frozen Sikhye Slushy (pisco, rice tea, cinnamon, ginger), a Burdock Penicillin (double oak bourbon, honey, burdock tea, ginger, lemon, sherry), and a Sujunggwa Manhattan—alongside Lamill coffee, tea, and zero-proof sikhye. Named for hanji, the durable Korean paper made from mulberry bark, the project grew from the owners’ post–Palisades Fire collaboration with Park and seeks to be a modern Korean American melting pot and conversation starter; it’s currently open 5:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday with plans to expand bar hours." - Mona Holmes