LASUNG TOFU & POT RICE 라성순두부

Koreatown’s Hottest Restaurant Group Just Opened Sot Bap and Soondubu Restaurant Lasung Tofu & Pot Rice | Eater LA

"Opened by On6thAvenue (the hospitality group behind Origin Barbecue, Lasung House, and Quarters) on Olympic Boulevard in Koreatown, this restaurant doubles down on two Korean specialties: pot rice (sot bap) and soondubu (soft tofu stew). The soondubu section is built around a broth that is simmered for 10 hours, with options similar to specialists like Surawon or BCD Tofu House — proteins include beef, shrimp and clam; prime beef short ribs; beef brisket; and ham and sausage — and a signature soondubu that “comes with lobster and assorted seafood simmered in the rich orange-red broth.” Guests choose spice level from light to extra strong; soondubu is served with a side of white rice or can be upgraded to the Rainbow Powerhouse, a mixed rice with chickpeas, black beans, and green peas (for an additional cost). The restaurant recommends pouring barley tea into the dredges of the rice to make nurungji (Korean scorched rice): “The grains will continue to cook in the individual serving pot, crisping up the rice and absorbing the earthy tea.” On the sot bap side, individual pots keep the rice warm while eating and are topped with items like seasoned boneless short ribs, grilled bulgogi, grilled eggplant, salted pollack roe, and grilled eel; prices start at $19.99 for the grilled eggplant and range to $29.99 for the short ribs. The menu is rounded out with other classics — a seollongtang simmered for 72 hours, grilled bulgogi, gochujang spicy pork belly, and grilled salted mackerel — and soondubu can be added to mains like stone pot bibimbap, ganjang gejang (spicy marinated raw crab), and marinated LA short ribs to create meal sets. For groups, ordering the spicy braised beef short ribs with optional melted cheese mirrors the cult-loved preparation found at nearby Sun Nong Dan; the write-up also recommends kimchi or seafood pancake to round out a meal, or spicy buckwheat noodles to cut through rich dishes. As part of a rapid expansion (On6thAvenue opened four new restaurants between February 2024 and now), this spot joins DamSot as one of the only options in Koreatown specifically focused on sot bap and could further expand the hospitality group’s footprint in the neighborhood." - Rebecca Roland