jilli modern sool jib
Korean restaurant · Koreatown ·
Fusion Korean bar food, natural wines, and craft makgeolli
Fusion Korean bar food, natural wines, and craft makgeolli
"A post-work meet-up spot for drinks and snacks, this Instagram-friendly sool jib from Hwanghah Jeong made a big splash in San Francisco when she opened her first outpost outside Los Angeles in early summer 2025. The Korean rice wine makgeolli is the main attraction, but there's plenty to love even if you're not drinking: the gochugang-marinated pork jowl is a surprisingly light, sharp dish - more well-executed than I might've expected in such trendy environs - with chewy, not overly fatty meat and just-right spice; the $35 plate arrives with two salsa verdes, red and green. The tteokbokki is a messy, saucy delight - don't overthink it and order if you're a fan of qq-heavy cakes. The trout and tuna dip is a fun order, especially with my gluttonous pairing of a tall cup of honey butter chips for $7 (and if you're gluten-free it's a must, rather than the cham and ace crackers). Parmesan and an aioli lend welcome sharpness to the yukhoe ($24). Fans of Korean fried chicken will appreciate Jeong's partnership with the popular chain Chimmelier; grab the popcorn chicken for $23 to go with Hana hwaju infused with hydrangea and chrysanthemum flowers. The vibe is cool and trendy - picture a bizarre cartoon looping above a sign that reads "Who says money can't buy happiness?" and flames spitting on the patio amid finance-bro vests - yet it's rescued by genuinely warm, attentive service. Insider tip: make a reservation and don't drive; hoping for a table is unwise and there isn't much parking nearby." - Paolo Bicchieri
"This rigatoni alla kimchi vodka from Jilli’s in Koreatown is exactly how I want any spicy vodka pasta to taste — and it’s better than versions I’ve had at Italian restaurants. There’s plenty of heat tempered by cream; whenever a bite feels too rich, the brightness of the kimchi cuts through the fat. The dish is generously loaded with bacon, with a shower of Parmesan and chives, and the rigatoni is cooked to an optimal al dente so the sauce envelops each tubular shape. For a true Jilli experience, I like to pair the pasta with a makgeolli flight." - Eater Staff
"As much as we love nights out in Ktown, the best part about Korean drinking culture is the bar food—and Jilli serves the kind of crispy, saucy (and interesting) dishes we want while tossing back soju. This narrow sool jib in Koreatown blurs genres with creations like tteok twigim coated in gochujang and parmesan cheese and a rigatoni all kimchi vodka laced with guanciale bits. You can easily piece together a full meal at Jilli, but if you’re just stopping by for a glass of natural wine, order Chimmelier’s KFC. They double-fry their chicken so it’s moist and juicy inside and crispy-crackly outside." - sylvio martins, brant cox, garrett snyder, cathy park
"Among the countless Koreatown drinking dens nearby, this blonde wood wine bar by the Chimmelier folks belongs in your rotation simply because it can be used in so many ways. Jilli is low-key enough for post-work beers and fried chicken. It’s moody enough for a candlelit wine date at the bar. And if you show up after 8pm with your soju-drinking friends, this narrow restaurant plays 2000s hip-hop to help kickstart a night out. It’s a great catch-all to keep in your back pocket, and the cheeky spins on Korean bar food are so good we’d order them in Buca di Beppo-sized portions." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"Your favorite friend from grad school just moved to LA and keeps talking about how they want to explore Koreatown, but have no idea where to begin. Take them Jilli. This 6th Street drinking den isn’t much bigger than most studio apartments and has a menu of Korean bar snacks that taste even better when you’re boozing. Think crispy fried chicken, plump shrimp toast, and fun fusion dishes like rigatoni alla kimchi vodka. Pair it all with hazy IPAs, soju, or a bottle off the largest natural wine list in the neighborhood." - brant cox
