Wah Gwaan Jamaican Kitchen & Bar

Had the Jerk Chicken and it was awesome! Hubby had the Curried Goat & son had the Oxtail/Jerk Chicken combo and all three were delicious! Also tried a. Curry chicken patty & a beef patty-both were tasty! Washed it all down with some authentic Kola Champagne. Would highly recommend!

Simply the best, better than all the rest! The curry goat I had here was beyond flavorful and cooked down to perfection with real juicy pieces of goat meat. Fantastic food is served here!

From the moment I walked in, the vibe was on point — welcoming, vibrant, and full of that island warmth. The staff greeted me like family, and the food? Straight-up fire. I ordered the jerk chicken and it was perfectly seasoned with just the right kick, smoky and tender like it came fresh off a backyard grill. The oxtail was fall-off-the-bone, rich, and full of flavor, and the rice and peas? Fluffy, well-seasoned, and paired perfectly with everything. Don’t sleep on the plantains either — sweet and golden, just like they should be. It’s rare to find a spot that feels both authentic and down-to-earth, but Wah Gwan pulls it off effortlessly. You can taste the love in the food and feel the soul in the space. Whether you’re Jamaican or just love good Caribbean food, this place will hit every time. Definitely coming back — next time I’m trying the curry goat and grabbing a Ting on the side.

I flew across the map from Va just to have a plate from this specific restaurant and they didn’t disappoint me ! I literally ate dinner here my entire 7 day stay & it was that incredible. The vibe was top notch , such a great place to just relax . I tried everything on the menu and every thing was probably the best it could’ve got ! Everything I tried was done to the T. The flavor was everything for me . I was never disappointed! The food crossed my T’s and dot my i’s. I love how much options they had , what ever I felt for they had fresh coming out ! Made me feel like I was back home in Jamaica . The price was definitely affordable , small or large your still left with leftovers. Their employees were so sweet and had a great relationship with the customers Especially the owners who even though was fully staffed came out and made sure both employees and customers were taken care of. My family enjoyed every visit . Coming back to Los Angeles California is must for me thanks to “Wah gwaan Jamaican kitchen and bar” Blessings

Today was the first day I ate at this restaurant, and the food was absolutely delicious. The authentic jerk chicken reminded me of being in Jamaica. I placed a togo order, and the young lady was so delightful over the phone and even nicer in person. There was a steady flow of customers which meant this restaurant must be really good. The authentic Jamaican Aroma of Jerk chicken was running all through the air when I was parking my car, wish it was a dead giveaway of some good old Jamaican food. Thank you for the great service and a delicious food and I would definitely be returning

10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ STARS Definitely 💯 recommend! If you want Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Oxtail, Curry Goat or Ackee and Salt Fish to name a few Wah Gwaan Jamaican restaurant is the Place to be . The FOOD IS AMAZING 😻 and the Portion is Awesome 👏 PRICE Very Reasonable 🙏✅ Nestled in the Corner of Crenshaw and Vernon is a Cosy little Spot you can Dine in or Take out or Pickup . The Staff is very friendly . I’m NOT a thanksgiving person so I decided I wanted a Good Meal for my family so I called to see if they were OPEN and 🍀 Lucky for me it was …. Thank you 🙏 Thank you my family and I had a delicious meal . Very Satisfied with the Taste, Portion and PRICE!!! Check them out ! Then Thank me Later 🤣😂 Nadine D.

I lived in Jamaica for 3yrs. Best place for Jamaican food LA hands down. I had the Oxtails with rice a beans with cabbage and festival. Got the pineapple ginger light you chest up juice! Ate off plate twice! Totally delicious.(My friend got Curry Chicken)🫶🏾🔥🔥🔥

Food was delicious! We had jerk chicken and I also tried their shrimp patties. Very flavorful and great portion sizes. I will most definitely be returning. I need to try the ginger pineapple lemonade too! Vibes and customer service was top tier.

Definitely recommend! If you want Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Oxtail, Curry Goat or Ackee and Salt Fish to name a few Wah Gwaan Jamaican restaurant is the Place to be . The FOOD IS AMAZING and the Portion is Awesome Nestled in the Corner of Crenshaw and Vernon is a Cosy little Spot you can Dine in or Take out or Pickup . The Staff is very friendly . I'm NOT a thanksgiving person so I decided I wanted a Good Meal for my family so I called to see if they were OPEN and Lucky for me it was .... Thank you Thank you my family and I had a delicious meal . Very Satisfied with the Taste, Portion and PRICE!!! Check them out ! Then Thank me Later Nadine D.

Have ever only had their oxtails & jerk chicken combo. Both are amazing! Food gets 5 stars. Price is decent . Not sure if there's a cultural difference but I never get warm fuzzy feelings when I'm in there nor ever a smile. It's almost like patrons are bothering them. It's not like we're completely ignored...it's never a greeting like, "What can I get you today." Something SIMPLE. It's just an absent stare until tha patron speaks/asks a question. I've witnessed it way too many times. I'll still patronize cause food is delish. Just know not to expect 'hey, I appreciate you buying our stuff & keeping us open' vibes

Real Jamaican Vibes at Wah Gwaan Jamaican Kitchen & Bar! If yuh looking for authentic Jamaican food in LA, look no further than Wah Gwaan Jamaican Kitchen & Bar pon Crenshaw Blvd. From di moment me step inside, Deandrea and di crew mek me feel like family. Trust me, di vibes are irie, and it's like a likkle piece of yard right here in Southern California! Di food? Out of dis world! Di jerk chicken is di real deal--smoked to perfection with dat true Jamaican flavor. Di oxtail dem tender and full of flavor that'll mek yuh lick yuh fingers. And di curry goat? Lawd a mercy, it's so good it'll mek yuh come back fi more! Don't even get me started pon di fish dishes--whether yuh choose di steamed fish, brown stew, or escovitch, dem nail it every time. Yes, it might cost a likkle extra, but trust mi, it's worth every penny fi di quality and authenticity. Wah Gwaan is definitely one of di top spots fi Jamaican cuisine in LA. Di atmosphere nice, di people friendly, and di food will mek yuh feel like yuh back a yard. If yuh want fi support a local spot serving up real island flavors, dis is di place fi be. Believe me, one bite and you'll be hooked!

Let me just say--I haven't even finished my food yet and this place gets 5 stars across the board. I have been craving Jamaican food since moving from NY and it's been a struggle finding a decent place. I found this place randomly and I'm enjoying every bit of my dish. I got the oxtail and curry goat with rice and peas and cabbage. I had no idea it was going to come with festival and plaintain! Food is flavorful, you definitely get a great portion for your buck, and it was ready in 10min! Would def recommend.

What's up?! What's goin' on? Wah gwaan! Hands down the best Jamaican food in the area. They offer a wide variety of dishes in small and large portions for very reasonable prices. Jerk Chicken and Oxtail are the most popular sellers, but don't sleep on the national Jamaican dish, Ackee & Saltfish. They also have salmon, escovitch, fried or roasted fish and even Curry Lobster. Fish dishes are made to order and tend to take a while, so call it in ahead of time if you'd like the order right away. The grill master is in the back cooking stacks of juicy, spicy jerk chicken. Oxtail, curry goat and stews have been slow cooked, marinating in all the flavorful juices. Stewed cabbage, rice and peas and plantains are prepared and ready to serve, so you can get these items rather quickly. The Jamaican patties here have a crispy, flaky crust and plenty of filling (veggie, beef, chicken as well as shrimp)! They're also stocked on some popular Jamaican soft drinks and juices like Ting, Tropical Rhythm juices, ginger beer, sorrel, sea moss & soursop. This place stays busy and rightfully so! Good vibes and positive music. Small parking lot in the back.

Chicken is SUPER UNDERCOOKED, I keep requesting the jerk chicken well done but when I get it, it's bloody and pink. The cooks are too busy doing drugs in the back they rush the chicken and don't even care about the product. Not even trying to be funny but whoever the owner is needs to check his or her people this isn't right, the cooks don't care and it's showing. I steady telling them about the chicken, this was so gross , there's literally BLOOD on my chicken, it tastes super rubbery what a waste of money and time. These people make it hard to support black owned businesses, next time I'm taking my money to the white man or Hispanics, this was gross, all 4 pieces was super undercooked...I know they don't have health codes in Jamaica but in the US we have it in place for a reason.

I wish I had known Jamaican food was this GOOD sooner... So many years of my life wasted Go try this place if you haven't already.

The food was not good. The rice and peas was not red beans and rice it was really rice peas with gravy on top and some of it wasn't fully cooked. It tasted like rice bullets and crunchy peas. The fried cabbage had mixed veggies in it (yes like from a bag). The chicken was dry and bland. The jerk chicken patty had a fishy taste to it. This was not a good experience and I'm sad to say I won't be returning to eat here.

Has been popular in the community for a while now . It easily became one of my go to places for Carribean food They offer plenty food like jerk chicken, Oxtail, ackee and salt fish. All are delicious and will satisfy your craving for good food. Service is pretty fast. If you visit them closer to closing you will catch all the vibes! Love them.

Came on a Saturday a little before 3 PM. It was packed and there were several parties ahead of us waiting for food or waiting to order. We didn't have to wait that long to place our order. I had originally wanted a beef patty but they ran out so I ordered a jerk chicken patty instead. We also ordered the small jerk chicken plate and a side of plantains. It probably took 10 minutes for us to get our food. It was really nice to be able to sit outside and eat. The first thing I tried I was the jerk chicken patty. It was delicious and moist and was a good size. Into the jerk chicken plate; the chicken was ok. Some pieces were kinda and try and other parts were more moist. The flavor of the chicken was good and the sauce it came with was great. The rice and peas were solid. The cabbage/string beans/peas/carrots were pretty good and definitely on the crunchy. Sadly, the plantains left some things to be desired. To me they were kind of dry, more breads than I prefer, and not that sweet. I wouldn't order an extra side of these again. Overall, I'm pleased with the food and would eat here again. Note: there is a parking lot on the back side of the restaurant. If it's full, there's plenty of street parking available in the surrounding residential area.

JERK CHICKEN QUEST: A SIMPLE JOY, SEEN? Jamaican cuisine is an exhilarating adventure for the palate, embodying a fusion of flavors that is as spirited and lively. Fi be straight with yuh, mi a talk mostly 'bout di jerk chicken and wid rice and beans. I arrived on a busy Friday night. Then I realized my wait time was 15 minutes longer because my chicken was on da grill gettin' proper. Yaaas. Fresh jerk chicken, no burner, no heat lamp. And I passed the grill on my way into the eatery. I am only a white meat chicken eater. It was smoky, seasoned, and moist. The chicken did not require the sauce. But I ain't no fool. Ooooohh wee! Fire and flavor. It was a different approach to the bold and hearty jerk chicken I have experienced. The coconut rice and milk, nuh stand out crazy, but it memorable fi di balance a flavor. Me, myself, and I prefer jasmine rice which is how I make mine but the balance of flavors stuck with me. Although I can't prove it, I think the beans are doctored up can. Fi eat yah here so more than food; it a whole vibe. Music, people watching, and all 'bout community. Thumbs up The plate combo comes with vegetables and two plantains. Yes, it is a safe environment Indoor and outdoor patio seating Accepts all forms of payment Disability friendly Thumbs down Dey charge ya fuh everyting Parking lot is a conundrum Like this review if you like my Jamaican twang, lol. "'Talk and taste your tongue." -Jamaican quote #juken123 #jamaicanfoodLA #wahgwaanjamaican #juken123

I ordered, through grub hub, a small jerk chicken plate and a veggie patty. Although the food looked and smelled great, my chicken was undercooked. I was able to eat the rice and veggies, which could have had a bit more seasoning. I also ordered a veggie patty, which was solid and helped keep me full for the afternoon. Unfortunately, I wouldn't try ordering again.

Oxtail was great. I got a small oxtail. Which had a nice amount of gravy, which I didn't even have to ask for. Not the biggest fan of cabbage wish they had an option for something else oh, and two festival which I think is very nice. No plantain but that's OK. I also got a plate of callaloo which I was a little bit disappointed because it was so much rice and like maybe a scoop and half of callaloo. I don't know maybe two scoops. I just wanted dumpling and cállalo, that's all! Overall it was good, I got my food via delivery

Service and the food is always good. However I got a goat plate and a short brown and black piece of hair was found in the goat plate. Make me not want to return.

I like their oxtails but however they're pretty small and the quantity is never enough. I really didn't care for their curry chicken the meat was too thick and it just tastes like I was eating all white meat. The plantain's are sometimes hard and tasteless.

Been eating here for a while, this review is long overdue. The food is delicious & fresh! I usually order the curry shrimp & escovich. I'm also pretty happy that they take phone orders... for some reason that's been hard for a lot of restaurants to do. The consistency is there, the flavor pops severely, and cool service.

My girl and I love Jamaican food. This is the only place in Los Angeles to get this type of cultural food. Neighborhood might not look so attractive, but the food is what attract me to coming out here. We had Jerk Chicken and Beef Patty plates. Which was not my first time having curried Jerk Chicken. Love the food here with good spices and seasoning. You cannot go wrong with Jamaican cuisines.

This is the best Jamaican food in Los Angeles. From the people to the food all good. Food is fresh the place is clean. And the vibes are awesome.

If I could give them six stars, I would! As a matter fact, I went there twice today for plates! their food is absolutely delicious you can't go wrong! We've had oxtail and curry chicken plates and will be trying everything else one by one, along with Beef, chicken, jerk, chicken patty's with cocoa bread! they're not stingy they're portions are on point! they have cocoa bread which unfortunately in LA is hard to find and let me add it taste right! they are pineapple ginger punch is hitting too... I dare you to take one sip and try to stop that's impossible their services is great. Both of the women that have helped me have been so sweet and when I ask for extra gravy, they knew exactly what I meant and are as heavy-handed as I wanted them to be. Wally in the back making the jerk chicken is clearly a master artist because his jerk chicken stays selling out and he's promised to give me a piece the next time so I can trying the masterpiece that be the jerk chicken

Wah Gwaan catered a lunch for my company and it was the best catered lunch I've ever had. The food was fresh, cooked, and seasoned to perfection. This was authentic Jamaican food! Service was also impeccable. I will definitely visit again next time I am in Los Angeles.

### 2023 review 33/100 ### Go for the crowd pleaser Jerk Chicken, stay for their famously known Jamaican Oxtail that's unanimously voted as one of the best around! I've heard of Wah Gwaan's oxtails and have been wanting to try it. Imagine my surprise when I woke last Saturday morning and while catching up on m IG wall, found out that Wah Gwaan is having a Dig In Pepsi day. Both hubs and I were there just in time to kickstart the event, and glad we did as we avoided the crowd that came down as well for some finger licking good Jerk Chicken. Service is brisk and good, the ladies run like a well oiled machine. We even got to check out the grilling guy in the back, with a pile of jerk chicken. I can't wait to go back to try the oxtail plate, and more jerk chicken of course.

Food was amazing, service was too but I left and went to a store down the street because it was going to be awhile and when I can back they only had one of my orders. They were nice about it and fixed the second plate quick. Ended up with a nice serving of oxtails

The food can be hit or miss. Also, they are disorganized. I think they could be better if they worked on there two things.

Been to Wah Gwaan many times and it's almost always tasty. The patties are top tier - great pastry, plenty of filling, simply delicious! I ordered the saltfish today and - uncharacteristically - it wasn't good. Very salty and chewy. My folks are from the islands so I know salt fish :) I went back in, and the staff quickly replaced the dish with some jerk chicken and it was delicious. I'll be back!

5 STARS !!! I usually go to Wi Jammin but decided to try this place & I'm never turning back ! Listen. The jerk patties were the best patties I've ever had in my life. Flaky, & had so much flavorful filling. 10/10. Customer service is amazing so helpful & guided me with the menu since it was my first time dining here. Fish stew was amazing !!!! Overall, five stars across the board I just wish the plantains were softer but that is minor . I will be back !!

First time trying and the ladies were so sweet!! Food was delicious!!! I got the oxtails and stew chicken. Jamaican man in the back of the restaurant gave me a let me try a piece of jerk chicken!! Ima forever customer to this place now!! Can't wait to try the other dishes!! Good food! Good energy! WahGwaaaan!!

I like the variety of meat and sides. The staff is friendly and move quick to accommodate the line out the door. I got the oxtail and jerk chicken combo. The food is precooked, cafeteria style so the rice n beans were mushy, oxtails are cut in half. There were 3 halves. The jerk chicken was burnt, dry, and no jerk flavor. Plantains we're good. There was a little piece of sone type of bread that was terribly dry. I'm hoping I just came on an off day, I'll give it one more try in the future. The cabbage was on point. Not over cooked. Not much seating space and very loud music. No AC. I'll try again when weather cools down

Poor customer service. Sent uber eats to pick up two dinners. They came back with one. Called and the person was quite rude. They did not take responsibility for the mistake. They blamed the delivery driver. Disappointed. Also, the kalaloo and salt fish was missing the salt fish. Pissed.

Authentic dishes! Kid Friendly. Best Jerk Chicken. Staff was very kind. I Know island food and they do too!

Really greatl food. Great taste and the staff is Jamaican! Nice vibe and music. I'll definitely go back!

Phenomenal Jamaican food excellent service ladies were very polite customer service on a 1,000

Went here after work, because I didnt wait any junk food or fried anything. However ...... Let's start with the good. Friendly customer service. The meat choice which took 25 minutes BUT WAS DELICIOUS worth the price. The BAD, cabbage tasteless, the rice and beans lacking flavor. THE PLANTAIN & FESTIVAL BREAD GARBAGE. Both we're hard, old and should not have been served. How are all the sides a mess - the jerk sauce is a joke. I don't like leaving this type of review but we must do Quality Control at all hours during food service. The mest is why I gave 2 stars.

There's a lot of Jamaican spots in LA, but Wah Gwaan is a must try. The jerk chicken is THE best I've ever had. Period. Smoky, spicy, tender, with the meat falling off the bone. Stew chicken, oxtails, and salt fish are all really good, too. The rice and peas are always cooked perfectly. All the flavors are on point and the portions are huge. We shared a combo for the first time because usually we'll have leftovers for 1-2 extra meals when we each get our own plate. Plates come with rice and peas, plantains, festival, and veggies (mostly cabbage). The owner is really friendly, too, and all around I like the service here. Sometimes there's a bit of the wait, but for quality fresh food it's really not much of a wait at all. Parking lot is tight, so good luck if you come during a rush

The flavors in this Ackee and Saltfish plate are bomb. The veggies are super fresh and crunchy. I've had their curry goat, and it was slappin!! I highly recommend this place, AND the staff was friendly on every visit. Ya Mon Wah Gwaan

I have one regret not getting a large plate LOL jerk is authentic, rice and peas were really good, sweet plantains yummy, They might just have the best Jerk in town honestly I've had them ALL more than once.

Just wow. The love is definitely real here. The warm smiles plus the delicious good portion size food! I can't wait to dine here again. Let's gooooo!

Great Jamaican food. Oxtails stew is delicious. The rice and peas were on point and the cabbage was great. My wife got the jerk chicken it was amazing. Service was chill and the ambience was mixed cultures.

I went on a Sunday afternoon (maybe about 3 or 4pm). Food was really good! I had OxTails, Cabbage, Rice/Peas --- added a side of Jerk Chicken. The food was GOOD, fresh, well seasoned, and a portion that was worth the price. The Jerk Chicken is grilled over an open flame, and the smokiness with the jerk seasoning was amazing (I've never had grilled jerk chicken before). It was extremely crowded, and the interior of the restaurant isn't huge, so prepare for a slight wait and to be a little closer to your neighbor while in line and if you're waiting inside (I don't mean that in a bad way... also, it's raining cats and dogs the day I went, so this part of the experience may not be typical). There are quite a few businesses in the strip mall/plaza the restaurant is in and this place is popular, so you may have to wait for a parking spot... it wasn't horrible, though. Staff was friendly and informative! Lastly, my first experience came with 'above and beyond' customer service... (I hope I don't get anyone in trouble mentioning this lol)... When I got to the front of the line, and placed my order, the cashier say's, "Oh, did you call in that order?". I replied, "No, I didn't pre-order". She replied, "We just had the exact order come out of the kitchen for a pick-up... if they're not here yet, I can give you that, if you're okay with it?" I replied, "Oh cool, then I don't have to wait? Let's go!" --- She called the order name out over the loud speaker a few times to see if the person who placed the order had arrived, no one replied, so she handed the food to me and I was out of the door in 5 minutes. I don't remember your name, Sister Cashier... but thank you! My kids were in the car waiting for me and they were sleepy with bad attitudes and ready to go home .

Jamaican Jerk Chicken Large with rice beans , fried plantains and festival bread. I love this place , I make the trek from Orange County to eat good Jamaican food. They use a barrel bbq drum to cook the chicken and you know that authentic.

The food was cooked to perfection, the service was great, I cannot wait to go back. They serve you from a buffet so there is not a long wait.

Wah Gwaan has become one of my favorite Jamaican food restaurants. The bbq jerk chicken with curry gravy over the rice is my absolute favorite from the menu.. I cannot wait to try the chicken & red bean soup! Everything thing that I've tasted, I've enjoyed. The spicy Jerk chicken, curry chicken, cabbage, rice & peas, sweet plantain, festival, and chicken & beef patties. I also enjoy the pineapple ginger juice, it's sweet & spicy. Always pleased to be serviced by the many smiling faces behind the counter, it truly makes each of my weekly visits all the better! I enjoy Wah Gwaan two to three times a week so it's extremely important & satisfying to see how clean, and organized the restaurant is kept. If you're looking to try some authentic & delicious Jamaican cuisine, head over to Leimert Park and enjoy some of the best bbq jerk chicken in Los Angeles. They also offer catering services! ;)

Ordered the jerk chicken and steamed fished. Both had Good flavor, but I'm definitely going back for the fish. No knock on the business here, but just a word of caution for anyone taking the steamed fish to go: Be careful of liquid in the pan. I didn't expect it and it ended up spilling in my car. 2 weeks later, I'm still trying to get the smell out.

Amazing food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had the jerk chicken and some patty's delish.

Counter service tasty variety of wonderful Jamacian food,patties,curries jerk, you can find it here wonderful staff,clean restrooms

Solid 5 stars. Flavorful oxtails, tenderness and meatiness is 4/5, the veggies taste like they are cooked in coconut oil. Rice and peas were good had extra oxtail juice over them too. They served it with a piece of like corn bread called coco bread. Nice ambiance, small, some eat in/out tables. I ordered a small oxtail and sorrell drink + tip was $30.

The workers here do not pay attention to basic order details. I ordered a jerk chicken combo platter - and I opened the box to see cabbage, rice, and an empty place in the box where jerk chicken is missing. In the same order I bought 4x beef patties, none of them were in the bag. I called the restaurant to try to fix this. Nobody picks up, and they "have a voicemail box that has not been setup yet." Pure incompetence that should not be allowed from a business.

I love Jamaican food, so we decided to try this place. The food was underwhelming, overpriced and average at best. The service was OK, flies were everywhere, but the restroom was DISGUSTING!!! Had to shove the door to close it, NO TOILET PAPER AND NO SOAP... I'm confused, if there's no soap how are the employees washing their hands??? I'm good to never go back there again

I was going to cook but the grocery didn't have the main ingredient that I needed. I said..I'll do the grocery chaos tomorrow. Still needed dinner for the night so I had to think what would set this hot summer night off with a delicious fulfilling meal..BOOM I thought Wah Gwaan!! Placed my order in the parking lot of the disappointing grocery store..pick up said 20 minutes and I'm 5 minutes away. I pulled up and parked which can be a challenge Sat in the car for a while and decided at least let them know you're here. I go in and the ladies who were running the frontline were on it!! I thought I did a repeat order but maybe I was on 1 that night and just ordered me some food!! Long story short, the 2 beautiful ladies at the front were kind and generous and the food speaks for itself..FUEGO!!! Thank y po u Wah Gwan

Wah Gwaan is where it's at!!! Great food and good vibes all around on the service! All the combinations will hit your yummy spot.