Kisa Sikdang brings Korean “Taxi Driver” road meals to LA

A brand new restaurant in Koreatown is bringing the custom of Korean road meals to Los Angeles. Kisa Sikdang, which interprets to “driver's restaurant,” pays homage to the eateries discovered all through Korea geared toward taxi drivers to allow them to drop by and have a fast and inexpensive meal on their very own. Kisa Sikdang is the one restaurant presently serving this fashion of meals in Los Angeles, with DGM Kisa Sikdang closing in early 2018. New York just lately gained its first kisa sikdang fashion restaurant with the opening of Kisa in April 2024 from the C as. on Charlie's group.

Preliminary native suggestions for Kisa Sikdang has been constructive, in response to its advertising and marketing consultant Donghwan Kim, but it surely has drawn criticism on social media accusing the restaurant of being a copycat of New York's Kisa. Kim says these claims are false and that the proprietor, Danny Lee, got here to him with the concept earlier than closing his Oyabun sushi restaurant in June 2023. Kim provides that in that interval, Lee looked for the placement and the best group earlier than selecting a location. a location alongside Olympic Boulevard that supplied good foot visitors and comparatively straightforward parking. Kisa Sikdang opened its doorways on Could 23, 2024.

Ojingeo bokkeum (fried squid) in a metal bowl surrounded by metal bowls filled with banchan. Ssam and rice to the side — Ojingeo bokkeum (fried squid).

Staying true to its inexpensive roots, Kisa Sikdang gives a set worth for its lunch and dinner menus. Lunch prices solely $18.99, whereas dinner is $23.99. Every meal is centered round a protein equivalent to beef bulgogi, pork bulgogi, ojingeo bokkeum (fried squid), or jeyuk bokkeum (spicy fried pork), and comes surrounded by small steel bowls of kimchi, japchae, rice, musaengchae (spicy julienned radishes), miyeok guk (seaweed soup), ssam (lettuce wraps), and extra. Udon, spicy udon and yukjeon (stir-fried beef) are additionally out there on the facet for an extra price. For drinks, the choices are soju, beer, makgeoli or sodas.

With the rising price of meals in Los Angeles, Lee is intentional about attempting to maintain Kisa Sikdang inexpensive to diners, whereas providing high quality substances. Kim sees a chance for the restaurant to be a simple place for anybody driving by means of the neighborhood to cease for a meal, even when they're eating alone, however he additionally hopes that teams will are available and order one in every of every protein out of the much less to share Despite the fact that Los Angeles isn't fairly the taxi city that Seoul is, there's no scarcity of hungry drivers in search of a very good meal after spending hours on the highway.

Kisa Sikdang is positioned at 3060 W. Olympic Blvd, 150, Los Angeles, CA, and is open from 11 am to three pm and 5 pm to 9 pm, seven days per week.