Olympic Cheonggukjang

Reviews

• Meehee M.

  star star star star star 11 June 2026

  Missing this place right about now... fresh and vibrant flavors that are true to cravings of delicious Korean flavors... the service is great too :) I love how they served me brown rice and dried toasted larva to eat with my food.  You don't get that at a lot of places. It's the small things that count.

• Elizabeth M.

  star star star star star 9 June 2026

  This place is AMAZING . The Galbi Jim was delicious and perfectly cooked and the friendly server de boned it for us table side. The fermented bean stew tasted like my moms and the kimchi was so fresh. I highly highly recommend this restaurant . No alcohol or music but that was part of its charm for me - it's all about food and conversation.

• Wing C.

  star star star star star_border 9 June 2026

  Fermented beans stew - seen it again and again on other restaurant's menus. Always deterred by other reviewers' comparison to stinky tofu. Finally decided to give it a try - afterall we were in a restaurant with this dish written in its name!
  
  Not sure if it was because the servers knew we weren't Koreans, my fermented beans stew was not as pungent as ones served to other tables. It tasted fine but nothing I would ever crave again. My husband ordered their soon tofu - didn't have any meat - yet very filling and flavorful.
  
  Overall - surprisingly it was a bit on the pricier end especially for a mom and pop store. Free parking though! Banchans tasted very clean and home made. Worth checking out if you love fermented beans stew.

• Jennifer K.

  star star star star star 27 May 2026

  I haven't had good quality Korean food like this for a while (other than my mama Kim's cooking of course). If you're craving for an authentic home cooked meal it doesn't get any better than here! This restaurant is well-known among the Korean adults and has been around for years now. Not only the adults but the younger crowd has grown very fond of it as well!
  
  It's located on the outskirts of Koreatown on Olympic in a random plaza with plenty of parking. We came on Wednesday night and it was self-parking, no valet. The restaurant itself is limited with seats but not overly crowded. Assume that it will be busy for your visit because this place gets packed for lunch and dinner! Let's get it started .. credit is due where credit is deserved. Their side dishes are beyond this world, it'll taste just like what your Korean grandma would make for you. And I mean EXACT. Even the choices of their side dishes (ban chan) are exactly of an authentic Korean meal at home. Obviously their famous for the cheonggukjang, hence the restaurant name. I happen to LOVE it but it might be an acquired taste to some because of the smell. [Dwengjang jjigae- soybean stew, Cheonggukjang- soybean paste] Cheonggukjang is more richer and thicker in consistency/flavor compared to the expected dwengjang jjigae. It's delicious mixed in with rice and even better if you have a meat or fish dish on the side! They're also known for the spicy pork dish and it's served with lettuce for wraps. Seriously, everything's so good!
  
  The owner walks around and checks in on you to ask how your meal was. And she won't be afraid to reference that the food is MSG free, and likes to keep the food non-salty! A great hearty meal that makes you feel close to home.

• Joseph K.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  This restaurant is for folks who prefer authentic version of Korean aged bean paste soup. Normally I come here bcs the side dishes are freshly prepared and presented, I'd say pricey compare to other nearby restaurants but it's been my regular stop for a few years. Brought my Mother in law, couple of nephews to introduce this restaurant, I was deeply disappointed w galbijjim-too sweet caked in what is like bbq sauce, side dishes were not refilled, the one single waitress despite not having too many tables to attend never once stopped in to see how we were doing. I didn't want to make a fuss and ruin the night, these kids are in college and they were just content w what was on the table. They need to step up if they want to carry on the tradition and want to continue to set example of producing special dishes and  Korean hospitality. I will not return here for a while.