Soot Bull Jeep

Fantastic Korean BBQ on a charcoal grill!
The meat quality and flavor is superior.
The kalbi was obviously the best part but also the pork ribs were delicious!
I did not like the service though because they were stingy about refilling the side dishes and didn’t interact with us personally at all…
Personally, would not chose to come back because there was so many other places in koreatown that won’t make me smell of kbbq all night long!

Beware: Not AYCE
You order a la carte, and leave the cooking up to them. All you have to worry about is eating and eating. It comes with side dishes, salad, and large pieces of lettuce to wrap your meat. I would confidently say the meat quality is superior to many places that I have been to in K-​Town, so in essence, you’re switching the AYCE factor for better quality meat. I’ll take quality over quantity ANY DAY.
They even have their own little parking lot, so you don’t have to search too hard.

According to the hostess or owner, unless I am blind I am not disabled. I have never felt so humiliated or offended in my entire life. I am in the process of moving across the country by myself and have my service dog with me. My mother recommended this amazing Korean BBQ restaurant to me and I came here tonight with them to try it for myself. My dog was extremely well behaved as always, as soon as we came in it was obvious that there was a wait. My dog stood beside me quietly and out of the way and immediately this lady approaches me and tells me that I have to leave. I politely inform her that my dog was a service animal and pointed out that I had her harness on her as well. She started talking loudly over me and repeatidly told me that I needed to leave and after a few moments of me trying again and again to explain to her that my dog was a working service animal she asked me if I was blind in front of everyone. When I told her I was not blind, she told me then she did not have to allow me in and that my dog was not in fact a service animal. Since when did blindness become the only disability warranting a service animal?
At this point everyone who was waiting was staring at me as well as everyone else within hearing distance. I attempted to show her my dog’s ID card that I had on me since we have been traveling which even kindly has on the back of it an explanation of what businesses may ask and may they may not. Still in her raised voice she demanded to know why I had a service dog, what my disabilities were since I was not blind, and repeated to do so after I tried my best to calmly inform her that that information was confidential (HIPPA) and that I already informer her my dog was a service animal and she could ask me what the dog’s trained job was. Instead, she points to her sign by her register that stated she reserved the right to refuse service to anyone and was refusing me service and walked away. Thoroughly humiliated and on the verge of an anxiety attack, I left before the situation escalated any further. Thank you for ruining the first family dinner I have been able to have in 7 years since I have been out of the service.

Not fancy. Smokey. Loud. Delicious. My preference for K-​BBQ (and most ethnic foods) is unpretentious and simply tasty. Soot Bull Jeep has no polish, no attitude, no concessions to the 21^st century, which makes me love it. As others have noted, be prepared to smell like you’ve been sitting around a campfire when you’re done. Recommend the Spenser steak and tiger shrimp with a Hite big stick.

This is a non-​ayce establishment and has been around for ages. As you read from all the review its claim to fame is the charcoal grill format. Expect it to be really smoky.
This is my second time going here and yet I don’t feel the exuberant excitement as all the previous posts. Its going to be hard to match non-​ayce portion purchase KBbq places like Quarters, Honey pig and Baekjung, but if you are looking for an old school place, this is it.
Tip: frequently ask to change the grill

I really like this place considering that it is the first place I ever had Korean food. Their meat is fresh and the waiters are very nice and fast. When it says spicy, it does not mean mild… it means spicy as hell! But their pork and bulgogi is amazing and well prepared. I highly recommend this place but it is not worth going out of your way for.

Went with a big group of people and the service was great, food was SO fantastic and the authentic charcoal flavor really makes this place a great!!! (although you are a little stinky when you leave– and only a little, they have great ventilation). I will return again and again.

Yum… Smoke filled but a temple of K-​BBQ deliciousness!
Don’t wear your «cute» outfit as you will smell of charcoal. Charcoal means great meat, but smoky you.

I asked my Korean friend in Los Angeles which place had the best KBBQ in LA. She said here. I have to say, it was in my top 3. This place is NOT AYCE but I will say it’s worth it. Their meet is incredibly high quality and you’ll be craving that char-​grilled taste very very soon after.

Been going here for over 20-​years and still love it!
Best charcoal BBQ and great service and great KBBQ.
Must try it! Karubi is the Best!

One of my favorite kbbq place to go in ktown! It will always have a place in my heart… haha it’s been here for quite some time and I feel like it’s the «OG» kbbq spot for a lot of people. like they’ve visited here when they were kids with their parents type of place.
I usually get the #1 the soot bull gal bi! Honestly… it’s not AMAZING like it used to be but it’s still delicious! When I feel like I need some extra energy I come here to get the eel… The eel grilled over the charcoal grill is serious the best! You can’t ever eat eel differently. I just wish they had some sesame leaves. but they only have those stupid green lettuce… (yes, I’m throwing a fit)
Some of my friends told me that their red chili paste stew is one of the best things on their menu but till this day I haven’t gotten it! I always go for the bean paste stew because… it just seems right when you’re having kbbq! (Am I the only one? haha)
Their ban chans (we’re gonna pause here for a second: I’ve been noticing that banchan is a term that more and more people are getting familiar with and I think it’s great! But for those that don’t know I’ll explain, it’s the little side dishes that come out when you go eat at a Korean restaurant. There’s like an unspoken traditional korean rule that you must have at least three side dishes when you’re eating.) are very standard and simple. I don’t think any of their ban chans ever stuck out to me.
The service… like a lot of places can be a hit or a miss. Some staff are very friendly and some are just NOT having it… and they are just… FJDKSJFKSDJFSJDIJGDKSJF rude… haha but as long as you’re with good company it should be fine haha just in case order a PITCHER of water before so when you REALLY need to drink your water it’s there and they won’t be a b! tch about refilling your waters.
OH and LASTLY. You will not and cannot avoid the smoke… you think you’ll be able to air out the smell of kbbq after dinner and drive with your window open for a little? NOPE. This is the one place you MUST throw your clothes in the laundry basket, in fact just go straight for the laundromat, after you’ve had dinner here. AND sometimes. it causes eye– irritation because of the smoke. BUT IT’S WORTH IT!

What I know about Korean food mostly comes from watching dramas like «Boys Over Flowers». I love seeing all those dishes but haven’t got the foggiest idea of what I’m looking at! Well, this restaurant was a great introduction to charcoal Korean BBQ. The friendly waitstaff were attentive and did a great job grilling our baby back ribs and chicken. The side dishes were plentiful and tasty. The prices were fair.

I came here years and years ago for my birthday when I first moved here and thought it was amazing. Seven years later and quite a few kbbq places later I think I’ve moved on. Compared to other kbbq places, they give the most charcoal of any restaurant but the meat cooks so quickly that the flavor doesn’t transfer as you would think.
Would order again:
Kalbi
Decent:
Spencer steak
Pork ribs — tender but overly sweet

I literally cannot get enough when it comes to Korean BBQ.
Soot Bull Jeep like other Korean BBQs starts with a variety of side dishes. Soot Bull Jeep serves a set of different dishes (steamed rice, lettuce, vegetable pickles, mushrooms, green onions, and more and more) with a rich quality and unbeatable taste.
Soot Bull Jeep is all about charcoal grilling. The warm charcoal grill is in the middle of the table and the fan on the table-​top grill with proper ventilation. What I like about charcoal grill is that BBQ ribs are slow-​smoked over the charcoals and it gives more authentic grilled flavor to BBQ sliced meats.
The ribs are perfectly marbled and glossy. Seeped with impeccable flavor, they’re amazingly tender and savory. Soot Bull Jeep creates a never ending taste of KBBQ.
Enjoy the great taste and pleasant experience but remember you will smell like Korean BBQ for the rest of the day.

Soot Bull Jeep, with its charcoal grills, has long been on LA’s «best of» lists. I went for the first time with my «KBBQ» club. We ordered boneless short ribs, tongue, Spencer steak, and baby back ribs. A sign up front warned that we might be attacked by burning sparks, but luckily that didn’t happen, lol. It was a solid, standard Korean BBQ experience with very simple/​basic banchan– simple but delicious. Spencer steak and boneless ribs were favorites, while the baby back ribs were way too sweet. Cloyingly sweet, nothing could cut through it. Good portion-​price ratio too — I noted that of all my KBBQ outings, this was the fullest I had been.
Price for a group of 5: $ 27 per person (less than most KBBQ places)
Some things that made me take off a star are the fact that I disliked the (lack of) décor — it’s very outdated and blah. Also I felt the service was a little slow, a couple of times we had to ask for water (they brought the food before any drinks). And the aforementioned sweet baby back ribs were not good. But overall, I would probably go back. One big plus is they have their own free parking lot.

Wood/​charcoal table grills, tables fit for 6+ yet will seat 1 – 2 at them, fresh eel and marinated short ribs (galbi) large portions, cold noodles, soju and beer, what’s more to enjoy at Soot Bull Jeep in K-​Town, LA near kenmore and Catalina.
Having been to several places in Koreatown in LA, this one for BBQ is the best I’ve tasted, certainly better by a lot than any NY K-​Town places. What makes it great is their use of wood fires instead of typical gas and their abundance in serving size. You can feast for two or twelve and you’ll feel comfy and full.
Prices are competitive and their staff was helpful and responsive. This is a must go for a BBQ experience in k-​town, and yay there was parking at the Restaraunt, if you get there early enough for dinner, you can self-​park.

Wow!!! The amazing authentic charcoal BBQ top… what an experience! A must try! Down to earth simple non glam venue; but the tastiest Korean BBQ style. Well marinated meat, good attentive service!
They brought ‘Korea’ to LA!
A must try!

This is a non-​AYCE format Korean BBQ restaurant. The main draw to this place is their use of charcoal grills. According to the menu, there is a 2 order-​minimum per table.
My friend and I stopped in for a late lunch, and ordered Baby Back Ribs ($ 23.99) and Short Ribs ($ 33.99). These two plates provided us with a portion size that was sufficient to quell our hunger, but yet not make us feel stuffed to the point of regret.
Between the two of those dishes, we both agreed that the Short Ribs seemed to be the slightly tastier of the two. Having said that, the Baby Back Ribs were also quite good. In both cases, the quality of the meat appeared to be excellent. My impression is that the charcoal grills did in fact impart enhanced flavor to the meats, and I found the disconcerting crackles from the fire to add positively to my dining experience.
Unfortunately, the banchan here leaves much to be desired … no japchae, no potato salad, no rice paper, no jeon, and I’ve definitely had better fish cake elsewhere. Also, they sprinkle red pepper into the salad for some unholy reason … dafuq is up with *that*??? o_​O
The service here is also not quite top-​notch. The staff members here display absolutely zero emotional labor, and you will have to get their attention to get water refills and additional napkins — vigilance is clearly not their strong point. On the other hand, they are quite good about helping you cook and cut your meat, and you won’t get any attitude from them either.
The restroom here is conspicuously clean, and the parking lot is fairly massive — by (harsh) K-​Town standards, the parking availability here is *great*.
Overall, Soot Bull Jeep is not a bad place to try out if you enjoy KBBQ — particularly if AYCE is not a requisite for you. Personally, I’d still much rather go to OO-​KOOK (of San Gabriel) or Bak Kung (the one on 3700 W Olympic). Real charcoal is all well and good, but I find the combination of AYCE *and* either the option of Sikhye (Bak Kung) or unlimited self-​serve onions/​garlic (OO-​KOOK) to present far greater value for my dining needs.

3 important things to know about Soot Bull Jeep:
1) Not AYCE
2) They use a charcoal grill that gives the meat a nice smoky, charred flavor
3) Private parking lot adjacent to the restaurant
Soot Bull Jeep doesn’t have all the glitz and glamour that other Korean BBQ spots do. The banchan is basic. The interior is a little shabby, and the air is stagnant in the room because the ventilation could use a little work. But whatevs, the meat quality here is on point.
Came here on a Friday night. It wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded and service was attentive.
The menu here is no fuss. There are specific meat cuts in two different marinades that you can choose from. My party and I ordered the following:
–house baby back ribs ($ 23.99): this was really, really good. Really tender and flavorful.
–sliced spencer steak in house bbq sauce ($ 25.99): this cut of meat had a nice chew to it.
–boneless short ribs in salt and sesame oil ($ 25.99): probably my most favorite cut of meat of the night. I personally like things seasoned in salt and sesame oil and the meat quality was fantastic.
From my previous experiences, Korean BBQ joints generally soak their meat in marinade in order to hide the meat quality. Here, at Soot Bull Jeep, the marinade doesn’t overpower the meat, but rather, it complements and draws out the natural flavors and juices. Compounded with the charcoal grill, the meat here is excellent. Don’t come here if you have a big appetite because the portions won’t fill you up. This is one of those places that you really get what you pay for.

We had a lot of recommendations to come to this traditional Korean BBQ and we were not disappointed. Having tested all Korean BBQ from New York, I knew it will be different. Don’t expect a super trendy decoration, it’s not the purpose of the place. The good thing about that place is the traditional Korea BBQ with REAL charcoal. It make the beef tastes excellent with amazing flavor. It’s not the best Korean I tested on the East Coast but certainly the best in Los Angeles. I like it. Service was fast and welcoming. Hopefully in the future they will have wine to offer too.

After a hiatus of over 4 years I have returned to what may be the mother of all charcoal based Korean BBQ in Los Angeles. Yes, I’ve been to Ay-​Do-​No (totally fake); Star BBQ (inferior meats); Gogi House (bordering on the unauthentic); Shilla (not really BBQ since it is cooked on a conical iron plate); KalbiQ (AYCE, good deal, especially for being way out in the boonies); Bak Kung (AYCE, good service, but meats are not so good w/​fake charcoal.); Kang Hodong Baekjeong (over hyped w/​fake charcoal that looks like a lumps of coal that never burns down.); Soo Won (Kkot Sal is amazing but charcoal seems faux real). However, the charcoal here seems to be closer to the real McCoy. As customary, SBJ is all ordered a la carte.
When I first went to Soot Bull Jeep years ago, the room was inky dark, filled with a haze of bluish smoke wafting in layers, looking like an exotic opium den, but not exactly opulent, with reminisces of what a downhome eatery would be sometime in 1960’s pre-​ascendant Korea. I don’t recall any signs of a smokehood to suck up all the BBQ smoke, & the bbq grill was more like a pit with charcoal glowing a warm orange red welcome. Now the updated SBJ is outfitted with stainless steel overhead exhaust hoods to evacuate the smoky air, overhead lights to chase away the dim atmosphere, the bbq grill is rimmed with shiny stainless steel grills, & what looks like a pink polished granite table. It still retains a bit of a rustic atmosphere with dark wood floors & walls, buckets of charcoal placed on the floor.
The waitresses now are not like the waitresses of old who used to put all the order of meat on the grill at once so that by the time you neared the end, the meat ended up being over-​cooked & totally dried out. The staff now is much more conscious of only placing enough meat so that there is little chance that the meat will stay on the grill too long. In fact, they seemed to sense that I wanted to cook the meat on my own which they were happy to do. They did come by to see that the amount of flame from the supplementary gas burner was appropriate to my stage of the cooking of the meat which was kind of them. I came on a Sunday evening around 8pm & there was no waiting. I guess with the proliferation of Korean BBQ places in Koreatown, many of them AYCE, the potential customers are now spread more evenly throughout the area.
There is a two item minimum per grill so I ordered Soot Bull Kalbi/​Short Ribs marinated in house BBQ sauce which seems to be light soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and Daeji Bul Gogi which are thin slices of pork in a bright scarlet red Kochujang-​like sweetened viscous chile sauce. There are about 10 different Panchan/​side dishes: egg pancake; julienned Daikon/​Japanese white radish in two ways, Kim Chi chile, & salted, vinegar; blanched bean sprouts; sesame spinach; Won Bok/​nappa cabbage Kim Chi; rough, meaty ground Miso/​fermented soy bean paste; green leaf lettuce; dressed green salad; whole garlic cloves.
The beef short ribs had a good veining of fat in the pinkish brown meat, soft but w/​a nice chaw. The meat is marinated in the lightly sweet soy to emphasize more meaty Umami flavours, and the charcoal & the burning meat juices did add a nice smoky BBQ aroma to the succulence of the meat.
Daeji Bul Gogi was an angry red as I placed it on the wire mesh grill, and it absorbed the smokiness along w/​a strong taste of earthiness, reminding me of rustic Miso. Because the pork meat is thinly sliced, the Kochujang-​like sauce is totally absorbed throughout the meat for a powerful, sweet, meaty, piquant, chile infused direct flavour that would be best eaten with steamed rice to act as a palate cleanser. This dish may be too spicy hot for some & be best eaten at the very end of the meal as a conclusion to the meat intensive orgy.
OB beer was the beverage of choice to quench the spicy heat from the Daeji Bul Gogi as well as being a nice pairing for the milder, beefy Soot Bull Kalbi.
The staff of 2015 is accommodating, efficient, aware of modulating the BBQ flames for each & every BBQ table for the customers such as pouring ice over the charcoal when it gets too hot from the dripping of fat from the meats. Very pleasant restaurant which so far is the only Korean BBQ in LA that uses real charcoal unlike most of the other Korean BBQ places that utilize what looks like charcoal but never burns down and always stays the same. Prices at Soot Bull Jeep is on the higher side, but the real charcoal ups the game so is worth the price of admission. 4+ Unilocal stars.