New Koreatown restaurant is fast, fun and smoke-free

There are several surprises at Bann Restaurant in Koreatown. It pulls out all the stops with its design, which features soaring ceilings hung with giant stylized lanterns. Grills are set into rust-and-green marble tables, each with a fan that sucks up the smoke from the charcoal. (Which means that your clothes won't end up smelling of beef and smoke, so you can wear your best.) And it's got valet parking for a jaw-dropping $2.

Times restaurant critic S. Irene Virbila has the details on restaurateur Young Sook Choi's new eatery.

Photo: Lunchtime diners at Bann Restaurant, a new upscale Korean restaurant in Koreatown with contemporary design. The old Woo Lae Oak spot on Western Avenue has been completely remodeled with high ceilings, dramatic giant lanterns with tassels and tables with barbecues set in the middle. Credit: Katie Falkenberg / For The Times

Comments

[Don Kim]

The decor's great, but I have to disagree with the food and service. I've been there about a 1/2 dozen times now, and the lack of side dishes is a concern, and the service is quite slow. The scallops were good, but the tofu soup and beef soup were not quite as up to par. I'd recommend Chosun for a regular Korean restaurant, Odaesan for a Korean all-you-can-eat place...