When asking yourself about something to do near me in Los Angeles with a group of friends or family, consider
Dan Sung Sa
Why Dan Sung Sa is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Situated in the heart of Los Angeles' Koreatown, Dan Sung Sa offers an immersive dining and nightlife experience that captures the essence of authentic Korean pojangmacha—outdoor street food tents celebrated in Korea. Established in 1997, this iconic Korean bistro invites friends and visitors to indulge in a lively atmosphere filled with nostalgia, featuring interior décor inspired by Korea’s first cinema house, highlighted by period posters of classic and modern Korean films. The extensive menu, boasting nearly 100 selections, specializes in anju—small Korean bar dishes designed to pair perfectly with drinks—and a vast array of skewers, ranging from spicy chicken to exotic options like frog legs and black sausage. The vibrant sharing plates, like spicy tteokbokki made with pillowy rice cakes and the beef bulgogi served over silky noodles, make it ideal for group dining and social gatherings. Open until 2 AM, Dan Sung Sa is a prime late-night destination where patrons can enjoy soju, makgeolli, and beer alongside comforting, flavorful fare. Its friendly and energetic ambiance, coupled with the uniqueness of Korean drinking culture, makes it an exceptional spot to reconnect with friends and enjoy an unforgettable night out.
Here's what people think of Dan Sung Sa
As of recent, Dan Sung Sa holds a 4.4-star rating based on 1985 reviews.
User reviews consistently praise Dan Sung Sa for its authentic Korean flavors and lively, welcoming atmosphere. Positive feedback often highlights the extensive and diverse menu, especially the skewer offerings which are described as flavorful and perfectly spicy, alongside the traditional anju dishes that complement the drinking experience. Reviewers appreciate the setting designed to evoke Korean pojangmacha culture, making it a fun and culturally immersive hangout spot. Many commend the attentive service and the place’s ability to maintain quality despite its late operating hours, making it a dependable choice for late-night dining. On the other hand, some critiques mention occasional wait times and noise levels, which can become overwhelming during peak hours. A few users have noted that certain dishes can be inconsistent in seasoning, and the pricing, while fair for the quality, may feel slightly high to some. However, these drawbacks are generally seen as minor compared to the overall positive experience. In conclusion, reviews portray Dan Sung Sa as a beloved Koreatown staple, cherished for its authentic offerings and spirited environment, maintaining a strong 4.4-star rating from nearly 2,000 reviews, solidifying its reputation as a top Korean dining destination in Los Angeles.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Gabrielle B
You feel like you’re stepping back in time when you walk in. This is a great no-frills, Korean restaurant where they specialize in skewers. Keep in mind it is a loud and quick atmosphere, so if you’re trying for a romantic date night spot, pick somewhere else. But the vibes here are immaculate and not something that you can easily find in Los Angeles. Very unique experience! The food is awesome, super cheap eats. Easy to walk in if there’s just two of you but also a fun spot to catch up with friends! Love the atmosphere, great for a quick bite to eat, especially late night! Highly recommend the grilled mackerel, the kimchi pancake, and the short ribs.
JC DeMaria
Really cool spot with delicious food. So many different options and everything that we got was delicious. Everything came out quickly and it was all so fresh. This is a great spot for groups or if you’re just looking for a great spot for some authentic food at a reasonable price. The only downside to this place is that the staff is definitely not the nicest but it’s easy to look past this when the food is so good!
Theodore Wu
Unique place to grab some skewers. Love the layout and style. You have to buy alcohol if you want to order from like half the menu so bring a DD (designated drinker 🤣). Food was good although a little bit pricier than I would prefer. Nothing unreasonable though and overall taste is good.
Hayley Di Naso
Best restaurant in k-town! If you are looking for an authentic immersive restaurant experience then look no further. This family establishment is full of delicious food, excellent service, and fun vibes. Food comes quick and is always well seasoned, and cooked to perfection. We love getting a mix of skewers and shareable plates. The house soup and fresh veggies are a great way to get your appetite going and their soju selection is great. Some of our favorites are the dukbokki and ramen, corn cheese, and short ribs & pork belly skewers. We love coming here with our friends to catch up and drink, in the privacy of our own booth. If there is a line definitely wait because this is an experience worth waiting for. You will be treated like family in from out of town and have some of the best Korean bar bites in LA. Centrally located to plenty of other places in k-town and a killer valet deal, add this one to your next trip to ktown!
Karen Greene
This is my third visit to this charming little restaurant because nothing says pre-Dodger game excitement like food and a plumbing crisis! We got there before doors opened at 4:30 PM (because we’re fans like that), and sure enough, a long line had already formed. You’d think they were giving out gold bars with every meal. Right before they let us in, one of the staff stepped outside and started taking glamour shots of the front parking lot because clearly, water pooling near your front door deserves a spot on the ‘Gram. At first, I didn’t think much of it. But then we got seated and… waited. And waited. You know that feeling when you start wondering if you’ve turned invisible? Yeah, that. A good 20 minutes later, someone finally noticed we existed. Turns out, the staff was huddled over some mysterious puddle inside, treating it like it was a crime scene from CSI: Restaurant Edition. That’s when it all clicked the picture-taking, the awkward mop ballet, the overall vibe of panic. Plumbing problems. Classic. If you’ve been here before, you already know their bathrooms give off haunted house energy pitch black and mildly terrifying. You’re left wondering what else might be lurking in there, and trying really hard not to think about how that connects to the food coming out of the kitchen. Yummy! We ordered the usual, tried to enjoy what we could, but honestly? The whole “impending indoor flood” ambiance kind of killed the vibe. To make it better, the staff crowding around the same spot like it was a live performance only made it feel worse like they wanted us to really soak in the issue. Anyway, we wrapped it up pretty fast and probably won’t be rushing back anytime soon. I mean, we came for dinner, not dinner and a drainage drama.
How to reach Dan Sung Sa
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Why Dan Sung Sa may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Dan Sung Sa with your friends?
If you’re looking for a vibrant spot to gather with friends or family, Dan Sung Sa in Koreatown, Los Angeles, offers an unbeatable atmosphere that perfectly blends authenticity and fun. This Korean bar and restaurant boasts a solid 4.4 rating from nearly 2,000 reviews, reflecting wide appreciation for its unique vibe and excellent food. What makes Dan Sung Sa irresistible for group meetups is its informal, dive-bar ambiance paired with incredibly flavorful Korean bites designed to share and savor with others. Whether you come for the rich, smoky grilled skewers or the ambiance that harks back to Seoul’s lively street pubs, this place translates into hours of laughter, good conversation, and savoring new flavors together. Plus, it’s open daily until 2 a.m., inviting late-night hangouts and spontaneous get-togethers. The crisp sounds of soju bottle caps flicking and the aromas of multiple grilled delicacies bring everyone closer, making Dan Sung Sa not just a meal stop, but a memorable social experience. For groups who enjoy exploring tastes and toasting with drinks in a cozy, spirited setting, this venue answers the call for ultimate camaraderie.
What are the key activities and experiences that make Dan Sung Sa ideal for group meetups?
Dan Sung Sa shines as a hotspot for shared dining experiences mainly thanks to its extensive menu of over 90 different anju, which are bite-sized Korean bar snacks designed for communal enjoyment. The centerpiece of the culinary experience is the array of nearly 25 different skewers, ranging from traditional favorites like spicy chicken to adventurous options such as frog legs and black sausage. Because the skewers are small and packed with flavor, ordering many varieties and passing them around the table elevates the social dining vibe. Groups love going "all-in," trying everything from the smoky barbecued meats to the spicy tteokbokki, which is treasured for its chewy rice cakes absorbing sweet, spicy gochujang sauce. Other crowd-pleasers include beef bulgogi with silky noodles, perfect for sharing and quick to disappear by enthusiastic friends. The food is crafted to keep everyone engaged tasting different flavors and encourages a lively exchange as everyone picks and shares their favorites.
Beyond food, Dan Sung Sa’s atmosphere embraces its role as a classic Koreatown drinking den. The bar specializes in soju varieties, including fruit and yogurt flavors, as well as other Korean drinks like baekseju (herb-infused rice wine) and makgeolli, a sparkling rice wine with a unique sweet and tangy profile. This makes it a natural space for those who want to unwind with drinks and friendly competition, such as flicking soju bottle caps or toasting to good times. The dim, wood-paneled interiors create an intimate yet energetic setting evocative of a late-20th-century Seoul pojangmacha — a tented street pub. This nostalgic ambiance pulls groups into a shared cultural experience beyond the food, inspiring stories, laughs, and a sense of belonging.
How is Dan Sung Sa’s environment tailored to enhance group interaction?
Dan Sung Sa offers a cozy, somewhat dive-bar ambiance with a cool, unpolished edge that lets groups let loose without pretension. It’s designed for communal sharing, evident not only in the finger-friendly menu but also in the loud, lively buzz that fills the room on any given evening. The wooden block menu system adds a tactile, fun element to ordering — guests browse through giant wooden blocks featuring the nearly 100 small plates, sparking curiosity and debate about what to try next. This interactive process invites conversation and collaboration, making meal planning part of the social activity.
The seating arrangements support mid-sized groups comfortably, encouraging everyone to be part of the conversation around one table. The dim lighting combined with smoky accents from the grill intensifies the intimate, laid-back feel, drawing groups close together and fostering that warm friend-and-family vibe. It's a place where time seems to slip away, with many guests losing track of hours while they enjoy repeated rounds of soju and food. The service style at Dan Sung Sa is friendly but no-nonsense, letting groups focus on each other without interruption, which is perfect for uninterrupted bonding sessions.
Why is Dan Sung Sa’s menu especially suited for sharing and trying new things?
The menu at Dan Sung Sa is intentionally crafted for exploratory, collective dining. The concept of anju (Korean bar snacks) inherently promotes sample-sharing rather than solo meals. With nearly 100 diverse small dishes, including skewers, grilled meats, rice cakes, and noodles, the menu invites groups to taste a wide palette of flavors — from smoky and spicy to sweet and tangy — making every meal an adventure. Because the skewers are small but packed with flavor, groups usually order 10 or more varieties at once, ensuring everyone at the table has something to enjoy and talk about.
This tasting-style dining stimulates dynamic conversations around preferences and new discoveries, helping group members connect over their culinary experiences. Popular dishes like the spicy tteokbokki and beef bulgogi with crystal noodles become shared favorites that guests order again during a single visit. The menu also provides something for everyone, accommodating both lovers of traditional Korean flavors and those looking for a more experimental or modern taste. This variety in both flavor and presentation makes Dan Sung Sa an excellent venue for group members with varied culinary tastes.
What makes Dan Sung Sa a culturally immersive dining destination for friends and families?
Dan Sung Sa differentiates itself by offering an authentic slice of Korean culture through its food, drinks, and decor. Founded by owner Caroline Cho in the late 1990s based on her nostalgic memories of Seoul’s street food scene, the restaurant functions as a living homage to pojangmacha — Korea’s famous tented street pubs serving drinks and anju late into the night. Walking into Dan Sung Sa, groups are transported to a different time and place, where wood-paneled walls, smoky air from the grills, and the hum of conversation form a sensory bridge to Korea’s spirited dining culture.
For groups eager to explore beyond typical dining, this venue provides a genuine social experience reflective of Korean hospitality and casual communal eating customs. The prominence of soju and makgeolli on the drink menu deepens this cultural immersion, introducing guests to unique flavors and drinking traditions native to Korea. Shared plates, relaxed service, and the high-energy yet intimate setting all combine to create a memorable, culturally rich backdrop for any gathering. This authenticity makes Dan Sung Sa especially popular among locals and visitors alike who want to both eat well and experience Korean dining culture in a lively group setting.
How accessible and convenient is Dan Sung Sa for organizing meetups?
Situated in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown, Dan Sung Sa is easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. The location—3317 W 6th Street—places it in a bustling neighborhood known for its vibrant Korean food scene, making it an ideal rallying point for groups coming from different parts of the city. Its late operating hours, open daily from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m., cater perfectly to after-work gatherings, late dinners, and spontaneous night meetups.
With its informal and lively atmosphere, Dan Sung Sa does not require formal reservations for smaller groups but managing larger parties can often be facilitated by calling ahead. The place is popular, so visiting on weekends or evenings might involve some wait, which is part of the fun in Koreatown’s vibrant dining culture. Ample nearby parking and public transportation options further ease the logistics of meeting there. Whether planning a casual Friday night or celebrating a special occasion, Dan Sung Sa presents a convenient, energetic backdrop that helps turn simple get-togethers into memorable nights.
Dan Sung Sa stands out as a perfect venue for friendly and family gatherings because it combines authentic Korean flavors, a wide-ranging, shareable menu, and a warm, social atmosphere modeled after traditional street pubs in Seoul. It invites groups to indulge in diverse tastes, raise glasses of soju, and lose track of time in a cozy, smoky setting that radiates familiarity and authenticity. The location, hours, and lively but unfussy environment all enhance its appeal as a go-to spot for anyone seeking an engaging, immersive group dining experience. Whether for a casual hangout or an adventurous tasting journey with friends, Dan Sung Sa delivers consistently memorable times worth returning to again and again.