Toe Bang Restaurant Review: Chapman Plaza (aka Chapman Market) at 6th and Kenmore was one of L.A.'s first drive-in shopping centers, a glorious 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival building, and although the neighborhood has changed (it's now the middle of Koreatown), the structure remains an architectural gem. On one side of the courtyard/parking lot, Toe Bang is a twentysomething-and-trendy, hardwood-and-matchstick-blind kind of place, with dim lighting, handsome wallpaper of Korean calligraphy, and poppy Korean dance music on the audio. The fare is solid Korean pub food --- nice barbecues (cooked in the kitchen), sautés and stews, as well as bibimbap (rice with meat, vegetables and hot sauce in a large bowl). The sweet cheese corn makes for a rich side dish, and the kimchi pancake is doughy, salty, and a good pairing for the grilled meats. While saké and beer are available, it is worth trying the yogurt soju, which is basically a drink composed with an alcohol similar to vodka mixed with a cold, sweet white juice. The outdoor patio is a nice place to snack and chat, and it provides a view of the rest of the Market, including karaoke parlors and other restaurants and cafés.
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Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area.
