In honor of the Olympic Games, I present to you Olympic Noodle: the homiest of restaurants serving the homiest of foods.

In addition to notable noodles and delightful dumplings, Olympic Noodle is home to the best kimchi I’ve ever tasted. While I’d normally be pretty bummed with just one lowly radish banchan, the kimchi’s unparalleled excellence made up for it. So crisp, so well balanced, so moreish.

The Astronomer and I were joined by our friend Alex this afternoon, which meant we could order three dishes—the portions here are huge. Fresh-from-the-steamer mandu was the first to arrive.

Thin skinned and plump with chives and ground pork, the dumplings tasted even better drizzled with the house-made scallion and soy sauce.

Also on hand was a big ol’ bowl of hand-cut noodles in a steamy anchovy broth. The texture of the noodles was as good as hoped, but the broth was too mild for my tastes. I like my anchovy soups properly stanky.

Last up was the “Cold Buckwheat Noodle” (bibimnyengmyun) swimming in a gochuchang bath. It was just spicy enough for The Astronomer and me, and we all agreed that it was quite refreshing.

Throw your hands up in the air for Korean noodles and dumplings!

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Olympic Noodle
4008 West Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Phone: 323-931-0007

How do I love Koreatown? Let me count the ways…

• Aladin Sweets & Market – Los Angeles
• BonChon Chicken – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Chicken Day – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Don Dae Gam – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• DonDay – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Dwit Gol Mok (DGM) – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Fat Fish – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Hae Jang Chon – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Hite Kwang-Jang – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Hollys Coffee – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Jae Bu Do – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Jeon Ju Restaurant – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Jun Won Restaurant – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Kobawoo House – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• KyoChon – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Ma Dang Gook Soo – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Miljip House of Noodles – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Mirak – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• OB Bear – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Shoubo Izakaya – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Tahoe Galbi Restaurant – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• The Prince – Los Angeles (Koreatown)
• Tofu Village – Los Angeles (Koreatown)