A dozen miles from the restaurant-heavy, densely packed streets of Koreatown, a self-described modern gastropub has brought the unique flavors of Korean cuisine to Northeast Los Angeles. Housed in Highland Park in the former Otoño space, Yi Cha serves a menu of drinking-oriented fare, or anju, rooted in chef-owner Debbie Lee’s North Korean heritage and Southern upbringing, with a heavy dash of influences from Southern California’s immigrant communities. Locals in the area sidle up to the bar for cocktails like the dongchimi-inspired Radish to Riches and the vibrant Jeju Sunrise, which pairs lychee-infused vodka with mandarin, orange, and pomegranate juice. Whether dining or drinking, it’s a reliable stop in the area for a laidback meal.
Playful fluorescent signs — including a soju bottle and a head of napa cabbage — and a prismatic mural add personality and vibrance to the narrow, high-ceilinged room. A hidden alcove in the back resembles an outdoor alleyway in a nod to traditional pojangmachas, which historically operated as street stalls.
Don’t skip the goguma (sweet potato) pie. Topped with Asian pear creme fraiche and a mouthwatering chili peanut brittle, it’s the ideal not-too-sweet finish to a meal.