Jian Korean BBQ

[danikm]

It just opened on Beverly (can't remember the cross street, but near sweetzer). Has anyone been? I don't expect it to compete with Soot Bull Jeep, but it's close enough to my house that I'd eat there if it's decent.... any clues?

[J.L.]

Just went about 1 month ago. Really funky decor. Neat bar.

Food was just so-so. There are definitely better KBBQ's in this great city of ours (e.g. Park's), BUT credit goes to Jian's in the odor category - NO ONE in our party smelled like grilled meat afterwards!

[ahuacatl]

That is quite an achievement. Changing my clothes and cleaning my glasses are the first things I do after KBBQ.

[burumun]

Yup Jian has this fancy grill with vent holes that suck the smoke down (they don't even have vent above the grill!)
Quite neat actually. I took a picture of it although I'm not sure it really tells the whole story:
http://gourmetpigs.blogspot.com/2008/...

[nomnomnoms]

walked by it on saturday. really dead.

i mean, k-town is just down the street....

[veee]

is this place open now??

[Dave and Stuff]

My wife and I went, and were kind of surprised by how much we liked the food.

Pros: 1) The service needed some polish, but was friendly. 2) The Bul Gol Gi and spicy pork were delicious, and the mushrooms platter was generous. 3) The cocktails were well-made, well-balanced, and reasonably priced, given the location.

Cons: 1) the price was kind of expensive for the portions. 2) the server had to keep going to the kitchen and the bar to get answers to our questions. 3) The panchan was (very) limited, unfortunately. But when we wanted some more, the server was quick to replace. 4) The music was BLARING at 6pm when the place was empty. I understand later in the evening when the bar is jammed to turn the music up, but it was too much for the three tables in the dining room. 5) the Bibimbap wasn't in the stone bowl...just on a plate. None of that delicious texture that comes with the hot stone bowl that I was accustomed to.

Overall: Not a bargain, but good enough when I don't feel like driving to K-town.

[veee]

Bi bim bap usually comes in a regular bowl. Dol Sot bi bim bap is the one that comes in a hot stone bowl.

Thanks for the info! I was curious after the long-awaited opening.

[tylerprod]

My roommate drove by on his way home tonight and he said there was a sign on the door and "Movement" inside. I will take a walk by and post an update tomorrow. I can't wait!! And I SO HOPE it's good, as it's walking distance. :)

[Peripatetic]

There's been no end of movement at Jian. When I walked by on Monday, a woman was trimming the plants in the window and a man in whites was mopping the floor. The sign still said "opening very soon".

I'm now convinced that Jian is not a restaurant but an NEA-funded performance art piece. (With apologies to performance artists and the NEA.)

[Dave and Stuff]

Called Jian yesterday, and they said May 26th is the new "hard" opening.

[Food622]

When I drove by I saw some new signs up, is there any new news?

[Dave and Stuff]

Has been open for two weeks now.

Haven't heard much, but what I have heard hasn't been good (aside from a free tasting review up on CH)...I am going to give it a month or so to settle in before I give it a shot.

[kelvlam]

3/21 Friday opening? interesting choice ;-)
thx for the heads-up

[Dave and Stuff]

Just spoke to a man on the phone at Jian...he told me it is now planned for an "end of April" opening. I told him I wished him luck, and he said, "I know, we are losing a lot of money..."

[Food622]

Do you know why it is taking them so long to open?

[Dave and Stuff]

No idea, but I am chomping at the bit for them to open up, and I hope it's good!

[Food622]

oops

[wutzizname]

http://la.eater.com/archives/2008/01/...

[Food622]

any news?

[Food622]

We were thinking about going tonight. Called Jian, but the number was busy. Jian Korean BBQ, 8256 Beverly Bl Los Angeles, CA 90048, 323 655 6556

[wutzizname]

Definitely still was not open as of last night. Walked right by it.

[Food622]

Has anyone walked by lately?

[lesleyb]

As a matter of fact, yes
http://la.eater.com/archives/2008/02/...

The sign on the door said they will open in March.

[Ciao Bob]

Not yet, still not open. I am hoping it will be good -- it is going to take a very, very good Korean BBQ to overcome the jolt of those big, ugly, angry heads looming over Beverly.

[Dave and Stuff]

We drove there yesterday, hoping that it would be open. Peeked in the window...looks ready to open, but no one inside, and no signs anywhere indicating when it would open.

[Food622]

Just got off the phone with them, as hubby and I were thinking about trying Jian tonight. The man that answered (a first, since I have never had anyone pick up the phone before) said they were shooting for opening on the 21st of March.

[billberry]

I stuck my head in last night and was told they will open the week of 2/4/08. hope they measure up. Love Soot Bull Jeep but the trek down to K Town keeps me away...

[kelvlam]

Do they have a website yet? Last time I read about them was on LAist

http://la.eater.com/archives/2007/12/...

[danikm]

update: walked by last night and it was closed. I guess the weekend opening was a mirage.

[danikm]

Hmmn... this might require further investigation. It looks very open at night, but I haven't tried to actually walk in yet.

[wutzizname]

They were definitely not open yet on Saturday. Looked very ready to open yesterday but I don't think they actually were. Anyone?

[Davebr]

I went out to Hatfields Saturday night and when I drove by it looked open to me.

[ldodb]

Yea I have been wondering the same thing, I may have to just go and try it if nobody else has.