FOOD at 3500 Wilshire Brings Dining Hall Magic to Koreatown

Koreatown is gearing up for its very own food hall, to be called FOOD at 3500 Wilshire. The timing of the place couldn't be more fortuitous, as not only is Koreatown in the midst of some seriously hip changes, but the address itself sits adjacent to The Line Hotel — which draws its own massive lines on nights and weekends — and next to the Purple Line, making it a draw for subway riders as well.

The unassuming two story building itself isn't new, though many of the tenants will be. Currently there's a Carl's Jr. and a few other assorted folks kicking around, but ownership plans to make room for eight total stalls to be manned by new tenants. Funnily enough, the exterior of the building still displays signage saying FOOD COURT, further blurring the line between 'upscale food hall' and 'mall-like grab bag of takeaway stalls.' Ownership says that with the upcoming exterior renovation, that sign will eventually be phased out.

Some of the difference between the two will come down to tenants. At FOOD at 3500 Wilshire, confirmed neighbors so far include Berlins, the upstart döner kebab shop with an original outlet on Third Street, and apparently a miniaturized version of Rocio's Mole. Greenbridge Management is behind the project (they're also bringing a food hall to Altadena at some point) and are hoping to continue to fill out the roster, but don't have a timeline yet for officially opening.

Of course, FOOD at 3500 Wilshire is just the latest food hall concept to land in Los Angeles. Others, like this one out near LAX and a West Coast expansion of New York's Smorgasburg, are perhaps a bit more high profile, but ultimately the quick service, multiple-concept operations seem to be taking hold here in a big way — and way beyond the Grand Central Market we all already know and love.

Update: Ownership for the building reached out and says that Carmela Ice Cream will no longer be a tenant at the food hall. Additionally, they've shared the below rendering.