Modern Koreatown Staple Beer Belly to Close After Eight Year Run

One of Koreatown’s most inventive restaurants is closing. Beer Belly, long situated at the back of an unassuming parking lot off Western, will end its eight year run later this month, but will continue on at its sister Long Beach location.

Beer Belly began life as an aptly-named spot for craft beer in Los Angeles. The bar side focused heavily on local labels like El Segundo Brewing and Monkish just as the craft beer boom was really beginning in the city, and even hosted dozens of out-of-town breweries over the years for one-off events and collaborations. On the food side, Beer Belly always skewed towards fun, boldly-flavored and inventive food, including decadent duck fat fries, massive grilled cheese sandwiches, and beyond.

Owners Jimmy and Yume Han tell Eater that the time has come for someone else to step up and take over at the address in Koreatown. Jimmy Han adds in a statement:

After eight years of so many blessings, we feel like we accomplished what we set out to do. None of this could have been possible without the help of all our wonderful staff past and present, chef Wes Lieberher, LA’s amazing food community, the local and engaging beer community, and the ever-energetic Koreatown community. We don’t know what’s next. We don’t know if it will be us or someone else. But we’re excited for the next story to be told.

As for timing, expect Beer Belly Koreatown to close its doors for the final time on July 28, while Long Beach remains alive and well.

Beer Belly Koreatown. 532 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA.

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