Sorabol Korean Restaurant

Well, they don’t really have a menu and what people actually order is more like a Panda Express… rice and noodles with either one meat choice or two. Here’s where I ran into trouble with them:
The price of a combo meal with one meat choice = $ 9.10
The price of a combo with two meat choices = $ 9.95
Oddly, both options have the same volume of meat. So the «two meat» combo is half a serving of one choice and half of another. «So why would it cost more?», I asked. The girl at the counter couldn’t answer that question. I found this out because she assumed I wanted the «one meat» lunch plate, but when I said I wanted the «two meat» lunch plate, she started removing some chicken from my plate. I asked why she was doing that and got the answer.
So yeah, that makes no sense. Overall the food was pretty good. I didn’t see any Korean people behind the counter. The bulgolgi was decent, but not very exciting. Sorabol could do well if they completely revamped their service alone. Until then, I don’t see this place lasting too much longer.

I was super excited that Korean food had been added to my mall food options! Then I tasted it. I am less excited about mall Korean food. Bummer.
It was fine, I guess. The meat wasn’t too gamey or weird. It was just… ok. The kimchi was weird — I dunno. It was kind of sweet or something. And the other pickles were no better.
I’ll be trying something else next time.

If you are in a hurry and need a Korean style sesame oil veggie fix come here!
I had the lemon chicken which was ok but did not stand out at all. Had a really fast food feel to it. What I did really enjoy was the kimchi and the sesame oil covered broccoli! I love the way Korean BBQ’s like my beloved Ma Dang Sae dip their soy sprouts in sesame oil and here they do it with their broccoli! The glass noodles, which I really had a craving for this day did not even compare to those they sell in the HK Market and I am sure that they are way better in a good Korean restaurant. The food here is not that great really but it is worth a try if you are in a hurry and at this Century City mall.

Stopped at the Century City food court and never know which station to eat at. I’ve noticed they all take FORever in getting the food out. Well, unless you’re going to a place that has the food in warmers ready to go.
Saw a bunch of people eating noodles here last time so I thought I’d give it a try. I was so thirsty and soup sounded quenching. I ordered the fishball noodle soup. Hmm… soup shouldn’t have take very long. It wasn’t until 10 – 15 minutes passed that I noticed the Asian lady get her butt to the stove and START my soup. Ugh. You have a customer! Cook! Or have a back up employee. Waited way too long for noodles to come out.
It tasted kind of bland. Came with Kimchee that was also pretty mild. Food wasn’t horrible, but it also wasn’t memorable.

Hit the spot for me one dehydrated Wednesday in May after an inebriated Tuesday night. Nengmyun is a summer special. I remember the noodles in the original Sorabol restaurant in Koreatown were good too. I’ll be back all summer!

I usually don’t like mall food, but somehow I really loved this korean joint. Their Spicy pork combo or the Japchae, I loved both of them and they’re both under $ 10. The spicy pork was pretty spicy for my palette, but otherwise it’s good. Portion is pretty big for mall food, me likey, since people know I ate a big portion all the time. I will always get this whenever I’m in Century City, I hope they would be there while I live in the westside.

Food was actually decent for mall food court standards. The chicken cutlet and vegetable pancake are made when you order, so it’s guaranteed to be alot fresher than the other options.
However, the lingering odor of raid bug spray pretty much killed my appetite. Bön appetite!

This was one of those dining experiences where, despite being full and unwillingly to spend anymore money, I wanted to buy another meal elsewhere and shove it down my throat to erase the memory of what I just ate.
Now, to be fair, it wasn’t bad. But for the price being close to some AYCE KBBQ spots, it better at least be non-​regrettable. Knowing what I know from previous Korean food experiences, I was sad because everything about the meal could have been so much better.
I got a combo with kalbi and spicy pork. The kalbi was good, but a little on the colder side and, consequently, harder to eat. I ended up biting at it while trying to hold a conversation with my friend– nothing classier than that. The pork, again, was okay, but it was a bit salty. The jap chae, on the other hand, had a good texture, but was bland, which helped offset the saltiness of the pork.
I blame the mall food allure, where folks are baited in by a piece of meat of a toothpick. I fall for it every single time.
Again, it’s not bad, per se, but it wouldn’t be on any top 5 or top 10 lists for Korean food. It would work if you go in knowing what to expect and knowing that this is closer to mall fast food than anything else.

I honestly wasn’t impressed. I thought this was going to be a nicer Korean restaurant, but I soon realized as someone else so adequately put, «it’s like a Korean Panda Express.»
It’s not cheap either, but nothing in the CC food court really is, so I guess that point is null. The food just sits in containers over hot water, so the food gets dry and just pretty gross frankly. I got the BBQ Beef which didn’t have any resemblance to being barbequed at all. The glass noodles were decent, but the rice was dry as well. The spicy cucumber was ok as well, but that’s about it. The water you can get free is nice, but it’s from tap… whatever.
The seating is obviously good because it’s in the food court, so that really has nothing to do with the restaurant.
There are much better options than Sorabol in the food court.

Well, as fancy pants as this food court is I’m never a fan of a lot of their options. This place has proven no different for me…
The food is meh as far as Korean food goes. I suppose I shouldn’t be expecting a lot from a fast food chain, but the prices are fairly steep ($ 10 for fast food is definitely higher end fast food) and the quality of the meat is just okay. I think if this place were cheaper the quality of the food would make more sense. However, as it stands it’s pretty mediocre. Tough and COLD meat. Uncooked vegetables…
I do think it’s one of the better options in the food court… but that’s not saying a lot for me since I feel like the options here are pretty overpriced and so so in general… but I guess what can you expect from a mall that’s next to CAA.

It’s like Chinese Fast Food, but instead, it’s Korean! I wish they had one of these at every mall; the food, the portion size, and the price is good for what is is. The meat is actually really flavorful, and the have it with kimchi, rice, and noodles = perfect combo (all for under $ 10).

*walks in the food court*
Yay! a Korean restaurant!
Cool~~~
*after trying their food*
Hmm. this is not good Korean food.
blech~~~
I’m Korean and I like that they are getting Korean food out there
(not Korean bbq that everyone knows about)
but. meh. it can be so much better.
next time I go try out their food,
I hope they make me proud: P
Sorabol Hwa-​E-​Ting! (no I’m not a fob)

The combo platter is a relatively good deal. The bbq chicken has a good flavor, but the spicy chicken leaves much to be desired. The short ribs were dry and unappetizing. However, this was still an okay food-​court meal. The spicy cucumbers were good, and I enjoyed the brown rice and noodles.

The Century City Mall food court used to be on the first floor of the North end. And even though (with the re-​design) they have done a lot to make the food court more upscale, I liked the environment and the atmosphere of the old one. The layout was a rectangle with eateries along the wall. The center was dedicated to a sweets shop, and built around the center were rows and rows of tables (mostly communal). With the center sweets shop, crowded tables, and vibe/​noise of hungry patrons, it made it feel more like the original farmer’s market food court at The Grove.
The exterior of each food court place was left up to the individual store so you had a lot more individuality. Finally, several shops (like Tacone, Johnny Rockets) had both an indoor and outdoor counter so you could easily order (and wait for your name/​number to be called) based on your seating preference. And if you were looking for something more upscale, there was a very good Houston’s next door (Houston’s is still there). The movie theater was right next door as well. And back then, the theaters were small and intimate. There was no Arclight; there was no Landmark. So if you were looking for an independent movie in a comfortable multiplex setting, this movie theater was the best choice out there.
They moved the food court (and the movie theater, which became more plain jane) to the 2^nd floor, and with this, they made everything pretty uniform and sterile. There is more seating at the food court, which is an improvement. Still, during peak periods, it can be hard to find a seat. But gone is the uniqueness of each eatery (they now have a much more corporate, cookie-​cutter feel to them). Here is your Japanese place. Here is your Greek place. Here is your chicken place. Very few original eateries survived the move. Sorabol was one of them.
On my recent visit to Sorabol, the quality was about the same. It was okay, but it was nothing that would make me stop anytime soon. The friendly servers wave toothpicks of free samples to draw you in. And that initial taste can fool you into thinking you are in for something that is pretty good for what you pay. But after a few bites, you will soon realize that Sorabol is a slightly better Korean version of Panda Express.

This is my go to place when I’m at the mall.
Rice, chap chae, tofu, broccoli and zucchini. Yum yum and under $ 10.
They also have good cold noodles here which comes with hard boiled egg, cucumbers and radish. Awesome on a hot summer day.
This beats Panda Express any day. And I’m Chinese.

My first time at a fancy food court where all the restaurants serve their meals on real plates and silverware that have to be washed. I ate at this mall 3 times during the week and I loved Sorabol so much I went back a second time.
I ordered their plate entrée where you get rice (white or brown), chap chae (Korean noodles), one meat, and 2 vegetable sides. On my first visit I had the spicy squid and on the second visit I had the spicy BBQ chicken. Both meats were really good and on par with what you get at a traditional sit down Korean restaurant.
What I love about this restaurant is the quality of the ingredients, especially since it is a food court establishment, the selection of Korean vegetable sides and meats, and how the meal is served on a real plate.

Such high expectations…**sigh**
This was my first time ever eating this fancy schmancy food court at century city! My goodness gracious this place is soooo nice inside! I had no idea! Only in LA at a mall can you go to their food court that is almost as nice as the bloomingdales around the corner! They even have a panda express shoved in here that looks fancy!
On that note, there is A LOT of asian food to choose from in this place. Sorabol won me over when I saw someone carrying a dish of these tasty looking glass noodles from here, so I had to go get some… I got a plate for a few cents under $ 10 with glass noodles, broccoli, edamame, and I got their spicy chicken dish and really the only good part was those noodles! My chicken was spicy, but that’s all you could taste and the chicken was overcooked and kinda dry… the broccoli and edamame didn’t taste that fresh either.
If you want noodles go here — they are tasty tasty tasty! But if you want anything else, trust me, you have at least five other asian options within 20 feet of where you are standing ha.

For years I’ve been coming here. Then they renovated the mall & I feared they would dismiss this Korean eatery. My fears were unfounded.
When I’ve had to wait for my purchases to be assembled at the Container Store, this has fit the bill. Now they have a lot longer counter space. They looked like they moved up in the world with a much more modern, high tech décor.
There’s even a family room, tucked behind the corner, near this restaurant, complete with microwave & couch, a pretty cool place to relax, for those that have babies, toddlers, older adults or anyone in need of a «rest stop.» There’s also a big plasma TV & private curtained off areas.
You can take the food outside to the patio & take in the skyscraper view, it’s spectacular for a L.A. food court, that is. The architect sure did a grand job of figuring out where diners would get a great view.
Back to my bibimbap, the rice is always hot & fresh, the taste of the veggies differs slightly from time to time, but overall it’s dependable & the only fast food place I regularly eat at here, besides See’s Candies & Pinkberry!
04−24−08 update — I’m adding stars, because tonight I had an unusually good experience. As I stood in line & asked for a plate instead of a bowl, the portions given to me were much more generous. My plate was loaded with the biggest portion of Korean style tofu I’ve ever had. The veggies were all delicious & fresh tasting.
As I was standing in line, a stranger came up to me in line & started mimicking me. I kept asking for only 1 piece of Kim Chi. Yes, the staff was extra generous & wanted to give me more than 1 piece. He announced «only 1 piece of Kim Chi!‘
A waitstaff picked up several kim chi pieces with their tongs. I pleaded, I was adamant, only 1 piece! They relented & dropped the other 2 pieces back in the Kim Chi bin.
I thought who is this guy? He asked if I was a Unilocaler. I revealed I was & he offered to buy me dinner on the house, yes, a FREE dinner :) He said this is because you wrote such a nice review. Wow, what a surprise, after nearly one hundred forty reviews I finally got some recognition. It’s exhilarating!
Apparently he’s the OWNER! His name is Richard & he wanted some feedback. He’s thinking of opening a branch in the Santa Monica Place Mall that’s being built. The location would be on the 2^nd floor. I told him I would eat there, as it’s within walking distance, YAY! So give him your opinion folks!
As for my 1 piece of Kim Chi? I liked it. Next time I’ll be brave. I’ll have 2 pieces! It was in my humble opinion, excellent. Humble, because I’m not a full blooded Korean. Being part Chinese & part Hawaiian, I’ll admit I’m not the expert on Kim Chi.

Every time I go to Century City food court, I always do a lap and invariably end up eating at Sorabol. Both their BBQ Chicken and BBQ Beef is great, but my favorite is their chap chae. It comes with almost all the combos so you’ll get to try it no matter what you’re looking for.
For being at a mall food court, it is a bit pricey, but most of the places in that court are at about the same price-​range, so it seems par for the course.
If you’ve never had it, I definitely recommend it. But I wouldn’t go out of my way specifically just to get it.

Decent Korean food in an upscale Century City food court? You’re kidding, right?
Actually, I’m not. Tucked in the corner, behind the swanky salad vendors, across from the chi-​chi sushi bar, and right next to the restrooms, there is a modest Korean fast food joint that serves up seriously good eats. Davey G. is right on target about this place: Sorabol is the gem of the food court.
Especially this week. After making my way through nearly a week’s worth of sweet and salty Thanksgiving fare (you gotta love leftovers), I was pretty much ready for something hot and spicy. And nothing hits the spot — especially on a chilly fall evening — than yoo gae jang, or as it’s called on their menu: spicy beef soup.
Actually, that is pretty much the only thing I get at Sorabol, so I can’t speak to the other items on their menu. The nice thing about this dish is that it’s made to order, so it always comes out hot and steaming. It’s also very spicy — Korean spicy, not American spicy — which is a huge plus. Served with a side of rice (brown or white), this dish is, to me, the perfect comfort food meal for my work-​wearied body.
The only problem with this dish is that I can never eat it without getting soup splatter stains all over my nice shirt. If I could, I would probably eat here all the time. But now that I have ruined two perfectly good dress shirts with red splotches, I fully understand why everyone in K-​town wears black. The stuff stains, man!