Photos: Mapo in Koreatown
![Mapo restaurant in L.A.' s Koreatown.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/305f0e7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/500x325+0+0/resize/500x325!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6b%2F84%2Fb91f374f0effae82345083f4717e%2Fla-fo-find01-l1ba9tnc.jpg)
Mapo restaurant in L.A.’ s Koreatown. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
![Mapo / Koreatown](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a822eed/2147483647/strip/true/crop/500x326+0+0/resize/500x326!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9e%2F77%2F75290afe3a6322c768ff678cf9c5%2Fla-fo-find02-l1ba8mnc.jpg)
Kyoung Sun Lee carries a tray of banchan, or side dishes, that are served with Korean meals. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
![Mapo / Koreatown](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e8d5993/2147483647/strip/true/crop/500x333+0+0/resize/500x333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F15%2Fc5%2F5b168ba0f7e176b016588fc1022d%2Fla-fo-find03-l1baawnc.jpg)
Ho-An Noh and Jae-Pyo Choi, facing camera, enjoy a meal at the Koreatown restaurant Mapo. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
![Mapo / Koreatown](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9c1ce1c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/274x425+0+0/resize/274x425!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F14%2F85%2F882b45e8d91c6f9c4dd0f3fa07de%2Fla-fo-find04-l1ba7vnc.jpg)
Roasted Ga Jae Mi fish at Mapo restaurant in Koreatown. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
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![Mapo / Koreatown](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1293f77/2147483647/strip/true/crop/500x339+0+0/resize/500x339!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0d%2Fc1%2Fac7c8614d856ee59504b745d3eab%2Fla-fo-find05-l1ba6snc.jpg)
Spicy beef soup is served at Mapo. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)