Hours
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 5–9:30 PM |
| Thursday | 5–9:30 PM |
| Friday | 5–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 5–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 5 PM–12 AM |
| Monday | 12–9 AM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 558 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Phone: (213) 513-6426
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.com
Related Web Results
Lapaba | Italian & Korean Pasta Bar in Koreatown, LA
Welcome to Lapaba, an elegant pasta bar in the heart of Koreatown, Los Angeles. Experience classic Italian dishes and pasta made in-house with Korean …
Lapaba (@thelapaba) · Los Angeles, CA – Instagram
✨NOW OPEN Italian Korean Pasta Bar 558 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020 ⤹ Reserve on OpenTable. Photo by Lapaba in Koreatown, Los Angeles.
Lapaba Restaurant – Los Angeles, CA | OpenTable
Lapaba, a Koreatown pasta bar from Osteria Mozza veterans, fuses regional Italian dishes with Korean ingredients and serves smaller portions for trying several …
Reviews
Lydia Cheng
We were super excited to dine at this new Korean Italian fusion restaurant. The restaurant is basically one large pasta bar and was well decorated. We ordered two of their pasta dishes and a few of their starters to share.
While the main focus on the menu were the pastas, it felt like they only added a Korean ingredient to make it different rather than try to make the dishes feel authentically “fusion”. They were tasty but the flavors definitely lean traditional Italian.
The starters were definitely where the fusion comes in. Echoing the same point as before but the flavor of the kimchi in the suppli was also very subtle. The most “fused” dish was the K meatballs that tasted like bulgogi and were paired with a traditional red sauce. The bread it came with was tasty but didn’t have the most shiny/golden crust.
We got a few of their drinks (yuja sour, arancia yakult, matcha yuja-ade) and they were good but very very sweet.
We ended with the BTS (black truffle soft serve) which was a lovely balance of sweet and savory.
TLDR: flavors were good but the dishes didnt feel like a true fusion experience. We felt like the menu lacked intention.
… moreWhile the main focus on the menu were the pastas, it felt like they only added a Korean ingredient to make it different rather than try to make the dishes feel authentically “fusion”. They were tasty but the flavors definitely lean traditional Italian.
The starters were definitely where the fusion comes in. Echoing the same point as before but the flavor of the kimchi in the suppli was also very subtle. The most “fused” dish was the K meatballs that tasted like bulgogi and were paired with a traditional red sauce. The bread it came with was tasty but didn’t have the most shiny/golden crust.
We got a few of their drinks (yuja sour, arancia yakult, matcha yuja-ade) and they were good but very very sweet.
We ended with the BTS (black truffle soft serve) which was a lovely balance of sweet and savory.
TLDR: flavors were good but the dishes didnt feel like a true fusion experience. We felt like the menu lacked intention.
JG
This place has intrigued me long way before they even opened their door, then in the early opening days it’s just too busy to even get a reservation especially as I was aiming for weekend. I finally gave up and picked a weekday dinner. Finding street parking would also test your luck certainly.
The venue setting was interesting with one long marble-top counter table so you could tell small-size group would be more ideal. Thankfully the menu was quite brief so at least eased the decision making. Most of the were meant for sharing so you could try multiple dishes, but portion wise it’s more on the smaller side.
We got their Fried Chicken as starter, served with Calabrian Chili and somewhat reminded me of Thai Chili Sauce. It was good and I loved the idea of refreshing yuzu ranch dipping, making it distinctive but I would say the chicken itself was moderately good.
The radiatore was cooked al dente and the wine flavor stood strong in the sauce. Generously served short rib ragu was lovely, but I got it when people said to not expect it to remind you of signature Korean flavor, which I certainly didn’t mind knowing it’s fusion anyway!
… moreThe venue setting was interesting with one long marble-top counter table so you could tell small-size group would be more ideal. Thankfully the menu was quite brief so at least eased the decision making. Most of the were meant for sharing so you could try multiple dishes, but portion wise it’s more on the smaller side.
We got their Fried Chicken as starter, served with Calabrian Chili and somewhat reminded me of Thai Chili Sauce. It was good and I loved the idea of refreshing yuzu ranch dipping, making it distinctive but I would say the chicken itself was moderately good.
The radiatore was cooked al dente and the wine flavor stood strong in the sauce. Generously served short rib ragu was lovely, but I got it when people said to not expect it to remind you of signature Korean flavor, which I certainly didn’t mind knowing it’s fusion anyway!
Hannah Erickson
Had an early dinner yesterday with my partner at Lapaba, and we were thoroughly impressed! From the moment we walked in, the staff were welcoming, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. Our server made everything feel effortless, and dishes came out at a perfect pace. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with music and a sound level that make conversation easy.
Every single dish we tried was delicious. The concept, Italian with a Korean twist, is executed brilliantly. Too often, “fusion” can feel one-note, but Lapaba nails the balance. Pricing and portion sizes felt very reasonable, and there’s a great variety of options for vegetarians.
Highlights from our meal:
Cacio e Pepe Rice Cakes – clever twist using tteokbokki and black sesame; simple but delicious. (Got too excited, and forgot to take a photo)
Charred Broccolini – obsessed with the ssamjang and whipped tofu sauce.
Garganelli & Pesto – the perilla pesto is aromatic and complex and wonderful; I might never go back to basil pesto!
Agnolotti & Cheesy Corn – smoked scamorza is insanely good; probably too good to share.
Tiramisu with Misugaru, Makgeolli & Black Matcha – creamy, thoughtful, and a perfect twist on a classic.
And, of course, the homemade pasta is excellent across the board.
Highly recommend! The dishes would appeal to a wide variety of diners. Can’t wait to return to revisit our favorites and explore the rest of the menu.
… moreEvery single dish we tried was delicious. The concept, Italian with a Korean twist, is executed brilliantly. Too often, “fusion” can feel one-note, but Lapaba nails the balance. Pricing and portion sizes felt very reasonable, and there’s a great variety of options for vegetarians.
Highlights from our meal:
Cacio e Pepe Rice Cakes – clever twist using tteokbokki and black sesame; simple but delicious. (Got too excited, and forgot to take a photo)
Charred Broccolini – obsessed with the ssamjang and whipped tofu sauce.
Garganelli & Pesto – the perilla pesto is aromatic and complex and wonderful; I might never go back to basil pesto!
Agnolotti & Cheesy Corn – smoked scamorza is insanely good; probably too good to share.
Tiramisu with Misugaru, Makgeolli & Black Matcha – creamy, thoughtful, and a perfect twist on a classic.
And, of course, the homemade pasta is excellent across the board.
Highly recommend! The dishes would appeal to a wide variety of diners. Can’t wait to return to revisit our favorites and explore the rest of the menu.
Dani Klemes
the food is incredible!!! i went with a friend and we split the cacio e pepe rice cakes, the chicken wings, the sweet potato burrata, the caesar salad, the short rib radiatore, the perilla leaf pesto and two desserts (tiramisu and black truffle brown butter soft serve) and everything was absolutely amazing. so much flavor, such a delicate balance between the richer italian dishes and the korean flavors. the drinks are also so good – i got a NA yuzu matcha and my friend got the yuzu soju and they both were such good complements to our meal. 10/10 – cannot wait to go back!!!
… moreYuyi Cen
I recently visited this restaurant on the first day of their soft opening, and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience.
Food: We ordered five pasta dishes and one order of meatballs as appetizers. Each dish was fresh and flavorful, showcasing the chef’s attention to detail. Al ordered a selection of mocktails and cocktails, which were well-crafted and added a nice touch to our meal. Everything we tried was delicious, and I can’t wait to return to sample more of the menu.
Ambiance: The atmosphere was inviting, with a perfect blend of casual and elegant decor. It made for a comfortable dining experience, ideal for enjoying a meal with friends.
Parking: As for parking, it can be a bit challenging in the area, but the restaurant offers valet parking for $12, which is a convenient option if you’re dining in.
Service: The service was commendable; our server was friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. Last call was around 9:45 PM, which I appreciated as it gave us ample time to enjoy our meal without feeling rushed.
Overall, I had a great experience at this restaurant and am looking forward to returning soon to explore more of their menu options!
… moreFood: We ordered five pasta dishes and one order of meatballs as appetizers. Each dish was fresh and flavorful, showcasing the chef’s attention to detail. Al ordered a selection of mocktails and cocktails, which were well-crafted and added a nice touch to our meal. Everything we tried was delicious, and I can’t wait to return to sample more of the menu.
Ambiance: The atmosphere was inviting, with a perfect blend of casual and elegant decor. It made for a comfortable dining experience, ideal for enjoying a meal with friends.
Parking: As for parking, it can be a bit challenging in the area, but the restaurant offers valet parking for $12, which is a convenient option if you’re dining in.
Service: The service was commendable; our server was friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. Last call was around 9:45 PM, which I appreciated as it gave us ample time to enjoy our meal without feeling rushed.
Overall, I had a great experience at this restaurant and am looking forward to returning soon to explore more of their menu options!
Amy Chong
From the mocktails and cocktails to dessert, Lapaba really impressed me. Their menu is fusion – east meets west. My personal favorite is the burrata as it was the perfect balance between sweet, savory, spicy, soft and crunchy.
This is the perfect place to catch up with friends or date night! Exploring the menu will give you plenty to talk about.
… moreThis is the perfect place to catch up with friends or date night! Exploring the menu will give you plenty to talk about.
yousef
Arrives with pedigree and promise: Italian pasta with Korean flavors and influences. It’s an exciting premise, but the execution feels like a first draft. While the space is nicely decorated the energy is oddly transactional, with dishes arriving at a pace that suggests turnover is part of the plan.
The cacio e pepe rice cakes are the most confident expression of the concept: chewy rice cakes, creamy pecorino, and black sesame. K-meatballs, served with milk bread, are tender enough, but nothing lingers once the plate is cleared. Charred broccolini does its job, greens, bitterness, balance. Then comes the clear standout: agnolotti with cheesy corn. Delicate, savory rather than sweet, the smoked scamorza and brown butter pulling everything together. Orecchiette with sausage struggles by comparison. The pasta skews soft, the sausage serviceable. Dessert is a mixed bag. The black truffle soft serve is daring and oddly wonderful, while the tiramisu lacks identity, feeling more like mediocre cake than tiramisu. Lapaba is full of ideas, not all fully realized. More concept than comfort.
… moreThe cacio e pepe rice cakes are the most confident expression of the concept: chewy rice cakes, creamy pecorino, and black sesame. K-meatballs, served with milk bread, are tender enough, but nothing lingers once the plate is cleared. Charred broccolini does its job, greens, bitterness, balance. Then comes the clear standout: agnolotti with cheesy corn. Delicate, savory rather than sweet, the smoked scamorza and brown butter pulling everything together. Orecchiette with sausage struggles by comparison. The pasta skews soft, the sausage serviceable. Dessert is a mixed bag. The black truffle soft serve is daring and oddly wonderful, while the tiramisu lacks identity, feeling more like mediocre cake than tiramisu. Lapaba is full of ideas, not all fully realized. More concept than comfort.
Riley Lelah
This dinner was absolutely amazing – a perfect date night! All of the flavors and dishes feel so unique and exceptionally thought out. I loved the sweet potato burrata, the chicken wings are a MUST and I was scraping the cacio e Pepe off my plate. The gem made with Korean kimchi was also really good! Get both desserts
… moreEmmanuelle Pierce
Great neighborhood pasta spot! Our server Liz was very attentive, best bites were the fried chicken with yuzu ranch and the cheese corn inspired agnolotti
… moreTracey Lelah
A delicious Korean spin on Italian flavors. We tried a lot of dishes and all delicious! Loved the K meatballs, with the milk bread to dunk in the sauce. The Smoky corn stuffed pasta was so flavorful with the sage butter and parm cheese. The fried chicken with yuzu ranch was sooo good. I could drink the sauce. Cocktails were excellent! I had a Yuzu sour, and desserts soft serve ice cream w/truffle sauce was a great finish and palette cleansing. Can’t wait to go back!
… more