Mari Kimbap Shop

Reviews

• Prairie S.

  star star star star star 30 October 2026

  This boutique for exquisite seaweed-wrapped rice rolls is sure to delight. Only in LA will you find a modernist bistro offering such traditional Korean street food.  Here, the humble rice roll is elevated to a fine finger food out of which you can make a light meal. From among the kim bap (rice roll) made fresh throughout the day, you can pick out a variety of interesting fillings such as bulgari, kimchee (fermented spicy cabbage), fish cutlet, tuna, hot pepper, masago, (pork) katsu etc. and feel assured, each is perfectly balanced with crunchy vegetables and zesty flavors.  Each bite bursts with pure flavor that is not hijacked or overpowered by sauces and spices.  I had at least eight different ones (about a finger in length) and each was delicious.  An alternative is to get a larger roll which is sliced up like disks of sushi (they run $4-$6).
  
  But you can build up from there: the menu offers various rice bowls to order such as the bulgogi rice cup, warming soups (recommend the fish broth soup), and "combinations" that you can make into a bigger meal.    
  
  The friendly owner herself takes personal interest and is herself a chef, so she is focused on quality, authenticity, and healthful combinations.  What impressed me was the perfect price point for a light meal  and decent pricing for a larger "combo".
  
  Too many places in LA have Asian fusion done wrong: they rob food of balance, vegetables, fermentation, salt, fishiness, hints of bitterness, and combinations perfected over centuries. Then they recast selected Asian ingredients to gussy up the laziest of American plates: burgers, loaded fries, and the like.  It's as though the focus is on catering to an American palate, which is a shame as the cultural heritage and richness of Asian plating reflects more balance and healthier options.
  
  Here at Mari's Kimbap you can sense and savor the heritage of Asian food culture. It is real food, recognizable vegetable, fish and meat, which are accented with just the right sauces and flavors to satisfy the palate.  
  
  The presentation is all modern...easy to self serve (there's a glass cabinet with kim bap set out), and easy to eat without the fanfare of a sit down restaurant. You feel at home with the modern setting and yet be able to dive into true representations of Korean street food.

• Vincent P.

  star star star star star_border 19 October 2026

  Pretty good spot to order some kimbap to-go. Parking is available in their underground parking structure or on the streets. I was able to find street parking, but it can be very difficult. The lady who took my order was very nice, she speaks limited English, but is enough the get by.
  
  The kimbap is displayed in a glass container at the front of the store. It is self-served, so choose the types that you like. They also serve other types of Korean street food, which can be ordered at the cashier. I decided on the tuna, anchovy, bulgolgi, fish cake, and katsu mini kimbap. Everything was super delicious and flavorful! My favorites would have to be the tuna, fish cake, and bulgolgi.
  
  Overall, good spot for kimbap. The mini kimbap costs $1.25 each, so it's a pretty cheap spot to grab a snack or light lunch. I wished that they also included a side of pickled radishes because it adds a sweet flavor that mixes well with kimbap. Nevertheless, I definitely recommend Mari's Kimbap Shop for your kimbap cravings.

• Amy K.

  star star star star star_border 14 October 2026

  Cute little place with very friendly service. I loved how when I walked in the lady explained how certain items are self serve and other items have to be ordered. I started picking out about 4-5 different types of little kimbap rolls and I was glad they still had so many available as it was passed lunch time, around 2-3pm. I figured that would be perfect for a light lunch and also tried their rice punch which was pretty good also.
  
  I would definitely come back for the kimbap and also try some other items. So quick and easy for a lunch option when you don't have much time. I loved how friendly the service was and how the lady recommended certain things for me since I was not a big spicy fan.

• Liz L.

  star star star star star_border 12 October 2026

  Went here after kbbq- so we weren't really hungry, but it was such a cute shop. So we couldn't resist getting a few things. The owner(?) was super nice and friendly and told us if there was something we wanted and didn't see, they could whip one up for us. We ended up getting the bulgogi kimbap and three minis (tuna, spam, and tonkatsu). She even threw in two simple soups for us to try. Even though I wasn't sure I'd love it, the tuna ended up being my favourite one! If I find myself back in LA, I'll definitely be back (and make more room for kimbap)!

• Hannah E.

  star star star star star 6 October 2026

  Mari is a much-needed addition to Koreatown, a neighborhood that caters mostly to people who want to sit down, stretch out, bring a group, and stuff their faces until they roll on home. There are not enough places where you can go when you're feeling like a casual small savory snack - and that's exactly what Mari's is.
  
  Like a miniature 85°, you take your tray and your tongs and spear yourself your choice of mini kimbap ($1.25 each, north of 10 choices). You can also add hot food like odeng soup, tempura, or rice bowls.
  
  My Korean-street-food-recreation consisted of 3 mini kimbap (anchovy, masago, spicy shrimp) and a bowl of odeng. Total cost: $5.75. I wasn't stuffed when I left, but I wasn't hungry either. It was a perfect afternoon snack, and the flavors lost nothing on their travels across the Pacific. I could have been sitting in Gwangjang market.