KoreatownThe children of Fernando Lopez and Maria Monterrubio, the retired husband-and-wife duo who opened Guelaguetza in 1994, after immigrating from their native Oaxaca, keep this iconic establishment’s legacy alive by staying true to authentic Oaxacan ingredients and time-tested family recipes. Although the restaurant’s famous for incredibly complex moles—like the green olive-infused Mole Estofado or a sweeter, nuttier Mole Negro —you’d be remiss not to try the Enfrijoladas, Chiles Rellenos, and a range of other Oaxacan plates like crispy Tlayudas and chewy Memelas with Oaxacan chorizo. With an extensive menu of Oaxacan favorites (and impressive mezcal selection), feel free to order family-style and sample as much masa, mole, and complex flavors as you possibly can.How to book: Resy

The vibrant colors, sounds, and scents of Oaxaca come to life upon walking into Guelaguetza. On any given night, banda musicians will be strumming their instruments while you sip on lesser-known mezcals from the region alongside a mixed bag of Angelenos, including locals longing for an authentic taste of their mother country. From the outside, you might mistake Guelaguetza, which retrofitted a freestanding Chinese pagoda structure into a Oaxacan institution, for any number of Gringo-style Mexican restaurants on charmless boulevards serving obscenely large portions of nachos/enchiladas/burritos rendered interchangeable blanketed under molten cheddar.

You can't bring up Oaxacan food in LA without talking about Guelaguetza, and for good reason—this Koreatown spot deserves credit for bringing top-tier mole to the masses (their website is literally ilovemole.com). But mole aside, Guelaguetza is where you go to eat tamales in banana leaves, black bean enfrijoladas, and crispy tlayudas with tasajo and spicy chorizo. Dinner here is always an event: there’s a gift shop selling merch, an open kitchen where you can take photos of sizzling meats, and a live band playing Latin jazz.

Since 2001, the space has been home to Guelaguetza (entrées $6–$26), a family-owned Oaxacan-Angeleno restaurant. It's a James Beard Foundation America's Classics winner—one of only a handful in Los Angeles—and the first traditional Mexican spot to receive the prestigious award. "A Korean building serving up regional Mexican food is the essence of L.A.," owner Bricia Lopez told me. "The heart of L.A. is the diversity of Angelenos, and it doesn't get more L.A. than K-Town.

Named after an Oaxacan dance, the popular Koreatown spot is known for its unparalleled moles, which are paired with plates of hearty tacos, rice, meat and vegetables. Lively music usually accompanies your meal—whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner—and it’s not unusual to see diners get up and dance. Want to try and replicate your dish at home?

This distinct Oaxacan eatery knows exactly what its culinary mission is. A grill station fills the room with the scent of blistering peppers and more. Mole estofado is so complex that it is nearly impossible to pick out the ingredients creating such a rich and dark sauce, slathered onto chicken or pork.

Their complexities tease and challenge our brains; we need them more than ever. Bricia Lopez and her family have created family meals with one of four moles (negro, rojo, coloradito and the stewy variation, fortified with almonds and raisins, known as estofado) and either grilled chicken or pork carnitas. Scroll through the online menu to see other combination and solo meal options, including a platter of seven appetizers (guacamole, taquitos and fried guacamole among them) and herbed chicken soup to feed a crowd.

Brother-sister duo Bricia and Fernando Lopez run this sprawling restaurant, now that parents Fernando and Maria have returned home to Mexico to open Pink Burger in their hometown of Mitla. The younger generation has maintained momentum, and the restaurant even scored a 2015 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics Award. The space features a flock of birds painted on the outer orange wall, red concrete flooring indoors, a fountain in back, decorative plants, an L-shaped bar and colorful woven place settings.

Los Angeles, a city celebrated for its culinary diversity, is home to a multitude of flavors from around the world. Among these culinary treasures, Guelaguetza stands out as a beacon of Oaxacan cuisine, recognized as one of The 10 Best Asian Restaurants in Los Angeles, where the rich traditions and flavors of Oaxaca, Mexico, come to life. This restaurant, nestled in the heart of LA, is revered for its moles, authentic Mexican dishes, and its genuine commitment to sharing the flavors of Oaxaca with the world.

Located on the outer edges of Koreatown, Guelaguetza is one of the absolute standouts in a thriving Los Angeles Mexican food scene. The focus is on one of the less familiar parts of the Mexican culinary world: Oaxaca, some of the best examples of this region's tradition. Oaxacan cuisine is built around empanadas, molotes (stuffed fry-bread), a variety of meat and seafood plates, and the famous mole sauces that blend savory Mexican spices and chilies with Oaxaca’s famous chocolate.

A mainstay in Koreatown, Guelaguetza was first opened in 1994 and has been a classic and essential Los Angeles restaurant ever since. The Oaxacan food—from the mole to the tlayud— is as good as ever, but with the children of the original founders now taking over operations, Guelageutza has been updated with a buzzing dining (and beautiful patio), cocktails and a nice tequila and mezcal selection. 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006; ilovemole.com

KoreatownMole is the name of the game at Guelaguetza, an authentic Oaxacan restaurant that was first opened in 1994 by now-retired husband and wife duo Fernando Lopez and Maria Monterrubio. Now the kids continue their tradition of making incredibly complex moles -- like a sweet, black version or the green olive-infused estofado. (Pro tip: Order the festival de moles, which allows you to try four of them.) Don’t just stop there though.

Lien Ta is managing partner at All Day Baby restaurant; her colleagues include Sandra Cordero of Gasolina Cafe, Sylvie Gabriele of Love & Salt, Bricia Lopez of Guelaguetza, Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill and Socalo, Kimberly Prince of Hotville Chicken, Dina Samson of Rossoblu and Superfine Pizza, Heather Sperling of Botanica, and Brittney Valles of Guerrilla Tacos.

Between the menu and patio, Guelaguetza is one of the best places for Mexican cuisine with Oaxacan influences in Los Angeles. On a sunny day, the cactus-filled patio has beautiful murals and plants that invite you to sit down and take a load off while sipping on a passion fruit margarita. But, you can also order delivery or takeout to enjoy this menu at home.

Since 1994, this James Beard Award-winning restaurant has been treating Angelenos to Oaxacan feasts—the kind that even impressed the late, legendary L.A. food critic Jonathan Gold. Awash in bright colors and regularly soudtracked to live mariachi, the family-owned Guelaguetza is an inviting space, ideal for memorable meals with your own loved ones.

Guelaguetza is a family-run spot in Los Angeles that shares Oaxacan culture through traditional recipes and a friendly vibe. Opened in 1994, it has stayed true to its roots by focusing on authentic ingredients passed down through generations. Recognized with a James Beard Award, it offers a welcoming place to experience the flavors of Oaxaca.

A meal at Guelaguetza, a Oaxacan institution, involves multiple types of mole, tlayudas, and big plates of meat. All of it is phenomenal and best when shared. With its massive space and live music, it’s a great spot for a big group dinner or for entertaining out-of-towners dead set on drinking as much mezcal as their bodies will allow.

Guelaguetza brings authentic flavors from Oaxaca, Mexico right to the Los Angeles, CA, area with an extensive menu of traditional dishes. At this restaurant, you'll be able to indulge in Oaxacan meats and various Oaxacan entrees like Barbacoa de Borrego and Salsa de Chorizo. On top of that, Guelaguetza is famous for their mole sauces.

Hands down one of the most popular Latin American restaurants in LA, Guelaguetza Restaurant reigns supreme. Established in 1994, Fernando Lopez and Maria Moterrubio a husband and wife duo continue to run this popular restaurant. This Oaxacan eatery is best known for its mole but you truly can’t go wrong with any dish on the menu!

Opening its doors in 1994 – Guelaguetza has stayed true to its Oaxacan roots for 23 years. The restaurant which is also a boutique, states that its mission is for all of its patrons to live and experience Oaxaca through all of its dishes. The family-owned restaurant is known for its mole and bottomless michelada brunches.

Bricia Lopez was born and raised in San Pablo Villa de Mitla in Mexico, migrating to the United States at 10 with her parents. There, they opened Guelaguetza, an Oaxacan restaurant in Koreatown, in 1994. After her parents retired, Lopez, her brother, Fernando, and sister, Paulina, took over the family business.

: The mole negro, a velvety sauce with over 20 ingredients, is a standout, as are the tlayudas—crispy, oversized tortillas piled with beans, cheese, and meat. : Since 1994, this family-run gem has been a beacon of Oaxacan cuisine in LA. Its dedication to authenticity and bold flavors makes it a must-visit.

Immerse yourself in the authentic flavors of Oaxaca at Guelaguetza, a James Beard Award-winning restaurant that has been serving up traditional Oaxacan cuisine since 1994. Their signature mole dishes are a must-try, and the menu also features a variety of tlayudas, tamales, and other Oaxacan specialties.

When it comes to Oaxacan cuisine, Guelaguetza is the gold standard in Los Angeles. Located in Koreatown, this James Beard Award-winning restaurant is renowned for its rich moles, which come in a variety of flavors and colors. The mole negro, with its complex mix of spices and chocolate, is a must-try.

Guelaguetza Restaurante is conveniently situated in the Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles. The Mexican restaurant started operating in 1994, founded by Fernando Lopez and Maria Monterrubio, husband and wife. Their aim is to share and let people know of their great family recipes.

There is no Indian equivalent of Guelaguetza, Jitlada, or Cheong Won Buffet, for example, and there are few spots you’ll find in L.A. where you’ll be able to eat the quality of Indian food you’d be able to find in the Bay, New York, or New Jersey.

Bricia Lopez of Guelaguetza, Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill, Lien Ta of Silver Lake’s All Day Baby, Kim Prince of Hotville Chicken and Heather Sperling of Botanica are among the chefs and owners who have launched the 10-day celebration.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (172 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006-2516- Read more on Tripadvisor

3014 W Olympic BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90006(213) 427-0608 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Guelaguetza Restaurant is a kid-friendly Mexican restaurant specializing in Oaxacan fares.

As one of LA's Mexican institutions, Koreatown's Guelaguetza opened in 1994 and has since served up affordable dishes ranging from breakfast items to lunch and dinner selections.

3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006Phone: 213-427-0608 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Guelaguetza (@laguelaguetza)