Mama Lion

Pinkies up, ladies and gents. Owner Robert Kim and chef/partner Michael Hung’s glamorous new Koreatown restaurant, Mama Lion, has officially opened its doors, adding yet another key player to the neighborhood’s thriving culinary scene (Terra Cotta and Here’s Looking at You opened just last year, and don’t even get us started on the always-buzzing Korean BBQ hot spots). This glitzy new supper club, located on the corner of Western Avenue and 6th Street, is making a serious statement with stunning, high-concept interiors and an impressive, upscale menu.

Informed by former posts at Faith & Flower in Downtown and Viviane inside the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills, Hung knows a thing or two about satisfying L.A. taste buds. (Though he’s also impressed the San Francisco crowd after working at James Beard Award-winning Jardinière and Michelin-starred La Folie.) At Mama Lion, the lauded chef is dishing out a contemporary, California-style menu of upscale shared plates spanning finger foods, raw bar selections, inventive main dishes and sweet tooth-satisfying confections.

From seared froie grois and caviar service (yes, you read that correctly) to uni tostadas and apricot soufflés, the seasoned chef is serving up a little taste of luxury that’ll pair perfectly with the range of craft cocktails prepped by Aiden Demarest of the Spare Room, Seven Grand among other high-end cocktail bars in L.A. Also on our radar? Truffled white bean hummus with crispy flat bread, hamachi tartare with Asian pears and Korean chilis, and a 28-day, dry-aged prime New York steak. (For the full menu, click here.)

The palatable spread is complemented by equally intriguing interiors, dreamt up by West Coast design firm, Kelly Architects, whose projects read like a who’s who of L.A. restaurants, including Hinoki and the Bird, Clifton’s Cafeteria, Copa d’ Oro and more. Industrial-style exposed beams, brick walls, glimmering chandeliers, sumptuous leather seating, and mixed metal design details created the perfect backdrop for late-night cocktails and fancy dinners.

If you’re looking for the kind of swanky, laid-back restaurant for lounging with a martini in hand or impressing a first date, this is your new go-to. After dinner Mama Lion transforms into a lounge with a DJ. Bottle service is available on most nights.

• Mama Lion is a restaurant/lounge hybrid.
• Caviar service is available during dinner hours.
• There is a late night food menu.
• A corkage fee of $30 will be charged but the bottle cannot be on their menu – this applies to bottles during dinner only.
• Bottle service is available after dinner hours.

Where is Mama Lion located?

Mama Lion is located near the Wilshire Center in Koreatown.

How much is cover charge at Mama Lion?

Mama Lion does not charge a cover on most days.

How long will I have to wait at Mama Lion?

Expect to wait anywhere from 10-60 min depending on when you arrive. This is a new hotspot in K-town – Fridays and Saturdays will be packed!

When is Mama Lion open?

Mama Lion is open on Tuesdays through Saturdays.

What are the best nights to go to Mama Lion?

All nights are good for dinner. Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest lounge nights.

What is the dress code at Mama Lion?

Just like most Los Angeles clubs, you’ll want to dress to impress! Collared shirt / jeans / dress shoes for guys. Avoid anything that can be considered sportswear (track jackets, jerseys, sneakers, hats, etc).

How much do drinks cost at Mama Lion?

Expect to pay $12-$16 for cocktails.

What kind of music do they play at Mama Lion?

Mama Lion features mostly top 40, with a mix of R&B and hip hop.

Where can I find a list of upcoming events / DJs at Mama Lion?

You can download the Discotech app to see upcoming events, and book tables for Mama Lion.