Debbie Lee’s Yi Cha lands in Highland Park like the neighborhood's “second round” spot, locals did not quite know they were missing. The modern gastropub leans into small, shareable anju built to pair with drinks and late-night crowds, keeping things casual rather than fussy. The room stays bright and buzzy, with neon signage and a prismatic mural setting a party-first mood.
Standout Dishes and Drinks
The goguma (sweet potato) pie is the closer people talk about: a restrained, not-too-sweet dessert topped with Asian pear crème fraîche and chili peanut brittle. Bone marrow-infused corn cheese has already turned into a hit and plays especially well with a fizzy makgeolli or one of the house cocktails. There are KFC wings coated in a gochujang-infused Buffalo sauce and one-pot hangover stews designed for the middle of the table, details that Eater LA calls out in its coverage.
The Room and the Concept
Yi Cha takes over the former Otoño space on Figueroa and reimagines it with playful fluorescent signs, a prismatic mural and a back alcove that nods to street-side pojangmachas. The team fully embraces the “second round” concept: a place to linger over drinks and shared plates rather than rush through a meal. The restaurant’s about page lays out the hours and walk-in-friendly service. Its compact, alley-like footprint tilts the energy toward the bar and late-night crowds, according to the restaurant’s own site: Yi Cha.
Lee’s Comeback
Chef-owner Debbie Lee returns to a permanent Los Angeles home after years of running pop-ups and a well-known food-truck stint with Ahn Joo. Along the way she published the cookbook Seoultown Kitchen and appeared on TV cooking competitions. After a long development stretch, Yi Cha’s opening finally landed in late October 2025, with design by Kahi Lee and a cocktail program led by Senga Park. Earlier opening coverage from Eater LA traces Lee’s path and the restaurant’s origin story.
How It Fits In Highland Park
Local reviewers say Yi Cha slides neatly into Figueroa’s growing late-night strip, offering anju and cocktails for after-show crowds even as some critics argue the drinks occasionally outshine the dishes. Time Out has singled out the cocktail program, while L.A. Magazine points to the mural and room layout as key parts of Yi Cha’s neighborhood pull. With its shareable menu and late hours, Yi Cha has quickly turned into one of Highland Park’s reliable stops for a second round.
