If you love food trucks, Korean-Mexican food, or Los Angeles street-food culture, you probably know Roy Choi. He is the chef behind Kogi, the modern taco truck that helped change the way Americans think about food trucks.
In Las Vegas, Roy Choi’s restaurant is Best Friend at Park MGM. It is part bodega, part bar, part restaurant, and part Koreatown party. The menu mixes Korean flavors, Los Angeles food culture, Mexican influence, and Vegas energy into one colorful, casual restaurant.
Best Friend is not a quiet fine-dining restaurant. It is loud, fun, nostalgic, flavorful, and designed for sharing. You come here for short rib tacos, Korean BBQ, kimchi fried rice, spicy dishes, cocktails, music, neon lights, and a night that feels more like hanging out with friends than sitting through a formal dinner.
Below is an updated guide to Best Friend Las Vegas, including the menu, atmosphere, hours, dress code, reservations, and whether it is worth visiting.
What Is Roy Choi’s Best Friend Las Vegas?
Best Friend is a restaurant and bar by chef Roy Choi inside Park MGM Las Vegas.
Park MGM describes Best Friend as a mash-up of bodega, bar, and restaurant. That is a good way to understand it. The front of the restaurant looks like a Korean-LA convenience store or liquor-store-style entrance, but the back opens into a colorful dining room with neon, music, cocktails, and shared plates.
Roy Choi built his reputation with Kogi, the famous Korean-Mexican taco truck in Los Angeles. Best Friend brings that same spirit to Las Vegas. The restaurant combines flavors from:
- Koreatown
- Los Angeles street food
- Korean barbecue
- Mexican-American food culture
- Vegas nightlife
- Roy Choi’s older restaurants and food projects
This is why the menu can include short rib tacos, kimchi fried rice, Korean BBQ, dumplings, seafood, fried chicken, noodles, spicy rice cakes, banchan-style sides, cocktails, beer, soju, and more.
Best Friend is best for:
- Groups of friends
- Casual date nights
- Park MGM guests
- Food Network and Roy Choi fans
- People who want bold Korean-American flavors
- Pre-show dinner before Dolby Live or T-Mobile Arena events
- Visitors who want something more fun than a typical casino restaurant
It is not the best choice if you want a quiet, formal, or traditional Korean restaurant. For that, Chinatown or Spring Mountain Road may be a better fit.
Who Is Roy Choi?
Roy Choi is a Korean-American chef, restaurateur, author, and TV personality. He became famous as one of the founders of Kogi BBQ, the Los Angeles food truck known for Korean-Mexican tacos.
Kogi helped create the modern gourmet food truck movement and made dishes like Korean short rib tacos widely popular. Roy Choi later became known for restaurants, media projects, and a cooking style that celebrates Los Angeles, immigrant food culture, street food, and casual meals with serious flavor.
Best Friend is his Las Vegas restaurant. It is not a copy of one single LA restaurant. Instead, it pulls from many parts of Roy Choi’s food world: Kogi, Koreatown, LA convenience stores, hip-hop, Korean barbecue, Mexican street food, and Vegas nightlife.
How the Restaurant Looks
Best Friend has one of the most memorable restaurant entrances at Park MGM.
The front looks like a bodega or liquor store, with colorful products, casual energy, and a playful storefront feel. Then the restaurant opens into a dining room that feels like a 1990s Los Angeles block party mixed with a Korean barbecue joint and a Vegas cocktail bar.
Expect:
- Neon lights
- Bright colors
- Koreatown-inspired décor
- LA street culture references
- Music and DJs
- A lively bar
- Communal energy
- Casual but stylish seating
The restaurant is designed to feel approachable, nostalgic, and a little wild. It is not trying to be a white-tablecloth celebrity-chef restaurant. The whole point is that the food is serious, but the atmosphere is fun.
Earlier in the evening, Best Friend can work for a casual dinner. Later at night, it becomes louder and more bar-like, especially on weekends when DJs and groups bring more energy into the room.
If you are bringing children, go early. If you want the full party atmosphere, go later.
What’s on the Menu at Best Friend Las Vegas?
Best Friend’s menu changes over time, and Roy Choi has said the restaurant updates dishes regularly. That means you should check the current Park MGM menu before going if you are looking for one specific item.
The overall style, however, stays consistent: Korean-American, Korean-Mexican, LA-inspired, bold, casual, and built for sharing.
Menu highlights may include:
- Kogi-style short rib tacos
- Korean BBQ meats
- Kimchi fried rice
- Kimchi carbonara
- Spicy rice cakes
- Garlic chicken
- Fried chicken
- Lumpia
- House salad with herbs and chili soy-style flavors
- Aguachile-style seafood dishes
- Whole fish
- Steak and lobster specials
- Banchan-style sides
The menu is best ordered family-style. Instead of each person ordering one entrée, it is better to share several dishes across the table.
If this is your first visit, start with a few Roy Choi classics and then add Korean BBQ or larger plates for the table.
Korean BBQ and Shared Plates
Korean BBQ is one of the main reasons to visit Best Friend. The restaurant may offer meats such as short rib, spicy pork, chicken, ribeye, or other grill-style options depending on the current menu.
The flavors are bold rather than subtle. Expect garlic, chili, soy, sesame, kimchi, acid, smoke, and heat. This is food designed to go with beer, cocktails, soju, and a group of friends.
The shared-plate format makes Best Friend especially good for:
- Birthday dinners
- Group trips
- Friends visiting Vegas together
- Casual bachelor or bachelorette meals
- Pre-concert dinners
If your group includes picky eaters, check the menu before booking. The food is approachable, but the flavors are not as neutral as a steakhouse or basic American restaurant.
Kogi-Style Short Rib Tacos
Roy Choi’s Kogi-style short rib tacos are one of the most important dishes to try because they connect directly to the food truck that made him famous.
The idea is simple but powerful: Korean-marinated beef with taco format and Mexican-American street-food energy. It is one of the clearest examples of Best Friend’s Korean-LA-Mexican identity.
If you only order one small dish to understand the restaurant, make it the short rib tacos if they are available.
Kimchi Carbonara and Fusion Dishes
Best Friend is also known for dishes that blend Korean flavors with unexpected comfort-food formats.
Kimchi carbonara is one example. It combines the creamy richness of pasta with the spicy, fermented edge of kimchi. Dishes like this are why Best Friend feels different from a standard Korean restaurant.
Other rotating dishes may include ramen-inspired plates, Korean fried chicken, spicy rice cakes, seafood, whole fish, and LA-style street-food mashups.
This is where Roy Choi’s cooking style makes the most sense: familiar food, but remixed.
Drinks at Best Friend
Best Friend is not just a restaurant. It is also a bar, and the drink program is part of the experience.
Depending on the current menu, you may find:
- Cocktails
- Frozen drinks or slushies
- Highballs
- Soju
- Beer
- Wine
- Creative Korean-LA-style drinks
The drinks are meant to match the food and the music. This is a good place to order cocktails with spicy, citrusy, fruity, or refreshing flavors.
If you are eating Korean BBQ or spicy dishes, beer, soju, and highballs are especially good pairings.
Best Friend Merchandise
Best Friend also sells merchandise, which fits the restaurant’s bodega-style personality.
Merchandise can include items such as shirts, hats, beanies, glasses, and other branded pieces depending on current availability.
This is not the main reason to visit, but it can be a fun souvenir if you are a Roy Choi fan or had a great meal there.
Best Friend Las Vegas Hours
Current Park MGM hours for Best Friend are:
- Monday to Thursday: 4:00 PM-11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 4:00 PM-12:00 AM
- Sunday: 4:00 PM-11:00 PM
Older versions of this article listed a 5 PM opening time, but the current official Park MGM page lists 4 PM.
Hours can change for holidays, private events, special menus, and major Las Vegas event weekends. Check the current Park MGM page before going.
Do You Need a Reservation?
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner, weekends, and groups.
Best Friend is popular because it combines a celebrity chef, Park MGM location, fun design, and food that works well for groups. Walk-ins may be possible, especially earlier in the evening or at the bar, but you should not rely on that if you have a tight schedule.
Make a reservation if:
- You are going on Friday or Saturday
- You are dining before a Dolby Live show
- You are going before a T-Mobile Arena event
- You have a group
- You want the main dining room instead of only the front bar area
- You are celebrating a birthday or special occasion
If you do not have a reservation, arrive close to opening or be flexible about sitting at the bar.
Is There a Dress Code at Best Friend Las Vegas?
Best Friend has a casual dress code. Resort casual is the safest way to think about it.
You do not need a suit, dress shoes, heels, or formalwear. This is a casual, music-driven restaurant with LA street-food energy. But because it is still inside Park MGM on the Las Vegas Strip, you should look clean and presentable.
Good outfit ideas include:
- Jeans or casual pants
- T-shirt, polo, casual button-down, or stylish top
- Sneakers or casual shoes
- Casual dress or jumpsuit
- Streetwear-inspired outfits
- Comfortable clothes for a night out
Avoid:
- Swimwear
- Beach coverups
- Bare feet
- Dirty or torn clothing that looks sloppy rather than stylish
- Offensive graphics
- Overly formal clothing if you want to match the restaurant vibe
Best Friend is one of the easier Park MGM restaurants to dress for. Casual is fine, but casual should still feel intentional.
Is Best Friend Good for Kids?
Best Friend can work for families earlier in the evening, especially if your kids are comfortable with bold flavors, music, and a lively dining room.
However, this is not a kid-focused restaurant. The atmosphere gets louder and more adult as the night goes on, especially on weekends. The menu also leans spicy, Korean, and fusion-focused, which may not work for very picky eaters.
Best Friend is better for:
- Adults
- Groups of friends
- Couples
- Older teens who enjoy Korean food
- Families dining early
If you are traveling with young children and want something easier, Eataly, Primrose, or other casual Park MGM options may be more flexible.
Is Best Friend Good Before a Show?
Yes. Best Friend is one of the best restaurants at Park MGM for a pre-show meal.
It is especially convenient before:
- Dolby Live concerts
- T-Mobile Arena events
- Park MGM nightlife
- ARIA or New York-New York plans
- A night out around The Park
If you are eating before a show, make a reservation at least 90 minutes before you need to leave. The food is shareable and the atmosphere is relaxed, so you do not want to rush through the meal.
Is Best Friend Worth It?
Best Friend is worth it if you want a fun, flavorful, casual celebrity-chef restaurant that does not feel like a standard Las Vegas steakhouse or fine-dining room.
It is especially worth it if you like:
- Korean food
- Mexican-Korean fusion
- Roy Choi or Kogi
- Bold flavors
- Casual group dinners
- Music and nightlife energy
- Restaurants with personality
It may not be worth it if you want a quiet dinner, traditional Korean barbecue, very low prices, or a formal tasting-menu experience.
Because it is inside a major Strip resort, prices are higher than a casual Korean restaurant off the Strip. But compared with many celebrity-chef restaurants in Las Vegas, Best Friend still feels approachable and fun.
Best Friend Las Vegas FAQs
Where is Best Friend in Las Vegas?
Best Friend is located inside Park MGM at 3770 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109. It is close to Eataly, Dolby Live, New York-New York, ARIA, and T-Mobile Arena.
Who owns Best Friend Las Vegas?
Best Friend is the Las Vegas restaurant by chef Roy Choi, the Korean-American chef behind Kogi and several Los Angeles food projects.
What kind of food does Best Friend serve?
Best Friend serves Korean-American, Korean-Mexican, and Los Angeles-inspired food. The menu may include short rib tacos, Korean BBQ, kimchi fried rice, kimchi carbonara, spicy rice cakes, seafood, fried chicken, and shared plates.
What are Best Friend Las Vegas hours?
Current Park MGM hours list Best Friend open Monday to Thursday from 4 PM to 11 PM, Friday and Saturday from 4 PM to midnight, and Sunday from 4 PM to 11 PM.
Does Best Friend have a dress code?
Yes, but it is casual. Resort casual or stylish casual clothing is appropriate. You do not need formalwear.
Do you need reservations for Best Friend?
Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, for groups, and before Dolby Live or T-Mobile Arena events. Walk-ins may be possible but are not guaranteed.
What should I order at Best Friend?
For a first visit, look for Kogi-style short rib tacos, Korean BBQ, kimchi fried rice, kimchi carbonara, spicy rice cakes, fried chicken, banchan-style sides, and cocktails. The menu changes, so check the current menu before going.
Is Best Friend good for groups?
Yes. Best Friend is one of the better Park MGM restaurants for groups because the food is shareable, the room is lively, and the atmosphere is casual.
Is Best Friend good for a date night?
Yes, if you want a fun and casual date night with music, cocktails, and bold food. If you want something quiet or romantic, Bavette’s at Park MGM may be a better fit.
Is Best Friend kid-friendly?
Best Friend can work for families earlier in the evening, but it is not a kid-focused restaurant. Later at night, the music and bar atmosphere are better suited for adults.
Conclusion
Roy Choi’s Best Friend at Park MGM is one of the most fun casual restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip. It combines Korean flavors, Los Angeles street food, Mexican influence, cocktails, DJs, neon, and a bodega-style entrance into a restaurant that feels very different from the usual casino dining room.
The biggest updates are that Best Friend now opens at 4 PM daily, the current official hours run until 11 PM Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday, and the menu continues to evolve with rotating dishes and Roy Choi’s LA-Koreatown identity.
Go for the short rib tacos, Korean BBQ, kimchi dishes, drinks, and group-friendly energy. Book ahead if you are going on a weekend or before a show. Dress casually but cleanly, bring friends, and expect a loud, colorful meal that feels more like a party than a formal dinner.
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