After months of serving takeout and delivery food only, Los Angeles’ famed Chinese restaurant Genghis Cohen opened its doors for indoor dining again, and yes all of the unique decor that made it famous is back too.
“People are going to see a refreshed Genghis Cohen. They’re going to be reminded of everything they loved about it but I think it’s truly a Genghis Cohen 2.0,” said Marc Rose, who along with Med Abrous own the 42-year-old New York-style Chinese food institution that became famous for inspiring Larry David’s “The Chinese Restaurant” episode of “Seinfeld,” as well as for booking musical acts on its stage and of course dishes like the queen chicken, no name duck and the New York-style eggrolls.
“With a lot of iconic places in L.A. both new and old closing, we were so determined to not be another victim,” Rose said.
Originally located at 740 N. Fairfax Ave., the restaurant served its last meal there on May 31. It then relocated to the former Sweet Chick space at 448 N. Fairfax Ave. on June 1. The move came after the owners were not able to negotiate a long-term deal at their original location.
While the new location was deemed temporary when they moved, the business partners said that’s now up in the air.
“We made the room look really cool, we think it’s going be great, we think people are going to love eating in the room so maybe after a little bit we might say hey this could be home forever. We just have to figure that out,” Rose said.
Genghis Cohen first opened in 1983 by music producer Allan Rinde, a former New Yorker who missed New York-style Chinese food. Rinde also added a music venue for local bands. In 1997 he sold Genghis Cohen to long-time maitre d’ Raymond Kiu who then sold it to current owners in 2015.
And before they opened the doors to diners at the new location on Sept. 25 they spruced up the spot to make it feel like a new and improved version of the original restaurant.
It’s decked out in a bold red carpet, teal accents, mirror walls and more neon too. Also included in the new spot is the restaurant’s original fish tank that’s now located by a bigger 12-seat bar, while the 86-seat dining room features Genghis Cohen’s original red booths. The space also includes the restaurant’s famous lanterns, silk dragon and custom floral upholstered chairs.
“Visually it’s an explosion. It’s an amped up version of what we had before while still maintaining a sense of elegance,” Abrous said.
The original menu will be served along with some new dishes like the Salt and Pepper Pork Chops, as well as a Shrimp and Chive Dumplings plate. The bar has its own late night menu served from midnight to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday that will include dishes like Szechuan Chicken Sliders.
The new space however is lacking a music venue so the restaurant is collaborating with fellow Fairfax legend Canter’s Deli for a weekly “Genghis Cohen Live” at the Kibitz Room on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
“This restaurant truly is part of the fabric of L.A. It’s going to be celebrating 42 years in October and it’s just meant so much to so many people,” Abrous said.
Genghis Cohen is located at 448 N Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. Reservations can be made at opentable.com/r/genghis-cohen-los-angeles