STORIES OF OUR WORK

PRESS

How to make the viral cream cheese-stuffed bagels

APRIL 22, 2024 | ABC NEWS

If you follow food trends and recipes online, then chances are your social media feed is stuffed with a new viral bagel.

Calic Bagel, a pop-up vendor inside MarkEat 8 food hall in Los Angeles, has gone viral on social media for its cream cheese-stuffed bagels that are hand dipped in garlic and herb butter and baked to a golden, crisp with a fluffy, custardy center.

The breakfast staple that has previously split the internet over alternative cutting methods has another new look, this time with six small slices in the top of the bagel that are filled with cream cheese, instead of cut in half lengthwise and spread with cream cheese after, the traditional method…

The Best Bagels In LA

JANUARY 26, 2024 | INFATUATION

LA has its share of bad bagels, but when they’re good, they’re fantastic. No one can argue that, even opinionated purists who don’t live on this coast. And since there’s no such thing as an “LA-style bagel,” we have bakeries, pop-ups, and window shops that serve every type of yeasty dough ring under the sun, like Montreal-style, “rip-and-dip” bagels, and bagel sandwiches filled with freshly smoked pastrami. There’s a lot to explore, but these 13 spots make the argument that LA is a bagel town, after all.

13 Absolute Best Spots For Bagels In Los Angeles

DECEMBER 11, 2023 | TASTINGTABLE

Another pandemic-born operation is Calic Bagel, founded initially as a garlic bread service by husband and wife Alex and Sun Sohn. Koreatown's Calic Bagel not only provides that perfect blend of crunchy and chewy, but features one of the most extensive arrays of cream cheeses aka "schmear" on this list, with unique flavors ranging from black sesame, fig pecan, and cacio e pepe butter. Apart from classic sandwich and bagel choices, you also won't want to miss out on the stuffed bagels, which you may have seen popping up across TikTok — namely its signature the Calic, which includes garlic butter dipped with garlic cream cheese.

Just be sure to show up as early as possible — since a recent surge in social media popularity, Calic frequently sells out early. The shop is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

These Mouthwatering Cream Cheesy Garlic Bagels Are Making L.A. Drool

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 | SECRET LOS ANGELES

One thing about Los Angeles is that we know how to take something simple and make it indulgent. While Calic Bagel does serve up some ordinary bagels, they also serve up a decedent cream cheesy bagel doused in garlic. Yup, you read that right — it’s what your carbohydrate dreams are made of.

Hey, no complaints from us in the over indulgence department. Who doesn’t love bread drench in garlic and butter, then stuffed to perfection with cream cheese filling? It’s no surprise to us that their house signature bagel stuffed with cream cheese and garlic has gone viral with several videos across Tiktok.

Don’t let their looks deceive you though. It’s not just a savory treat. As soon as you sink your teeth into the crispy yet soft texture, your tastebuds are hit with an explosion of sweet AND savory flavors. It’s safe to say that they’re worth the hype. But don’t just take our word for it, visit them in person and try it for yourself!

CALIC BAGEL

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 | INFATUATION

At Calic Bagel in Koreatown, you order everything from an oversized touchscreen like a Target customer in self-checkout. It’s a nice touch that helps speed up the line of people there for one of their signature stuffed bagels, which have been reviewed on TikTok more times than we care to count.

We much prefer the non-stuffed bagels, which are baked fresh every 30 minutes. They're extremely fluffy on the inside, with a thin, blistered crust that's designed to be ripped apart and dipped in cream cheese. While the dip flavors might seem gimmicky, we love the off-the-wall options like sweet corn and fig pecan. There’s usually tons of street parking right out front, plus they have a huge patio where you can sit in the sun with your breakfast.

【LAWA 誠實測評】你吃過「手撕貝果」嗎？被網友瘋狂討論的韓國城 CALIC BAGEL 水準如何？

([LAWA HONEST REVIEW] HAVE YOU EVER EATEN "SHREDDED BAGEL"? HOW IS THE CALIC BAGEL IN KOREATOWN THAT IS BEING DISCUSSED WILDLY BY NETIZENS?)

OCTOBER 31, 2023 | LAWEEKLY ASIA

已經是美國美食文化一部分的貝果（雖然是源自於波蘭），是各大超市、路上攤販、跟烘培房都絕對能找到的「基本盤」麵包，烤的暖烘烘的 Q 彈貝果、再抹上一層厚厚的奶油乳酪，小小一個就超級頂飽。

Bagels, which have become a part of American food culture (although they originate from Poland), are the "basic bread" that can be found in major supermarkets, street vendors, and bakeries. The warm and toasted bagels , and then spread a thick layer of cream cheese, it is super filling for a small one.

LA’s Newest Bagel Contender Comes to Koreatown, And More Under-the-Radar Restaurant Openings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 | EATER LA

Koreatown— LA’s newest bagel contender is a cheese- and garlic-stuffed wonder in Koreatown. Calic Bagel launched during the pandemic and now has a permanent store where fans can get their hands on the signature cheese and garlic creation, along with a selection of loose (plain, sesame, everything, jalapeno cheddar) and stuffed bagels (ham and cheese, mashed potato, and butter salt). 2748 W. 8th Street Ste. 107, Los Angeles, CA 90005.

The best places to eat and drink in L.A. right now, according to our food writers

OCTOBER 01, 2023 | LOS ANGELES TIMES

When husband and wife Alex and Sun Sohn started experimenting with garlic bread during the pandemic their Instagram almost immediately went viral with orders. Now, with ALMG Hospitality, the couple has opened a storefront in Westlake with hand-rolled bagels and Korean pantry items. While traditional bagel options like plain, sesame and everything are available, Calic also stands out for bagels stuffed with garlic cream cheese and mashed potatoes, ham and cheese, including a variety of cream cheeses that draw upon Korean flavor profiles like sweet corn and jeju hallabong. The bagel shop is within a larger space called MarkEat 8 with plans to launch additional food concepts including a Detroit-inspired pizzeria. Read about the innovate bagel shop in Westlake.

20 Seriously Decadent Breakfast Sandwiches in Los Angeles

JULY 7, 2021 | EATER LA

Start the day with runny eggs, crispy bacon, and so much more

Los Angeles is decidedly a breakfast burrito town, but that doesn’t mean that the breakfast sandwich scene isn’t just as impressive. From classic takes with runny eggs, bacon, and cheddar to more creative renditions with global influences, here now are some of greater LA’s best breakfast sandwiches, from Valley options to Long Beach originals, sorted North to South.

DISNEY

MICKEY AND FRIENDS SENSATIONAL SIX INSPIRED SHOP LOS ANGELES 2021

These Mega Korean Bread Loaves, Loaded With Garlic Cream Cheese Are The Stuff Of Dreams!

OCTOBER 16, 2020 | SECRET LOS ANGELES

If you love garlic, cheese and sourdough bread then these cream cheese-stuffed loaves are your food fantasy come true! Each divine pull-apart bun comes in a beautiful oval shape oozing with a soft cheese filling, dipped in garlic sauce and topped with corn. It’s the irresistible, creamy creation that will immediately halt any carb-free diet considerations…

17 Irresistibly Spicy Dishes in Los Angeles

FEBRUARY 2, 2021 | EATER LA

Koreatown’s dukbokki specialist is not for the weak of palate. Though one can customize the level of spice for the Korean rice cakes (mild, original, and "challenge"), the mild is hot enough to render both sweat and tears. Toppings like mozzarella cheese and fried veggies can help mitigate the heat, but be sure to order a cooling smoothie for good measure.

Best of Los Angeles Food & Drink

OCTOBER 17, 2019 | LAWEEKLY

Best Eggs: Egg Tuck

There’s just nothing that comes close to the ultimate eggsperience of a sandwich made with cage-free eggs and served on house made brioche buns at Egg Tuck. Their sandos are bulging with fluffy scrambled eggs, egg sauce similar to a light mayo and house Sriracha mayo.

There’s an avocado egg sandwich which adds fanned avocado slices and chives, or the bacon and cheese, and a ham and cheese. The Royal West combines an over medium egg, short rib patty, cheddar cheese, grilled onions, pickle, chives, egg sauce and the house Sriracha mayo. The burger-style crispy shrimp sandwich is also a winner, made with tender house made shrimp patties and a crunchy texture on the outside. Our advice — put an egg on it.

Do Battle with Koreatown’s Spiciest Dish at Yup Dduk L.A.

FEBRUARY 26, 2016 | LA WEEKLY

At most restaurants, ordering a dish “mild” ideally means the heat level will be minimal – or at least won't make your nose run like a leaky faucet.

That's not the case at Yup Dduk, a new Koreatown restaurant that specializes in ddukbokki – chewy, cylindrical rice cakes smothered in fiery red gochujang sauce – and where the logo consists of a chili pepper weeping what we imagine are spicy, spicy tears.

Part of a popular Korean restaurant chain with two outlets already open in New York, Yup Dduk arrived in L.A. back in November. Since then it's steadily gained a following for its pepper-fueled menu, the apex of which is something called the #KtownSpicyChallenge.

What's the challenge? It involves ordering the highest level of spiciness on the menu (the three tiers are Mild, Original and Challenge). We'll fess up that we haven't tried the Challenge level of spice yet, but even mild was far hotter than 90 percent of the dishes you'll find in Koreatown, the type of head-throbbing spicy that lingers in your throat and makes you reach for another glass of water. Dare we imagine the highest tier?…

New breakfast joint Egg Tuck debuts in Koreatown

NOVEMBER 16, 2018 | HOODLINE

A new cafe and breakfast spot has made its debut in the neighborhood. Located at 528 S. Western Ave. in Koreatown, the fresh arrival is called Egg Tuck.

The newcomer specializes in breakfast sandwiches, all made with housemade brioche buns, sriracha mayo, chives and the eatery's signature egg sauce. The menu consists of simple sandwich options like the Avo Egg, which has signature scrambled eggs and fresh avocado, and more complicated choices like the Royal West, featuring tteok-galbi (beef short rib) topped with an over-medium egg, cheddar cheese, pickles and grilled onions.

The fresh arrival has received an enthusiastic response thus far, with a 4.5-star rating out of 23 reviews on Yelp…