Genghis Cohen

Genghis Cohen is a New York-style Chinese-American food restaurant and music venue in Los Angeles, California located at 740 N. Fairfax Avenue. It opened in 1983.[1] They specialize in crab rangoon and egg foo young.[2]

History

After learning from chef Sophie Wong, music producer and New York native Allan Rinde crafted a Jewish-inspired Chinese cuisine to be utilized for the Genghis Cohen menu.[3] He then opened Genghis Cohen in 1983 in the space of a former pizza enterprise while he was working at Cherokee Studios, located across the street.[4][5] Rinde's friend, Artie Wayne, named the restaurant. In 1997, Rinde sold the business to long-time maître d’, Raymond Kiu. Kiu ran the restaurant until 2015, when he transferred ownership to restaurant regulars and New York natives Marc Rose and Med Abrous.[6] The restaurant is known for inspiring the Seinfeld episode "The Chinese Restaurant."[7][8]

In 2025 it was announced that the restaurant would be departing from its location of 42 years due to the N. Fairfax Holdings LLC evicting the business; the restaurant ownership and the landlords had been "unable to secure a long-term lease solution at a reasonable rate."[9] The restaurant temporarily relocated to 448 N. Fairfax Ave.,[10] a space a few blocks south of the original location.[11] Plans for a new permanent location included an expanded bar and new late-night menu.[12]

Music

As a music producer, Allan Rinde opened the Genghis Cohen cantina adjacent to the restaurant to showcase music acts. By the late ‘80s, it became a busy spot for touring bands and local musicians.[13] Sara Bareilles got her start at the cantina.[14][15] The venue also played host to Jackson Browne, Beck, Dave Grohl, Bonnie Raitt, and Tom Morello.[16] Suzy Williams and Nick Ariondo ran a ten-year residency at the venue.[17]

References

  1. ^ https://la.eater.com/2025/4/4/24401444/genghis-cohen-los-angeles-new-york-chinese-restaurant-closing-relocation
  2. ^ https://blog.resy.com/2025/05/genghis-cohen-move/
  3. ^ https://www.looper.com/1003661/the-real-life-restaurant-that-inspired-seinfelds-chinese-restaurant-episode/
  4. ^ https://lamag.com/news/another-legendary-la-restaurant-genghis-cohen-set-to-close
  5. ^ https://la.eater.com/2025/4/4/24401444/genghis-cohen-los-angeles-new-york-chinese-restaurant-closing-relocation
  6. ^ https://www.sunset.com/travel/travel-directory/genghis-cohen
  7. ^ https://www.looper.com/1003661/the-real-life-restaurant-that-inspired-seinfelds-chinese-restaurant-episode/
  8. ^ https://uproxx.com/viral/seinfeld-the-chinese-restaurant-fun-facts/
  9. ^ https://lamag.com/news/another-legendary-la-restaurant-genghis-cohen-set-to-close
  10. ^ https://beverlypress.com/2025/04/genghis-cohen-soldiers-on-down-fairfax/
  11. ^ https://lamag.com/news/another-legendary-la-restaurant-genghis-cohen-set-to-close
  12. ^ https://blog.resy.com/2025/05/genghis-cohen-move/
  13. ^ https://beverlypress.com/2025/04/genghis-cohen-soldiers-on-down-fairfax/
  14. ^ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sara-bareilles-the-sweet-author-of-tough-songs/
  15. ^ https://variety.com/2021/music/features/sara-bareilles-girls5eva-hollywood-bowl-live-album-1234963948/
  16. ^ https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/legendary-fairfax-chinese-restaurant-music-194816710.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADMy-9GbfM8faIueYLEiMWiEfJtV4zogcFZdtGpOEt17ko4djD6QZcHIz-P1zKZOkbqkqOC3BiyyCD9c31iNnx_TTjBebgQ7p-vCMYmHtAYzL5pJxRFwNUChT-gsX8VIADRP7dLpPCG_wLHBwNwE495LxRqRmrjQOZy-yB_cUPYn
  17. ^ https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-28-ca-56572-story.html
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