Genghis Cohen
| Industry | Chinese-American food restaurant and music venue |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Allan Rinde |
| Headquarters | 740 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Owner | Marc Rose and Med Abrous |
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][1] 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.[5] The restaurant is known for inspiring the Seinfeld episode "The Chinese Restaurant."[3][6]
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."[4] The restaurant temporarily relocated to 448 N. Fairfax Ave.,[7] a space a few blocks south of the original location.[4] Plans for a new permanent location included an expanded bar and new late-night menu.[2]
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.[7] Sara Bareilles got her start at the cantina.[8][9] The venue also played host to Jackson Browne, Beck, Dave Grohl, Bonnie Raitt, and Tom Morello.[10] Suzy Williams and Nick Ariondo ran a ten-year residency at the venue.[11]
References
- ^ a b "LA's Best New York-Style Chinese Restaurant is Moving from its 42-Year Fairfax Home". 4 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Los Angeles' Iconic Genghis Cohen is Moving, but Won't Slow Down". 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "The Real-Life Restaurant That Inspired Seinfeld's Chinese Restaurant Episode". 12 September 2022.
- ^ a b c "Another Legendary LA Restaurant, Genghis Cohen, Set to Close". 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Genghis Cohen".
- ^ "NBC Hated 'The Chinese Restaurant' and Other Facts and Easter Eggs About the 'Seinfeld' Classic". 17 September 2015.
- ^ a b "Genghis Cohen soldiers on down Fairfax". 10 April 2025.
- ^ "Sara Bareilles: The sweet author of tough songs - CBS News". CBS News. 5 January 2014.
- ^ "Sara Bareilles Goes Hollywood with 'Amidst the Chaos' Live Album and 'Girls5eva'". 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Legendary Fairfax Chinese restaurant and music venue to close and move locations". 4 April 2025.
- ^ "He's All Keyed up over the Accordion". Los Angeles Times. 28 April 2001.