After serving the community for more than four decades, the owners of Genghis Cohen have decided to close the doors at 740 N. Fairfax Avenue due to rising rent and redevelopment plans from the landlord.
While the news initially saddened loyal customers, there is a silver lining. Genghis Cohen, owned and operated by Marc Rose and Med Abrous, will temporarily move to 448 N. Fairfax Avenue while searching for a new permanent space, according to Eater Los Angeles. Since opening in 1983, Genghis Cohen has become a beloved fixture in Los Angeles, especially known for its popularity among the Jewish community during Christmas. It gained further fame after being featured in a Seinfeld episode about the restaurant. For 42 years, it was a staple in the Fairfax District, offering a casual dining experience with comforting Chinese-American food. Genghis Cohen is now facing rising rent and the redevelopment of its location, prompting the move.
“In this constantly changing world, some things stay the same… sort of. After 42 years on Fairfax, Genghis Cohen will be moving down the street to… Fairfax,” according to the announcement made on social media. “On May 31st, we will provide our last service at 740 N Fairfax Ave and move temporarily to 448 N Fairfax Ave. Don’t panic. We still got you. After doing our best to secure a long-term lease at a reasonable rate, the property is being redeveloped, and we will be leaving in search of a permanent location for this LA institution. In the meantime, we will be just down the street, firing up all your favorite dishes and our world-famous Foo Foo drinks at our temporary home. This will be hard. Operating restaurants with longevity in the current climate is hard. Moving a restaurant with over 40 years of history is hard… Even with all of these challenges, we are prepared to surmount them with your support and are more energized than ever on keeping the Genghis Cohen legacy alive for generations to come. We are so thankful for the incredible memories filled with family, friends, music (and egg rolls), and are excited to welcome you to the new space with open arms. As always, we will be open 7 days a week, so feel free to stop by and share a meal or catch a show with us until May 31st before we embark on the next evolution of Genghis Cohen.”
The menu at Genghis Cohen features a wide range of classic Chinese-American dishes, including Mongolian Beef, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and Orange Chicken. It’s also known for its crispy Egg Rolls, Dumplings, and iconic Foo Foo drinks. Other popular items include Beef with Broccoli, Chow Mein, Fried Rice, and the vegetarian-friendly Tofu with Vegetables. The restaurant’s house specialties, like the famous Spare Ribs, have made it a local favorite. Whether dining in or taking out, Genghis Cohen’s comforting and flavorful dishes have kept loyal customers returning for decades. Hopefully, it won’t take long for owners to find a new home for this beloved restaurant.
