Genghis Cohen’s Next Act

After decades of serving Chinese American cuisine and live music performances, Genghis Cohen will close its original location at 740 N. Fairfax Ave. on May 31, 2025. The closure stems from an inability to renew the lease amid plans to redevelop the surrounding Fairfax Plaza strip mall. Owners Marc Rose and Med Abrous, however, are determined to preserve the restaurant’s legacy by relocating it, with delivery service resuming June 1 from a temporary spot and dine-in options to follow shortly after.

Since its founding in 1983 by music publicist Allan Rinde, Genghis Cohen has been a cultural fixture, blending New York-style Chinese dishes like orange-peel beef and the “Kanton Knish” with a vibrant music scene that hosted artists such as Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt. Rinde sold the business in 1997 to Raymond Kiu, a longtime employee, who ran it until 2015 when Rose and Abrous took over. The duo, known for revitalizing other L.A. landmarks like La Dolce Vita, saw potential in maintaining the restaurant’s historical charm while updating its offerings.

The decision to move came after years of challenging lease negotiations with N Fairfax Holdings LLC, which acquired the strip mall about five years ago. Talks dragged on for three years, punctuated by long silences, until the landlord filed an eviction notice against Genghis Cohen’s parent company in November 2024. That case is now nearing a settlement, but the terms offered—including a steep rent hike and the loss of the parking lot—proved unworkable for the owners. With the rest of Fairfax Plaza already demolished and construction underway, the restaurant’s days at its original site were numbered.

Rose and Abrous are now shifting operations south along Fairfax to the former Sweet Chick space, a temporary home surrounded by popular eateries like Canter’s and Jon & Vinny’s. While the new spot won’t replicate the iconic red-and-black dining room adorned with paper lanterns and dragons, it will maintain the menu’s core while possibly introducing new dishes. The bar area will expand, offering more seating and a chance to enhance the cocktail lineup. One significant change, however, is the absence of a music stage, a feature the owners consider essential for any permanent future location.

The original Genghis Cohen building’s fate remains uncertain, as neither N Fairfax Holdings LLC nor property manager Jude Kim offered comments on its future. For now, the restaurant’s signature neon signs may sit in storage, but Rose and Abrous are focused on a smooth transition. When they acquired the business in 2015, they kept it open without missing a day, and they aim to repeat that seamless shift this time around.

Reflecting on the move, Abrous called it bittersweet but sees it as a chance to evolve. The temporary space will differ in layout and feel, deliberately avoiding an exact copy of the original, which Rose said wouldn’t feel authentic. Until May 31, the current location will host an array of performances and specials, ensuring a lively farewell rather than a somber exit. Looking ahead, the owners plan to promote music events under the Genghis Cohen name at other venues while hunting for a long-term home that can accommodate both dining and live shows.

For Rose and Abrous, preserving Genghis Cohen is about more than business—it’s about safeguarding a slice of Los Angeles history. The restaurant has long drawn a mix of families, musicians, and locals from Fairfax’s streetwear scene, creating a unique community hub. As the city’s dining landscape shifts, with numerous closures in recent years, their resolve to keep this institution alive stands out. The next chapter, they hope, will honor its past while adapting to new possibilities.