The wee guide to food in LA
Too many of my friends are moving to Los Angeles! (Two is one too many.) They've both asked me for recommendations for things to do, eat, and see. Luckily, many of the places I grew up with are still around! So for all my foodie friends, this page is for you.
(I have taken pictures at all of these restaurants but have forgotten where I've put them, but hopefully my description will suffice.)
Bakeries/Breakfast/Snacks: Cathay's Bakery (Taiwanese Bakery) Las Tunas, San Gabriel or Duarte Rd, Arcadia location (708 E Las Tunas Dr San Gabriel, CA 91776)
This is what I grew up snacking on/eating for breakfast. Their cakes are amazingly fluffy and delicious. Plus they have real fruit in them. What's not to like?
Things you gotta try: - Strawberry and cream stuffed cake (with whipped cream) - Cake with crispy pastry in the middle - All the tasty buns you could want
Sweet and Savory (American Bakery) San Marino Location (2142 Huntington Dr, San Marino, CA 91108)
Worth the trip to San Marino for some pastries or a sandwich. You really can't go wrong with anything they've got on the menu.
Things you gotta try: - Red Velvet cupcake - Chocolate Chip cookie - Chinese Chicken Salad - Roast Beef Sandwich
Porto's Bakery (Cuban Bakery) Located in Burbank and Glendale (315 North Brand Boulevard • Glendale, CA 91203)
Great Cuban food, but even better pastries.
Things you gotta try:
- Cheese puffs (puff pastry stuffed with cream cheese)
- Fruit Tart (best "cake" ever)
85 Degrees Bakery (Taiwanese Bakery/Boba place)
Alhambra, Pasadena, and Irvine
Similar to Cathay's but offers drinks as well. (Also a little pricier.)
Things you gotta try:
- Pastries and boba or coffee/tea.
Saigon Sandwich and Bakery (Vietnamese Sandwiches, Boba, Bread, and Desserts)
718 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Super cheap, fast, and tasty. Good if you need a quick bite of Vietnamese food.
Things you gotta try:
- Super cheap food ($3 for a sandwich, $3 for a bowl of Bun Bo Hue)
- Fresh fluffy French bread costs less than a buck
Lunch/Dinner:
Kim Ky Noodle House (Vietnamese/Chiu Chow)
1108 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Southeast Asian comfort food. Be prepared to wait for lunch. Odd hours.
Things you gotta try:
- Hainanese Chicken Rice
- Fried Fishballs
Tasty Choice (Hong Kong Cafe)
200 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Great bang for the buck, and super tasty. Good for larger groups, too.
Things you gotta try:
- Braised lamb shank
- Huge portions of good food
- Also good Hainanese Chicken Rice
India Food & Spices (Indian food and grocery)
1208 Huntington Dr, Duarte, CA 91010
Part grocery store, part restaurant, but equally good at both things.
Things you gotta try:
- Best dosa in this part of town
- They've also got all the various Indian spices/mixes/foods/snacks
Shin Sen Gumi (Japanese Ramen House)
Numerous locations, but here's the one I grew up going to:
8450 E. Valley Blvd. #103, Rosemead, CA 91770
Consistently one of the best ramen places, but be prepared to wait.
Embassy Kitchen (Authentic Cantonese food)
218 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Best Canto restaurant in SGV.
Things you gotta try:
- Excellent soups
- Pork with lotus root
- Steamed fish
- Dusted sesame mochi (Lay saw tong yun)
Cafe Fusion (Authentic Taiwanese food)
510 Live Oak Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006
Amazing Taiwanese food (this is the higher-end stuff, not your usual Ding Tai Fung or Taipei 101)
Things you gotta try:
- Steamed Black Cod with Tea Tree nuts
- Drunken Clams
- Lots of fresh vegetables (to eat and for sale)
- Always the best fruit (like mangosteens)
Chuan's (Authentic Szechuan food)
5807 Rosemead Blvd, Temple City, CA 91780
Kind of weird to have such a fancily decorated Chinese place, but it really delivers on ambiance and food here.
Things you gotta try:
- Steamed Rice Powder-Coated Beef
- Sauteed Chicken with Preserved Soybean and fresh pepper
Racion (Spanish Tapas)
119 W Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105
I have yet to try something here that I didn't like. It's got a great atmosphere, and be sure to ask them to recommend wine pairings. Easy parking on Green and South Pasadena, on the west side of the street.
Things you gotta try:
- Good bread (that's made in-house)
- Everything.
The Village (Gourmet American Food)
12345 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604
Great place off Ventura (they valet) that's got a good selection of drinks and food. Probably the only American place my family likes going to.
Things you gotta try:
- Brussel Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Short Rib
- Butterscotch Budino (sooooo good)
Sugarfish (Modern Japanese food)
Location in Pasadena, Studio City, Santa Monica... and a bunch more
One of the most amazing restaurants I have ever been to. It's awesome that they're a chain.
Things you gotta try:
- Their recommended sets are very good (eg. Trust Me)
- Melt-in-your-mouth sushi.
Parks BBQ (Korean BBQ)
955 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006
- Best of Koreatown-- very good short rib!
Sushi Zo (Omikase-- fancy Japanese food)
They've got two locations in LA. Here's one: 9824 National Blvd., #C, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Amazing flavors and ingredients. Be prepared to pay for it.
Call in advance-- it's reservation only!