To Live And Eat In LA
A brief rundown on what I tried & experienced during my May 2023 visit.
I always knew moving out of LA was always going to be a challenge, particularly because I had to leave my friends and family behind. However, it also meant having to give up some of my favorite foods, like sushi, Mexican dishes, KBBQ, and the iconic In n Out burger. Now, after living in London for three years, I've grown accustomed to not having these culinary foods on a regular basis, but I always eagerly anticipate enjoying them again whenever I return back to the city of Angels. During my recent visit back home in May, after our Sicily trip, I had the chance to see my niece graduate from high school and spend 17 days with family, friends, and exploring new restaurants. Though I had an ambitious list, I could only manage to try about half of it. Nevertheless, I can always keep the rest for my next visit, even though there will undoubtedly be more new places to discover. The culinary journey never ends! Despite not planning to live there permanently anymore, (for now! although I may change my mind in the near future) being home for a few days made me realize how much I missed it. It's always enjoyable to visit in short bursts! Here's a rundown of what I tried :
AWAN: I recall inviting my two cousins, Emilie and Jashmine, to join me for ice cream in WeHo (West Hollywood). Despite their initial reluctance to travel to the westside and sit in wonderful LA traffic, they eventually agreed to come along on this fantastic voyage. Prior to my arrival, I had been following a dairy-free diet, and to my delight, Awan turned out to be a gluten-free, dairy-free ice cream shop. They use coconut cream and coconut water from Indonesia to craft their ice cream. The place is run by a chef/owner named Zen Ong (just a funny coincidence, but he is not related to my husband). Awan, which means "cloud" in Indonesian, lived up to its name, as the ice cream had a heavenly taste. The location is somewhat hidden, and you place your order at a window. Moreover, their hours are a bit unusual, as they open at 3 PM. Though it may be a bit challenging to locate, it is connected next to a Dayglow coffee shop. During my visit, I opted for two scoops: the balinese vanilla bean with gula jawa (javanese sugar) and their popular passionfruit flavor.
866 Huntley Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Loreto: Nestled within the heart of Frogtown, Loreto awaits!! Surprisingly situated in a residential neighborhood, at first glance, one might not expect to stumble upon a restaurant here. However, this area also hosts a handful of establishments, including Salazar, Wax Paper, and my personal favorite, LA Colombe Coffee, conveniently located by the LA River. Loreto stands out as a Mexican culinary gem that specializes in seafood. Accompanied by my twin cousins, we decided not to order the Pesca del día (fish of the day), which is served with an array of accompaniments like tortillas, rice, beans, and quesadillas. Instead, we decided to explore various selections from their menu, aiming to savor a wide variety of flavors. The tostadas, ceviche, and aguachile were among our most-liked choices. The restaurant's ambiance was undeniably appealing; however, perhaps due to my “mature age”, I found the music to be louder than preferable. Conversations with my cousins required raised voices to overcome the noise. Setting that aside, this place is unquestionably worth a visit. I’m looking forward to revisiting with my husband, and maybe even bringing along my cousins to indulge in the entire menu!
1991 Blake Ave. Los Angeles, Ca 90039
Bub and Grandma’s: I'm delighted that Bub and Grandma's took the step to establish their own brick-and-mortar location. My memory notes back to the days when they merely vended their bread at the Hollywood farmers market. Their journey has been remarkable, having evolved into a supplier for numerous restaurants across Los Angeles. Now, they have set up shop in Glassell Park, situated off Eagle Rock Blvd. About eight years ago, I resided in this vicinity, and back then, the area didn’t have many attractions. The transformation the neighborhood has undergone is surprising. I had a brunch gathering with a couple of former colleagues here. One of us was already familiar with the place, recommending her favorite choices, but we also opted to diversify our selection for the sake of exploration (because we have voracious appetites) Surprisingly, the cauliflower sandwich left a strong impression, and I also really enjoyed the Black Sesame Bostock.
3507 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90065
Dunsmoor: Neighboring Bub and Grandma's—merely two doors down and around the corner—is Dunsmoor, a restaurant dedicated to Southern cuisine. Their menu is distinguished by the art of wood-fired cooking, with nearly every dish prepared over an open flame. A dear friend and former colleague, Katherine, took the initiative to arrange a dinner for us here. Having sung praises about Dunsmoor from a previous visit, she secured a reservation for our anticipated girls' night out. Upon arrival, our table was not quite prepared, so the hostess guided us to the back room, where a bar awaited. My friend indulged in a glass of wine while we bided some time. Upon finally being seated at our reserved table, we ordered a bunch of dishes, including the baby albacore and chicory caesar. However, my taste buds were most impressed by the delicious flavors of the sour milk cornbread and the rainbow trout.
3501 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90065
Yangban Society: It's widely known that LA boasts the finest Korean cuisine outside of Seoul, making Korean food a non-negotiable part of my visiting agenda. The desire to experience this place has lingered since last year, but I didn’t get the chance to. The opportunity finally presented itself, accompanied by three girlfriends. Nestled within the Arts District neighborhood of DTLA, just around the corner from Bestia, stands Yangban. A fusion of authentic Korean flavors and regional Californian ingredients defines their approach, beautifully blending these two distinct culinary worlds. In tandem with the restaurant, an independent mini-market named SUPER resides, similar to a well-stocked bodega, offering pantry essentials, Korean fruit milks, soju, and Makegeoli, among others.
Upon the waiter's recommendation of 3-4 dishes per person, we once again decided on a variety of food items. An oversight led us to forget rice, though our table was filled with an array of dishes. Our preferences gravitated towards the Yangban wings and the black tiger prawns. We ended our meal with dessert in the form of "the works," a buffalo milk soft serve adorned with all the fixins.
712 S. Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, Ca 90021
Boba Guys: Originally hailing from San Francisco, this boba establishment isn't a newfound discovery for me, as I've frequented it for a while, primarily due to my fondness for their Korean banana milk flavor. However, during this recent visit, my attention was caught by their fresh spring-summer menu additions. Among the seven seasonal choices, my focus zeroed in on the sapin sapin flavor. For those unfamiliar, sapin sapin is a Filipino dessert comprising layers of glutinous rice and coconut, usually garnished with toasted coconut flakes. The beverage rendition managed to capture the flavors impeccably, complete with the delightful addition of boba pearls. The level of sweetness hit the mark perfectly. *Chef’s kiss*
At this very moment, the thought of a boba drink is tempting, and I genuinely hope that Boba Guys will contemplate retaining the sapin sapin offering on their menu beyond its seasonal availability.
11135 Magnolia Blvd. Unit 170 North Hollywood, Ca 91610 ( and other various locations in Southern California)
Open Market: For an outstanding sandwich infused with Asian flavors, your search ends here. Situated in Koreatown, you'll discover Open Market, proudly labeled an LA Corner store on their website. Beyond their outstanding sandwich offerings, this spot also stocks an array of natural wines, soju, and beer. During our visit, the establishment still needed to obtain its liquor license, so the consumption of any purchased alcohol needed to be enjoyed outside the premises. Those arriving early can indulge in their breakfast sandwiches, but my cousin/ forever “foodie call”, Em and I arrived during their lunch hours. I opted for the Olympic sandwich featuring Lemongrass jidori chicken, pickled radish, serrano mayo, mint, cilantro, basil, nam jim vin (a Thai dipping sauce), and crispy chicken skin all nestled within a baguette. On the other hand, she opted for the Kenmore, a creation showcasing Korean tuna salad, pickled radish, burdock root, gim, and perilla, all in pain de mie bread. To complement our choices, she got an ube latte to finish her order. And let's not forget, we secured some delectable cookies for a delightful takeaway treat. Simply put, a truly pleasant experience!
3339 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90010
Bar Chelou: Lately, I've been occupying myself in French lessons, only to discover that "Chelou" translates to "weird" or "strange" in English. It seems this place in Pasadena could be labeled as a "peculiar French bistro." However, contrary to its name, it was anything but strange. A pair of my friends and I decided to reunite at this venue, marking our long-awaited get-together. Our last meeting dates back to February 2021, and much had evolved since then, making it the perfect setting to catch up on life's changes. The culinary offerings proved to be exceptional, prompting us to indulge in a variety of dishes. Naturally, we couldn't resist beginning our dinner with some burrata toast as an appetizer. Notably outstanding were the carrots, snap peas, and the delectable Rainbow trout. Our waitress also highly recommended their rice pudding for dessert. C'était un régal!
37 S. El Molino Ave. Pasadena, Ca 91101
Coin de Rue Bakery & Cafe: Trust Koreans to elevate the pastry scene. They've been making waves globally with their music, dramas, and culture, showcasing their mastery. As evidenced by my earlier mention of Yangban, the Korean cultural influence is indeed on the rise. A few of my former colleagues and I organized a gathering at our friend Krizell’s new home – a long-anticipated reunion since her move with her husband. Our plan was simple: indulge in an abundance of food and relish a day eating, laughing and catching up. Coincidentally, my friend Michelle found herself in Koreatown and, through our group chat, inquired if we had any specific requests, given her proximity. Honoring my plea, I asked her to pick up some treats from Coin de Rue, particularly their signature green onion pesto bread. Alongside this prize, she acquired an array of other goodies, including sweet potato bread and an assortment that has now slipped my memory! (whoops!)
1110 S. Western Ave. #101 Los Angeles, Ca 90006
Community Goods: Unperceived to me, this establishment had swiftly become the latest "go-to" coffee spot in Weho. Opting for a much-needed catch-up, my childhood friend and I settled in with oat lattes in hand. The exterior gives the impression of a quaint bungalow, complete with a ramp, where only outdoor seating is available. Within its limits, a diverse mix of patrons mingles, encircling everyone from hipsters and Gen Z individuals to aging millennials – and of course, representing my own generation, Gen X. On that particular day, the weather displayed cloudiness and a gentle breeze. I can only fathom the bustling scene that unfolds when the weather takes a turn for the better, offering warmth and sunshine. Without a doubt, this spot is the epitome of a "see and be seen" destination.
710 N. Edinburgh Ave. Los Angeles, Ca 90046
Other things I enjoyed:
So many places I now need to hit up! Interesting about the cauliflower sandwich, would never have thought to get that.
To live and eat in LA, it's the place to be!! Finally tried Villas Tacos yesterday! It was delish!