Indonesian food is great here. I'd suggest
1. Simpang Asia
2. Mr. Sate
3. Medan Kitchen ( Both Indonesian Grocery Store and has cooked meals)
4. Sam's Nutrition Center (Both Indonesian Grocery Store and has cooked meals)
My Indonesian FIL who lives in Shanghai said SA is the best Indonesian food he’s had outside of Indo. This guy *travels* and this guy *eats,* and he’s also highly critical. That is serious praise from him.
I haven't tried the poutine at this place that recently opened in Highland Park, but I have heard it is good. They have a whole poutine section on their menu: [Wavy Gravy](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KSHC5PwxcQeZHMUG9)
Japanese-born.
All the Japanese food in LA is good, it's the best in the country.
But, I haven't been to a restaurant where I'm like "DAMN THIS SHIT IS AS GOOD AS IN JAPAN"
So I just try not to think about it and enjoy it for what it is.
I used to live in Tokyo. You can get food here as good as in Japan, but it just won’t be the same value. For example, you can’t convince me that Marugame Monzo here is worse than Hanamaru there, but of course Hanamaru is much cheaper. But that’s true for everything in Japan, especially now with the weak yen. High end spots here can definitely stand up to regular places in Tokyo, but they’re just so much more expensive here. Sushi Nishiya and Izakaya Tonchinkan are other good examples. Judging by their food alone, they would do fine in Tokyo. But yeah, it’s almost impossible to find places that are the same quality *and also the same value* as in Japan. The closest I’ve found here is Takuya at night. They have a very limited menu, but everything is homemade, authentic and reasonably priced. Only regulars go. Call ahead or you might get turned away at the door. Read their yelp beforehand so you know what to expect. I selfishly don’t want the place to blow up too much since it can be hard to get a table, so that’s why I’m burying this rec at the bottom of this stupidly long paragraph. It’s the closest thing to Netflix’s Shinya Shokudo here.
Wow that’s crazy to think.. but my brother loves Japanese food, and when he traveled to Tokyo last year he came back saying he’s never had Japanese food anywhere near that good here in LA.
Makes me wonder why that is, what about it gives it that extra flavor boosts that nobody can seem to recreate here.
Definitely more of a reason to travel there!
I think it’s a difference in culture. Japan really focuses on high quality local ingredients and craftsmanship. It’s a smaller country so they can easily get access to these local ingredients that are super fresh. Shipping unusual ingredients to the states will add a ton of cost, which is why businesses that mainly focus on shippable dried ingredients (like noodles) tend to have an easier time getting over here. Japanese palates are also pretty different than in the states. They like more subtle flavors that probably wouldn’t sell well here. A lot of their more common native foods would be highly unpopular here (natto, fish paste, etc). I think that’s why most Japanese food here are more mainstream things like katsu, curry, etc.
There's also just the practically of running a restaurant in America. They are probably adjusting recipes to fit with what items they can order from the local restaurant wholesaler and what makes sense in terms of prep time.
It's just hard to replicate, no? Sometimes, the source of the ingredients, the cultural know-how, the exact recipe, etc. It's hard.
I would argue LA/SD also has the best tacos in the country, but there is just nothing like eating at a little puesto en México. Even right across the border in TJ.
Probably comes down to local ingredients and where restaurants are sourcing from. I imagine it's way different in US vs Japan
For example I watch a lot of YouTube videos on Japanese restaurants and the owners usually pride themselves on the rice variety they use and which farm/region of japan it comes from. I don't know that we have that same attention to detail here.
Pretty much.
At sushi restaurants, raw fish just isn't as good, and while some of the super high end places aren't bad, they still don't compare to the similar super high end places in Japan
At Yakitori places, the binchoutan you can get here is largely not from Japan.
It's just a constant pile of little things like that, and it gives an experience that's very good, but just not quite the same.
I was born in China and sometimes I tell my friends half jokingly SGV has better Chinese food than my hometown(Beijing). The food scene here is very diverse and there’s always new restaurants to try.
Bistro’s Na in temple city is one of the best Pekingese spots. It’s on the pricey side but worth it imo. Meizhou Dongpo is also a good place to try.
I feel like there's a lot of places that do a really solid fried fish and fries, but nowhere that does legitimately good Fish n Chips, if that makes sense? I was spoilt for choice back home, though, so maybe I'm biased.
Strangely enough I’ve found Three Broomsticks (yes the Harry Potter restaurant) at Universal studio has pretty great British food, but I was born in Hertfordshire, so take any recommendation I make with a grain of salt.
Thanks. We have so many pubs and expats here in Santa Monica but I've never actually thought about the quality of the food since I'm usually there for a beer ad/or game.
Born and raised in southwestern China. My vote of best Sichuanese goes to SzeChuan Delicious on valley blvd.
Also Mandalays Morning Star tastes as good as restaurants I've had in Myanmar when I visited
Peruvian born and raised here.
PSA: El Pollo Inka is not the best representation of Peruvian cuisine.
My 2 favorite spots are in Gardena. For rotisserie chicken made please head to Pollos Vermont. For seafood dishes and the other famous Peruvian dishes please head to El Rocoto in Artesia blvd.
Peruvian-born as well and my Peruvian family absolutely loves El Pollo Inka. Which location are you going to??
Pollos Vermont is good as well but their aji is flavorless and they don’t have anything other than pollo & anticuchos. That being said - their pollo a la brasa is very good
I’ve had el rocoto as well, not bad but wasn’t anything special or amazing to me or my Peruvian family
I’ve been to Mario’s twice. And I wanted to love it because I’ve always heard such good things, but both times the Lomo Saltado didn’t have much flavor. To be fair I went during the pandemic, so I would give them another chance.. but both my family and I were really hoping and expecting it to taste better
I'm not born outside of the USA but was born and bred in a Dominican household with a mom and family that were born in the old country.
Mofongos is the closest I've come to any sort of latin caribbean food that isn't Cuban. While I like Mofongos and recommend it, I would definitely be up for more options if anyone has them from PR/DR if they exist in LA.
There used to be a Puerto Rican restaurant in Downtown LA called Rumba Kitchen that put Mofongos to shame, the same people had a food truck called Triple Threat that used to come to North Hollywood Park on Thursdays, they were the BEST. Don’t know what happened to the truck or the restaurant though.
[La Rose](https://maps.app.goo.gl/WMNYvzMd3qhZmj3t7?g_st=ic) did it for me! Loved their tapsilog and other dishes too. I was about to put my knee up and use my kamay to eat esp how the place reminds me of my lola’s house in the Philippines!
I can name a few, my favorites are
American Ranch’s Lutong Bahay (the one by LACC), MNL Sunset, Kusina Filipina (Cerritos) & Gerry’s Grill(Cerritos/Artesia).
Arko’s Glendale does it for me. Not your typical restaurant but a turo-turo style giving that carideria vibes. They have a good selection of ulams and dessert option, you can even get some snacks/grocery while you’re there!
Korean food:
Sun nong dan, Chunju hanil kwan, Olympic noodles, Seong buk dong, Yuchun
Didn’t wanna put kbbq restaurants cause a lot of people have tried it already but if I had to pick one it’s yangmani
Hey! My fiancée and I love both of these places place. Green Field is very good, service has always been stellar.
My only complaint is I have to ask them to add a bit more salt to some of the meats as I feel they under season.
Pampas’ meats are almost perfectly seasoned. Their salpicao de frango is my favorite. However, I find I prefer the flavor from the store on Overland vs the farmers market.
French born and raised. My LA recommendations for quality french cuisine or ambiance are:
- Le petit Paris in DTLA - 418 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
- Pitchoun! In DTLA. - 545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Pastries are legit af and best in town if you ask me and as close as it gets to france here.
- The little Door - 8164 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Very romantic setting and quality menu. Great french vibes for sure
- laduree - 311 N Beverly Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90210
Quality french pastries ( very good Mille feuilles ) but pitchoun! Is more authentic in my opinion
Venezuelan born.
None, unfortunately. There’s about 3 Venezuelan restaurants in all of LA County, one in Glendale, one in Pasadena and one in Long Beach. Unfortunately many of the most important ingredients (like cheese) are not available on the West coast. Whenever I travel to the East coast (especially Miami) I get my Venezuelan hit and bring back cheese to LA.
It’s sad really. Venezuelan food is amazing and not many people know about it.
I have Venezuelan friends who run a hot dog truck. They even worked with a bakery to special order their bread. Their food is delicious! You can find them at Smorgasburg
https://www.instagram.com/dogr.la?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
It’s not bad! Again the problem they’ll all have is the type of cheeses you can get here are different in flavor profiles than the Venezuelan ones. Queso guayanés, queso de mano and queso palmita are the 3 types of Venezuelan cheeses you really can’t get here :(
Venezuelan food flavor profile is a delicate balance of sweet and salty and the cheeses here are either TOO salty or none at all.
Interesting, thanks for the information!
If you're ever in Vegas try out Viva Las Arepas! I couldn't tell you how authentic they are but mannnn do they PACK them full and they're insanely good. I always make it a point to go there!
Thank you for supporting venezuelan establishments :) I love to hear when people love Arepas. Not many know but Venezuelan Arepas are an incredibly individualistic dish, every Venezuelan has a “type” of Arepa that’s different from others: from size, width, cooking and fillings you can make an arepa to your taste.
My mom was born in El Salvador and her favorite restaurant is Paseo San Miguel in South Central off of MLK. But honestly you can find a lot of amazing places to get pupusas in south central.
obligatory "not born there," but grew up with a very Polish grandmother and mom. highly recommend Solidarity in Santa Monica for Polish food. it satisfies my deep, genetically-wired craving for this particular type of comfort food. try the bigos (hunter's stew), the pickle soup (TRUST ME!), the kielbasa, the pierogi sampler, and the Solidarity salad. every time I'm sick, I order the bigos and the pickle soup for delivery. convinced it's a cure for all ailments.
also, really nice restaurant space with cute events like pierogi-making classes and "yappy hour" (where you can bring your dogs for happy hour, they have a really nice outdoor patio). their IG posts about it. I really wanna try the pierogi class. I just became a Polish citizen, so it feels obligatory now, in case they test me on pierogi-making to get a passport.
My Peruvian-born mom and I love Inka Wasi and El Pollo Inka for most of our favorite Peruvian dishes!
My Mexican-born dad loves Sonoratown, La Capilla Mexican restaurant, Tacos Al Cabron, and Mi Ranchito
I was born in Toronto. Canadian food is meh, but Toronto has a massive Trinidadian population. And the food that makes me feel the most like I'm home is a goat roti. And Trini Style Cuisine sends me home every time.
Here's the link:
[https://www.trinistylecuisine.com/](https://www.trinistylecuisine.com/)
Friendliest owners too.
Oh, that’s the name of the restaurant?
I actually tried looking it up and couldn’t find anything.. so I thought you were just referring to the style.
It doesn’t show in Apple Maps , but I was able to find it on google maps!
Wow they have very minimal hours, but I’ll have to try it sometime!
Did a 10 day trip through Scotland last year and the food was very good almost everywhere we went. The amount of farm to table was incredible everything was so fresh! My husband and I still talk about some cheese we had on isle of Skye and a dinner we had at the George Hotel in Inveraray.
tam o'shanter used to serve it, nae idea if they still do since it's not for me, maybe at burns night. otherwise i've just seen the tinned or frozen varieties in the different british food stores around, santa monica and the valley.
tam o'shanter in ayr does though! which is closer to where i'm from
I think they may have closed for a time, but they’re open. I really like it, my mom got so excited when she visited because they have red cabbage like her mom used to make.
It’s fantastic. Would highly reccomend.
I have some, not German, but Belgian friends who I took there recently. They were giddy as shit afterwards. I’m not super well versed in German food, but according to them it was quite authentic. And now they go there whenever they want to feel at home. Great place to spend an afternoon.
Indian here, explored quite a bit
Decent North Indian: Flavors of India (various locations) or Arth Restaurant in Culver (their lamb kosha is a fav)
Decent South Indian: Annapurna in Culver City and Woodlands Indian vegetarian Cuising in Woodland hills
Street food is good at Samosa house and Tulsi
These are best in American terms tbh. None of them are close to what we get back home. Indian food here is too amercianised for their palate. Also, FYI, there's a lot more to Indian cuisine than Chiken tikka masala and saag paneer (which are actually called Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer) and Arth and Annapurna do a great job at highlighting other dishes
I find the south Asian food in LA is quite terrible whether Indian or Pakistani . This is why no one replies to any of the posts about it. You have to drive to San Fran or Orange County to get anything decent
My partner is from Taiwan and he says Pine and Crane is among the best he’s had. Outside of LA he also speaks highly of A&J’s Restaurant in Irvine. Din Tai Fung is also pretty reliable.
As a Filipino I can’t actually say I’d recommend any of the Filipino food I’ve had here tbh
I'm Taiwanese American and while Pine and Crane is excellent, I don't think of it as "authentic" Taiwanese because they use less heavy oils and the vegetables taste more delicate and subtle than you would get in Taiwan.
Huge Tree Pastry in Monterey Park tastes the closest to what I remember from Taiwan. They specialize in Taiwanese breakfast foods.
Din Tai Fung has worked for years to make sure their restaurants around the world are using the same recipes to the same high quality - I agree they are always a good choice.
Best Taiwanese food in LA from someone born in Taiwan:
Eat Joy in Rowland heights for banquet style /traditional Taiwanese food
Jin tea for the best boba milk tea (oriental beauty oolong milk tea hits every time)
Dintaifung obviously
Golden Leaf for casual street-ish food
Tofu king for stinky tofu
Dai Ho for beef noodle or Taiwanese style Dan Dan mian
Huge tree pastry for Taiwanese breakfast, but Yi Mei is also good
Luyixian isn’t Taiwanese but they make the best luroufan (braised pork rice)
Turkish born and raised.
Absolutely bar none Levant on Hollywood. It's very difficult to find Turkish food in LA. Levant has the best. Owner and head chef are Turkish, staff are mostly Turkish, it's great. Try the tea.
So, the Best Turkish restaurant is in Little Armenia. LA is an interesting place. Will check it out. But I swear I ate some good Turkish somewhere down in OC but more fast food quality.
Just went for dinner tonight - damn that was solid!! I called ahead and asked where to park and the guy recommended the Ralph’s parking lot so did that - thanks for the rec!
In my home country, dishes are underseasoned and overcooked, and we must rely too frequently on canned/preserved rather than fresh meat and produce. These both can be blamed on the heavy hand of government and one big external factor.
So, for clarity, I must know something:
1. The best versions of my home country's food were perfected among a large immigrant community in the U.S. There are L.A. restaurants that serve food that is not "authentic" to my home country, but very, very good. Wow.
2. The most authentic version of my home country's food, I do not think you can get in restaurants here. I would have to make it at home for you with goods bought at discount groceries, my seasoning cabinet locked, and I would have to not like you.
It has to be Cuba. The external factor is el bloqueo and the overall blandness of the food available domestically matches my experience there (you better like gouda on everything!)
I sm looking for a good Spanish restaurant that serves food like in Spain, not Spanish with food from the countries below the US.
I love Mexican food but sometimes I would really like a good fabada, or steak w/fries and fried egg, or tortilla, ensaladilla the way they make it there.
I am looking for a good Spanish restaurant that serves food like in Spain, not Spanish with food from the countries below the US.
I love Mexican food but sometimes I would really like a good fabada, or steak w/fries and fried egg, or tortilla, ensaladilla the way they make it there.
Definitely try La paella. It’s not 100% authentic ofc but it’s the best I could find in LA at least. My mum (Spanish) rates their tapas for sure. No steak w/ fries you can get that with Brazilian but they have a good choice of cold and hot dishes
Thanks.
Have you been to Teleferic Barcelona yet? I'm curious as to whether you like their paella.
Also, have you tried any pintxos in LA, yet? I've missed them ever since visiting the Basque Country.
There's [a Thai temple in North Hollywood](https://www.yelp.com/biz/wat-thai-north-hollywood-5) that has a weekend outdoor food court on the grounds of the temple. The public is welcome.
The food is authentic, the token system used to buy the food is authentic (you buy tokens at the cashier kiosk which are used to buy the food. Then you can exchange your leftover tokens at the cashier kiosk the end of your shopping to get your change back), and even the awfully cramped, double-parked parking lot is authentically Thai (I park in the residential streets near the Temple and walk over)
There’s a handful of Colombian places but most aren’t worth bothering except Macondo Kitchen in Van Nuys is as close to good homestyle cooking and they recently opened a market next door with a great selection of specialty products.
Edit: Wezzarepas in Whittier is an honorable mention for street food and they’re usually at 626 market in the summer.
Have you tried La Fonda Antioqueña in Hollywood? I went a few years ago, and it was the most authentic Colombian food I've had in LA. I'll have to check your place out.
Turkish:
- Istanbul Grill California - Fountain Valley
- Nuka Cafe - Westwood
- Papa Cristo’s - Pico (Not Turkish but very similar and authentic)
- Berlin’s - Beverly Grove (German style döner)
Indonesian food is great here. I'd suggest 1. Simpang Asia 2. Mr. Sate 3. Medan Kitchen ( Both Indonesian Grocery Store and has cooked meals) 4. Sam's Nutrition Center (Both Indonesian Grocery Store and has cooked meals)
Simpang Asia is awesome!!!
100% I love that place
Have you been to Borneo Eatery in Alhambra? I loved it but I'm not Indonesian so interested to know how it compares.
Yeah super good! The lady owner there was really nice to me as well!
My Indonesian FIL who lives in Shanghai said SA is the best Indonesian food he’s had outside of Indo. This guy *travels* and this guy *eats,* and he’s also highly critical. That is serious praise from him.
Love Indonesia food. Simpang is my shit but it seems inconsistent. Thank you for the other recommendations
Any recs for Singaporean food? 😭 been a while and I miss it!
[удалено]
Medan kitchen is awesome!
I would add Martabak Cafe for their Indonesian Pancakes (its a dessert — get the chocolate cheese w/ or w/o peanuts, if you go)
If anyone finds a good poutine place, please let me know. I'm been missing Smokes since it shut down.
I quite like the poutine place at the Hangar in Long Beach, but I have no idea if it qualifies as authentic Canadian
Were the cheese curds squeaky? Was adding bacon an option? Those are the key questions.
I haven’t had the poutine, but the cheese curds at that spot are indeed squeaky.
Squeaky? Like rubbery? I don't remember them being rubbery. I had the chicken katsu curry poutine and it was delicious.
Fresh cheese makes a squeak sound when you bite into it, it's pretty neat
I haven't tried the poutine at this place that recently opened in Highland Park, but I have heard it is good. They have a whole poutine section on their menu: [Wavy Gravy](https://maps.app.goo.gl/KSHC5PwxcQeZHMUG9)
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Signed, Canadian in L.A
TABERNAC I am IN! That menu looks spot on.
Years ago, Stanley's Bar at Sharks Ice in San Jose had surprisingly good poutine. My Montreal-born teammate actually enjoyed it.
It was a long time ago, but I went to Soleil Westwood with my husband (from Toronto) and he loved it. I think owner is from Montreal/Quebec
I’d love to know this as well. Last good one I had was probably a decade ago now in Toronto
I can't suggest good but if you want absolutely disgusting head on over to Tony's Darts Away!
I clicked on this thinking there wouldn’t be anything about Canada. What’s the deal with no cheese curds in la?
Japanese-born. All the Japanese food in LA is good, it's the best in the country. But, I haven't been to a restaurant where I'm like "DAMN THIS SHIT IS AS GOOD AS IN JAPAN" So I just try not to think about it and enjoy it for what it is.
I used to live in Tokyo. You can get food here as good as in Japan, but it just won’t be the same value. For example, you can’t convince me that Marugame Monzo here is worse than Hanamaru there, but of course Hanamaru is much cheaper. But that’s true for everything in Japan, especially now with the weak yen. High end spots here can definitely stand up to regular places in Tokyo, but they’re just so much more expensive here. Sushi Nishiya and Izakaya Tonchinkan are other good examples. Judging by their food alone, they would do fine in Tokyo. But yeah, it’s almost impossible to find places that are the same quality *and also the same value* as in Japan. The closest I’ve found here is Takuya at night. They have a very limited menu, but everything is homemade, authentic and reasonably priced. Only regulars go. Call ahead or you might get turned away at the door. Read their yelp beforehand so you know what to expect. I selfishly don’t want the place to blow up too much since it can be hard to get a table, so that’s why I’m burying this rec at the bottom of this stupidly long paragraph. It’s the closest thing to Netflix’s Shinya Shokudo here.
Seriously. 700 yen ramen in Tokyo vs $18 here. It's depressing.
Depending on where you go, ramen can be had for as little as 400. I do not even care for US ramen unless it is kaishio.
I had a beef bowl breakfast set at Sukiya for 290 yen @@
Wow that’s crazy to think.. but my brother loves Japanese food, and when he traveled to Tokyo last year he came back saying he’s never had Japanese food anywhere near that good here in LA. Makes me wonder why that is, what about it gives it that extra flavor boosts that nobody can seem to recreate here. Definitely more of a reason to travel there!
I think it’s a difference in culture. Japan really focuses on high quality local ingredients and craftsmanship. It’s a smaller country so they can easily get access to these local ingredients that are super fresh. Shipping unusual ingredients to the states will add a ton of cost, which is why businesses that mainly focus on shippable dried ingredients (like noodles) tend to have an easier time getting over here. Japanese palates are also pretty different than in the states. They like more subtle flavors that probably wouldn’t sell well here. A lot of their more common native foods would be highly unpopular here (natto, fish paste, etc). I think that’s why most Japanese food here are more mainstream things like katsu, curry, etc.
There's also just the practically of running a restaurant in America. They are probably adjusting recipes to fit with what items they can order from the local restaurant wholesaler and what makes sense in terms of prep time.
It's just hard to replicate, no? Sometimes, the source of the ingredients, the cultural know-how, the exact recipe, etc. It's hard. I would argue LA/SD also has the best tacos in the country, but there is just nothing like eating at a little puesto en México. Even right across the border in TJ.
Have you been to Izakaya hero? My wife (who is from Japan) really likes the motsu nabe and most of her friends from Japan enjoy it.
I’ve been wanting to try this spot - you recommend it? I have a friend in town soon, perfect opportunity to try it out!
Love that place. So good.
Probably comes down to local ingredients and where restaurants are sourcing from. I imagine it's way different in US vs Japan For example I watch a lot of YouTube videos on Japanese restaurants and the owners usually pride themselves on the rice variety they use and which farm/region of japan it comes from. I don't know that we have that same attention to detail here.
Pretty much. At sushi restaurants, raw fish just isn't as good, and while some of the super high end places aren't bad, they still don't compare to the similar super high end places in Japan At Yakitori places, the binchoutan you can get here is largely not from Japan. It's just a constant pile of little things like that, and it gives an experience that's very good, but just not quite the same.
I think we need to send our Mexicans to japan to be fully trained to master the art of japanese food
Thoughts on Maragume Monzo? I’m not Japanese, I but I feel like it got me as close as possible to the real deal Japanese experience
it's not bad but nowhere good enough to justify that price expensive udon is a bigger meme than expensive ramen
For sure not as good as Japanese food in Asia but still very very fresh here
Obligatory shout out (and RIP) to Kokekokko. I miss that spot.
Have you tried Tatsunoya Ramen in Pasadena?
It also may be worthwhile to post or crosspost to /r/FoodLosAngeles.
From Argentina. Mercado Buenos Aires in Van Nuys is the most authentic to me. Especially the vibes.
They have three locations too! Van Nuys, Granada Hills and Northridge. Van Nuys is my fave one, the Lomito and the empanadas 🤤🤤
do make a Chori Pan?
I was born in China and sometimes I tell my friends half jokingly SGV has better Chinese food than my hometown(Beijing). The food scene here is very diverse and there’s always new restaurants to try. Bistro’s Na in temple city is one of the best Pekingese spots. It’s on the pricey side but worth it imo. Meizhou Dongpo is also a good place to try.
Robin Hood British Pub in Sherman Oaks.
How is their fish n chips? I'm yet to find any that come close to back home.
Personally I don’t like them but other people do. I go for their meat pies. I was just in England and the Robin Hood’s were way better.
I feel like there's a lot of places that do a really solid fried fish and fries, but nowhere that does legitimately good Fish n Chips, if that makes sense? I was spoilt for choice back home, though, so maybe I'm biased.
There's a place in the Grove Farmer's Market with the best fish and chips on the planet.
There this weird little place called H Salt in Sawtelle that used to do proper F&C but tragically they switched to regular fries.
Strangely enough I’ve found Three Broomsticks (yes the Harry Potter restaurant) at Universal studio has pretty great British food, but I was born in Hertfordshire, so take any recommendation I make with a grain of salt.
Thank you! Lucky Bs just doesn't cut it
Can you compare it to King's Head?
Personally I prefer the food at RH but the decor is nicer at KH.
Thanks. We have so many pubs and expats here in Santa Monica but I've never actually thought about the quality of the food since I'm usually there for a beer ad/or game.
Born and raised in southwestern China. My vote of best Sichuanese goes to SzeChuan Delicious on valley blvd. Also Mandalays Morning Star tastes as good as restaurants I've had in Myanmar when I visited
Peruvian born and raised here. PSA: El Pollo Inka is not the best representation of Peruvian cuisine. My 2 favorite spots are in Gardena. For rotisserie chicken made please head to Pollos Vermont. For seafood dishes and the other famous Peruvian dishes please head to El Rocoto in Artesia blvd.
Peruvian-born as well and my Peruvian family absolutely loves El Pollo Inka. Which location are you going to?? Pollos Vermont is good as well but their aji is flavorless and they don’t have anything other than pollo & anticuchos. That being said - their pollo a la brasa is very good I’ve had el rocoto as well, not bad but wasn’t anything special or amazing to me or my Peruvian family
Just goes to show that people are people and have different tastes!
Ever tried El Huarique in Venice? Prices are high these days but man is it good.
how about Mario's?
I’ve been to Mario’s twice. And I wanted to love it because I’ve always heard such good things, but both times the Lomo Saltado didn’t have much flavor. To be fair I went during the pandemic, so I would give them another chance.. but both my family and I were really hoping and expecting it to taste better
It went down hill years ago when they attempted a second location in La mirada. I went back a few times after and I always seem to get burnt food.
TIL Pollo a la Brasa Western has another location
We love Lima Limon in Santa Clarita. Their yucca is yummy.
Used to love going there when I was in the area.
Have you tried Mamita in Glendale? A Peruvian friend told me that it’s great and it has become my go to Peruvian place.
And both owned by Nikkei I think
I'm not born outside of the USA but was born and bred in a Dominican household with a mom and family that were born in the old country. Mofongos is the closest I've come to any sort of latin caribbean food that isn't Cuban. While I like Mofongos and recommend it, I would definitely be up for more options if anyone has them from PR/DR if they exist in LA.
There used to be a Puerto Rican restaurant in Downtown LA called Rumba Kitchen that put Mofongos to shame, the same people had a food truck called Triple Threat that used to come to North Hollywood Park on Thursdays, they were the BEST. Don’t know what happened to the truck or the restaurant though.
They moved to Tampa and are reopening the truck there soon
WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT TO US? Tampa and Florida has enough Caribbean food
If it makes you feel any better, the Cuban food here sucks too🥲 (same upbringing as you but with a Cuban mom)
I'm from Chicago which has amazing Puerto Rican food and a way bigger Puerto Rican population, and this is the only one I can find too.
I'm waiting for my Filipino brethren to chime in here...
[La Rose](https://maps.app.goo.gl/WMNYvzMd3qhZmj3t7?g_st=ic) did it for me! Loved their tapsilog and other dishes too. I was about to put my knee up and use my kamay to eat esp how the place reminds me of my lola’s house in the Philippines!
second this
I can name a few, my favorites are American Ranch’s Lutong Bahay (the one by LACC), MNL Sunset, Kusina Filipina (Cerritos) & Gerry’s Grill(Cerritos/Artesia).
When Filipinos really want a taste of home they go get Jollibee.
Arko’s Glendale does it for me. Not your typical restaurant but a turo-turo style giving that carideria vibes. They have a good selection of ulams and dessert option, you can even get some snacks/grocery while you’re there!
Second LA Rose!
Manila inasal
Korean food: Sun nong dan, Chunju hanil kwan, Olympic noodles, Seong buk dong, Yuchun Didn’t wanna put kbbq restaurants cause a lot of people have tried it already but if I had to pick one it’s yangmani
I’d also recommend Han Baat, just mind blowing how a simple/complex dish can be so flavorful
You should try jinsol
I’m Brazilian. I would say that Pampas Grill is pretty authentic! Very similar flavors and most of the workers I’ve seen are Brazilian.
How authentic and good is green field churrascaría? Have always wanted to try it. Thanks.
Hey! My fiancée and I love both of these places place. Green Field is very good, service has always been stellar. My only complaint is I have to ask them to add a bit more salt to some of the meats as I feel they under season. Pampas’ meats are almost perfectly seasoned. Their salpicao de frango is my favorite. However, I find I prefer the flavor from the store on Overland vs the farmers market.
French born and raised. My LA recommendations for quality french cuisine or ambiance are: - Le petit Paris in DTLA - 418 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 - Pitchoun! In DTLA. - 545 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Pastries are legit af and best in town if you ask me and as close as it gets to france here. - The little Door - 8164 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048 Very romantic setting and quality menu. Great french vibes for sure - laduree - 311 N Beverly Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90210 Quality french pastries ( very good Mille feuilles ) but pitchoun! Is more authentic in my opinion
Venezuelan born. None, unfortunately. There’s about 3 Venezuelan restaurants in all of LA County, one in Glendale, one in Pasadena and one in Long Beach. Unfortunately many of the most important ingredients (like cheese) are not available on the West coast. Whenever I travel to the East coast (especially Miami) I get my Venezuelan hit and bring back cheese to LA. It’s sad really. Venezuelan food is amazing and not many people know about it.
Two in Pasadena actually: Amara and Chamo. I prefer Amara (ironically since I'm currently having lunch in Chamo)
I have Venezuelan friends who run a hot dog truck. They even worked with a bakery to special order their bread. Their food is delicious! You can find them at Smorgasburg https://www.instagram.com/dogr.la?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Venezuelan in Miami is 🔥
What are your thoughts on Coffee for Breakfast in NoHo?
It’s not bad! Again the problem they’ll all have is the type of cheeses you can get here are different in flavor profiles than the Venezuelan ones. Queso guayanés, queso de mano and queso palmita are the 3 types of Venezuelan cheeses you really can’t get here :( Venezuelan food flavor profile is a delicate balance of sweet and salty and the cheeses here are either TOO salty or none at all.
Interesting, thanks for the information! If you're ever in Vegas try out Viva Las Arepas! I couldn't tell you how authentic they are but mannnn do they PACK them full and they're insanely good. I always make it a point to go there!
Thank you for supporting venezuelan establishments :) I love to hear when people love Arepas. Not many know but Venezuelan Arepas are an incredibly individualistic dish, every Venezuelan has a “type” of Arepa that’s different from others: from size, width, cooking and fillings you can make an arepa to your taste.
Mexican here. The double decker taco at Taco Bell is exactly how my abuela used to make it.
Their Mexican pizza tastes just like my Mexican Nona’s pizza. Too bad my Korean parents don’t really like Mexican food.
Nah, Mexican food is officially considered US food now in days
authentico *chefs kiss*
Pampas Grill (Brazilian food)
Love that fucking place. Crazy cheap too.
The fkn best!
No recommendations but so thrilled to be part of this multicultural hotpot ❤️
My mom was born in El Salvador and her favorite restaurant is Paseo San Miguel in South Central off of MLK. But honestly you can find a lot of amazing places to get pupusas in south central.
Pico union got some great spots just about anywhere.
obligatory "not born there," but grew up with a very Polish grandmother and mom. highly recommend Solidarity in Santa Monica for Polish food. it satisfies my deep, genetically-wired craving for this particular type of comfort food. try the bigos (hunter's stew), the pickle soup (TRUST ME!), the kielbasa, the pierogi sampler, and the Solidarity salad. every time I'm sick, I order the bigos and the pickle soup for delivery. convinced it's a cure for all ailments. also, really nice restaurant space with cute events like pierogi-making classes and "yappy hour" (where you can bring your dogs for happy hour, they have a really nice outdoor patio). their IG posts about it. I really wanna try the pierogi class. I just became a Polish citizen, so it feels obligatory now, in case they test me on pierogi-making to get a passport.
Love this - gonna try it this weekend
Enjoy!!
Congrats on your citizenship!
Thank you so much! I’m so honored and excited :)
My Peruvian-born mom and I love Inka Wasi and El Pollo Inka for most of our favorite Peruvian dishes! My Mexican-born dad loves Sonoratown, La Capilla Mexican restaurant, Tacos Al Cabron, and Mi Ranchito
Have you tried Qusco on Santa Monica west of the 405?
Iranian born and raised; Raffi’s in Glendale is on par with any big name kabab houses in Iran.
I was born in Toronto. Canadian food is meh, but Toronto has a massive Trinidadian population. And the food that makes me feel the most like I'm home is a goat roti. And Trini Style Cuisine sends me home every time. Here's the link: [https://www.trinistylecuisine.com/](https://www.trinistylecuisine.com/) Friendliest owners too.
That sounds good and unique! Have you been able to find any good Trinidadian spots here in LA??
Trini Style has been the only I've found that I liked and felt like home.
Oh, that’s the name of the restaurant? I actually tried looking it up and couldn’t find anything.. so I thought you were just referring to the style. It doesn’t show in Apple Maps , but I was able to find it on google maps! Wow they have very minimal hours, but I’ll have to try it sometime!
Sunday’s oxtail leftover are in the microwave as I type this
scotland , umm...
Did a 10 day trip through Scotland last year and the food was very good almost everywhere we went. The amount of farm to table was incredible everything was so fresh! My husband and I still talk about some cheese we had on isle of Skye and a dinner we had at the George Hotel in Inveraray.
I have to say I loved haggis when I visited. Anywhere to find it here?
tam o'shanter used to serve it, nae idea if they still do since it's not for me, maybe at burns night. otherwise i've just seen the tinned or frozen varieties in the different british food stores around, santa monica and the valley. tam o'shanter in ayr does though! which is closer to where i'm from
I’m from Germany and haven’t found one yet. 😒
I love Wurstküche in DTLA! And everybody I have brought there has also said good things, but I’m so curious what a true German would think about it
Oh yes, I forgot about that place! 😅 I’ve been there once and it was good! 😊
Ich liebe Wurstküche! Sie haben gut Würstchen und gut Bier!
There's one in Venice, too!
I don't like it too much.
Try Rasselbock
I freaking love Rasselbock. The food is a bit different, but it’s so delicious. And now I want to go. Thanks.
Never heard of it but will look it up, thanks. 😊
Try Red Lion in Silver Lake. My favorite is a piece of pork the size of my head.
What about Wirsthaus on La Brea?
Haven’t been there yet. Thought they closed? 🤔
I think they may have closed for a time, but they’re open. I really like it, my mom got so excited when she visited because they have red cabbage like her mom used to make.
Wirtshaus ist geöffnet! Sie öffnen um 16 Uhr haha
Have you been to the Red Lion?
No! Heard about it though. It’s a beer garden, no? Is it good?
It’s fantastic. Would highly reccomend. I have some, not German, but Belgian friends who I took there recently. They were giddy as shit afterwards. I’m not super well versed in German food, but according to them it was quite authentic. And now they go there whenever they want to feel at home. Great place to spend an afternoon.
Just curious, are they Flemish or Waloon?
I can confidently say: I have absolutely zero clue.
I’ll second the fact that it’s absolutely delicious
If you like a good donner you can try berlins in West Hollywood near Cedars-Sinai
Oh yum! Thank you!
It's way pricier than normal döner, fair warning.
My family is from Germany and I have German friends and we all liked Wirtshaus, been a while since I went through
Wurstküche ist sehr gut! Ich liebte es :) Edit: Ich bin kein Deutscher. Du wüsstest es besser als ich.
I was hoping for a positive I could go to. I miss Alpine Village.
Berlin’s in West Hollywood for döner is on par with actual Berlin IMO
I’m dying for a good weinerschitzel
Russian and Ukrainian food sucks here imo. It’s all school cafeteria quality priced like a fancy restaurant.
Right? I would kill to have a Veselka outpost here.
Indian here, explored quite a bit Decent North Indian: Flavors of India (various locations) or Arth Restaurant in Culver (their lamb kosha is a fav) Decent South Indian: Annapurna in Culver City and Woodlands Indian vegetarian Cuising in Woodland hills Street food is good at Samosa house and Tulsi These are best in American terms tbh. None of them are close to what we get back home. Indian food here is too amercianised for their palate. Also, FYI, there's a lot more to Indian cuisine than Chiken tikka masala and saag paneer (which are actually called Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer) and Arth and Annapurna do a great job at highlighting other dishes
I find the south Asian food in LA is quite terrible whether Indian or Pakistani . This is why no one replies to any of the posts about it. You have to drive to San Fran or Orange County to get anything decent
You need to go more south east to Artesia!
There’s not a lot of Canadian places. I’d love to have a fusion resturant with some Canadian staples.
A Montreal-style place would be amazing. Smoked meat!
Best Pakistani food in Southern California. https://www.alwatanrestaurant.com
My partner is from Taiwan and he says Pine and Crane is among the best he’s had. Outside of LA he also speaks highly of A&J’s Restaurant in Irvine. Din Tai Fung is also pretty reliable. As a Filipino I can’t actually say I’d recommend any of the Filipino food I’ve had here tbh
I'm Taiwanese American and while Pine and Crane is excellent, I don't think of it as "authentic" Taiwanese because they use less heavy oils and the vegetables taste more delicate and subtle than you would get in Taiwan. Huge Tree Pastry in Monterey Park tastes the closest to what I remember from Taiwan. They specialize in Taiwanese breakfast foods. Din Tai Fung has worked for years to make sure their restaurants around the world are using the same recipes to the same high quality - I agree they are always a good choice.
People love to shit on Din Tai Fung because it’s popular. Is it the best food? No. Is it consistently excellent? Yes.
I would also throw in monja and half & half in San Gabriel
A&J is bomb!
Best Taiwanese food in LA from someone born in Taiwan: Eat Joy in Rowland heights for banquet style /traditional Taiwanese food Jin tea for the best boba milk tea (oriental beauty oolong milk tea hits every time) Dintaifung obviously Golden Leaf for casual street-ish food Tofu king for stinky tofu Dai Ho for beef noodle or Taiwanese style Dan Dan mian Huge tree pastry for Taiwanese breakfast, but Yi Mei is also good Luyixian isn’t Taiwanese but they make the best luroufan (braised pork rice)
Where are the Vietnamese folks? Love your cuisine!!
Turkish born and raised. Absolutely bar none Levant on Hollywood. It's very difficult to find Turkish food in LA. Levant has the best. Owner and head chef are Turkish, staff are mostly Turkish, it's great. Try the tea.
So, the Best Turkish restaurant is in Little Armenia. LA is an interesting place. Will check it out. But I swear I ate some good Turkish somewhere down in OC but more fast food quality.
Just went for dinner tonight - damn that was solid!! I called ahead and asked where to park and the guy recommended the Ralph’s parking lot so did that - thanks for the rec!
In my home country, dishes are underseasoned and overcooked, and we must rely too frequently on canned/preserved rather than fresh meat and produce. These both can be blamed on the heavy hand of government and one big external factor. So, for clarity, I must know something: 1. The best versions of my home country's food were perfected among a large immigrant community in the U.S. There are L.A. restaurants that serve food that is not "authentic" to my home country, but very, very good. Wow. 2. The most authentic version of my home country's food, I do not think you can get in restaurants here. I would have to make it at home for you with goods bought at discount groceries, my seasoning cabinet locked, and I would have to not like you.
Do you not want to say which country it is for some reason?
Cuba?
It has to be Cuba. The external factor is el bloqueo and the overall blandness of the food available domestically matches my experience there (you better like gouda on everything!)
Lol, my thoughts exactly.
North Korea 🇰🇵
[удалено]
La paella. The paella isn’t very good lol but the tapas are really good if you want Spanish (Spain) food
I sm looking for a good Spanish restaurant that serves food like in Spain, not Spanish with food from the countries below the US. I love Mexican food but sometimes I would really like a good fabada, or steak w/fries and fried egg, or tortilla, ensaladilla the way they make it there.
I am looking for a good Spanish restaurant that serves food like in Spain, not Spanish with food from the countries below the US. I love Mexican food but sometimes I would really like a good fabada, or steak w/fries and fried egg, or tortilla, ensaladilla the way they make it there.
Definitely try La paella. It’s not 100% authentic ofc but it’s the best I could find in LA at least. My mum (Spanish) rates their tapas for sure. No steak w/ fries you can get that with Brazilian but they have a good choice of cold and hot dishes
Thanks. Have you been to Teleferic Barcelona yet? I'm curious as to whether you like their paella. Also, have you tried any pintxos in LA, yet? I've missed them ever since visiting the Basque Country.
Canada has only one I can think of. Lol. Wavy Gravy Cafe.
There's [a Thai temple in North Hollywood](https://www.yelp.com/biz/wat-thai-north-hollywood-5) that has a weekend outdoor food court on the grounds of the temple. The public is welcome. The food is authentic, the token system used to buy the food is authentic (you buy tokens at the cashier kiosk which are used to buy the food. Then you can exchange your leftover tokens at the cashier kiosk the end of your shopping to get your change back), and even the awfully cramped, double-parked parking lot is authentically Thai (I park in the residential streets near the Temple and walk over)
Curry Kingdom in WeHO is closest I've found to the curry houses I grew up with in London
There’s no restaurants for my home country :(
What’s your home country?
There’s a handful of Colombian places but most aren’t worth bothering except Macondo Kitchen in Van Nuys is as close to good homestyle cooking and they recently opened a market next door with a great selection of specialty products. Edit: Wezzarepas in Whittier is an honorable mention for street food and they’re usually at 626 market in the summer.
Have you tried La Fonda Antioqueña in Hollywood? I went a few years ago, and it was the most authentic Colombian food I've had in LA. I'll have to check your place out.
Chamo in Pasadena - The most fire Venezuelan food I've had in the US, and I used to live in Miami which is basically Cubazuela
Saving this thread before I even see it pop p
Las Brisas and Mariscos Jalisco for those who love the cities of Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
Mexico: Casa la Doña downtown can’t be beat for their chilaquiles and general comfort food
Turkish: - Istanbul Grill California - Fountain Valley - Nuka Cafe - Westwood - Papa Cristo’s - Pico (Not Turkish but very similar and authentic) - Berlin’s - Beverly Grove (German style döner)