Los Angeles Must Try Foods Recommended By Locals!

Join me on a Los Angeles Must Try Foods Adventure recommended by LA locals! Los Angeles has everything, from authentic Mexican foods, creative cafes, to unique Asian spots. This time in LA, we’re I got TONS of recommendations from all of you that I definitely had to try! Plus, we got to go on a foodie adventure around LA with our local friends. So, here’s all the unique eats I got to try on my trip to LA.

What We Ate in Los Angeles

After our Halloween Disney Half Marathon and Disneyland Foodie Adventures, we finally have some time to really explore some LA foodie spots. Since we’re also in town for our upcoming kai dong launch for Vegetarian Oyster Sauce, we’ve brought along some LA locals to take us around. Some of our favorite meals this trip are local gems that we never would have found on our own. They turned out to be some of the best bites this whole trip.

These foodie adventures reminded me exactly why I love LA so much. LA’s food culture shows that no matter who you are, there’s always something here for you: late night tacos, the early morning matchas, and the endless bites that that open my eyes not just to other cultures, but even my own.

Authentic Mexican Food

Tacos Los Cholos (9.5/10)

Right before returning to our hotel after a long day at Disneyland, we had to grab some late night tacos at Tacos Los Cholos. This Southern California taqueria chain is known for tacos with a wide range of meat qualities, from chicken to filet mignon. Walking in, the restaurant is bustling with action, and there’s always a bit of a line. But, it move really fast! Once you get your food, you can take it over to the self-serve bar for some salsa and toppings.

This place was actually so good! We grabbed 3 tacos at $3.11 each. The grilled meats are chopped, the topped with raw onions, cilantro, and salsa on corn tortillas. We definitely also had to try their most popular AHM Taco. Each taco ($5.19) is made of warm flour tortilla piled high with your choice of meat, and stuffed with a cheesy Anaheim grilled pepper. To round out our meal, we finished it with simple rice and beans ($4.94).

Amigo’s Restaurant and Cantina (8.5/10)

Dom and I had were both too tired to head downtown for dinner, so we decided to just walk over to Amigo’s Restaurant and Cantina instead. This neighborhood Mexican restaurant ended up being such a great meal, the kind of cozy neighborhood gems that’s the spot to take for someone visiting from out-of-town! It was one of those restaurant with thick binder menu, endless combos, and all the classic Mexican dishes you love. It’s the exact recipe for a fun, casual dinner with friends and family.

To start, we got ourselves some Margaritas. They were so strong, but very good. We munched on unlimited chips and salsa. It was so tasty. We loaded up with a Sizzling Fajitas plate ($18.50), piled high with grilled peppers, onions, and tomatoes, and a plate of super cheesy enchiladas ($10.50). Both plates come with fluffy rice and beans. The dishes were super simple, comforting, and exactly what we needed.

Avenue 26 Tacos 10/10

Of course, we’re in LA, so we have to get some late night tacos from Avenue 26 Tacos. This food truck in Los Angeles serves up tons of delicious tacos until 2:30 am. You know it’s good when everyone is standing around the parking lot enjoying their plates. The staff is working non-stop, piling different meats onto tortillas one after another.

At $2.75 each, these tacos were affordable and AMAZING. They have chicken as well as different parts of pork and beef to choose from. You grab your tacos, and head over to their self-serve salsa bar to customize the tacos with a range of toppings like onions, cilantro, pickles, and salsa. Definitely get their spicy green sauce, Don’t forget the potatoes that comes with every order, soaked in the juices of the taco meats. If you’re looking for late night tacos, THIS is the spot. It’s the best in LA!

Chill Creative Cafes

Philz Coffee 

Philz Coffee is a California coffee chain that started in San Francisco, now with locations all over California and in Chicago. We wandered in since it was right next door to one of the restaurants we visited, and were pleasantly surprised! Philz serves pour-over style coffee, and a range of creative specialty drinks which we had to try.

The first drink we chose was their most popular Mint Mojito Iced Coffee. This iced coffee is made sweet and creamy, with sprigs of fresh mint inside($6.80). It has a gentle creaminess and just enough mintiness where it’s refreshing, but doesn’t take over. Our next drink is their Honey Haze, a sweet hazelnut treat made with filtered Soul Cold Brew, honey, and oat milk ($6.80). I also got to try their chai tea latte from here, and I absolutely LOVE IT!

Republik Coffee 7/10

I haven’t had matcha in so long, so we headed to Republik Coffee for a quick matcha brunch. This cozy little cafe is one of many adorable local cafes in the area. It has a ton of indoors and outdoor seating. Since it’s so nice outside, we decided to sit at their patio. We obviously had to start with an iced matcha latte($7.59) for me and iced latte ($6.48) for Dom. It definitely hit the spot.

For breakfast, we grabbed both a sweet and savory option. The Black Coconut Chia Pudding ($16.20) is a charcoal based chia pudding bowl with mixed berries, almonds, granola, and cocoa nibs. It was just the right amount of fruity, crunchy, and creamy. Of course, it also checks the gut-friendly box since we’re trying to eat more fiber.

The breakfast burrito ($15.95) was also just the right amount of satisfying. Eggs, chorizo, potato, cheese, and cilantro are all wrapped up in a bright green spinach flour tortilla. It was warm and filling!

Sometimes, your body just needs a little reset, and this meal was what we needed. If you’re in Pasadena and need a chill coffee shop to sit at and people watch for a bit, this is a great spot. Their menu has a range of unique toasts options and vegetarian/vegan options, so there’s plenty to choose from. Plus, they also have parking validation! We took a slow stroll through a local bookstore after breakfast. Honestly, it was just the perfect kind of morning.

Porto’s Bakery 10/10

We’re finally trying the one and only Porto‘s Bakery, probably the #1 recommended cafe to try here in LA. This family-owned Cuban bakery started in Echo Park in 1976 selling pastries, cakes, and savory bites. Now, it’s a must-visit for people coming to LA! Porto’s is super iconic. In fact, travelers from all over the US bring back boxes of Porto’s to share with family and friends.

We started our meal with two of their drinks: Strawberry Mojito ($4.69) and Freshly Squeezed Guava Lemonade ($4.79). They were the perfect balance of sweet and tart, which was extra good under the Los Angeles sun. After the drinks, we knew we were in for an amazing lunch.

Now, let’s talk about their potato balls ($1.49 each), or papa rellena. This creamy mashed potato shell is stuffed with their signature picadillo, a Cuban-styled ground beef filling with onion, bell pepper, and olives. It’s then covered in panko, and deep fried to perfection. It is bite-sized comfort food at its absolute finest. Dom and I devoured these crispy golden snacks instantly.

We also couldn’t resist another one of their signatures, the cheese roll ($1.19 each). Sweetened cream cheese rolled into flaky, buttery puff pastries, baked till golden crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside. We were both so shocked at how perfectly these all came together. I might have to buy a full box of that strudel. It is that good.

I love tamales, so I had to try it. The Cuban-style corn tamales ($3.49) were also on another level. Fresh sweet masa with little corn bits wrapped around a spicy, flavorful slow roasted pork filling. My only regret is not ordering more than one. Finally, we finished our meal with their iconic Spanish-style caramel flan ($3.90). The silky creamy custard is topped with glossy caramel that melts right into each bite. It was so smooth, so light, and absolutely timeless.

Everything here at Porto’s was absolutely delicious, and so unique. Definitely a 10/10! Porto’s, please open one in Vancouver. I promise I’ll be your number one customer!

Mandarin Coffee Stand

We’re going to Mandarin Coffee Stand to grab some coffees for the kai dong team in our LA head office. This is actually the most viral coffee place here in Pasadena right now. Located inside the Burlington Arcade, this coffee shop is small, with seatings outside the store. They serve Japanese and Taiwanese inspired coffee and drink creations, with flavors like black sesame, brown sugar, and yuzu.

Jenn, our operations manager, and Dom both chose the Vienna Coffee ($6.50), an espresso drink with house-made sweet cream and Taiwanese brown sugar. It’s very creamy, and is actually pretty good. For a sweet tooth like Dom, he would prefer it a little sweeter. This drink got a 9/10 from Jenn and an 8/10 from Dom!

I don’t drink coffee, but there’s still plenty of non-coffee drinks on the menu. I chose a matcha latte ($7) and a honey yuzu fizz ($5) for later. The matcha latte was pretty good as well, so I’d give it an 8/10. The yuzu tonic was refreshingly yummy. It’s the right amount of sweet and tart, and the fizziness makes it fun. Both drinks are great, but drinking 2 drinks was a lot for me at once. I did wish that I chose the matcha tonic instead, because that actually seemed like the best of both worlds!

Unique Asian Spots

Park’s BBQ

I’ve tried a few barbecue spots in LA, but Park’s BBQ in Koreatown might just be the best we’ve ever had. This Michelin-recommended KBBQ spot offers various high quality cuts of meat as well as staff-assisted grilling for the peak KBBQ experience. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the smoky aroma of meat sizzling right at the tables. It set the tone of the night perfectly. It’s so busy, yet the staff somehow manages to juggle five or six table at once.

Of course, we’re at Korean BBQ, so we’re obviously starting with banchan! The options here are so fresh, so flavorful, and most importantly, ENDLESS. They have everything from kimchi to pickled radish. You can literally refill whatever you love. My must-have is the rice paper to wrap with kimchi and slices of meat. It is the definition of a perfect bite. 

The meat quality here is next level. Imagine Prime Wagyu cuts that literally melt in your mouth. It was busy, but every single cut of meat still comes out perfectly cooked. We had to try a bit of everything from USDA prime flower meat Ggot Sal ($68), to ribeye bulgogi ($49). Of course, we had to get their signature marinated Gal-bi, or beef short ribs ($68). It was juicy, tender, and packed with flavor – definitely an iconic dish for a reason.

The real hidden gem of this restaurant is their short rib soup ($20). Their barbecue is next level, but the soup here is for sure on another planet. The broth was rich, the meat falls apart so easily it is practically deboned for you. The glass noodles is completely soaked in with that deeply beefy flavor.

Charles, thank you so much for recommending this. We will definitely be coming back. Oh my goodness! That was so good, it might be the best Korean barbecue in LA. I highly recommend checking out Park’s BBQ, it is absolutely chef’s kiss!

Woon

We headed over to Woon in Pasadena for some simple, but super flavorful Chinese family cooking. The Pasadena location is a popular spot for Asian-inspired brunch and dinner. The restaurant is SO CUTE, and reminds me of a Chinese tea house. The furnitures are all wooden, with bright red lacquered shelves and Chinese paintings on the wall.

The menu here is simple, familiar, yet modernized in all the right ways. We started our meal with an order of their Beef Noodles ($16). This homestyle chow mein has that perfect amount of wok-hei (鍋氣) charred flavor, with marinated flank steak, bok choy, and mushrooms.

Our next item is their Fried Rice ($15), with Chinese sausage, Chinese broccoli stems, and egg. I was so excited for this! This dish uses a combination of white and black rice, which adds a bit of a unique, chewy texture. The chewiness helps you savor the fragrant aroma of wok-hei and sausages in every bite.

Another must-try item? Mama Fong’s Five Spice Chicken Wing ($11). It’s crispy, and tender. Seasoned with five spice and garlic, I had to eat one after another of these wings.

I love that Woon also features other unique Asian local brands within their menu. For a refreshing drink, I grabbed a KACE Apple Jasmine Tea ($5). If you’re looking for dessert here, they also serve ice cream from 626 Hospitality, which we got to try later tonight.

Steep LA (10/10)

After our launch work day, Jenn and Chef Alan brought us to Steep LA for the Steep After Dark event. Located in LA Chinatown, this Asian fusion spot started as a pop-up during the pandemic. During the day, they’re a tea shop that serve pots of freshly brewed premium tea with snacks. For their cocktail hour, they switch gears to creative cocktails that reimagine traditional Asian teas into something bold yet creative. There’s also some unique foods on the menu to share with the group!

Their drinks here are so yummy and unique, it’s really hard to choose. There’s the Boom Boom Room 蹦蹦 ($17), which is like a spicy, citrusy Paloma with white tea. Then, there’s Sauvage Garden 野性花園 ($19), a gin drink of cilantro, tomato liqueur, green tea, lime, and sansho pepper. It really does taste like a bright, herby garden! Finally, Jumi Neutron 菊米.中子($16), with tequila, carbonated Jumi, longyan, and grapefruit. It is just like a super fruity, fizzy kombucha spritz. I think it’s the best Asian cocktail bar in LA! I definitely recommend coming with a group to try a little of everything!

Ototo (10/10)

Our next spot for the night with Jenn and Alan was Ototo LA. This sake bar specializes in Japanese tapas-style dishes, with unique specials depending on the season. No kidding, this was the BEST meal on this trip. The food here was familiar, but somehow they’re able to add their own twist.

We started with a Shiso Green Goddess Salad ($21) with white nectarines and almonds. It’s fresh and crunchy, with that sweet nectarine in every bite. Then, we moved on to classic Japanese bites, like okonomiyaki ($24), a savory cabbage pancake topped with Okonomi sauce and kewpie mayo, then sprinkled with bonito flakes and seaweed powder on top. We also ordered Yakisoba ($22) or pan-fried noodles with pork belly, chives, cabbage, sprouts, and a runny egg on top.

They also had the Ode to Mos Burger ($22) with Japanese-style with house-made chili “special sauce” and tomato on a sesame bun. You can also add cheese on top for $1, or some fries on the side for $7. It was definitely reminiscent of the classic Mos burger!

Ototo was the perfect spot to sit down and chat over tasty Japanese izakaya dishes and drink. Every one of these dishes were so simple, but so good. If you’re in the area, don’t miss out on Ototo LA!

626 Ice Cream (10/10)

Finally, to end the night, we headed to 626 Ice Cream for some desserts. This is an absolute must-try dessert spot, with fun rotating Asian-inspired flavors like Vietnamese coffee, Condensed Milk, Yuzu, Yakult, and more. Occasionally, they offer limited featured or collaborations soft serve creations that they announce through their Instagram.

626 Ice Cream is just like a frozen yogurt store. You choose what flavors of soft serve you want, then your toppings. These range from mini mochi bites to crushed graham crackers. For my cup, I chose a black sesame soft serve topped with mochi and crushed oreos ($7.25). It was the perfect way to end our foodie adventure day in LA!