Vietnamese banh mi is one of my favorite sandwiches. Prepared well, they are heavenly. The baguette has to be fresh, preferably baked in-house. Proteins can vary widely, but the constant is the pickled daikon and carrot mix. My favorite banh mi shop is Tan Hoang Huong and I’m curious if I’ll ever find one that…
Asian
Kotohira for Heavenly Japanese Udon Noodles
Twenty eight years ago, Tozai Plaza opened on the corner of Redondo Beach Blvd and Western Ave. in Gardena. The mini mall quickly became the buzz of the Japanese community because they opened new cutting edge restaurants. One of them was Kotohira and it is still operating today. As you drive by the busy intersection,…
A&J’s Seafood Shack Delivers Terrific Asian Fusion
While most restaurants are barely trying to weather the pandemic, some restaurant owners are brave enough to open. One such restaurant is A&J’s Seafood Shack, an Asian Fusion Seafood restaurant located in Long Beach. They soft-opened on April 10, 2020. A&J’s Seafood Shack is Cambodian owned and located in Cambodia Town in Long Beach. Cambodia…
Week 9 – Coronavirus Dining in LA
Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of health services for L.A. County, recently reported some good news suggesting that the effective transmission rate of the coronavirus is slightly decreasing. This is good news for all LA Country residents, but in particular, to small businesses that are weathering the storm. This week I am happy to report two…
Week 6 – Coronavirus Dining in LA
Gaetano’s Restaurant If you are looking for something different to do with the family, Gaetano’s has you covered. Gaetano’s Restaurant just added a Pizza Kit to their “To Go” line-up. The basic ($8.95) includes grated mozzarella and pizza sauce. Toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms are optional. Simple instructions are included with the kit…
Pa Ord Delivers Authentic Thai Food, No Really!
Editor’s Note: This visit took place prior to the coronavirus outbreak. Due to the city’s mandate, Pa Ord made the decision to move to take-out and Grubhub delivery. LA’s Thai Town is the place to frequent for some of LA’s best Thai food. Thai Town is a six-block stretch of Hollywood Boulevard crammed with Thai…
Burmese / Malay Cuisine at Mutiara Food and Market
While I am familiar with many Asian foods, I am not as familiar with southeast Asian cuisine. I enjoy Indonesian restaurants such as Simpang Asia and Stop Bye Cafe and made a goal to explore more of this region. I recently visited Mutiara Food and Market, a restaurant specializing in Burmese and Malaysian food. Mutiara…
Northern Thai, An Authentic Experience
LA is filled with many ethnic food enclaves. Some examples of this include Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, and the San Gabriel Valley. The Thai enclave, Thai Town, is taking greater notice thanks to Jet Tila and Anthony Bourdain. This Thai enclave is a six-block area with Hollywood Blvd to the north and between Normandie and…
Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr. Opens in Torrance
When you see “tendon” on a menu in a Japanese restaurant, it doesn’t refer to connective tissue. Tendon is short for tempura donburi or tempura rice bowl. Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr. recently opened in Old Town Torrance. My wife and I recently paid them a visit. The restaurant’s name is from the chef, Carlos Pinto….
Experience a Filipino-Inspired Thanksgiving Meal at Mari Los Angeles
This Saturday, Nov. 16, Mari at the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills is featuring a unique Filipino-inspired Thanksgiving meal. Chef Brian Bellicourt of Mari Los Angeles is teaming up with Chefs Ray Yaptinchay and Jay Tugas of Spoon & Pork for a one-night-only exclusive, Filipino-inspired feast. Thanksgiving is usually all about the…