Where to Eat in Los Angeles
Strip malls hiding world-class food
LA doesn't have a downtown food scene — it has a thousand neighborhoods. Thai Town. Koreatown. The SGV for Chinese. The best Mexican food north of the border. You need a car, but you'll eat better than almost anywhere in America.
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Start Planning Your Los Angeles Food Trip →Neighborhoods to Know
Koreatown
Vibe: 24/7, neon-lit, overwhelming options
Best for: Korean BBQ, late night, karaoke fuel
Thai Town
Vibe: Concentrated, authentic, no frills
Best for: Thai food that rivals Bangkok
San Gabriel Valley
Vibe: Suburban, Chinese food mecca
Best for: Dim sum, regional Chinese, boba
Silver Lake/Echo Park
Vibe: Hip, brunch-heavy, walkable (for LA)
Best for: Coffee, breakfast burritos, natural wine
East LA/Boyle Heights
Vibe: Authentic, less gentrified, real deal
Best for: Mexican food from abuela's playbook
What to Eat
Tacos
Birria, al pastor, mariscos, breakfast. LA Mexican is its own thing.
Must try: Birria tacos with consommé for dipping
Korean BBQ
Grill your own meat, banchan for days, soju required.
Must try: AYCE (all you can eat) with friends, late night
Thai
Thai Town delivers. Isaan, boat noodles, papaya salad.
Must try: Boat noodles — small bowls, intense flavor
Dim Sum
SGV has multiple James Beard-worthy spots in strip malls.
Must try: Weekend dim sum with the carts, go early
Local Tips
- →You need a car. There's no way around it.
- →Strip malls are where the best food hides. Ugly exterior = good sign.
- →Koreatown is 24/7 — post-bar KBBQ is a lifestyle
- →East LA and SGV are worth the drive. Don't stay on the Westside.
- →Breakfast burritos are a religion. Find your spot.
When to Eat
Breakfast
8-10am
Breakfast burrito from a local spot
Lunch
11am-1pm
Dim sum or taco truck run
Dinner
7-9pm
KBBQ, Thai Town, or reserve ahead
Late night
10pm-2am
Koreatown never sleeps
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