Worldway Group U.S. immigration experts note that Los Angeles, known as the City of Angels, not only possesses abundant tourism resources in the United States but is also a gathering place for global cuisine. For new immigrants arriving in Los Angeles, from Santa Monica to Pasadena, do not miss these eight most delicious restaurants.
La
Boheme's main courses include a variety of chicken, duck, pork, beef, and lamb dishes. The $28 lamb shank is not only affordable, but its generous portion is also a pleasant surprise. Seeing a plate larger than a washbasin, even men will exclaim, "This portion is too big!" The lamb shank is tender and not greasy, served over Sicilian-style stewed vegetables; every bite feels like a warm breeze from the Aegean Sea.
Address: 8400 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 848-2360
Cuisine: Mediterranean Recommended Dishes: Sauvignon Blanc Steamed Mussels, Roasted Lamb Shank with Stewed Vegetables
Parking: Valet parking
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Value for Money: ★★★
Tipping Required: Yes
In-N-Out Burger
Many states in the U.S. have their own burger joints to be proud of, and California is no exception. When asked, the vast majority of locals in California will recommend In-N-Out. This long-standing establishment has been serving burgers made with fresh, high-quality beef since 1948.
In addition to consistent quality, the "secret menu" is another reason for this restaurant's fame. Although there are only a limited number of burgers and drinks on the standard menu, if you know the extensive secret menu, the variety of choices becomes much richer. Beyond the traditional single and double-double burgers, you can choose 3-layer or even 4-layer burgers. If you don't like raw onions, you can choose "animal style," as the onions are grilled.
Address: 7009 Sunset Blvd Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone: (800) 786-1000
Cuisine: Fast food
Parking: Parking lot
Recommended Dish: Double-Double Burger
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Value for Money: ★
Tipping Required: No
Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant
Most of the earliest immigrants to Los Angeles were from the Chaoshan region, so it is no surprise that the first batch of Chinese restaurants were Cantonese.
Although Sichuan cuisine and hot pot have caught up, Cantonese cuisine in Los Angeles has always had a group of loyal gourmets. While they cannot be compared to the long-established restaurants in China, the dim sum shops in Los Angeles are very particular about every detail. Several well-regarded Cantonese restaurants have long queues shortly after opening on weekends.
Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant, considered by many to be the number one dim sum spot in Los Angeles, excels in taste, environment, and overall standards.
The shrimp in the shrimp dumplings are large and plump, and the translucent pink skin is crystal clear and chewy. The "Snow Mountain Bun" is also one of Sea Harbour's signature dim sum items; similar to a pineapple custard bun, but from the crust to the filling, it is pure white. The milky, semi-liquid filling is like flowing sand, yet more delicate and fragrant. Meat dishes like steamed pork ribs and steamed chicken feet are also quite commendable.
Address: 3939 Rosemead Blvd Rosemead, CA 91770
Phone: (626) 288-3939
Cuisine: Chinese Cantonese
Recommended Dishes: Shrimp Dumplings, Snow Mountain Buns
Parking: Parking lot
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Value for Money: ★★
Tipping Required: Yes
Maison Akira
This Japanese-French fusion restaurant in Pasadena is well-known. The chef is Japanese, so the portion sizes and ingredient selection are very Japanese, but the cooking techniques incorporate French culinary elements, offering a richer variety of methods than traditional Japanese cuisine.
Dish options include both à la carte and a tasting menu; the latter is selected by the restaurant based on the day's ingredients and customer preferences, often featuring the restaurant's signature dishes. This saves customers the trouble of ordering and allows them to taste the restaurant's specialties.
The portions at this restaurant are not large, but they are exquisite. The bento box set is highly recommended. This bento offers great value for money; the deluxe version is very well-composed, including signature dishes, and comes with various desserts.
The Grilled Miso Marinated Chilean Sea Bass is also a signature dish. It is said that this dish was prepared for the Emperor of Japan when he visited Los Angeles.
Address: 713 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Phone: (626) 796-9501
Cuisine: French-Japanese Fusion
Recommended Dish: Deluxe Bento Set
Parking: Parking lot
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Value for Money: ★★★
Tipping Required: Yes
Gottsui
The Sawtelle area of Los Angeles is nicknamed "Little Osaka." This small community next to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a hub for Japanese restaurants. For those looking to try something new, besides standard ramen, Okonomiyaki, which is not common in China, is a great choice.
Gottsui specializes in various flavors of Okonomiyaki, and everything from the decor to the menu design is very youthful. Gottsui's main courses are divided into three categories: Okonomiyaki, Modan-yaki (Hiroshima-style), and Yakisoba. They also offer a variety of delicious milkshakes and fruit juices. If you want to try dessert after your meal, their Imagawayaki is also a good choice. Imagawayaki is a red bean pancake; soft and sweet red bean paste paired with a scoop of ice cream makes the summer heat disappear instantly. This Okonomiyaki restaurant has two locations in Los Angeles.
Address: 2119 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: (310)478-0521
Cuisine: Japanese Recommended Dishes: Okonomiyaki, Imagawayaki
Parking: Valet, street parking
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Value for Money: ★★
Tipping Required: Yes
Moonshadows
Located by the sea in Malibu, Moonshadows boasts unbeatable sunset views and delicious seafood cuisine. Whether you are gathering with friends or with your beloved, this is a great choice. Of course, with the stunning scenery and superb cuisine, the prices here are not low, making it the top choice for many literary and trendy individuals.
Moonshadows takes full advantage of its geography; most tables are set by the ocean-facing windows, and interior tables are thoughtfully placed on elevated platforms to ensure a view. At night, the restaurant has exterior lights shining onto the sea, so even after nightfall, the view outside the window is not pitch black. Besides the scenery, the food is also excellent. For appetizers, the scallops are recommended. Pan-seared scallops really test a chef's skill; balancing the enhancement of aroma while keeping the meat fresh and tender is no easy task. Their scallops are fresh, tender, and plump, cooked to perfection, and very stimulating to the taste buds. Additionally, the Tuna Steak is also good, tender and smooth with rich layers, locking in the freshness of the tuna.
Address: 20356 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA90265-5428
Phone: (310) 456-3010
Cuisine: American Recommended Dishes: Pan-seared Scallops, Tuna Steak
Parking: Valet parking
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Value for Money: ★★★
Tipping Required: Yes
Urth
This locally-grown organic coffee shop, proudly produced in Los Angeles, is one of the most popular coffee spots in the Downtown area. You will see trendy, tattooed young artists coming and going, and occasionally police officers wearing wide-brimmed hats. One would think that police officers patrolling the streets every day are very familiar with the area, and a cafe they approve of must have its merits.
When dusk falls, Urth is at its busiest. The street is filled with metal tables and chairs, and by the dim light of heaters and candles, people chat and share stories. If you don't like coffee, you can also choose healthy vegetable and fruit juices.
Urth's Napoleon and Matcha Tiramisu are the desserts you must try. From the puff pastry to the custard, everything is homemade by the restaurant, with stable quality and excellent taste. They also provide light meals, ranging from soup and pizza to stuffed bagels. The "long" business hours, from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM, can satisfy delicious cravings at different times of the day.
Address: 451 S Hewitt St Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (213) 797-4534
Cuisine: Italian
Recommended Dishes: Latte, Napoleon
Parking: Street parking
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Value for Money: ★★
Tipping Required: Yes
Eight Korean BBQ
There are countless Korean BBQ restaurants in Los Angeles' Koreatown, and the differences are not significant, but this "Eight Korean BBQ" is absolutely unique.
Speaking of best-sellers, their Eight-Flavor BBQ set is definitely worth a try. The set includes eight strips of secret-marinated pork belly, seafood soup, grilled vegetables and mushrooms, and finally, Korean-style fried rice made with the seafood soup and grilled vegetables. The so-called eight-flavor BBQ refers to eight special marinades: red wine, original, ginseng, garlic, spice, curry, miso, and chili. The flavors range from light to heavy, showing foodies the versatility of Korean BBQ. When grilling, the waiter will help you season starting from the red wine flavor, all the way to the final chili flavor. The varied flavors are sure to stimulate your taste buds.
Address: 863 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Phone: (213) 365-1750
Cuisine: Korean
Parking: Parking lot
Recommended Dish: Eight-Flavor BBQ Set
Credit Cards Accepted: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Value for Money: ★★
Tipping Required: Yes
