8 Dishes to Try Before You Leave LA
Ranked by how much they say about this city — dishes that tell the story of its people
1
Coming to LA without stopping at In-N-Out is like not arriving at all — the California burger chain locals fiercely love. Fresh, never-frozen beef and fries cut from whole potatoes right at the counter. Order a Double-Double (two patties, two cheese slices), then say "Animal Style" for a mustard-fried patty, caramelized onions, and extra spread — secret-menu items that aren't on the board but every employee knows. The cheapest item on this list relative to quality.
2
LA has the largest Korean community outside Korea, and Koreatown is grill heaven — marinated galbi (beef short rib), samgyeopsal (pork belly) grilled at your table, with endless refills of banchan (side dishes). Wrap it in lettuce with ssamjang and eat with rice. Many spots are all-you-can-eat per person, open late into the early morning. Go in a group for the best value and the most fun. Popular places have a wait on Friday and Saturday nights — arrive before 8pm.
3
LA is the best taco city in America, and al pastor is the king — pork marinated in dried chilies and spices, stacked on a vertical spit and roasted like a kebab (a Lebanese-immigrant influence), then shaved onto small corn tortillas with onion, cilantro, and grilled pineapple that cuts the richness with a touch of sweet. Squeeze lime, add green salsa, and eat it standing by the truck. Taco trucks and taquerías across the city are where the real thing lives — not fancy restaurants.
4
LA is one of the best places for sushi outside Japan — from Michelin-level omakase to affordable sushi bars. Most fish is flown in fresh from Tokyo's Toyosu market. Little Tokyo downtown and Sawtelle on the Westside (Little Osaka) are the two neighbourhoods where the real Japanese food is. On a budget, try à-la-carte sushi (order by the plate) or the trendy hand-roll bars — fresher and far better value than omakase.
5
Nothing is more LA than a healthy breakfast by the beach — an açaí bowl is frozen-blended açaí (a Brazilian berry) with a sorbet-like texture, topped with crunchy granola, banana, strawberry, chia seeds, honey, and peanut butter. Naturally sweet, cold, and refreshing — perfect after a walk on Venice Beach or before a Runyon Canyon hike. Vegan by default. Found at juice bars and cafes all over the Westside.
6
A dish actually born in LA, back in 1908 — roasted beef (or pork/turkey) thin-sliced on a soft-inside, crusty-outside French roll, served with a cup of au jus (clear gravy) to dip the whole sandwich before each bite. Hot and juicy. Two legends, Philippe the Original and Cole's, still argue over who invented it — both have been open over a century and are still busy. Add some spicy mustard and pair with a cold beer. Classic LA that many visitors overlook.
7
A pairing that sounds odd but works better than you'd expect — hot crispy fried chicken on a soft buttery waffle, drizzled with maple syrup and melted butter. The salty-sweet-rich combo is surprisingly perfect. Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles has been an LA soul-food institution since 1975, beloved by the Black community and Hollywood celebrities alike. Several locations across the city. There's a line at weekend brunch, but it's worth the wait. Pair it with sweet tea or lemonade.
8
This is food truly "born" in LA — in 2008, chef Roy Choi put Korean-marinated short rib into a corn tortilla, topped it with chopped kimchi slaw and chili sauce, and sold it from a food truck that announced its location on Twitter — sparking the food-truck craze across America. Bold and loud: sweet, salty, spicy, and sour in one bite. Track the Kogi Truck via its social channels, or try one of the many Korean-Mexican fusion spots that followed in its wake.