Tsujita LA in Sawtelle, Los Angeles is the LA outpost of Tokyo's Tsujita, simmering tonkotsu broth for 60 hours and serving it as ramen and tsukemen.
Must order: Tonkotsu tsukemen at lunch only.
Tip: Tsukemen is served exclusively before 15:00; after 15:00 the menu switches to ramen and stays open until 02:00.
Address: 2057 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Matt Molina's Hippo in Highland Park, Los Angeles is a 50-seat Italian-California room serving handmade pastas from the Mozza alum since 2021.
Order: Mortadella and pickle, the focaccia, and any pasta on the chalkboard.
Tip: The chalkboard menu changes weekly; reservations only on OpenTable, four weeks out.
Chi Spacca on Melrose, Los Angeles is Nancy Silverton's Mozza-family Italian steakhouse, plating a bistecca for two and a focaccia di Recco worth a detour.
Order: Bistecca alla Fiorentina for two; the focaccia di Recco to start.
Tip: Walk-in counter seats serve the full menu; Nancy Silverton's bakery shares the building.
Quarters Korean BBQ in Chapman Plaza, Koreatown, serves marinated and unmarinated cuts in quarter-pound portions, encouraging diners to sample widely.
Order: A platter of marinated short rib, brisket and pork belly, plus a soju cocktail.
Tip: Quarter-pound portions let two people taste eight cuts; the staff manages the grill so you do not over-char the galbi.
Chosun Galbee on Olympic Boulevard has grilled charcoal galbi in Koreatown since 1989, in a large patio-and-hall room that seats up to 300 guests.
Order: Marinated kalbi short rib over hardwood charcoal and a portion of dwenjang jjigae.
Tip: Patio tables are the local order; ask for charcoal not gas, and book at least a week ahead on a weekend.
Soowon Galbi on Vermont Avenue, Koreatown, grills charcoal short rib galbi as the house specialty in a 2000s-era room beloved by Korean families.
Order: The charcoal galbi set with banchan and a pot of doenjang jjigae for the table.
Tip: Soowon uses real charcoal, not gas; arrive before 19:00 on weekends or expect a 60 minute wait.
Tacos Tu Madre on Westwood Boulevard near UCLA, Los Angeles, is a small walk-up window for tacos, burritos and famous loaded carne asada fries.
Order: Carne asada fries piled with cheese, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo.
Tip: Order at the walk-up window; the line moves fast and the half-portion is a meal for one.
