Random Post 2 - My Favorite Restaurants in LA

After spending four years in Los Angeles, one thing I cannot get enough of is exploring the restaurants around the city and finding special food places to eat at. With so many food places to eat at, finding the good places that are worth the money can be hard to find, but as my last month of college rolls around, here are the four best places to eat in LA:

1. Hama Sushi

This small restaurant is located in Little Tokyo, and they only accept waitlists in person. With only a few seats available, there is a good amount of waiting time, but it is nice to put your name down and explore other mini-shops in Little Tokyo. If you like sushi, this place is one of the most authentic and high-quality sushi places you can find in the area. You can order each piece individually, from the regular nigiri and sashimi to the specialty rolls. 

2. Ave 26 Tacos

Ave 26 Tacos is a taco stand located in East LA. It is one of the biggest taco stands in Los Angeles, and it is always crowded with people trying to get a quick grab-and-go no matter the time of the night. It is the perfect place to go with your friends after a night out, when everyone is craving a late-night snack and some fresh air. The taco stand is very large in scale, and it also has a dessert stand next to it if you are craving another round of snacks afterward. Taco stands are definitely something very popular around this area, but I don't think anything can beat this particular place.

3. Pho 87

Pho 87 is a Vietnamese pho place located near Chinatown in Los Angeles. I would consider this place to be one of the fastest restaurants in the area but also has amazing quality. Within five minutes of ordering, your order is out and ready to eat. The soup of the pho is extremely deep and well-brewed, while the meat is very fresh and goes perfectly with the noodles. While the price is reasonable, they also give you very large portions which is extremely filling. This is definitely one of the most authentic pho places you can try out in LA if you love Asian soup-based dishes. 

4. Tokki 

Tokki is an Asian fusion restaurant located in Koreatown. As a Korean myself, I believe all of the other Korean restaurants in the area are up to par, with authentic Korean dishes and tastes. However, Tokki stands out the most due to its unique dishes that very well describe the word "fusion". It is the perfect balance of Asian and Western taste buds, like their rosé tteokbokki and uni toast. The restaurant is most appropriate for a special occasion, like a birthday or dinner date. 

5. Lavo

The last restaurant is a classic Italian restaurant located in West Hollywood. While it is on the pricier side and their food is not the most life-changing, it is a nice to have experience including the ambiance of the restaurant and the fancy dinner dishes you get to try out. I would recommend trying the Hamachi Crudo and the spicy vodka pasta, which can be a good combination of a light appetizer and a flavorful main dish. Their pizzas are also something I would like to try the next time I visit.

As a foodie and someone who enjoys spending time with others over food, visiting new restaurants in Los Angeles has been a core memory throughout my college life, and I hope to visit these places again while I am in the area.