One last hurrah in Los Angeles

With only a couple days to go, J. Kao and I head out for one last trip to LA to just chill and chow. For so long I was promised a Hong Kong style breakfast, yet much like a recent post, it wasn't until the end till I was finally taken out... but hey I can't complain, since I'll be having the real deal in few months. (WOOT) 

But damn was I shown what was up, as soon as we sat down we ended up getting the whole shebang (pretty much anyways). Being only two people between us, it's amazing at the fact that we had a single bowl left to go. But it was seriously not that hard to put in work on this spectacular feast, personally I love love love Chinese breakfast and this hit me right in the sweet spot. Thank you very much for giving me a preview.

(Photography only lasted up until the first bite, seriously, I forgot about everything else as soon as I dug in.) 

1.Pineapple Bun w/ Butter: No real melon included, it's just named after it's appearance. It's my personal favorite combination of slightly sweet bread and salty butter (magic). -

2. HK-style French Toast w/ peanut butter: It's as good as it sounds, straight up.

3. Fermented Egg Congee: There's something about this one that makes it so much better than others. Savory chicken broth perhaps?  

4. Chinese Churro w/ rice wrap and peanut sauce: Guilty pleasure, stretch pants not included.

5.Ham & Egg Sandwich: Bare bones in simplicity, but I find a certain charm about in how it reminds me about my younger days. I'm told this a traditional thing for the old men to snack on before they go out to spend their days playing Mahjong  

6. Horlick: Not as sweet as I was expecting to be but incredibly refreshing and a pleasant palate cleanser. 

7. Ovaltine: J. Kao's personal favorite drink growing up.

After a brief interlude through downtown, what could a trip here be without visiting our favorite watering-hole, Handsome Coffee Roasters? See that simple menu, love it! The fine print makes it sound pretentious,
but it keeps the Starbucks crowd out. 

After deciding to stay local we ended up with the mega cravings for noodles, and since the ever-so-popular Daikokuya, is always packed we gave a quick search on yelp only to discover an equally intriguing spot only a few doors down. 

Being the group that we are, this cordial dinner turned into another veritable feast! Bowls and tempura for days, some of the notable side orders where the deep fried egg (possibly duck) which carried a deep yellow yolk, soo good. Among all the other bowls, the highest of recommendations can go the Uni Udon! So magnificently rich and decadent, that it has actual (generous I might add) chunks of tasty sea urchin floating about on ever bite. As a friend would put it, it looked like a hundred sea urchins died to make that dish, I have no shame. 

What's amazing is the lack of notoriety this place even gets! Half the people in here look like stragglers who didn't want to wait an hour plus over at Daikokuya and decided to compromise on the "other noodle place". But unbeknownst to their know, their about to get the rug pulled from underneath them. No matter tho, let all the attention go the hype machine and I'll just continue strolling in with only a few minutes wait. Haha

With our conquest of gluttony a success, the only thing left is one last drive through downtown and enjoy the lit up skyline as we say good bye one more time.  

Delicious Food Corner

2327 S Garfield Ave

Monterey Park, CA 91754

Marugame Monzo

329 E 1st St

Los Angeles, CA 90012

LA Top Picks

My collaboration with Jamie Kao, my travel buddy and fellow food enthusiast. Here's our favorite spots we've come to love over our many trips to LA. 

Forage

There's a wonderful ambiance that makes it feel so familiar and communal. It took me a while and a friend to point out that it almost takes you back to the cafeteria days in school, what with all the trays you carry  to a table that has an open spot (no "savsies" on the tables, someone is bound to remind you). 

 Aside from the cafeteria feel, their food is way beyond that point. Everything is fresh, flavorful and, I must say, beautiful to look at (straight out of Kinfolk Magazine). My first try was the Pork Belly, when you utter those words you expect something, so be ready! Plus what I find the most delightful about their menu is the variety of sides that you cannot go wrong in choosing, (baked carrots or the chickpeas,kale, & quinoa).

After my first and only try, it's now among my top places to go eat. A must try!

- Photos courtesy of J Kao 

3823 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Handsome Coffee Roasters

Sadly I’m rather disappointed with the large amount of detractors who harshly complain about the lack of sugar. This place is grounded on the idea that coffee should be respected and there for shouldn’t be tampered with, so that you can actually taste what it’s all about. Yes, it is bit pretentious, but these people have really gone out to source quality beans and brew them in such a way that you can get the full experience (take a look at the profiles of the roasters on the website, you’re actually in pretty good hands). Besides would you drown good scotch in coke?

As much as one would deny, if any, this is in fact a hipster joint. Located in the middle of a bunch of warehouses in the artists district, where you almost have to be “in the know” to find this place, just screams it. But once found, you come to appreciate the chic minimalism while noticing the undoubtedly handsome roasters that gives it the name. 

Their variety is simple and to the point, much like their drinks. You have an option 3oz, 5oz, or 10oz cups. Yes, there is no sugar here, but that’s what I love, I’m able to get the full heavy profile in every sip. I can’t say I’m an experienced coffee drinker just yet, but I’ve had my fair share of some quality blends (Intelligentsia, Blue Bottle, Philz), and this place serves some of the best I’ve had (I plan my days around here whenever I’m in town). 

If you’re hungry,  Egg Slut is typically parked just outside and they have an awesome agreement with HR to let you eat in. Craving those sweets? Bread Lounge down the street has got you covered. What few things can compare to the combination of a cup of coffee & a pastry?  

So yes, this place is not what you are used to but I honestly hope that you can sit down and give this a chance, it’ll charm the pants right off you (figuratively speaking). 

And just to reiterate that’s stated above, suck it up or go to Starbucks, they have all the sugar and non-dairy milk you want.

-Photos courtesy of J Kao

582 Mateo St

Los Angeles, CA 90013