This week's recommendations include the really well-made "The Menu" burger at Irv's Burgers in West Hollywood and salted egg fried crab in San Gabriel.
One of Tokyo’s most celebrated ramen shops, Afuri, is opening a massive new restaurant in the heart of LA’s Arts District on June 11. With shops in Portland and the San Francisco Bay Area, Afuri hopes to make a strong impression on Los Angeles with a signature yuzu-shio broth that incorporates both chicken and seafood, plus noodles made on the premises. With a worldwide presence, solid following in Japan, and strong start in the U.S., Afuri is definitely the most exciting new ramen spot to open in Los Angeles in some time.
The ramen scene in Los Angeles has had multiple waves, from the early shops in Little Tokyo, Sawtelle Japantown, and Gardena to the slightly newer places spread across the center of the city and out into the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, and beyond. Various styles have flourished over the decades too, from spicy tantanmen like the bowls found at Killer Noodle to the garlic-bombed richness of Tsujita Annex. Of late Angelenos have preferred the rich,
West LA hasn’t always been considered the most vibrant dining neighborhood in the city, but that’s okay. These days Japanese cuisine of all sorts thrives on Sawtelle and longstanding stars in ‘Tehrangeles’ offer some of the best Persian food to say nothing of the area’s Michelin-level feasts, enduring breakfasts, and quality Thai food. Frankly, there’s maybe never been a better time to dine adjacent to the 405. Here now, the 13 essential West LA restaurants from West to East.
Added: Emporium Thai, Javan, John O’Groats, Shamshiri Grill, Sonoritas Prime Tacos, Tacos Tu Madre
Removed: Audrey At The Hammer (closed), Jon & Vinny’s Brentwood, Killer Noodle, Mala Town, Masakazu, Nanbankan, Pizzana Brentwood, Red Rock, Vincenti RistoranteRead More