5 Best Hidden Gem Restaurants In Los Angeles
Los Angeles is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, but there are always hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered. From old-school joints that have been around for decades, to celebrity-owned hotspots, to trendy new additions where the food is as Instagrammable as it is delicious, this city has something for everyone.
Los Angeles is known as the entertainment capital of the world. It is home to a wide variety of attractions and activities, including movie studios, famous museums, parks, conventions, breweries, outdoor activities, vibrant nightlife, and much more.
But there’s a lot more than just those fancy places you already know about. If you want to explore foods while you travel, then you should consider dining at one of these five hidden food gems in Los Angeles.
1. Banadir Somali Restaurant
The only Somali restaurant in LA, Banadir in Inglewood serves as the center of the neighborhood’s Somali community. At breakfast, platters of chicken suqaar are served alongside large half moons of anjera—a fermented sorghum pancake similar to Ethiopian injera.
But the must-order for lunch and dinner is a big rice platter with either goat, chicken, or fish on it. In addition to the meal, bananas and spiced black tea are offered with both rice and spaghetti options, with unlimited refills.
2. El Churrasco Chapin (Guatemalan Restaurant)
This East Hollywood strip mall eatery offers delicious plates of churrasco, or Guatemalan barbecue, along with other Central American specialties. Each serving includes guacamole, refried black beans, yellow rice, tender ranchera steak that has been grilled and hammered thin, as well as wilted green onions and peppers.
Despite the fact that Southern California has a sizable Guatemalan population, Guatemalan food is rarely featured in Los Angeles. El Churrasco Chapin also sells shucos, a Guatemalan version of hot dogs that includes a toasted rectangular bun, guacamole, peppers, onions, and pickled cabbage.
3. Otomisan (Japanese Food)
This tiny Japanese neighborhood spot, which dates back to 1956, is one of the few reminders that the Boyle Heights neighborhood was once home to Japanese immigrants. It continues to be adored by the neighborhood even after decades of operation.
Today, Otomisan serves up affordable Japanese comfort food like teriyaki plates, pork tonkatsu, and warm, wakame-laced bowls of tempura-topped udon, all in a no-frills, homey restaurant that also happens to be a living piece of Los Angeles history.
4. Aladin Sweets & Market (Bengali Restaurant)
Despite being located in Rampart Village, Little Bangladesh is just a short distance away from this tiny market, which serves delectable Bengali food from the area that lies between Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal.
Aladin Sweets & Market is also one of the few places in town where you can get Mughlai parathas, a popular Bangladeshi street food filled with fried eggs and chili. Their menu features distinctive regional dishes like lamb mutton biryani and rohu fish curry.
5. Kurrypinch (Sri Lankan Restaurant)
The lack of Sri Lankan restaurants in Greater Los Angeles makes Kurrypinch in Van Nuys all the more unique. For those eager to experience a taste of Sri Lanka, the straightforward restaurant serves delicious rice-flour dishes like string hopper pilau, grilled meats, curries in a bowl, and many others.
Conclusion:
It’s almost impossible to keep up with all of the incredible restaurants in Los Angeles. The city is full of hidden gems, and it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best hidden gem restaurants in Los Angeles for you! And now that you have a few more ideas for places to go while you’re in the area, pack your bags and call us to book a ride!
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Hopefully, this post will help you find a new favorite restaurant while in the City of Angels. If you’re looking for more places to visit, we recommend you visit the top hidden gems in LA. To get a hassle-free travel experience, here’s a travel tip for you!
