Ta Bom Truck

All sorts of Brazilian cuisine in a truck!

I was walking around art walk and this food truck caught my eye. I especially wanted to try the cream croquettes. I definitely was not disappointed. I really enjoyed how the cheese/cream complimented the meat that was inside. The meat was very tender and the cheese/cream was very savory, and the crust on the outside was crisp enough to hold everything in.

At $3 for each croquette, I thought the price was a bit pricey, but worth it. I usually like spicy things, but I had to say that the regular croquette was better.

If you're into trying different things, then this is the place to go!

Los Angeles, CA
(213) 500-8078

Border Grill Truck

Not you typical Mexican Food Truck

If you are looking for typical Mexican food, this is the wrong place to go. This place serves more Americanized fusion type of tacos, and quesadillas.

The cuisine is pretty good, especially the Ceviche in a cone. The fish was very fresh and the lime complimented the fish in a very good way.

The prices were a bit high for the type of finger food that they serve however, and they charge tax for your food! Anyways it was a decent experience, but I'm just more into more authentic gritty Mexican food.

Los Angeles, CA
(213) 542-1102

Simbala Restaurant

A place to try Taiwanese sausages!

My friend took me here saying that this was the place to try authentic Taiwanese sausages. I have to say that it was a very pleasant experience. The prices are very decent ($5-$7 for a dish), and the quality is very good.

There are some very interesting sauces you can mix with the sausages, such as mango sauce and for the more daring chocolate sauce. The saltiness of the sausage goes very well with the sweetness of the sauces. Of course it you are not into that type of thing there are the normal sauces too.

Great experience, I'm looking forward to trying this place again!

18489 Colima Rd
Rowland Heights, CA 91748
(626) 581-9885

Yamamotoyama

Some great matcha green tea!

Usually when going to Mitsuwa Marketplace, I usually just go into the super market and buy bottled milk tea or coffee milk tea. I decided to try something different however: Yamamotoyama's #4 large matcha green tea with milk.
For $3.50 you can get a large iced green milk tea (which is like a smoothie, only green tea flavored) It is a little pricey and there is a little too much ice, but over all it test very good, and it seems to be very healthy (without all the sugar in Jamaba Juice which is still about $3-$5 dollars)

They have other teas too (mainly for home brewing), which I heard is top notch in Japan; however I'll just stick the matcha tea!

21515 S Western Ave
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 533-1191

Soi 7

Fusion Thai cuisine in the heart of downtown LA

I was pleasantly surprised with Soi 7. At first, I came here expecting that the dishes would be underwhelming and overpriced. The prices are fairly decent (being downtown LA) at around $10-$15 dollars, which is still a bit on the pricey side.

I order the spicy spaghetti, which is spicy "Thai-style " spaghetti (asian stir-fry with vegetables and some meat) for $11. It was flavorful without having a lot of the grease and oil. Yes, Soi 7 it isn't really an authentic Thai restaurant, but if you just base it on presentation and food selection, this place isn't too bad.

I would recommend it for casual business meetings/lunches or if Bottega Louie next door is full, then a date place.

518 W 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 537-0333

Yuzu

Great selection of authentic Japanese food!

I was pretty blown away by this restaurant to be honest. Most Japanese restaurants are only average to me, but I will take an exception to Yuzu.

Although this place is a bit pricy, the food is worth it, unlike many fusion restaurants who bump the price solely based on designer looks.  The beef tongue and Kobe beef were well above par.  The grilled jidoti chicken was cooked just right and the skin was very crisp.

This place doesn't really have sushi and ramen, which I think has become overplayed, making Yuzu a fresh breath of air.This place is kind of hidden, but I would definitely take a date or celebrate a birthday here.

1231 Cabrillo Ave
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 533-9898

New Chong Qing

A good place for Sichuan-style Chinese food.

Any place that has spicy food, I fall in love with. Most places with Sichuan food I am madly in love with.

Although I have had better Sichuan water cooked fish at other places, New Chong Qing was decent (and spicy). The lamb was also good, with very tender meat; unfortunately there was more bone than meat.

The only thing I didn't really like was that the dishes were a bit on the small side, and there could of been more meat instead of so many chillies in a couple of the dishes.

Anyways great dining experience with friends, and afterwards you can go next door and get some half and half boba.

120 N San Gabriel Blvd
San Gabriel, CA 91775
(626) 309-0836