Midtown Lunch

At this point it’s common knowledge that Los Angeles is home to the most culturally diverse food landscape in all of the country (possibly the world.)  But to call it a melting pot would be a little misleading, since most of the best versions of each cuisine represented in L.A. can mostly be found in their own specific neighborhood.  Thai food in Thai Town, Korean food in Koreatown, and so on.  Good Chinese food outside of Chinatown and the San Gabriel Valley?  Good luck.  Naturally, there are exceptions.  And as more and more people become interested in following Jonathan Gold to the next foreign treasure it only makes sense that more treasures are creeping outside of their own enclaves.

Boyle Heights’ Guisados opened up a new Echo Park location less than 3 miles away from the original. A second Mariscos Jalisco truck?  Same deal.  And now there’s Pa Ord, the boat noodle specialist from Thai Town who recently bought Thai Foon on La Brea and Sunset.  Close enough to Thai Town to make you consider just going to the original, far enough a way to make it conveniently worth it not to.

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I’m going to give this place the benefit of the doubt and presume that their terrible name is completely unintentional.  After all Gangnam is a district in Korea, and there’s no use of the word “style” or any stupid music references in this otherwise modern but understated spot.

I’m also going to put aside the slightly higher-than-they-should-be prices, because it is on Melrose near La Brea and finding good Korean food outside of Koreatown is already an exercise in futility.  If paying a little extra is what it takes to get good soondubu west of Western, I’ll take it.  And make no mistake about it, this place serves up some good soondubu.

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When Tsujita first announced that they’d be taking over the old Miyata Menji space to open an “Annex” it made total sense.  The  popular ramen spot on Sawtelle has been perpetually packed for lunch since word got out that they were serving the best bowl of ramen in L.A.  Plus, the original space turns into a ramen-less izakaya at night so having a replicon across the street would not only lessen the lines during lunch but would also give Tsujita’s legions of fans an opportunity to eat their ramen for dinner.

Well, the Annex had their grand opening yesterday after a 4 day invite only trial period and you might be surprised to hear that the bowl of ramen they’re serving is absolutely nothing like the original.  The good news is, it’s nothing like any of the other bowls of ramen in Los Angeles either.

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North Korean blood sausage. Courtesy of Victoria Kim/LAT

• CULVER CITY Shocker: Lyfe Kitchen isn’t good [Squid Ink]
• CULVER CITY Mama’s Indian Kitchen has taken over Lawrence of India [Grub St.]
• DTLA Spicy Crab Shack is now open next to Orochon [Brigham Yen]
• KTOWN Yu Huang specializes in N. Korea blood sausage [LAT]
• KTOWN Koko makes damn good Korean fried chx [Tasting Table]
• MID CITY Hollywood Pies is now serving thin crust pizza too [Thrillist]
• SAMO Here’s a look at the new location of Tinga [Eater]
• WEST LA Sawtelle Kitchen has closed!? [Eater]
• EVENTS Mexicali & Mariscos Jalisco share honors at Taco Madness [Grub St.]

When Urban Garden first popped up on Fairfax last year I heard mixed things about the fast casual Mediterranean joint from the owner of Mercantile and Delancey. Hosted bloggers seem to like it enough (shocker!), while real customers complained a bit about the price.  But the thing I heard the most about was how confusing the menu was. Always up for a dissecting-the-menu challenge I finally got myself over to Fairfax for a good old fashioned falafel and rotisserie chicken face stuffing.

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When Hollywood Pies first started “delivering” pizzas from a parking lot near Robertson and Pico 2 years ago I was intrigued. How could I not be?  All the heavy deliciousness of a Chicago style deep dish, combined with the heavy thrill of a nighttime drug deal.What could be bad about that?  I’ll tell you what.  Like any good pusher, they only sold pizzas at night!  So I waited.  And waited, hoping that one day I’d be able to satisfy my daytime fix with a Noon order of one of their much praised pies.

Well, that day has finally come.  They finally opened a sit down, brick and mortar location (a pizza dispensary, if you will) and they’re open for lunch on Fridays and Saturdays from Noon to 3pm.

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$9 Lunch Special from Sticky Rice in the Grand Central Market

• CULVER CITY Industry Cafe & Jazz is hosting a pop up lunch [Food GPS]
• DTLA Sticky Rice is now open at Grand Central Market [Squid Ink]
• DTLA Mendocino Farms is now open inside Figat7th [Brigham Yen]
• DTLA It’s official. Chego is moving from Palms to Chinatown [Squid Ink]
• KTOWN King Hot Dog is now open [Squid Ink]
• VENICE Komodo is coming to Main Street [Unemployed Eater]
• WEHO What’s an Israeli burger!? [Eater]
• FREE FOOD Tomorrow is Ben & Jerry’s free cone day [ML]