665036 Thu Nov 05 15:59:27 -0800 2009 6 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5159397 My girlfriend and i are visiting our friends (who only recently moved to LA themselves) in January and I really want to make sure I hit the right food spots. New York is entirely devoid of decent Mexican food so thats a must, as is some great vietnamese. We will essentially eat anything that is good, but prefer places that aren't too trendy or hip. Prefer cheap for ethnic foods, but as our anniversary will occur while we are there, a tasty and fancier place recommendation would be appreciated. Thu Nov 05 15:59:27 -0800 2009 260913 svans 1 5159438 LA is emormous (per wikipedia, it spans nearly 500 square miles) so you'll get better recommendations if you say where you're staying, whether you'll have a car and how much you're open to driving. It's not the easiest place to get around, but when you experience the weather here in January and the amazing food, it'll all be worth it. Thu Nov 05 16:19:33 -0800 2009 5159397 12268 mollyomormon 1 5160012 Also, this is specific question that gets asked almost weekly by visitors to LA, often those from New York. You might try searching the site. Here's a thread from earlier this year: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/585417 I recommend Chichen Itza if you're anywhere near the general downtown area, but there are many, many options. Thu Nov 05 21:08:44 -0800 2009 5159397 10251 missyp 2 5160989 and if you make it to chichen itza with two people, i'd recommend one of you getting something at mo chica as well. it's really modern peruvian food that knocked my socks off. Fri Nov 06 09:19:58 -0800 2009 5160012 115162 bu dat 1 5161106 If you are looking for some great Vietnamese food, considering coming down to Orange County to the Little Saigon area. Worth the trip if you love ethnic and cheap eats. Fri Nov 06 10:02:19 -0800 2009 5159397 1118490 TNT Adventures 1 5161701 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/665083#5161257 Mr Taster Fri Nov 06 13:03:38 -0800 2009 5159397 17579 Mr Taster 2 5163925 LA k town has the best korean food in the whole US so I would suggest checkin out a couple spots there. Kobawoo is known for their pork belly wraps. All their food is good but you definitely want to go for this. They also have this for a lunch special which is only 10$ including all the sides and soup. Honey Pig also a pork belly but its BBQ on a grill with veggies and kimchee you grill together. At the end they make a spicy fried rice on the same grill you cooked the meats. For a traditional Japanese experience Shinsengumi in Torrance has chicken parts skewers and pub style (izakaya) tapas dishes Chinese dim sum in Chinatown Emperors Palace. Theres usually a long wait but thats a good sign for dim sum. If you dont mind traveling a little further Monterey Park is filled with good dim sum spots. You cant go wrong with any of them. Gjelina is a really good restaurant but its not Ethnic Mexican Food go to King Taco or El Taurino. Sat Nov 07 15:46:29 -0800 2009 5161701 242519 sumo3175