Experiencing authentic Asian cuisine is more than ordering takeout. Though it is always an easy option, many are unaware that the real Asian flavour is very different from convenient delivery chains.
Delivery chains are not bad, but the food is often created to please the common American palate. True Asian food has spicy tones and flavours that can range from subtle to strong. This type of experience can only be found in a quality Asian restaurant.
Fortunately, in Los Angeles, there is more than one option to delight consumers’ palates. Several restaurants have been deemed worthy of a visit by members of MasterChef, and they surely know how to leave a unique impression.
So, let’s get our phones, check if any of these places work with a restaurant reservation system, and get ready to travel to the elite of Asian cuisine in Los Angeles.
Elite Restaurant – The Jewel of Monterey Park
When looking for first-class Chinese food, one of our favourite places is Elite Restaurant. Its dishes seek to recreate authentic Chinese cuisine, using ingredients and techniques that maximize the flavour and experience.
On its menu, there are classics such as Char siu bao (glazed suckling pig ribs offered with buns), roast duck, turnip cakes, and even ribs dipped in black bean paste.
Restaurant-goers can also see dishes prepared with unique techniques from certain parts of Asia: Their pork belly is prepared using a style from Hong Kong where it is roasted until crispy, indicated by the knife barely cutting in.
Borneo Kalimantan – A Spicy Walk in Alhambra
This time be transported to Indonesian cuisine to discover flavours completely different from those found in the United States. It is a type of food characterized by a monumental mix of flavours where spices predominate, giving a combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.
In Indonesian cuisine, South Asian seasonings such as mint, coriander, coconut, garlic, chilli, basil, and peanuts are used. This combination creates fragrant dishes with a unique flavour highlighting the spices and sauces.
Dishes such as Laksa Mee (curry soup), noodles in a coconut curry broth, and chicken satay are the stars of the place. In addition, the nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) combines flavours of vegetables with egg, chicken, and shallots.
This is a place to experience the cuisine of Indonesia and create a complete experience of its flavours.
Sun Nong Dan – Most Popular in Koreatown
Korea is among Asian countries with large metropolises to visit, and one of the most delicious styles of cuisine. Korean cuisine has become a popular part of today’s culture, known in many parts of the world by its uniqueness and taste.
Sun Nong Dan is a Koreatown establishment that has become a favourite of many for over a decade. From its all-you-can-eat Korean barbecues to its delicious desserts, it is sure to not only win your taste buds, but also create beautiful memories.
A popular and delicious dish is spicy broths containing boiled vegetables, rice cakes, and rib meat. Additionally, the service is impeccable, combining the skill of the waiters with the blowtorch and first-class attention.
As far as Korean cuisine goes, this place takes all the honours and makes it worthy of visiting.
What Other Asian Cuisines Can You Find in Los Angeles?
While these restaurants will provide a pleasant experience, Los Angeles is a gigantic city with thousands of flavours offered from all over the world. There are restaurants and chefs that have adapted dishes from one culture and fused them with their own.
It is quite common to find Thai restaurants offering fried and steamed vegetables bathed in spicy sauces. LA also offers plenty of Indian cuisines, characterized by spicy beef flavoured with cinnamon, star anise, curry, and ginger. Japanese cuisine is common, where dishes such as ramen, sushi, and gyozas stand out.
Chinese cuisine predominates in the area, but not all of it is the same. Some cooking sites specialize in food found in different parts of China, as well as food from the island of Taiwan.
Navigating Los Angeles in search of Asian cuisine is an experience that will take time, but jewel restaurants will stand out, filling our stomachs and hearts.
