Recession Obsession: Eating On The Purple Line

A Recession Obsession is, 1) a meal so great that it sticks in your mind long after digestion's end, and, 2) plays nice with your sensitive wallet. Is there a better place than Los Angeles to eat a wide variety of amazing food that so happens to be inexpensive? Probably not. We're as lucky as we are well fed. We last obsessed over $3 Breakfast in Culver City, and @theGastrobus. Today we obsess...

Going Metro is cheap (a one way ticket is $1.50; a day pass $5.00.) But it's not just a lift to work, or a bulky designated driver. It's your way to some great food that doesn't happen to cost too much.

We've Chowed The Red Line before (it was good,) and now, it's time do so the same on The Purple Line.

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The Purple Line is thought of being the one train that runs through Koreatown. It's that and more, crossing three distinct areas: Koreatown, MacArthur Park, and Downtown Los Angeles. That means culinary options with serious range. Of course, The Purple Line is LAist's latest Recession Obsession.

Near Union Station

Korean Dumplings @ Wilshire / Normandie

Wilshire / Western

• The California Market has deliciously inexpensive Korean to-go dishes. Also, try the Korean Rice Pancakes for $1 at the stall outside.

• KyoChon Chicken makes KFC -- Korean Fried Chicken. It's more than finger lickin' good.

Wilshire / Normandie

• Want Authentic Korean Dumplings that are the size of grenades? Yes you do.

• Myung Dong Kyoja serves up delicious Korean hand cut noodles and dumplings. Most of the menu is $7.95.

Wilshire / Vermont

• I'm told Fat Fish's $2 sushi specials can't be beat.

Westlake / MacArthur Park

• Mama's Tamales reminds us that the tamale is art, and art is love.

• Langer's may not be as cheap as, perhaps, all of its neighbors, but history is delicious with their legendary deli menu.

Pershing Square

• The Grand Central Market is Downtown's Ground Zero for Recession Obsessions. Try a pupusa, the panaderia, or pig ear tacos.

Civic Center

• Be fearful of the lunchtime line, but make a point of eating ramen at Little Tokyo's Daikokuya.

Union Station

• At Philippe's, you can french dip like it's 1909. (That's a good thing.)

• Also, there's Chinatown. Explore, and find yourself a dim sum special, or some curious market serving something you can't pronounce for a buck or two.

Photos By Caleb Bacon (Twitter)

Where Do You Eat On The Purple Line? Comment Below!