Nowhere else in the world can you find Southern California’s unique mashup of culture-packed cities, sandy beaches, peaceful deserts and snowy mountains. We’re home to people from at least 140 countries who have brought their food and cultures along for all to share. As we prepare to host athletes for the World Cup, we thought it would be a good idea to get in the mood by exploring the neighborhoods that give the Los Angeles metro area its energy, relevance, and what we consider the best authentic food scene anywhere.
The games kick off June 12 when the U.S. Men’s National Team takes on Paraguay, and we’ll see other matchups among Iran, New Zealand, Belgium and Switzerland (with more nations represented as the tournament progresses). To celebrate the upcoming matches, , we propose a Metro rail and bus tour that gets you into the neighborhoods that reflect the diversity and cultures that make us proud. It’s like a trip around the world for $1.75 or less, and that’s a pretty great deal, if not a steal.
Let’s go!
Mexico is a co-host for the World Cup, and while you can find amazing Mexican food virtually everywhere in LA, on this tour we head to Boyle Heights, historically a refuge for marginalized Russians, Japanese, Armenians, Jews, African-Americans, Latin Americans and others. In the 1940s, the area became ground zero for the Chicano Movement and Latino art and activism, which continues today. El Mercadito is a bustling hub and night market for food vendors, groceries, bakeries, Mexican goods and mole by the pound to take home, with Mariachi music throughout. Neighborhood favorites include the tacos at Carnitas El Momo, the bursting flavors at the iconic Los Cincos Puntos (beware: if you watch the joyful video you’ll drop everything to go there immediately), the sweet orangey goodness of the café de olla at Picaresca, and brunch chilaquiles at Tenampal. The Metro E Line and the 74 and 106 Bus Lines get you there.
Because Iran is one of the first teams up in L.A.’s group stage, we’ll head to Persian Square, aka “Tehrangeles.” This Westwood neighborhood became the new home to thousands of Iranians after the 1979 revolution, and its vibrant culture is still going strong. Try the tahdig, a beloved crispy rice dish scooped out from the bottom of the pan at the intimate and largely gluten-free Taste of Tehran; Shamshiri is a local go-to for classic kabobs, hummus and vegan options. Do not leave without trying ice cream flavored with saffron, rosewater or pistachio from Mashti Malone’s. Stops for the Metro 1 and 8 Bus Lines are the closest.
The largest concentration of Armenians outside of Armenia live in Glendale. It’s an authentic feast at Raffi’s Place (bring friends, portions are huge), or try Georgian specialty dumplings and blintzes at Khinkali House. The Americana outdoor mall’s world-class shopping makes you work up an appetite: Deluca’s Italian Deli is your casual go-to panini place. Try out Glendale’s newest Asian-inspired offerings: Seabutter sushi, Singapore’s Paradise Dynasty, or its low-key cousin, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar. Metro Bus Lines 92 and 94 both serve Brand Boulevard in the heart of downtown Glendale.
Asian Flavors
At 175 years old, our Chinatown is the first Chinese-owned neighborhood in the nation. Its continual culinary inclusion means you’ll find classic experiences of Hong Kong BBQ, Won Kok and Hop Woo, but you also have an ultracontemporary coffee spot in Kissa Corazon and Cajun cuisine at Little Jewel. For a party scene, hit the DS Night Market that pops up in the “Thailand Costco” Lax-C parking lot every Friday and Saturday night featuring street food, shopping and performances. We’re also huge fans of Mexican-forward Café Tondo, serving up coffee and pastries by day and a hot bar scene at night. Take the A Line to Chinatown Station.
L.A. also has the largest Thai community outside of Thailand and it’s the only official Thai Town in the United States, so you know it’s all going to be good. Favorite dining spots include Mae Malai Thai House of Noodles, Heng Heng Chicken Rice, and Ruen Pair. Sate your sweet tooth with mango sticky rice and other treats at Bhan Kanom Thai; the gelato is legendary at Kanomwaan. Monday and Tuesday nights pop with street food at the Thai Night Market. Bring it all home for DIY from the Thailand Plaza grocery. It’s easy to navigate on the B Line.
Koreatown, on the footprint of old Hollywood, has more 24-hour businesses and nightclubs than anywhere else in the country. Karaoke favorite Brass Monkey is for when you’re feeling like eating from an eclectic global menu to the soundtrack of a complete stranger singing “Sweet Caroline.” The K-spa experience — pools, saunas, scrubs and massages — will make you completely redefine self-care. Try Wi Spa (co-ed) and Hugh Spa (women only), which have small and excellent cafes. Coffee culture has arrived and evolved on its own terms with creative concoctions that can double as dessert (but yes, most have great food too). At Alchemist, it doesn’t get more decadent than a crème brûlée latte with a caramelized sugar top. The French-Japanese Amandene Patisserie Café is a neighborhood destination spot celebrated for its quiche and buttery bakery items. Jinsol Gukbap celebrates pork, Sun Nong Dan has the ultimate comfort soup, and Surawon Tofu House elevates the humble soybean to a gastronomic delicacy. Take Metro D Line to Wilshire/Normandie or Wilshire/Western stations.
When You Can’t Decide, It’s DTLA
In Downtown Los Angeles, you could start with breakfast and eat your way through dessert at Grand Central Market, where you’ll find nearly any kind of cuisine you can think of — plus produce, groceries from Latin America, oysters, meat and more. It’s a similar idea on Sundays at Smorgasburg, but put it outside in food trucks and add in artists, vintage vendors and smaller lifestyle brands. If you’re ready to mangia on modern Italian food, comfy Bestia and swanky Bottega Louie will suit your needs just fine; Rossoblu celebrates Bolognese authenticity with hand-rolled pasta, wood-fired grill and an in-house butcher/salumi operation. Best of all, our system converges on DTLA and you can take the Metro rail or bus from nearly everywhere to get there.
And here’s some more great news as you make your World Cup plans: Metro will get you to SoFi Stadium with expanded service, because fun and ease is the goal. Get it, the goal? We’ll stop now.