neighborhood guide- favorite lunch spots (koreatown & surrounds) a-l

I am fortunate to work around Koreatown and within 15 minute drive time to a vast array of quick service, budget-friendly (typically around $10) but most importantly yummy lunch spots. Here are some of my favorites in alphabetically order (A-L):

Alcove Cafe- Los Feliz
1929 Hilhurst Ave, Los Angeles

Whenever I want a break from the dreary office environment, I escape to Alcove Cafe. Sitting under a shade outside surrounded by other diners who don't dress like they hold a regular office job and an occasional C-list celebrity makes me feel like I truly got away. The typical American cafe fare of sandwiches, brunch items and salads are good but I love the desserts the most. I usually alternate between the turkey pesto panino and shrimp salad but everything is good.

There's valet parking in front; plenty of street parking available in streets adjacent to Hilhurst. As long as you avoid coming exactly at noon, I've never had to wait for a table. Most meals are in $10-20 range.

BCD Tofu House - Ktown & various locations
3575 Wilshire Blvd (1 blk west of Normandie)

Who would have thunk that most non-Koreans' exposure to Korean food after korean bbq would be to this spicy specialty dish: the tofu stew. BCD chain restaurants had a lot to do with the introduction and growing popularity in America of this addictive dish.  For $10, you get: a stonepot-cooked rice, stonepot-cooked tofu stew, assortment of side dishes and a whole yellow corvina. The stew is served pipping hot and you crack your egg on it to cook as it simmers table-side.  If that's not enough food, you can also order the bbq combo with either bulgogi or galbi. The level of spiciness can be adjusted -I usually get medium. The way BCD prepares tofu, it is not tasteless and blobby diet food, but richly flavorful and hearty goodness.

There's a large convenient parking lot. Efficient service; clean interior; clean food (no MSG). Open 24/7.

Daikokuya - Little Tokyo & various locations
327 E. 1st St (across the street from Japanese Village Plaza)

This chain makes onto everyone's best ramen list. And the food backs up the reputation. The ramen noodle is perfectly chewy (although in a recent visit I noticed the first bite of noodle was undercooked but after few more minutes simmering in the broth it was perfect). The broth is fatty and flavorful. But I love the pork slices, chasu, the best - they just melt in your mouth.

daikoku ramen

Prices start at $9.50 ($12 with tip & tax). Line can be tedious so try coming before or after the noon-1:30pm lunchtime rush. If the line is horrible, there are plenty of alternatives just around the corner.


Eastside Market Italian Deli - Chinatown
1013 Alpine St, Los Angeles

pastrami sub

So it may seem a little odd that this Italian deli gem is hidden in Chinatown but it's one of the last surviving Italian delis (est. 1929) in the neighborhood. The clientele is a mix of suit and tie lawyers from the downtown courthouses and uniformed utility workers congregating together. Best bet is to go early or late for lunch for easy street parking and no line at order counter. Try one of the massive Italian subs- my favorite is #6 hot pastrami with marinara sauce and cheese ($8.50). Tip- ask for it to go (even if dining in) and for the sauce on the side. The bread is a fluffy sub that doesn't hold wet sauce very well. Don't feel self conscious using a fork and knife to dig into this massive pile of wet pastrami.  

Hangari Bajirak Kalgooksoo - Ktown
3470 W. 6th, Los Angeles (corner of 6th & Alexandra)

chicken kalgooksoo

I've tried everything on the menu but my go-to is the seafood kalgooksoo. You can read about it here. Remember, the menu is in Korean but there's a handy picture menu outside (where you will be waiting for a table - 20 min typically at lunch time). Even though the wait can be long and service slow, I can still get back to the office in little over an hour. Split the giant bowl of noodles with a friend and order a side of dumplings or ddukbokki, both prepared in minimal and traditional ways. Also, to get your taste buds going before your main course, try mixing the complimentary small bowl of barley rice with soybean paste and eat it with mul (water) kimchi. Almost all dishes are under $10.

Kang Hodong Baekjeong - Ktown
3465 W. 6th St (cross Kenmore)

pork combo

Although named after a famous Korean wrestler turned comedian Kang Hodong (the cutout figure), this Korean bbq establishment has legit street cred when it comes to its delicious food. BBQ combos can be a little pricey ($44 for min 2 servings) and time consuming for a quick lunch but they do offer under $10 lunch menu. I especially enjoy the old-school lunch box (doshirak), a tin container (like ones school kids in Korea used to carry) with rice, eggs over easy and kimchi which gets professionally shaken by the server and come out perfectly mixed. But the place is famous for their meats, especially pork. And the sides  - corn, eggs, kimchi/veggies- cooked in the run off fat from various meat dishes are to die for.

You need at least two to enjoy the bbq and come early or late. Although the wait-time at lunch is nothing like for dinner or weekends, why wait if you don't have to. I've never had to wait during lunchtime. Free parking available inside Chapman Plaza.

Langer's - Ktown adjacent (Alvarado)
704 S Alvarado St (cross 7th)

soup and pastrami combo

Langer's is an LA institution, often on people's best Jewish deli list. Only drawback is its hours: 8am to 4pm (closed Sundays). Good thing I work close by and can drive in for lunch. So surprise, surprise my favorite is #19 pastrami with Russian dressing, swiss cheese and cole slaw. Their rye bread is perfect with the wet cole slaw and dressing and salty pastrami. The other sandwiches like corned beef are also fantastic. The matzo ball soup - just okay.

There is parking lot one block over and they take phone orders with curbside pickup. A little expensive for a sandwich  at $16 but it's worth the price.

If you have lunch spot suggestions, please let me know! Next Friday favorite lunch spots P-Y.