neighborhood guide- favorite lunch spots (koreatown & surroundings) p-y

Continuing on my list from last week, here are my favorite lunch spots P-Y:

Papa Cristo's - Ktown adjacent (Olympic)
2777 W. Pico, Los Angeles (cross Normandie)

This Greek market serves up the best gyro in town. Gyro consists of grounded lamb, beef or chicken slow roasted on vertical pit served with onion, tomatoes, tzatziki (yogart) sauce wrapped up in soft pita bread. Most sandwiches under $10.









Closed Mondays. Parking lot back entrance leads into the market.








Paik's Noodles - Ktown
3470 W. 6th St (cross Alexandra)

This place also goes by it's Korean name - Hong Kong Banjum 0410. I've reviewed this place before as the unique Chinese restaurant chain that only sells five dishes. However, this location serves a rotation of test items to mix things up. Most expensive dish is $10. Their jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup) is famous but I love their jajangmyeon and tangsooyook (sweet and spicy pork) the best. They fry their sauce fresh to order.

Parking in Alexandra Plaza can be crazy so find street parking. Quick service, no wait for tables at lunchtime.

Restaurant Namsan - Ktown
3613 W. 6th St. #B, Los Angeles (corner of 6th & Normandie)

They oddly call themselves a "Fusion Cafe" perhaps due to the eclectic assortment of dishes they serve from fruit smoothies to Korean comfort food. Whatever they call themselves, their soul is that of a 24 hr Korean diner serving hearty soups and Korean comfort food for graveyard shift workers and late night Ktown club goers. I've only had one thing there and it is their most famous dish: abalone porridge.

When my stomach feels weak but I need to eat something nourishing, this is what I crave.

It's thick and creamy with small bits of abalone, peas and green beans with dash of roasted sesame seeds and shredded nori, few pine nuts and corn. The mild flavored fare is well complimented by more pungent side dishes like kimchi, seasoned squash and pickled chilis.

Simply Pho You - Ktown
698 S. Vermont Ave (just south of Wilshire)

I think I discovered this little gem when I got tired of waiting for a table at Kobawoo next door. Their phos and springrolls are my favorite. The food is clean and no frills and with most dishes under $8, this is one of the most affordable lunch spots around. And you know it's a great deal and yummy to boot when you often see uniformed officers eating lunch there.

Taylor's Steakhouse -Ktown
3361 W. 8th St. (1 blk west of Normandie)

This old school steak house has been around since the 1950's. With it's dimly lit room with dark red leather booths, you may expect gangsters dressed in 3 piece suits to be smoking cigars while enjoying their excellent cocktails and steak. Their fantastic lunch menu offers great steaks for $20.  I particularly enjoyed the prime rib and culotte.

Parking lot in the back. They seem to overcook their meat so if you want medium, ask for medium rare. And try mixing the house sauce with horse radish for excellent flavor.

YuChun Chic NaengMyun - Ktown
3185 W. Olympic (between Western & Normandie)

I've written briefly before about their delicious chi-naengmyeon (black noodles).  It's dark color derives from the use of arrowroot flour instead of traditional buckwheat flour.  The noodle is perfectly chewy and soup wonderfully cool. They serve three types of chi-naengmyeon: cold soup, mixed spicy sauce, and spicy sauce with raw fish.  There's a wide variety on the menu but I usually have either chi-naengmyeon or dumplings and prices are around $10.  Don't forget to get their self-service hot beef broth which compliments the noodles.

Park in strip mall (valet at busy times) or free on street. There can be a wait on hot days. For those looking for gluten-free noodles, although the main flour isn't wheat, the ingredient for this noodle does include some wheat flour.

Let me know if you have a suggestion in the neighborhood!