Every Friday, our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here now are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, here’s our list of the hottest places to get cocktails in town.
For sushi straight from Tokyo: Sushi Zanmai in Koreatown
Tokyo-based Sushi Zanmai landed in the U.S. for the first time last week, opening a location in Koreatown’s Chapman Market. The grand opening was a veritable scene, with owner Kiyoshi Kimura slicing into a 500-pound tuna on site and distributing slices of ruby-red fish. A day later, it was business as usual with a steady flow of customers digging into plates of sushi, sashimi, karaage, and more. It’s nice to have a more casual sushi spot in the neighborhood, especially with its late-ish night hours extending until midnight. The price point is workable for a more casual meal, and the fish is exceptionally fresh. Make sure to say hello to the statue of Kimura on the way in. 3465 W. Sixth Street, Suite 150, Los Angeles, CA 90020. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For Cambodian noodles that settle the soul: Phnom Penh Noodle Shack in Long Beach
As an LA resident with a soft spot for Long Beach, the beach city is where I head for a full day of hanging out. When plotting this type of excursion, bring a change of clothes, a bike or rollerskates, sunscreen, and always consider where to eat. After taking ample time on the Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath, head over to a Cambodian restaurant. Long Beach has the largest Cambodian population outside of Southeast Asia, which includes a concentration of longtime respected operators like Phnom Penh Noodle Shack. The restaurant opens at 7 a.m., because there is nothing like a full-on noodle breakfast of kuy teav, which takes hours to prepare with pork, beef, and noodles prepared on-site. When entering Phnom Penh Noodle Shack, take a big inhale. The scents of the simmering broths, herbs, chiles, and everything else will fill your nose before taking in one of the best bowls of noodles in the Southland. Customize each dish with the spices, soy, or fish sauce, and the meal will be one of the most delicious and reasonably priced. 1644 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach, CA. — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For a pre-Hispanic Indigenous food experience in the heart of Historic South Central: Komal
Komal opened at Mercado la Paloma in summer 2024 from Fátima Juárez and Conrado Rivera, who previously worked at Michelin-starred Mexican seafood restaurant Holbox in the same marketplace. Their menu focuses on heirloom corn sourced directly from Indigenous Mexican farmers, with dishes like tlacoyos and quesadillas de flor de calabaza. There’s no wrong way to go here, but no table might be complete without quesillo-stuffed fried plantain orbs bedded in an earthy black mole; fatty meat-lovers might not leave without juicy suadero tacos. Wash it all down with a cactus-cucumber agua fresca or guava soda, and watch as the market activity accelerates around you — the meal a stop-motion moment amid the action. 3655 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007. — Nicole Adlman, editorial manager
For a dreamy evening in Buenos Aires with the best steak in Los Angeles: Carlitos Gardel
It’s been a very tough week at Eater, one of the most difficult in recent memory, and my heart goes out to current and former colleagues. This will be the last weekend recommendation that I write as the lead editor of Eater Los Angeles, Southern California, and the greater Southwest. In 2014, I was given the opportunity by my then editor, Kat Odell, to take over her position as she moved to New York for a video-oriented role. I had never written professionally before, only working as a bank analyst and small business owner prior to the job, and writing a local food blog called Mattatouille. In the past 11 years, editing and writing for Eater has been the greatest joy of my working life, covering the restaurant scene in Los Angeles, the only place I have ever lived — and the best damn city in the world.
For many years, my former colleague and deputy editor Farley Elliott told me that I really needed to go to one of his favorite LA restaurants, Carlitos Gardel, a charming alcove of a steakhouse that’s easy to pass by along Melrose Avenue. Last year, I finally went with my friend Bill Esparza, where we drank copious amounts of vintage Malbec and took town cut after cut of expertly grilled beef. As the son of Brazilian Korean immigrants and a huge churrasco aficionado, the thought of enjoying Argentine steak felt not just strange, but revolting. Little did I know that the pleasures of Argentine food — flaky, cheesy empanadas; herbaceous and mouthwatering chimichurri; paper-thin beef carpaccio topped with wispy arugula and parmesan cheese; and prodigious beef like entraña (skirt) and rib-eye cap charred to perfection — portrayed a type of hedonism that I had previously not experienced.
Co-owner and sommelier Max Bozoghlian is a consummate host, classy and professional, and probably the best maitre’d in Los Angeles; his brother/co-owner and chef, Gerard Bozoghlian, is so passionate about the restaurant that he practically lives there. Together they continue the tradition their parents, and especially their mother Azniv, who was behind most of the recipes, started in 1996. I could go on and on about Carlitos Gardel, and I thank Farley for finally showing me the way. The evening meanders through Argentine specialties and ends with incredible desserts — peach dulce de leche meringue cake, housemade ice cream, and fluffy marcarpone tart — a sweet way to cap off my current most beloved restaurant in Los Angeles. Two nights ago, before the difficult news dropped to our company, I was at Carlitos Gardel repeating the motions of my routine there, chatting with Gerard in the back patio, and smoking a fine cigar until well past midnight. It was an appropriate coda.
I’m signing off as the day-to-day editor of Eater Los Angeles and moving onto a correspondent role covering the West Coast, so I’ll pop up regularly with stories and social media videos. Whatever you do, “always order extra for the table.” 7963 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046. — Matthew Kang, correspondent, Eater
