LA IS NOW SET TO ENTER A NEW GOLDEN AGE OF ASIAN FOOD! From fancy dine-ins to local food stands, there are restaurants scattered from the beach to downtown and beyond here in Los Angeles. And great news to those who are obsessed with BBQ, dim sum, sushi, and ramen, a wave of creative chefs have been pushing past traditions to create food that appeals to everyone. While struggling over where to visit by scanning through the massive list of “Top 99 Asian Restaurants”, we have narrowed it down to five spots as a great starting place to dive into those riches.

Din Tai Fung

The proliferation of Din Tai Fung locations, from one single spot in Arcadia to six newly expanded outposts in the neighborhood, puts this world famous restaurant on top of everyone’ s list without a doubt. With locations in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and more, Ding Tai Fung has rapidly captured the attention of soup dumpling lovers across the world. The famous juicy, thin-skinned xiao long bao often attracts crowds to satisfy their cravings.

Sushi Gen

There are many reasons to stand outside Sushi Gen in Little Tokyo to wait your turn for a table or a spot at the sushi bar. In a city full of sushi, Sushi Gen bridges the gap between quality and affordability. From requesting seat at the sushi bar to marveling as the sushi chef doles out some of the highest-quality, lowest-cost raw fish in America, it would be an awesome experience! It is definitely essential to check out this sushi house and let your mind swim through all the sushi and sashimi options.

Soban Restaurant

There is a myriad number of Korean restaurants at the famous K Town, yet Soban is probably THE restaurant to be added on you “need to try before you die” bucket list. It is important to start your meal with the amazing and marbing banchan, side dishes. Looking through the menu, you can order the terrific raw crab in one of two forms, either a garlicky soy sauce or thick spicy red pepper sauce. Soban excels in all seafood dishes. Ask for the special squid tossed with julienne vegetables or a pan-fried fish, or opt for the spicy beef short ribs.

Duck House

If you enjoy authentic Peking duck, head to Duck House in Monterey Park, but remember to reserve your duck ahead of time. Why? This classic restaurant requires you to call at least 30 minutes in advance to reserve your duck, because they spend hours preparing their birds the night before, and sometimes run out. This is a paradise for all the duck lovers out there; they offer ducks that have a not-too-gamey flavor, with plenty of crispy skin that tastes like bacon. It is also essential to eat your food like a local and wrap the fresh duck meat in a rice-flour pancake and bolster with green onion, cucumber, and a dab of plummy Peking sauce.

Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant

If you are a true fan of seafood and dim sum, go to the San Gabriel Valley and grant yourself with some of the country’s most sensational Chinese food. Sea Harbour is considered as the best dim sum establishment and offers plenty of delicious options for you to try: various styles of BBQ pork, steamed egg buns, low-fat milk bun, chicken feet, shrimp rice noodle rolls, pork ribs, etc. The fact that the restaurant refreshes its menu once a year keeps the consumers’ anticipation high.

<Gloria Gong La Canada HS 10th Grade>