Wokou Ramen & Yakitori - Innovative Ramen Spot with Locations in Carmel Valley & Pacific Beach, San Diego
Wokou Ramen is another quarantine gem -- one many stumbled upon during days of sheltering in place, in hopes of finding delicious, well-packed ramen not too far from home that also checks all the necessary covid precaution boxes. I found just that, as well as one of the most unique ramen joints I've ever come across. Where else can you get a bowl of Spicy Carnitas Ramen?!
Read full storyMeet Frank Wang, owner of FujiSan Sushi in Fontana, CA
FujiSan Sushi is one of Fontana's first successful sushi establishments. As many sit-down restaurants had to close up shop during the first couple waves of the pandemic, FujiSan found themselves flourishing. Since they're located inside of Stater Brother's and their sushi is grab-n-go, the owners saw their business increase during the early days of quarantine. Since then, they've built a loyal following with many returning customers.
Read full storyJoin LA Meet & Eat On Their Quest to Spotlight & Support Local Small Businesses in Los Angeles, CA
After a meal at Undergrind in Beverlywood, Daniel Chae (26), a Los Angeles resident, remembers thinking to himself, "there has to be more than just taking pictures and eating food at great restaurants". Once this idea got started, Chae had to move on this hunch. He recalls, "I posed the simple question [to my friends], 'what do you want in a local restaurant experience?'. Almost every single person said something along the lines of hearing the story behind the owner, restaurant, and specialty dish. From there I identified the most bare bones vehicle that could give people the story they wanted to hear and that turned into LA Meet & Eat!"
Read full storyMeloMelo Opens Second Location in Rowland Heights, CA
Since their original store in San Gabriel opened in 2018, MeloMelo Coconut Dessert has quickly gained an extremely loyal following and has turned into somewhat of a cult favorite. After finding much success in Rowland Heights' Diamond Plaza, Melo Melo just had their grand opening at their second location in Rowland Heights/City of Industry.
Read full storySouth Korea's Biggest Fried Chicken Chain Expands to Los Angeles County
With over 1,300 locations in South Korea, Mom's Touch opens their first location in Gardena, California. Their Grand Opening was nearly a month ago on June 30, 2021, and since then, their business has been booming.
Read full storyTake a Trip to the Fair With This Week's Cookies from Crumbl Cookies with Locations in Point Loma, San Clemente & more
The San Diego Fair might be back in full swing this summer, but that doesn't mean everybody's ready to return. Luckily, everyone's favorite cookie shop, Crumbl Cookies, is bringing the flavors of the fair to you in a party box for the week of July 19 - 24.
Read full storyActive Coffee Co is Serving Up Some of the Dreamiest Drinks in San Luis Obispo
Being a college town, San Luis Obispo has an abundance of amazing coffee shops. But what sets Active Coffee Co apart is their extremely fun approach to an otherwise simple cup of coffee: the addition of cotton candy "cloud" drinks.
Read full storyGet Levain-Style Cookies from Paderia Bakehouse, now open in Santa Monica, CA
Originally hailing from Fountain Valley in Orange County, Paderia Bakehouse has since expanded to Irvine and just recently opened their third location in Santa Monica this March. Paderia's cookies are the densest, thickest, not to mention most moist cookies I've ever had. A box of five cookies in my hand felt heavier to me than half a sheet cake. In all my visits to their original location in the past, I'd always held myself back from ordering their cookies, thinking "$4 for a cookie? Insanity!" But a new location is cause for celebration, so of course I had to finally try the cookies. And I learned why $4 for a cookie isn't actually insanity--they're so dense it's actually difficult to finish a Paderia cookie in a single sitting. I get it now.
Read full storyA Love Letter to Fortunate Son in North Park, San Diego, CA
The food here is straight up Panda Express on crack. And I mean that affectionately. Their menu is pretty simple with just familiar, tried-and-true favorites: chow fun, General Tso's, orange chicken, egg rolls. Basically all the bastardized Chinese foods - the dishes that Americans think of when they think of Chinese food, but none that actual Chinese people really eat. As a Chinese American, I am here for it. You know what I'm especially here for are the crab rangoons (fried cream cheese wontons--a dish I love extra and one I find hilarious since most Chinese people are lactose intolerant and don't eat cheese), although we didn't order them this time around. I had to save that precious stomach real estate for the real food!
Read full storyGet Your Korean Food Fix from Bapjo in San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo residents can finally get a taste of Korean food at Bapjo, a pop-up that usually sets up shop outside of Sally Loo's Wholesome Cafe on Fridays and Saturdays. There's no shortage of good food in San Luis Obispo, but one thing that is noticeably lacking is any semblance of Korean cuisine. SLO comes up short in authentic East Asian cuisine but there is zero Korean food to be found. The founders of Bapjo started their pop-up with the intention of bringing Korean food to San Luis Obispo after not having any readily available to them outside of their own home.
Read full storyGet Entirely Plant-Based Cakes & Desserts from Raw Baby in Garden Grove, CA
Celebrating birthdays and events in the last year and a half, in the midst of a pandemic have been hard enough as it is. With everyone in the household putting on quarantine weight, we wanted a birthday cake that was delicious and guilt-free. I took it upon myself to hunt down the best cake and Raw Baby delivered!
Read full storyGreystone Steakhouse Celebrates 22 Years in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter!
The word lavish comes to mind when stepping into Greystone. High ceilings, luxurious bar, and something's twinkling everywhere you look. You would never know that the building you're you're eating in was once a public library, a police department, a theater. It was renovated in 1995 but much of the original architecture was kept -- in fact, last time I dined there I got to sit next to what used to be an old ticket booth window!
Read full storyDough Exchange - High-End Bagelry & Shmear in Downtown Santa Ana, CA
Tired of your boring, everyday bagel? Here at Dough Exchange you can try a different bagel every day for weeks! Not just any bagel, a fancy bagel. Or as my friend dubbed them, "designer bagels". They didn't even know they were right about that, considering these bagels were made by the folks behind DTSA's Playground!
Read full storyYou Can Get Cream Puffs Unlike Any Other from this Home-Baker in East Village, San Diego
The last year has presented many opportunities for home bakers to perfect their craft, hone their skills and for some, even start a business. Lots of these bakers have been successful by utilizing social media platforms like Instagram and Yelp. Kathy "Puffs", as she is fondly known as on Instagram, runs her cream puff business, Puffs SD, out of her home in East Village, Downtown San Diego. She makes everything from scratch. Since it's a home business, for now you can only place an order via direct message on Instagram at @puffs_sd or via text at the number found on her instagram page.
Read full storySummer is Here at The Butcher's Cut in Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego
The Butcher’s Cut just released their new summer menu, so break out your sundresses and flamingo print clothing and grab a table!. What sets The Butcher’s Cut apart from other steakhouses in Gaslamp is that this restaurant houses San Diego’s largest display of dry-aged meat. We’re talking a display of an entire wall with rows and rows of different cuts of meat like New York, tomahawk, porterhouse, all aged a minimum of 21 days. You can even request a table by the wall if you'd like!
Read full storyIt's Giving Week at Farmer's Table in Bay Park, San Diego
During the week of May 11th, Farmer's Table in Bay Park will be hosting a Giving Week to give back to their local community. This family-friendly, farm-to-fork eatery has always felt a deep connection to its Bay Park patrons, and is a local neighborhood favorite. They have something for everyone, and is especially frequented by families since kids under 12 always eat free Monday through Thursday!
Read full storyTrattoria Don Pietro - Hot New Restaurant in Old Town San Diego, CA
There’s a new restaurant on the block, and it is definitely the most poppin’ restaurant in all of Old Town! Trattoria Don Pietro brings a combination of old world Sicilian flavors in a new, modern world setting. Their outdoor seating is incredibly aesthetic and is sure to grab anyone's attention with wisteria, photo-worthy spots in every corner, and fire pits to cozy up by when the sun goes down. Their interior is just as gorgeous, with low light bringing a more intimate and cozy ambiance.
Read full storySapori Di 786 Degree Pizza - Wood Fired Pizza with Flavors from Around the World, Locations in Pasadena & Sun Valley, CA
So apparently, in order to achieve the best pizza crust, you bake it for 60-90 seconds in a wood-fired oven at approximately 786 degrees. I have no idea whether or not this is standard in Italy, but it works, and it's amazing. It's also an intense labor of love, wouldn't you say? The chefs labor in front of a nearly eight hundred degree flame and watch the crust, because it could disintegrate or burn in just a matter of seconds. These pizza masters deserve an award. All their labor paid off -- the crust is thin yet pillowy, soft, doughy, crispy, everything you'd wish and more. The crust is actually thinner than I'm used to, so I find it extra impressive that it's still so soft despite that.
Read full storyThe Yasai - Vegan Sushi with Locations in Kearny Mesa & Little Italy, San Diego
I was super skeptical at the idea of "vegan sushi" -- what? how? why? -- but the Yasai was quick to change my mind. Everything we ate was delicious, innovative, and yes, actually tasted like sushi.
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