David Chang Declares LA’s Koreatown to be America’s Best Dining ‘Hood, and More

David Chang knows

Fresh off the news that David Chang would indeed be expanding his restaurant empire into Los Angeles, the always-outspoken East Coaster took to the new House of Carbs podcast, an offshoot of the Bill Simmons media empire. There, Chang made a number of big claims, many of them specifically about Los Angeles’s dining scene.

Perhaps biggest of them all was Chang’s persistent assertion that LA’s Koreatown has “probably the coolest food in all of America” right now, from favorite Sun Nong Dan on down. Not only is the scene supremely dense, it’s also got fantastic food at basically every turn. Chang also claimed that he would never be caught dead eating at a poke restaurant, re-upped his assertion that the Cassell’s patty melt is a perfect iteration of the diner classic, and laid some heavy plans to likely bring a Fuku pop-up to Los Angeles at some point this year.

Osen Izakaya arrives

Silver Lake newcomer Osen Izakaya should be open by the end of this week, if reports are to be believed. Signage is already up and construction is in the final phases, which means the first night of service could come as soon as Friday.

The HomeState arrival

Things are heating up at HomeState, the popular Eastside Texas-style breakfast taco option. The company’s next location will be in Highland Park, and signage is now officially up for the restaurant’s ABC license — signed and all. More tacos are always good news, and on-tap margaritas are even better.

1,000 free pizzas

Anyone interested in a free pizza should get to Long Beach on Thursday, August 3. That’s where The Pizza Press will be doling out 1,000 free pies to expectant Belmont Shore fans, pushing out the pizza from a new 1,950 square foot storefront at 5242 E. 2nd Street. Show up early for the deal — hours run 11 a.m. to midnight.

New names for Gobi

The stretch of Sunset Boulevard between Silver Lake and Echo Park has been under near-constant churn lately, with the arrival of places like Same Same and Osen Izakaya and a new Silver Lake Ramen takeaway alternative. Next is a rumored flip for Gobi Mongolian BBQ House, which sources say has been purchased by the people behind Summer Buffalo and Summer Canteen. New ownership declined to speak with Eater about the flip, which is happening just doors down from the similarly soon-to-open Tintorera.

Anaheim’s centennial party

The popular MAKE Building in Anaheim is turning 100 this year, and to celebrate the Orange County property is doing a big blow-out with a number of their food and beverage tenants. Those include Unsung Brewing Company, Pali Wine, and the almost-ready Jav’s Bar-B-Q, plus live music and crafts and more. The Anaheim Packing District party goes down August 5.

Christmas is here

The roving cocktail party known as Drink Special comes to Bar Mattachine in Downtown next, with a big drinkin’ party slated for this coming Sunday night. The party comes by way of Nathan Hazard (The Coconut Club, Bar Keeper) and Malina Bickford (Cliff’s Edge), and will focus on holiday-inspired drinks and lots of seasonal fun.