When the tiny 12-seat Amphai Northern Thai Food Club first opened in 2019 in a plaza shared with several other Thai restaurants, it quickly stood out as a refreshing new addition to the neighborhood. Chef-owner “Nancy” Amphai Dunne whips up one of the best khao soi noodles in the city with chicken that practically melts off the bone, and a plethora of specialties like her gaeng hang lae (pork belly curry stewed in a Thai-Burmese curry and tamarind paste) and nam prik ong (fermented ground pork in spicy chile peppers and tomato sauce). A perk for spice lovers is that this restaurant doesn’t shy away from adding heat to its dishes.

Jitlada made its mark on the local food scene when Suthiporn “Tui” Sungkamee and his sister Jazz Singsanong acquired the restaurant in 2006 and introduced a supplemental menu focused on the country’s southern specialties. (Sungkamee passed away in 2017.) The Thai-language southern Thai menu, chock-full of sweat-inducing hits, was eventually translated into English and captured the palates of local and national food media. Every meal at Jitlada should begin with an order of New Zealand mussels swimming in an aromatic lemongrass broth before settling into a crispy catfish or crying tiger salad. The off-menu Jazz burger served on iceberg lettuce never disappoints. 

Armenian and Lebanese flavors abound at this classic Little Armenia restaurant filled with mezzes and the invigorating aromas of freshly grilled kebabs. Marouch might not have the marketing power of some other LA kebabs spots, or perhaps the party atmosphere of the likes of Raffi’s Place, but its status as an icon is without question.

While LA’s kebab scene has been mostly steady in recent years, Saffy’s has come to contend as one of the city’s best Levantine restaurants. And it’s no surprise that Bestia/Bavel veterans Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis have already filled their East Hollywood restaurant to the gills with eager fans dipping fresh baked bread into glorious hummus and sweet cherry tomato-studded smoked eggplant puree. The grilled lobster skewer, tinted green and covered with a spicy serrano-lime yogurt, packs a flavor punch while the wood-grilled kebabs are truly impressive, seared and dripping with fatty flavor on the plate. Just be ready to spend about twice as much, or more, for the experience compared to other kebabs spots.

Kismet Rotisserie started as an offshoot of the nearby Kismet Mediterranean restaurant in 2020, but the walk-up window has become something uniquely its own. Chefs Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer’s rotisserie chicken plates are a treat, with tender meat, creamy hummus, house-made pickles, and addictive chile oil and garlic sauce. (The ingredients are stellar: The chefs source their free-range and non-GMO chickens from Sonoma County, and vegetables from local farmers markets.) Even though the plates are hefty enough, make sure to save room for Kismet’s schmaltzy potatoes and tahini chocolate chip cookies.

Nan Yimcharoen started KinKan as an invite-only home restaurant during the pandemic; it quickly earned buzz for its roe-studded bento boxes. Since opening her brick-and-mortar in 2021, Yimcharoen continues to earn raves for her Japanese- and Thai-inflected seafood stunners. The restaurant is reservation-only; book early for an a la carte menu of small bites and Japanese draft beers, or opt for a 14-course tasting menu that promises a tour of Thailand’s most important culinary regions.

Since chef Travis Hayden took the helm of the kitchen earlier this year, this charming natural wine bar has become a destination for his house-made charcuterie and pastas. Must-orders include Hayden’s pistachio-studded mortadella, fresh tagliatelle napped in ‘nduja Bolognese, and beef tartare done up with Caesar-style flavors. Of course, one would be remiss not to try a glass or two of wine from the Old World-leaning list, which offers a lot of rare finds.

Come into ​​chef Uyên Lê’s fast-casual restaurant for thoughtfully prepared Vietnamese food. While the banh mi sandwiches and popcorn chicken appetizer are sure bets, the house-special caramelized pork and eggs served over rice is as comforting as gets. As a bonus, Lê’s commitment to social justice means that Bé Ù’s staff is paid a living wage, while the menu’s pricing is kept affordable where possible for those who live in the neighborhood.