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21 Southern California Food & Drinks To Try – California Food Guide

Southern California has an amazing food scene, making it a great place for a food trip. In this food guide, we’re dishing out 21 food and drinks to try in Southern California, including some of the best restaurants, ramen, desserts and more in SoCal.

Also Read: Things To Do in Southern California


21 Things To Eat When Food Tripping in Southern California - TravellingFoodie.net

Where To Eat & What To Order in Southern California, by area

Burbank

Arroz Con Mariscos (Seafood Paella) at Malbec Argentinean Cuisine

Patagonian style seafood paella with scallops, shrimps, mussels, calamari, clams, baby octopus

Website / Address: 10151 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake, California 91602, USA


Costa Mesa

Gyutan Yakiniku at Gyutan Tsukasa

Charcoal grilled premium beef tongue. Coming from a Japanese restaurant that originated 60 years ago.

Website / Address: Mitsuwa Marketplace, 665 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, California 92626

Hoji Cha Soft Serve at Matcha Love by Ito En

Roasted green tea. Thick and creamy with a strong roasted taste!

Website / Address: Mitsuwa Marketplace, 665 Paularino Avenue, Costa Mesa, California 92626

Live Octopus Sushi at Sushi Shunka

Rarely find Live Octopus in sushi, It’s like a mix between ika and scallop in texture and bite. Sushi Shunka is No. 7 in OC Register’s Brad A. Johnson’s 75 Best Places To Eat 2016.

Website / Address: 369 E 17th St #17, Costa Mesa, California 92627, USA

Also Read: Kame Omakase, Best Omakase in Las Vegas


Gardena

Carne Asada Taco at Vaquero Mexican Grill

Grilled and sliced beef taco

Website / Address: 1552 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, California 90248, USA

Com Ca Luc Lac at Pho Consomme

Fried fish with garlic sauce in hot plate

Address: 1850 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, California 90247, USA

Loaded Hashbrowns at The Pan Restaurant

2 eggs (any style), bacon, sausage, green onions jack and cheddar cheese over hash browns, topped with chili aioli and choice of toast.

Loaded Hashbrowns at The Pan Restaurant in Gardena, Calfiornia

Website / Address: 16601 S Western Ave, Gardena, California 90247, USA

Tantanmen Ramen at Anzutei Ramen (CLOSED)

Nagoya-style Tantanmen ramen made from chicken broth is rich, creamy and flavourful.

Address: 15915 S Western Ave a, Gardena, California 90247, USA

Ice Cream at Kansha Creamery

Homemade all natural ice cream with a variety of unique flavours, a lot of which are Asian inspired.

Website / Address: 18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, California 90248, USA

Also Read: Best Restaurants in Seattle, Washington


Hermosa Beach

Late Night Hermosa Roll at Rok Sushi Kitchen

Seafood loaded roll in unique soy paper wrapping: Baked lobster, snow crab, soy paper, topped with baked scallop and garlic dynamite sauce

Website / Address: 1200 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, California 90254, USA

Espresso Shake at Paciugo Gelato

Semifreddo (half cold/frozen) Blended with Expresso

Website / Address: 1034 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, California 90254, USA


Inglewood

Taquitos Rancheros at La Feria Restaurant

crip-fried rolled-up tortilla with beef

Website / Address: 10903 S Inglewood Ave, Inglewood, California 90304, USA


Los Angeles

Beef Galbi Jim at Sa Rit Gol (CLOSED)

Beef Short Ribs. Most marbled and tender galbi jim I’ve had.

Address: 3324 W 6th St, Los Angeles, California 90020, USA

Also Read: 2 Day Trip to Conejo Valley, California


Palm Desert

Blackened Mahi at Bellatrix Restaurant

Blackened Mahi was crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked in the inside. The bread was just the right bread so that it didn’t cover the taste of the fish.

Blackened Mahi at Bellatrix Restaurant in Palm Desert, California

Address: 75-200 Classic Club Blvd, Palm Desert, California 92211, USA


Redondo Beach

Ube Gelato at Roman Aroma Cafe (CLOSED)

Gelato made with purple yam.

Address: 903 North Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach, California 90277


Santa Monica

Truffle Tortellini at Forma Restaurant

Tortellini with mushrooms, light cream, truffle oil – tossed in bella lodi cheese wheel

Website / Address: 1610 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, California 90403, USA


Torrance

Zabuton at Manpuku Torrance

Zabuton is from the side of the beef shoulder rib eye, a rare cut where only a few kg are taken from one cow.

It’s prepared with a little special sweet sauce and grilled lightly by the server table side. It is then completed by bathing its in a beaten egg yolk and wrapped around small rice ball.

Address: 1870 W Carson St, Torrance, California 90501, USA

Also Read: Where To Eat in Tokyo

Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream at Creamistry

Made-to-order liquid nitrogen ice cream using all natural and organic ingredients with over 70 flavours and toppings.

Website / Address: 24329 Crenshaw Blvd. Ste G, Torrance, California 90505

Millefeuille Shiso Cheese Katsu Gozen at Kagura

Premium tonkatsu gozen served with sliced cabbage, steamed grain rice (or steamed rice), pork miso soup, Japanese pickled vegetables and 4 small plates.

Rice, pork miso soup and sliced cabage refills are free.

Website / Address: 1652 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, California 90501, USA

Gen Signature Yangyum Galbi at Gen Korean BBQ

Premium Beef Short Ribs

AYCE Barbecue at Gen Korean BBQ in Torrance, California

Website / Address: 24301 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, California 90505

Chicken Walnut at Sea Shore Seafood Restaurant

Deep fried chicken with special mayo and walnut

Website / Address: 5137 Calle Mayor, Torrance, California 90505, USA

Looking for more places to eat in Torrance? Here are some of the best restaurants in Torrance!


MAP: Southern California Food & Drinks

Here’s a map with all the restaurants and places to eat featured in this Southern California food guide.

Hope this food guide gives you an idea on where to eat (and what to order) in Southern California!

I’m always looking for recommendations. Please let me know what you find are the best restaurants and dishes you had in Southern California.


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Denis Mountain

Saturday 25th of August 2018

Wow, superb list you have included all my favorite places. I especially like Burbank as its magnetic menu frames offers the best meat dishes.

Travelling Foodie

Saturday 25th of August 2018

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the list.