Even though snow is not on our weather menu here in Los Angeles, it does get rather chilly in the autumn and winter, particularly in the evenings. As the sun sets and the shadows gather, the best course of action to keep warm is to have some delicious soup. Luckily, we live in foodie heaven, and there are infinite options for this heartwarming dish in every neighborhood we serve, be it Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Highland Park, Mt. Washington, or the Valley. Here are some recent favorites that we would love to recommend:
PINE AND CRANE
If you are in Silver Lake, head to Pine and Crane to savor the steamy goodness of the fragrant Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Served in beautiful artisan ceramic bowl, it’s packs an aromatic punch, and is certain to help you power through the holiday season.
GOOD GIRL DINETTE
Providing liquid bliss to the residents of Highland Park for the last 5 years is the local favorite Good Girl Dinette. Headed by the visionary chef Diep Tran, who aptly defined the restaurant as “American diner meets Vietnamese comfort food,” Good Girl Dinette feels chic and bohemian while serving amazing Pho ( vegetarian options available) and yummy, hearty bowls of Porridge.
RAMEN BANGAICHI
If you are hunkering for a bowl of ramen, Ramen Bangaichi of Silver Lake offers a flavorful rendition of this beloved Japanese dish. Established 50 years ago in Tokyo, Japan, the first Bangaichi restaurant was located at the Tokyo Railway Station, near the Imperial Palace grounds and the Ginza commercial district, and we feel pretty fortunate that it came to Los Feliz. We recommend Ginger Ramen, a delicious collage of char-siu pork, bamboo shoots, green onions, bean sprouts, and a fair dash of ginger, to comfort the spirit and sooth the soul.
TAIX
Taix, an Echo Park stalwart, was established in 1927 and has been operated by three generations of the Taix family. The sprawling interior includes a large dining hall and a cozy bar area with retro ambiance that’s appreciated by a diverse demographic – you are equally likely to encounter a multi-generational family or a flock of the young and hip (particularly on Wednesday evenings, when local artists take over the bar for “Social Club”, a night of DJ’ing and socializing). The daily soups range from Minestrone to Clam Chowder, with the Onion Soup classic in rotation throughout the week. Settle down into a soft armchair and enjoy your abundant tureen of French country cuisine as you watch the fireplace and feel your worries melt away.
