Mandrake Bar, Los Angeles

A good place to hit up for a drink on your way to/from LAX.

Mandrake Bar
2692 S La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90034
Los Angeles, CA

+1(310)837-3297

Indian Stall, Sim Lim Square

Naan, chana masala, and daal from a North Indian stall in Sim Lim Square. They pull the naan right out of the tandoor which gives this place its special edge.


Basement Level
Sim Lim Square
Singapore

No phone

MRT: Bugis

Sausage Fest in HK

I don't know the name of this restaurant but these sausages were damn tasty. Both had an intense rice wine taste to them that I was really into. We also ordered a vegetable mushroom clay pot which was just OK, hence no photo.

30 Cochrane Street
Hong Kong, China

phone: +852-25431032

Botejyu

This is omu soba and it was pretty damn good. It's basically soba, vegetables, and pork topped with a thin omelette. If you've ever had omu rice then you'll know what I'm talking about. Botejyu is a Japanese chain although I think the local branch in Singapore may have just licensed the name or maybe franchised it.

Botejyu
Liang Court
177 River Valley Road #02-32/33
Singapore

phone: +65 6338 8557

MRT: Clarke Quay

Harbin Beer

Utterly tasteless. Available at a Chinatown near you.

Urasawa, Los Angeles

Hairy crab with uni

Hiro and his bro at work

Toro, radish, and caviar



Not much to say here other than this place 100% deserves all the hype and fuss. One of the best meals I've ever had.

Urasawa
218 N Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

phone: +1 (310) 247-8939

You'll need a reservation.

Mexican Food, Los Angeles

This is a fat, cheesy carne asada sope from a weekend night market in Boyle Heights. Fortunately I brought a bottle of lactase pills. I also got to try some pozole and a chicharron (fried pork skin) gordita, both of which were pretty awesome. 

The vendors set up their carts in a parking lot and the atmosphere is mellow and fun. It's mostly Mexican food but one lady was selling pupusas. Highly recommended if you're ever in LA. I spent USD 8.50 and left totally stuffed.

corner of Cesar Chavez and Breed, Los Angeles, California
hours: weekends only?

Sorry for the crappy photo. The street lights are dim in East LA.