Cafe Mak, Koreatown - LA

Cafe Mak, located in Koreatown, is a coffee/tea room for someone who might looking a place for quietly study, drinking, and relax. The atmosphere of the store is nicely decorated. They serve tea, coffee, and wine but very expensive prices to make up with those nice looking surroundings. I stayed there for 4 hours doing my own things, such as facebooking, emailing, gaming, reading, etc.
Here are some pictures of the place:

I paid 12 bucks for this Tiramisu cake and Sencha tea pot:

Overall, this place gives quiet, relaxing experience to me. This place is indeed a good place for any couples or friends to spend time on special occasions, such as Christmas (if disposable incomes allowed).

Mendocino Farms, West Hollywood - LA

After the final exams that own me badly, it's time to seek for good food again. I'm told to try Mendocino Farms's sandwiches. Nothing I can say but so gooooooooooood.

“Not So Fried” Chicken 

Today I got “Not So Fried” Chicken. According to its description, roasted chicken breast rolled in Mendo’s “Krispies” with herb aioli, whole grain mustard slaw, tomatoes, and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta with a side of chipotle BBQ sauce.

The special thing about this sandwich is its BBQ sauce. I can say it is the best BBQ sauce I've ever had. I will return to this place another time for sure.

More info, http://mendocinofarms.com/

Yang Chow, Chinatown - LA

I have been here several times already. I firstly knew about this place from my cousin. Yang Chow offers very tasty Chinese foods located in Chinatown, LA. Every time I get inside the place, Slippery Shrimp is the dish placed on the tables of anyone there. It is similar to Orange Chicken offered by Panda Express but much better in quality. Other dishes, such as Kung Pao Chicken offered here are also good. Price point is similar to any other Chinese places (around $12-$25 per person). Highly recommended.

Slippery Shrimp

Find more information at http://www.yangchow.com/

Izakaya Honda-Ya, Little Toyko - LA

I haven't updated my blog for a while due to massive assignments and my Las Vegas trip. Today I will introduce some cool place that serves alcoholic drinks and Japanese food. It is called Honda Ya Izakaya located in Little Tokyo, LA. This place is so good for chilling out with your folks. I am a big fan of good beer, so let's get started with beer served here:

Sapporo Draft Beer

This beer is incredibly good; it's so blend, fresh, and "smooth." I can say it can go with any dishes.
Japanese food here is various: sushi, sashimi, yakitori (separated menu), etc.

Scallop with Bacon

Scallop with Bacon is a must that should be ordered every time you visit this place. It's so good.

Meat Balls and White Meat

White Meat yakitori has wasabi on top, so it is not good for someone who doesn't like wasabi. However, what I can say is it offers very good and interesting taste.

Ginger Pork with Rice

Fried Tofu in Soy Source

I'm pretty much full and happy. The price point is around $15-$30, which is not bad.
More information can be found here: http://izakayahondaya.com/

Highly recommended!

Hop Woo BBQ & Seafood, LA

Today I found an amazing place for Chinese food, called Hop Woo BBQ & Seafood Restaurant. Food here seems to be Hong Kong style. I got Roasted Duck, Pork Chop with Garlic and Salt, and House Fried Rice (beef, chicken, and shrimp).  What I can say is they are all amazing. I'm really pleased with my time and all money spending here. The price point is not bad at all: expecting to pay $10-20 each. It is located on West Olympic Blvd between Bunny Dr. and Sepulveda Blvd. I will definitely get a chance to go there again.

Roasted Duck

Pork Chop w/ Garlic & Spicy Salt 

House Fried Rice

Castle Korean BBQ, LA

I'm suggested to try  Korean BBQ at Castle BBQ. The price is surprisingly low. With just $9.99 (all day price), I got 4 options of meats: brisket, pork belly, pork chop, and chicken. It is served with Korean side dishes, including stream egg and miso soup. I like kimchi in particular.

Brisket

Side Dishes

There are 5 dipping sauces available on the table: sesame oil, salt, spicy sauce, soy sauce, and some Korean sauce. I like how it is prepared because I don't have to ask for sauces whenever I need any of them. The service here is decent. If one's looking for a good deal on Korean BBQ, this place might be a good choice.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

BJ's is an american franchise brand, mostly located in the US west coast. It offers american food and serves alcoholic drink. BJ's is also a good place to enjoy sport games together with your friends during the weekend night. I really like everything here: good food, cool drink, great dessert, outstanding services, okay price, etc.

Spaghetti Marinara Sauce

BJ's Favorite Pizza 

BJ's Burger (with medium rare cooked)

BJ's Famous Pizookie (a hot cookie served with ice creams on top)

You may get to know BJ's around your place via http://www.bjsbrewhouse.com/locations

Golden Deli, San Gabriel

I'm told that Golden Deli is truly amazing for Vietnamese food. Once I have tried it, I can't find a word to describe its greatness. What I'm told is not exaggerating; rather, Golden Deli might be the best place for such food I have known so far. Highly recommended.

"Vietnamese" Coffee

PS. Don't forget to try its egg rolls. So amazing.

Philippe's Sandwiches, Chinatown - LA

This is a sandwich place in Chinatown, LA. I never expect to get other good food besides Chinese food, yet this place surprises me with great, French-dipped sandwiches. The atmosphere inside is more like an "old-day" place.  Philippe's also offers original spicy mustard that complements greatly with its sandwiches.

 

Double-Dipped Beef Sandwich

Parking spaces are provided and free. However, only cash is accepted. Don't go after you feel hungry because you have to wait in a kinda long line. Plan ahead!
Anyway, if you want to "touch" the feeling of old day with great sandwiches, this place is another good one to consider.
Enjoy your meal.

Runyon Canyon Park, LA

I have gone to many places for good food. So now it's time for me to get some exercise. Runyon Canyon Park is a hiking trail in that gives you beautiful views of LA. I can say that this trail is very safe: nice neighborhood and almost free from dangerous wildlife. I have been here many times yet never encountered any rattle snake even though there are warning signs about rattlesnakes. This place may not be known because people usually go to Griffith Hiking Trail that is not far away from this one. However, I think it is good to consider another trail besides Griffith's.

 

Enjoy LA from the top view

Half & Half Tea House, San Gabriel

For some reason, I want to get some boba tea. My friend brought me to Half & Half Tea House in San Gabriel. Even though its boba isn't the best I have tried, it is good enough to spend your time getting in the line for it.

Nothing much to say. It's a decent place for boba drink overall.

KyoChon (Korean Fried Chicken), LA

Several days ago, I missed the Korean fried chicken's unique taste that can't be found in American fried chicken. KyoChon is the best place I know if talking about Korean fried chicken. What makes it unique? its seasoning, perhaps. At KyoChon, the no-brainer menu that I order all the time is large signature wings. It comes with small wings and legs, yet fully seasoned with garlic+soy source or hot spicy. Both seasonings are enriched within chicken wings and legs: strong yet enjoyable taste. Let me warn you that hot spicy is the whole new level of spiciness. No matter how good you are with spiciness, give some second thought on this one.

Signature Wings

The price point is a bit high relatively to the size. Expect to pay around $15-20 per person if you want to fill your stomach until you are packed. Highly recommended !

Chick-fil-A, LA

I have been busy lately because my summer assignments will be due soon. However, the desire to get good food never fades away lol. Today, I took a short break and went to Chick-fil-A, a franchise that specializes in chicken entrées. I can guarantee that you will get good experience during your time at this place: great food and outstanding services.

Spicy Chicken Sandwich Deluxe Meal

The price point is around $6-10 for a meal. I got Spicy Chicken Sandwich meal. There are fries with a dipping source of your choice and drink. You will never get the quality of food and services at this price point anywhere, beside here. Highly recommended.

Pink's Hot Dogs, LA

My friend invited me to go getting a good hot dog. Pink's Hot Dogs may be known as the best hot dog place in LA. I have gone there many times yet never been disappointed. Pink's Hot Dogs offers hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings, etc. If you wonder what you should get, I can say that you should get all food here because all I have tried so far are so gooooood. The price point is so affordable, like $8 to $15 at most. However, I usually have to wait about 30 mins to an hour or so to get my food because the line is so long. Once you get inside, you will see many many many photos of Hollywood stars who have visited this place. Here are some photos I got from the place today.

Chicago Polish Dog

Even though I have to wait for awhile getting my order, I always enjoy really good food served by Pink's Hot Dogs.

San Ya, Korean BBQ @ Koreatown, LA

I haven't had Korean BBQ for awhile, so I decided to go for San Ya, which is a low-price kbbq place available. I have to admit that this is not the first time I come here. It is a decent place, but not that kind of places you have to visit once in your life. One thing surprised me today is that the service is hugely improved; they can give a nice service to me even though it is Saturday night.

 

San Ya gives a decent quality of meats with a lot of variations, such as beef, pork, and chicken with $9.99. If you want to get more variations, you can choose $11.99 or $18.99 for your dinner. Food aside, this place actually has a bad reputation about services. However, waiters today kept my table full with meats, dipping sources, and water all time. They even came and checked often if I would need anything. I'm impressed with the improved services they gave me today.

This place is really recommended if you want to pay low price with decent quality for Korean BBQ.

Shabu Shabu Yo @ Little Tokyo, LA

Finally, Friday has come as well as my time to get some good food. I want to get shabu shabu badly, so I've decided to go to Little Tokyo for it. Unfortunately, my favourite place Shabu Shabu House closed for a week. So, I end up at Shabu Shabu Yo, which is a shabu-shabu place owned by Korean. The price for big shabu-shabu beef set is little more affordable. It can be an okay substitute for Shabu Shabu House, which is still more preferable though.

Beef quality here is good and delicious but not equal to one at Shabu Shabu House because it can't give the same "favorable sensation" when chewing in my mouth. Besides that, it is juicy and high grade for sure.
Peanut source here is decent yet has some room to improve, and price is about $15 for 15 pieces of beef combo with unlimited refilled rice.

Overall, I'm packed and happy with the shabu shabu here.

Happy 4th July @ Exposition Park, LA

To all readers, July 4th is Independence Day of the United States of America. There are many forms of celebrations happening during the day. Yet, most of all have fireworks at the end.
I went to Exposition Park, LA (http://www.expositionpark.org/) where it is free for admission, but you still have to pay for parking, which is about $10. It is safe. The fireworks are magnificent and have been launched for about an hour. These are some fireworks I would like to share:

Happy 4th July and have a great one.