A Culinary Journey Through Southern California: The Best Dishes of 2025

After hundreds of meals across Southern California this year, twelve dishes stand out—not just for their flavors but for the stories they tell about our vibrant region. From makeshift taco stands in Vernon to Michelin-starred counters in Little Tokyo, my culinary exploration has revealed underappreciated cuisines receiving well-deserved recognition, as well as meals that cost less than lunch at a chain restaurant. Each dish narrates a story of Angelenos embracing their immigrant roots while pushing culinary boundaries.

Aguachile at Mariscos Chiltepín (Vernon)

In my relentless search for the best mariscos in Los Angeles, I stumbled upon Mariscos Chiltepín, a small outdoor eatery run by Chef Francisco Leal from Sinaloa, Mexico. His aguachiles are unforgettable, featuring fresh shrimp flavored with crushed chiltepín peppers. The dish, bathed in both salsa verde and his signature salsa negra, celebrates the shrimp’s integrity and culinary swagger through dynamic flavor profiles.

• Location: 1836 E. 41st St., Vernon
• Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Roasted Duck Breast at Backbone (Montrose)

Backbone is a cozy bistro where chefs Karen Yoo and Nathan McCall specialize in dishes that honor their past while pushing culinary boundaries. Their roasted duck breast, bathed in a buttery sauce, pairs beautifully with caramelized endive and roasted black figs. It captures a timeless essence, showcasing their creativity while respecting classical influences.

• Location: 3463 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale
• Hours: Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Wednesday-Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.; closed Sunday-Monday

Goat Biryani at Jikoni (Culver City)

Born to African immigrant parents, Chef Kiano Moju’s pop-up, Jikoni, serves goat biryani that tantalizes the taste buds. Accompanied by kale egusi, this dish embodies her rich culinary heritage blending her Kenyan and Nigerian roots. Unfortunately, Jikoni recently closed, but Moju continues to pop up around Los Angeles.

• Location: Follow Kiano Moju on Instagram for her next pop-up event.

Chochoyotes and Roast Petaluma Chicken at Rustic Canyon x Acamaya (Santa Monica)

Chef Elijah Deleon’s partnership with Ana Castro at Rustic Canyon highlights the beautiful intersection of Oaxacan techniques with California’s seasonal produce. The chochoyotes, creative masa dumplings, are served in a vibrant sauce, while the roast Petaluma chicken with pepián showcases distinctly nutty and earthy flavors.

• Location: 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
• Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Thursday, 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Gimmari at Kato x Animae (Downtown Los Angeles)

Two chefs, Jon Yao and Tara Monsod, united their talents for a memorable dinner featuring gimmari—Korean seaweed rolls filled with shrimp, pork, and perilla. This dish exemplifies the culinary dialogue within the Asian American community, merging traditional flavors with innovative presentation.

• Location: 777 S. Alameda St., Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles
• Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Carnitas at Carnitas Los Gabrieles (Downtown Los Angeles)

Michoacán-style carnitas at Carnitas Los Gabrieles deliver rich, indulgent flavors in soft, freshly made tortillas. Each bite melts in your mouth, showcasing the sheer beauty of expertly crafted carnitas that honors its heritage.

• Location: 1251 E. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday hours vary

Tasting Menu at Restaurant Ki (Little Tokyo)

Chef Ki Kim’s Michelin-star restaurant, Restaurant Ki, delivers an intimate and approachable fine dining experience. The $285 tasting menu is meticulous, celebrating quality ingredients while crafting a narrative across each course.

• Location: 111 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles
• Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 6:30 p.m to 9 p.m.

Makali Pita at Sababa Falafel Shop (Garden Grove)

Sababa Falafel Shop in Garden Grove excels at stuffing perfectly seasoned ingredients into warm pita. The makali pita, filled with fried eggplant and potatoes, represents comfort food done right while delivering a medley of flavors and textures.

• Location: 11011 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove
• Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sesame Cold Noodles at Liu’s Cafe (Koreatown)

Liu’s Cafe stands out for its focus on modern Taiwanese and Hong Kong-inspired dishes. The sesame cold noodles, coated in house-made sesame sauce and topped with crispy cucumber, offer a nod to simplicity that resonates with diners.

• Location: 3915 1/2 W. 6th St., Los Angeles
• Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Afro-Caribbean Shrimp Dumplings at Si!mon (Venice)

Chef Jose Olmedo Carles Rojas transforms traditional dumplings into Afro-Caribbean delights featuring shrimp in a fragrant coconut bisque. Each dish is a testament to vibrant flavors, with coconut rice elevating the entire meal.

• Location: 60 N. Venice Blvd., Venice
• Hours: Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m.

Crispy Smoked Lamb Belly at Selva (Long Beach)

In Long Beach, Chef Carlos Jurado brings culinary magic to life at Selva. The crispy smoked lamb belly over forbidden black rice is an unforgettable experience, blending Colombian influence with American South techniques.

• Location: 4137 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
• Hours: Wednesday to Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday to Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.; closed Monday to Tuesday

Chicken Parmesan at Ellie’s (Long Beach)

In a gesture of community and empathy, Chef Jason Witzl transformed dinner service into a fundraiser for wildfire victims at Ellie’s. The chicken parmesan served that evening showcased beautifully breaded chicken, rich tomato sauce, and a supportive atmosphere that resonated deeply with diners.

• Location: 204 Orange Ave., Long Beach
• Hours: Monday 4 to 9 p.m.; Tuesday to Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Each of these dishes highlights the culinary richness of Southern California, revealing not just the flavors but also the narratives of community, resilience, and innovation that define our food scene. Whether visiting a food truck or a Michelin-starred restaurant, every meal tells a story worth savoring.