If you are a foodie at heart, like I am, you won’t find a better selection of international and California cuisine than in the city of Los Angeles. L.A. is an enormous melting pot of cultures, so no matter what cuisine you’re craving, there is a restaurant that will make your taste buds sing. However, it’s also the street food that makes L.A. a gastronomical hotspot for serious connoisseurs.
Food trucks decades ago were known as “cockroach catchers.” That’s because they served mystery meat that mostly made you sick. But that’s in the past. Today food trucks serve amazing haute cuisine that will satiate even the most discerning palate.
To find your favorite food truck, log on to Instagram and do a search. They often announce their location on any given day.
L.A. food trucks and street food vendors set up at festivals, farmers’ markets, night markets, parking lots, and even in alleys.
Foodieland Night Market at the Rose Bowl
I’ve been to many foodie events in L.A., but I hit the jackpot when I attended the Foodieland Night Market at Rose Bowl Stadium. It was only $5 to sign up, so I thought, “Why not?” Saturday and Sunday were already sold out, but Friday was open, so I registered on Eventbrite. I had no idea how popular it was.
There were swarms of cars already parked when I arrived. The event started at 3 pm, but I got there at 4 pm because I didn’t want to be the first person to show up. LOL!
I took note of where I parked so I could find my way back to my car and walked to the gate. What I saw were what seemed to be miles of food booths stretched from one end of the Rose Bowl complex to the other.
There was a long row of food trucks lined up along a fence, and I could see a bandstand at the far end. Hundreds of picnic tables were lined up in front of it, and people were sitting in chairs, eating.
Food tents, food trucks, merchandise booths, carnival games, and arts and crafts tables were spread all the way from the stage to the far end of the Rose Bowl. I walked over a bridge that crossed the L.A River. It took me to an equally huge area full of food vendors. Each featured different cuisines, and I could see that my main challenge would be deciding WHAT to eat.
There was soul food, frog’s legs, alligator bites, oysters, Korean, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, BBQ, Mediterranean, French, Indonesian, vegan, Ethiopian, South American, and more, including desserts. Mini cantinas were set up throughout the Foodieland night market and were serving wine, beer, and selected cocktails.
After checking out HUNDREDS of booths, I finally ordered some Yakitori chicken skewers with mochi, a can of rose, and a small carton of dark chocolate ice cream.
By 5 pm, people had swarmed into the night market by the thousands. When I left around 6 pm, there was a huge line of people waiting to get through the gate, so I was glad I had arrived early. I left before dark, but I can only imagine how much fun the crowd had after having a few drinks and dancing the night away.
Why you shouldn’t miss trying L.A. Street Food
Eating at a great restaurant is wonderful, but if you are on the go exploring the city, and don’t want to spend a ton on a fancy meal, picking up some grub from an L.A. street food vendor is a real treat!
Egg Slut was once a food truck that became so popular, it now has multiple locations, including a permanent pop-up at Grand Central Market. If you are a foodie, you will love that place too.
Immigrant vendors throughout the city sell L.A.’s famous street dogs. You will find them downtown, in city parks, at the Convention Center, and on many streets. They are DELICIOUS!
Burbank hosts a monthly Magnolia Park Night Out on Magnolia Blvd on the last Friday of the month. At least 30 food trucks line up on both sides of the street between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista. Between bites, you can shop at the fabulous vintage, thrift, and specialty stores along the boulevard.
Farmer’s markets not only sell groceries but usually have a few food pop-ups or trucks set up. Some of my favorites are Calabasas, South Pasadena, Hollywood, Downtown LA, Studio City, and Brentwood.
And don’t miss the Original Farmer’s Market located in the Fairfax district that features a variety of ethnic cuisines in individual food stalls.
Are you hungry yet? Get ready to pig out in L.A.
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