Prime | Late Night
By Frank Shyong
May 27, 2010 10:08 a.m.
After 11 p.m., everything you hate about Los Angeles disappears. There’s plenty of parking, no traffic to speak of and it’s not as crowded. It’s the perfect time to go out and get good food ““ and contrary to popular belief, there’s plenty to eat.
Hodori
Hodori, a 24-hour Korean restaurant, encapsulates why Los Angeles is one of the greatest food cities in the world. Only here can you find exotic items such as oxtail soup, duk man du gook (rice cake soup) and kimchi fried rice at any time of night. The food is expensive, with most items priced at or above $10, but when it’s 4 a.m. and you have to have Korean food, it’s well worth the price.
1001 S. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90006
213-383-3554
Red Corner Asia
While the name doesn’t evoke images of a pleasant dining experience ““ “red corner” sounds like a place you’d only hang out in as punishment ““ RCA offers intensely flavored Thai food until 2 a.m., including my favorite dish in Los Angeles. Make sure you order the crispy duck with panang sauce: lightly fried duck with sweet and spicy panang curry, topped with lemongrass and swirls of coconut milk. For dessert, head next door to the Bhan Kanom Thai bakery, where you can get fried taro donuts, sticky rice with banana and a variety of other sweets and ice creams.
Red Corner Asia
5267 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-466-6722
Bhan Kanom Thai
5271 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323-871-8030
Donut Star
At the corner of Pico and Sepulveda boulevards, Donut Star provides an essential community service: 24 hours of freshly baked doughnuts less than two miles from UCLA. The doughnuts are baked in classic style ““ large, light and soft. You can also purchase breakfast croissants with ham and cheese. Doughnuts are 75 cents, while pastries and croissants are slightly more expensive.
11079 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310-575-9982
Canter’s Deli and Restaurant
The only thing more old-school than Canter’s Jewish food is the decor. The ceiling is patterned with autumn leaves, and each booth is framed by vaguely orange stained-glass panels. It’s kind of like eating in an old cafeteria. Though the food is a little pricey ““ expect to spend at least $15 to $20 ““ it’s worth the cost. Sandwiches arrive heaped with incredibly generous portions of meat ““ generous to the point where the sandwich is impossible to fit in your mouth. Various baked goods, priced by pound, are also available in the bakery display counter at the front, including a rather delectable apple strudel. Most importantly, it’s open 24 hours.
419 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323-651-2030
