Los Angeles may be known for celebrity chefs and Instagram-worthy restaurants, but the real LA food scene is in the taco trucks, strip mall gems, and ethnic enclaves. Here's how to eat incredibly well in LA without spending a fortune.
Taco Trucks & Taquerias
LA's street taco scene is legendary. $2-3 tacos that rival anything in Mexico.
Leo's Tacos
The spinning trompo of al pastor is mesmerizing. Tacos are perfect. Open late.
Tacos El Gordo
Tijuana-style tacos. The adobada is outstanding. Worth any line.
Mariscos Jalisco
The famous shrimp tacos dorados. Crispy, fresh, iconic. Cash only.
Guisados
Braised meat tacos on handmade tortillas. Slightly pricier but worth it.
Thai Town (East Hollywood)
The largest Thai community outside Thailand means incredible, authentic, cheap Thai food.
Jitlada
Southern Thai specialties. Spicy, bold, authentic. The crying tiger is legendary.
Pa Ord Noodle
Boat noodles and tom yum that rival Bangkok. Cheap and incredible.
Sapp Coffee Shop
The jade noodles and boat noodles are famous. No-frills, big flavors.
Night + Market Song
Hip Thai street food. Slightly pricier but still reasonable for the quality.
Koreatown
K-Town is a budget eater's paradise, especially for late-night meals.
BCD Tofu House
Soon tofu stew with endless banchan (side dishes). Open 24/7.
Sun Nong Dan
Beef short rib stew (galbi jjim) that's famous citywide. Shareable portions.
Hodori
Classic Korean diner. Great for late-night Korean comfort food.
Myung In Dumplings
Hand-made Korean dumplings (mandu). Simple, cheap, delicious.
Grand Central Market
Downtown's historic food hall has been feeding LA affordably since 1917.
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas
The OG of Grand Central. Tacos dorados and carnitas since 1944.
Sarita's Pupuseria
Salvadoran pupusas stuffed with cheese, beans, and pork. Cheap and filling.
China Cafe
Old-school Chinese-American since 1959. Massive portions, tiny prices.
More Budget Gems
Zankou Chicken
Armenian rotisserie chicken with legendary garlic sauce. Cheap and addictive.
Howlin' Ray's
Nashville hot chicken worth the wait. Prices are reasonable for the portions.
Langer's Delicatessen
The #19 pastrami sandwich is legendary. Split one—they're huge.
In-N-Out Burger
The California classic. A double-double, fries, and drink for under $10.
LA Budget Eating Tips
- Lunch specials: Korean BBQ and sushi places have much cheaper lunch sets
- Food trucks: Follow @FoodTrucksLA on Twitter for locations
- Strip malls: LA's best cheap eats are hidden in strip malls
- SGV: San Gabriel Valley has incredible cheap Chinese food
- Happy hour: Many restaurants offer 50% off appetizers
- Late night: K-Town and Thai Town have great late-night cheap options
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