Since founding NYC’s now legendary Momofuku Noodle Bar in 2004, David Chang has garnered a reputation as a culinary force to be reckoned with, renowned for his innovative Asian cuisine and buzzed-about dining spots. The super chef is now looking to shake things up with North Spring, his first opening in LA. Here, he shares his pick of the best bites to be found in the City of Angels

Breakfast spot worth getting up early for
One of the great things about LA is its 24-hour diners. Sun Nong Dan in Koreatown is my go-to for seolleongtang, a delicious beef-bone broth soup with rice and noodles and a little spicy hit of kimchi. 

Lunch venue for taking care of business
Chi Spacca (below) on Melrose Avenue is a smart steakhouse with an open kitchen, so it’s fun to see everything being cooked in front of you. Choose whichever aged meat is available on the bone (it’s always fantastic) and let the chefs cook it for you how they feel is best.

Best ‘grab-and-go’ snack?
Unbeatable for quick, reasonably priced food is another K-Town spot, Myung In Dumplings. The dumplings are all handmade, and originate from northern China and Korea. Order the steamed wang mandu – fluffy buns stuffed with pork and vegetables.

Hip hangouts where children are welcome
While it isn’t my area of expertise, my friends absolutely love taking their kids down to Jon & Vinny’s in Hollywood. It’s a loud pizzeria with affordable and appetising pizza, pasta and salads. There’s plenty for the kids to do – crayons and paper for doodling and drawing – and the food comes out fast.

Where to impress on a date
Providence (below) by chef Michael Cimarusti is fine dining at its best: the food is delicate, precise two-Michelin-Star cooking, with a seafood focus. Cimarusti is an advocate of sustainable fishing and farming, and anyone you take here is going to leave feeling wowed.

A reliable place for a pre-dinner drink
Although I’m not a big drinker, I like to meet friends for drinks at my favourite hotel, Chateau Marmont. Glamorous and cool, the outdoor patio is the place to hang out and people-watch. Somewhere a little different, quirky and tons of fun is The Spare Room (pictured top of page) in the Roosevelt hotel, which has a bowling alley in it.

Foodie souvenir of the city to take home
Stop by Locol, a skater-themed restaurant by Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson that’s redefining fast food (Los Angeles Times named it Restaurant of the Year 2017). After tucking into a burger or sandwich, pick up a black T-shirt with the ‘Locol’ logo on it to remember the experience.

David Chang is the founder of Momofuku, with acclaimed restaurants in New York, Sydney, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Toronto. His latest venture, North Spring, is scheduled to open in LA’s Chinatown early 2018.

Interview by Ianthe Butt

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This article has been tagged Food + Drink, Travel Tips