On June 7, the Women’s World Cup kicks off (literally) in Paris, France. Twenty-four nations, including defending champions the United States, are participating in the month-long tournament. If you find yourself wanting to experience the culinary delights of the participating countries, you’re in luck as the L.A. area is home to restaurants for all 24 countries. Here’s a dining destination for every team.
Group A
France: Taix
Echo Park landmark Taix is a remnant of Los Angeles’ long lost French Town. The 92-year-old French restaurant, still run by the Taix family, serves classic French country cuisine like French onion soup and coq au vin. 1911 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park.
Nigeria: Totos’ African Cuisine
If you have a hankering for the Nigerian favorite jollof, a rice dish made with tomatoes and onions, then you should head to Totos’ African Cuisine in Van Nuys. Totos’ daily specials include okra soup on Mondays and spicy goat head on Fridays. Make sure to order a side of plantains or pounded yam to accompany one of the many soups on the menu. 15355 Sherman Way, Van Nuys.
Norway: Olson’s
Olson’s on Pico has been serving the Mid-City area since 1948 and sells a variety of Scandinavian dishes. Norwegian favorites include a herring salad made with the same recipe since opening day, the open-faced sandwich smørrebrød, and grav lax. 5660 W. Pico Blvd., Mid-City.
South Korea: Kang Ho-dong Baekjeong
There are lots of Korean options in L.A., but only one is owed by the Korean equivalent of The Rock. Owned by Korean comedian and wrestler Kang Ho-dong, Kang Ho-dong Baekjong is the L.A. outpost of a popular South Korean chain and features a wide variety of meats including bulgogi and beef tongue that you’ll cook on charcoal grills. A special treat is the shaken dosirak; a metal box containing meat, egg, bean curd, rice kimchi, and anchovies shaken tableside until it turns into a kind of bibimbap. 3465 W. 6th St. (inside Chapman Plaza), Koreatown.
Group B
China: Chengdu Taste
While there are endless options for great authentic Chinese food in the San Gabriel Valley, it’s Chengdu Taste that has often been named one of the best Sichuan restaurants in the country. Challenge your taste buds with spicy dishes like Numb-Taste Wonton (which does exactly what it promises to) and sliced fish with tofu pudding. 828 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra.
Germany: The Red Lion Tavern
The 60-year-old Red Lion Tavern in Silver Lake is L.A.’s essential German beer hall (despite originally opening as an English pub). Enjoy German beers from brands like Hofbrau, Paulaner, and Spaten as well as a wide variety of sausages, schnitzels, and other German classics. 2366 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake.
South Africa: Springbok Bar & Grill
Founded by three friends from South Africa, Springbok Bar & Grill is one of the few bars in town that regularly shows rugby and cricket. While you can get American bar standards like burgers, check out the South African dishes like peri-peri chicken and Karoo lamb shank. 16153 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys.
Spain: Otoño
At Highland Park’s recently opened Otoño, you’ll probably order tapas like Iberico ham and pan con tomate, but you should schedule your evening around the paellas and fideuà. The classic Spanish dish (and its Valencian cousin fideuà) is available in a seafood version with prawns and lobster, a vegetarian cooked with spring vegetables and white miso, as well as the scallop and chorizo negra fideuà colored black by squid ink. 5715 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park.
Group C
Australia: Little Ruby
Unsurprisingly, if you’re looking for Australian inspired cafes, head to the beach. Little Ruby comes to Santa Monica from Australia by way of New York. Sip on flat white coffee, an Australian invention, while you wait on brekkie options like chia muesli, vegemite toast, and ricotta hotcakes. Australian-style chicken schnitzel and vegetarian rice bowls made with haloumi cheese are also available later in the day. 109 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica.
Brazil: Brazilian Plate House
Torrance’s Brazilian Plate House has a little bit of everything, whether it be the croquette-like coxinha, boiled yuca or the top sirloin cap called picanha. Incidentally, the omnipresent açaí bowl (available here) is a Brazilian original. 4509 Torrance Blvd., Torrance.
Italy: Miceli’s
The oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood, Miceli’s has been owned by the same family since it opened in 1949. It’s a classic red-sauce joint with plenty of pastas and pizzas, all based on recipes from the old country. And did we mention the servers sing? 1646 N. Las Palmas Ave., Hollywood (also in Universal City).
Jamaica: Natraliart
The meat-heavy menu at Natraliart in Arlington Heights features everything from jerk chicken to curry goat, all accompanied by ground food (Caribbean slang for root vegetables like yams and sweet potatoes), rice and veggies. Wash it all down with a glass of carrot juice. 3426 W. Washington Blvd., Arlington Heights.
Group D
Argentina: Malbec Market
A casual deli spin-off of Pasadena’s Malbec, Malbec Market in Eagle Rock has many great Argentinian menu is designed for both dine in and take out. Order a few empanadas, croquettes, spinach quiches, and a hot chorizo sandwich, and make yourself an Argentinian picnic. Save room for flan. 1632 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock.
England: The Fox and Hounds
Studio City’s the Fox and Hounds is a wonderful alchemy of sports bar and English pub. Enjoy fish and chips with a pint or a nice English garden salad. Since most of the World Cup matches will be played early in the morning our time, you’ll likely wind up ordering one of their many variations on the traditional English breakfast. 11100 Ventura Blvd., Studio City.
Japan: Daikokuya
While Daikokuya’s wait time is infamous, you’ll forget all about it once you’re sipping on the pork broth of bowls of the Daikoku and spicy miso ramen. Sushi and vegan ramen are also available. In addition to its Little Tokyo location with the iconic yellow awning, Daikokuya also has outposts in El Monte, West Hollywood, Sawtelle, and Monterey Park. 327 E. 1st St., Little Tokyo.
Scotland: Tam O’Shanter
The 97-year-old Tam O’Shanter in Atwater Village is known for its annual Burns Night supper, complete with haggis. The rest of the year though, you can enjoy Scotch rarebit and Toad in the Hole. Likely though, you’ll turn to the famous Lawry’s prime rib served with Yorkshire pudding, creamed vegetables and mashed potatoes and gravy. Oh, and lest we forget, there’s plenty of scotches to choose from at the bar. 2980 Los Feliz Blvd., Atwater Village.
Group E
Cameroon: The African Chop
The logo that depicts the African continent as a hot pepper, should tell that the food at the African Chop food truck will be spicy and rewarding. Owned and operated by two Cameroonian immigrants, African Chop’s specialty is suya, a spicy beef skewer from northern Cameroon made with a chile-peanut-spices blend sourced from back home. Get it in a combo with jollof rice, greens, and puff-puffs, a kind of beignet popular in West Africa. instagram.com/africanchop.
Canada: The Kroft
Spring 2018 should be known as the era of the Great Los Angeles Poutine Massacre with poutine palaces Redondo Beach Café, Smoke’s Poutine, and P’tit Soleil all closing their doors. While you can still get a high-end take on poutine at Animal, you ironically have to travel south to get a proper taste of our northern neighbor’s favorite junk food. With seven different styles of poutine—including classic, Japanese katsu, short rib, and country fried chicken—the Kroft in Anaheim is worth the trip. 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim.
Netherlands: Holland International Market
While Los Angeles is lacking in proper Dutch restaurants (Solvang road trip, anyone?), there is the Holland International Market in Bellflower. Here you can find all your favorite imported Dutch products, including gouda cheese, licorice, speculaas cookies, and bitterballen. It’s not just food; you can also get Delft Blue ceramics. 9835 Belmont Street, Bellflower.
New Zealand: Tangaroa Fish Market and Raw Bar
Culver City’s Tangaroa Fish Market and Raw Bar takes its name from Tangaroa, the Maori god of the sea, and the menu is all about fresh New Zealand seafood, like green lip mussels and tai snapper. There’s also a New Zealand lamb burger if you prefer more land-based meals. Several New Zealand wines are available as well. 12604 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City.
Group F
Chile: Rincon Chileno
With locations in Lawndale and on Melrose, it’s easy to make your way to Chilean deli Rincon Chileno for empanadas and beefy sandwiches. Both locations have traditional Chilean favorites like lomo a lo pobre (steak with fries, onions, and fried eggs), but only the Melrose location has an expansive seafood menu that includes multiple ceviches. 15418 Hawthorne Blvd., Lawndale and 4352 Melrose Ave., East Hollywood.
Sweden: Viking Pizza
They do pizza a little differently in Sweden, with toppings like bananas, eggs, peanuts, shrimp, and whole salads on top. Experience this phenomenon for yourself at Glendale’s Viking Pizza. If you’re feeling less adventurous, pies with familiar ingredients like pepperoni are available. 3740 San Fernando Rd., Glendale.
Thailand: Jitlada
Explore the spicy flavors of Southern Thailand at Jitlada. A favorite of the late Jonathan Gold, Jitlada is known for its spicy curries with fish or beef, but there are also mellower dishes like coco mango salad and steamed mussels. 5233 ½ W. Sunset Blvd., East Hollywood.
United States of America: HiHo Cheeseburger
We close our culinary world tour back here in the U.S. with the back to back winner of Los Angeles magazine’s Burger Bracket, Santa Monica’s HiHo Cheeseburger. HiHo uses 100 percent grass-fed Wagyu beef in their burgers, while their vegetarian burger is a gluten free vegan patty. Sweeten the meal with pies and shakes. 1320 2nd St., Santa Monica.
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