Pigya
One of the more difficult recommendations to make when it comes to food in Los Angeles is where to get Korean BBQ. It’s not because there’s a lack of options – quite the opposite. It’s more… that question begets more questions. “How long do you want to wait?” “How much do you want to spend?” “Do you want the focus to be on beef, pork, seafood or do you want it all?” I have a lot of spots I like for different reasons but if you just want a general KBBQ recommendation that is affordable and gives you great cuts of beef and pork while also giving you some delicious extras, then you should go to Pigya.
Pigya is relatively new on the KBBQ scene but they are crushing it. They cook everything on a big cast iron skillet (versus on a wire rack) and therefore all the delicious juices season the kimchi and veggies that wait along the edges. They also cook everything for you and the service is great.
Here’s what I’d order: One of the two set menus they have for multiple people. They have options for two or four people and the price is about $25-$35 per person (without drinks or tip.) You get so much food though. They have a pork-heavy set menu called “Pigya” and one that’s more balanced between pork and beef – “Pork Gyu.” I recommend the latter but both are lovely. With the Pork Gyu, you get: banchan, pork belly, pork cheek, boneless short rib, flat iron chadol, steamed egg, and Wagyu Carpaccio. You will be close to full by this point but buckle up because then they take the kimchi that’s been absorbing all that fat and flavor and use it to make Kimchi fried rice that is also covered in cheese. Then they make you a spicy “hangover” ramen to fill in any crevasses in your stomach. If you somehow need more food – add one of the stews. I loved this meal and I think you will too.
Sunright Tea Studio
Five minutes northeast of Pigya is one of my favorite Boba chains in Los Angeles. It’s the one I visit most often. You won’t be hungry after Pigya but you’ll probably be thirsty and sleepy so let’s solve those problems by heading to Sunright Tea Studio on 6th Street. They have twenty-five locations in SoCal so you can find one somewhere near you in LA. Like any Boba place, you can customize your drink’s sweetness/ice levels and choose from a bunch of delicious toppings. It’s hard for me to give you specific recommendations because it feels oddly personal but let me give you a few of my favorite drinks.
My favorite drink is akin to a milkshake and that’s the Strawberry Frostie. It’s ice, blended with fresh strawberries, and topped with a thick layer of cheese foam. Cheese foam is something I avoided for far too long – the biggest regret of my life. It’s like a rich, extra creamy layer of salted whipped cream. It’s incredible. I get mine at 75% sweetness level. (All these customizable options will present themselves when you order on the iPads.) If you don’t want a strawberry-blended milkshake then I recommend the Strawberry Matcha Latte or the Panda Milk Tea. The Panda Milk Tea is black tea and milk with brown sugar boba and honey boba. The classic choice (and a good one if it’s your first time) is the Sunright Boba Milk Tea. It’s Ceylon black tea, milk, brown sugar syrup, and brown sugar boba. Finally, if you want something without milk I’d get the Sunright Fruit Tea – it’s fruit tea, fresh orange juice, and passionfruit and it’s served with sliced lemon and grapefruit. It’s a perfect drink for a hot day.
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That’s all. See you next week!