When the heat is on, finding the perfect way to cool down becomes a top priority. Forget about sweating through another hot meal – Los Angeles offers a vibrant array of delicious cold food options to beat the heat and tantalize your taste buds. Whether you’re searching for a light lunch, a refreshing dinner, or just a cool snack, the city’s diverse culinary scene has something for everyone. From chilled noodles to icy soups and zesty seafood, let’s explore some of the best cold dishes you can find near you in LA.
Dive into Delightful Oysters
For oyster aficionados, L&E Oyster Bar in Silver Lake is a must-visit destination. Their daily-dozen raw oyster platter is an incredible deal, featuring a rotating selection of three to four oyster varieties. You can also curate your own oyster experience by choosing from their extensive East and West Coast selections. To perfectly complement your oysters, Matthew Kaner has expertly curated the wine list. Enjoy your cool seafood feast in their pleasant open-air upstairs bar for a truly refreshing experience.
L & E Oyster Bar, 1637 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 660-2255, www.leoysterbar.com
Naeng Myun: Icy Korean Noodles to Beat the Heat
If you’re seeking the ultimate icy noodle experience, look no further than Yu Chun Chic Naeng Myun. This Koreatown gem is renowned for serving the coldest and most invigorating bowls of naeng myun in Los Angeles. Their signature noodles, crafted from arrowroot flour, boast a striking dark hue and a wonderfully springy texture. Served in a chilled stainless steel bowl, the noodles are immersed in a tangy beef broth brimming with crushed ice, and artfully topped with julienned cucumber, thinly sliced beef, and a half of a hard-boiled egg. For an extra layer of flavor and a simultaneous hot-and-cold sensation, add a touch of the accompanying spicy mustard.
Yu Chun Chic Naeng Myun, 3185 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 382-381.
Gazpacho: A Spanish Chilled Soup with Refinement
Escape the heat with a taste of Spain at Tres, located inside the SLS Hotel. While gazpacho is traditionally known as a rustic peasant dish from southern Spain, Tres elevates it to a refined culinary experience. Inspired by Jose Andres, their gazpacho is beautifully presented and finished with a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. For an even more luxurious touch, you can opt to add succulent Pacific prawns to your chilled soup.
Tres, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd. (inside the SLS Hotel), Los Angeles, (310) 247-0400, www.sbe.com/tres
Ceviche Verde: A Tart and Refreshing Mexican Delight
Venture beyond the traditional ceviche de pescado and discover the vibrant flavors of ceviche verde de pescado at La Casita Mexicana in Bell. This Veracruz-style ceviche is a testament to refreshing simplicity. Tender chunks of fish are marinated in a tangy blend of pureed epazote, cilantro, lime, and a selection of green chili peppers. Served with crisp cucumber and finely minced red onion, this ceviche is naturally cooling and incredibly flavorful. Enjoy it the traditional way with freshly fried, flaky tostadas for easy scooping and devouring.
La Casita Mexicana, 4030 Gage Ave., Bell, (323) 773-1898, casitamex.com
Hiyashi Chuka: Japanese Cold Ramen for Summer
When the summer heat hits, Kouraku in Little Tokyo offers a delightful solution with their hiyashi chuka. This popular late-night spot serves up this classic summertime meal, a cold ramen dish adorned with a colorful array of garnishes. Kouraku’s version features thin strips of refreshing cucumber, delicate fish cake, savory eggs, tangy pickled ginger, surimi, and a generous sprinkle of shredded dried seaweed sheets. To bring all the flavors together with a spicy kick, a dollop of Asian hot mustard is the perfect finishing touch.
Kouraku, 314 E. 2nd St., Los Angeles, (213) 687-4972, kouraku.menutoeat.com
Ceviche: Peruvian Perfection by the Beach
For an extensive selection of Peruvian ceviche, Paiche in Marina del Rey is the place to be. Ricardo Zarate, known for his Peruvian culinary expertise, offers over a dozen different types of seafood prepared sashimi-style and served perfectly chilled atop their signature fiery ceviche sauce. Located close to the beach, Paiche provides the ideal setting to enjoy this quintessential summer bar food.
Paiche, 13488 Maxella Ave., Marina del Rey, (310) 893-6100, paichela.com
Cold Offal: Adventurous Appetizers in Monterey Park
For the adventurous eater seeking unique cold food experiences, Yunchuan Garden in Monterey Park is a destination. Known for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, Yunchuan Garden also offers a tempting selection of cold offal plates perfect as appetizers. Choose from pig ears, gizzards, chicken feet, beef tripe, and tongue – all available at an incredibly affordable price for a selection of three. This is a culinary experience for those looking to explore beyond the ordinary.
Yunchuan Garden, 301 N. Garfield Ave., Suite D102, Monterey Park, (626) 571-8387
Hwaedupbap: Korean Seafood Rice Bowl Bargain
Discover a hidden gem in Koreatown at Hwal Uh Kwang Jang, a tiny sushi restaurant tucked away in a mini mall. Their hwaedupbap lunch special is an unbeatable bargain. This Korean mixed rice bowl, popular in coastal towns across the Korean peninsula, is incredibly generous in portion size and freshness. Hwal Uh Kwang Jang’s hwaedupbap is packed with an abundance of fresh fish, making it a truly surprising value for the price.
Hwal Uh Kwang Jang, 730 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 386-6688.
Cold Udon: Authentic Osaka-Style Noodles in Little Tokyo
Experience the art of handmade udon at Tsurumaru in Little Tokyo. They import flour directly from Japan to create their thick, chewy Osaka-style udon noodles. Their bukkake udon is served in a chilled broth made with soy sauce-flavored dashi, and topped with delicate bonito flakes, grated radish, and ginger. Enhance your meal with a bottle of cold green tea or a tangy ume plum musubi for a perfectly balanced and refreshing dining experience.
Tsurumaru, 333 S Alameda St., 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, (213) 625-0441
Kong Guksu: Creamy and Nutty Cold Soybean Noodle Soup
If you enjoy the simple pleasure of cereal with ice-cold milk, then Kong Guksu at Mapo Kkak Doo Gee Restaurant is a must-try. This traditional Korean dish features thin noodles served in a freshly ground, thick soybean and black sesame milk broth. The dish is intentionally subtle in flavor, allowing the nutty richness and satisfying texture of toasted black sesame seeds to shine. While traditionally enjoyed plain, you might be tempted to add a touch of kimchi. Be sure to also explore the restaurant’s impressive array of banchan side dishes, such as marinated eggplant and Korean squash in chile oil.
Mapo Kkak Doo Gee Restaurant, 3611 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, (213) 736-6668
Cold Sesame Noodles: Taiwanese Noodles with Shanxi Influence
Venture to New Mandarin Noodle Deli in Temple City for a surprising Taiwanese noodle dish. Despite being a Mandarin noodle establishment, their cold sesame noodles reveal a Taiwanese culinary influence, thanks to the head cook’s time spent in Taiwan. Their version, with a distinct Shanxi touch, differs from other cold sesame noodle dishes in the San Gabriel Valley. Enjoy hand-rolled noodles generously coated in sesame sauce, accompanied by refreshing shredded cucumbers, minced garlic, a hint of chicken, and fresh chopped cilantro.
New Mandarin Noodle Deli, 9537 Las Tunas Drive, Temple City, (626) 309-4318
When the heat is relentless, exploring these cold food havens across Los Angeles offers a delicious and refreshing escape. From Korean icy noodles to Peruvian ceviche and Spanish gazpacho, the city’s diverse culinary landscape provides a wealth of options to satisfy your cravings for cold food near you.
