First time to L.A. Want to enjoy some of the unique ethnic restaurants (Asian-all types, Dim Sum), Mexican. Please help. Are Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Olvera St. worth the trip? We're adventurous and don't mind splurging. Thanks.

Run don't walk and pick up a copy of Fodor's Los Angeles 2008 guide. It goes into great detail about L.A.'s ethnic neighborhoods and restaurants, including menu examples, reservation requirements etc.

Excellent piece of work!

Thursday is a good day to visit downtown LA (especially Little Tokyo). The three museums (MOCA, Geffen, Japanese American) have free admission between 5-8pm and thus Little Tokyo especially is very active (pffffffttt to Fodorites who say there is no life downtown). Check chow.com for restaurant recommendations especially for sushi/sashimi/noodles.

For Mexican, Olvera Street has an inexpensive choice, Luz del Dia.

Also be sure to see the inside of the Cathedral and Disney Concert Hall while you're downtown.

Two good restaurants in Chinatown for dimsum lunch are Empress and CBS. You could do the lunch in Chinatown and the dinner in Little Tokyo.

The lot next to the Cuban restaurant and across from the Japanese museum on First Street is $6 for all day, I believe.

If in LA..you must try Korean BBQ.

Chosun Galbi is the name of the spot..corner of Olympic Blvd and Western Ave..located in Koreatown - west of Downtown LA and just east of the Miracle Mile.

MUST MUST TRY THE GLABI (marinated short ribs)!!

WOOP ^^ Typo..
its called GALBI not GLABI

LA is the best place for this. You'll have fun

There are lots of good Dim Sum palaces in San Gabriel if you don't mind going there (you can combine it with a trip to Pasadena). Check yelp.com and citysearch.com for reviews. Also, chowhound.com is a good site for this type of question.

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/bestof/winners/dim_sum

Best Thai can be found in Thai Town. See the sites above for recommendations.

Definitely do Korean BBQ. The place recommended above is good. I also like Manna on Olympic Blvd as well.

If you like Ethiopian, there are a bunch of restaurants on Fairfax Ave near Pico Blvd. I like Niala best.

I live in NY and my work colleague is Chinese and the best Chinese food is in Monterrey Park which is a bit of a schlep but it is excellent. One of the best spots is NBC, and yes, I am aware of intellectual property infringements.

Don't know if you have already gone, but here is my choice:

Azeen's Afghani Restaurant
110 E Union St
Pasadena, CA 91103
Phone: (626) 683-3310


It is fantastic. For appetizers, try the Aushak, Mantu and Bulanee-E-Katchalu. The chicken and beef kabobs are terrific entrees. You can find its menu online. Prices are more than reasonable for everything.

An elegant splurge:

Crustacean [Vietnamese]
9646 Little Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills
310-205-8990
www.secretkitchen.com

Upscale, stylish Mexican:

Border Grill
1445 4th St.
Santa Monica
310-451-1655
www.bordergrill.com

Traditional, real-deal Mexican:

El Tepeyac
812 North Evergreeen Ave.
East L.A.
626-573-4607
(No credit cards.)