The Best Southeast Asian Noodles in Los Angeles County

In cultures around the world, noodles are an integral part of everyday life, from waiting two hours outside of a ramen stall in Japan to the instant form that’s become a rite of passage for college undergrads. Noodles offer therapy for those feeling under the weather or homesick, or to begin the healing process after a night of overindulgence. Whatever the case, for millions of people hardly a day goes by without noodles at some point.

Los Angeles and its surrounding areas offer a lot of heavy noodling, and for aficionados there’s even more enjoyment to be found with noodles than Chinese dumplings. During the late 1970s, the Vietnam War caused an influx of Asian immigration into the United States. The people of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) sought refuge here and they brought the one thing that kept them alive for generations: noodles. A key influence on the noodle dishes from these countries are the Southeast Chinese from the province of Chiu Chow (pronunciation in Cantonese), Chao Zhou (pronunciation in Mandarin), Trieu Chau (pronunciation in Vietnamese) and Teo Chew (pronunciation in Thai/Cambodian).

Historically, the Chiu Chow Chinese are some of the smartest, fastest-moving, hardest-working merchants and sojourners of the Chinese diaspora. Their footprints can be tracked in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan (Fujian), Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and even the Philippines. Essentially, they are everywhere, and so is their food. When you walk into a restaurant that offers 3-4 different languages on the menu, you're most likely in a Chiu Chow establishment. It will usually be Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian and sometimes Thai.

The following round-up of some of the best noodles in Los Angeles County focuses on dishes from Southeast Asia's "Golden Triangle" and Southeast China (Chao Zhou/Fujian/Hainan provinces).

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The Best Restaurants in Hollywood

Like all great actors, Hollywood is constantly reinventing itself. At various times, it’s been known as the home of pioneering movie studios, the first Academy Awards ceremony, an Art Deco treasure trove, a punk rock stomping ground, a tourist T-shirt mecca, and an epicenter of nightlife. These restaurants, from as far back as 1919 to more recent openings, have helped to establish Hollywood as one of the hottest dining and drinking destinations in the city.

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The Seoul Sausage Team's Los Angeles

Chris Oh, Ted Kim and Yong Kim conceived Seoul Sausage Company as a new way to eat Korean BBQ. After taking home the victory (and a new truck!) on the third season of The Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race, the team opened their first brick-and-mortar establishment in Sawtelle Japantown. Check out their favorite places for Korean bar food, el pastor burritos and breathtaking views.

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Alli Webb's Picks for dineLA's Restaurant Week

Alli Webb, the founder of Drybar, opened the first Drybar location in LA back in February 2010 and has since expanded to an additional 24 locations in California, Arizona, Texas, New York, Washington, D.C. and Georgia. Alli gives us her top picks for dineLA Restaurant Week.

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