Harry Shum Jr.'s Los Angeles
Interview by Izumi Hasegawa
Professional dancer turned actor Harry Shum Jr. has shown his ability on the hit TV series “Glee.” Now he has a new adventure: a dramatic role with his Chinese heritage on the new film “Revenge of the Green Dragons.” Born in Costa Rica with a father from mainland China and a mother from Hong Kong, Harry was raised in San Francisco and has been enjoying L.A. life very much.
One of the best theaters we have to go and watch really good musicals is the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. L.A. is not like Broadway and New York where there’s so many shows out there. Hollywood Pantages is, I think, the first one where I saw “Wicked.” It was really cool to know that you can actually go somewhere and watch a Broadway musical in L.A.
Arcadia: Din Tai Fung & The Arboretum
On a Sunday afternoon I like going to Arcadia, where you can get Din Tai Fung dumplings and then you can easily go to the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, where you can take a nice stroll in the park. I go with my fiancée and even when family comes in. Also we can get a $20 foot massage right around the corner. So it’s a nice relaxing day of good food, a nice stroll and relaxation.
Dai Chan
It’s a Japanese soul food restaurant. They have a mixture of traditional Japanese food and then also a mixture of poke, which is kind of like a Hawaiian dish. They have a lot of collectibles all over the walls so you kind of feel like you’re in someone’s house but you’re not. It’s kind of where I go for comfort food. We go there like once a week. So it’s one of my favorites. I pretty much get the same thing. I get the Japanese spicy chicken wings and then I get the mixed poke bowl, which has a variety of sashimi cut up in cubes.
Griffith Park
There are so many things to do in Griffith Park. You have the Griffith Observatory and then you have the hikes. I also get a huge group of friends and we play capture the flag up there where we go into kind of the foresty spots. It’s really fun, very physical. It takes maybe a group of 10 or more people to play. Usually, I play with crew members or just friends that I’ve had outside of work, anyone who’s not scared to get physical. It’s really fun because you feel like you’re deep into the forest but you’re really not far out of L.A.
Bestia
It’s an Italian place. It’s deeper into L.A. It’s an amazing Italian food restaurant. They serve incredible Italian food and also a fusion of different cuts of meat and really, really good food. There’s this uni (sea urchin) pasta that has the uni on top of it and has that little creamy sauce around it and it’s so good. It almost makes me feel like I’m in New York at that area. So it’s really cool. You get a little taste of that and then kind of the deep parts of L.A.
The Theatre at Ace Hotel
I've watched several dance performances here and love this renovated theater that used to be the United Artists Theater. You feel like you are getting an Old Hollywood experience.
Eaton Canyon
This awesome hike is a little outside of Pasadena in the San Gabriel Valley. My friend lives by there so we take our dogs on this awesome hike filled with a creek that you cross over and end at a 40-foot waterfall.
MULHOLLAND DRIVE
I love driving on this fun and windy road. The views are spectacular which is hard to look at sometimes because you have to focus on driving. It's a great place to unwind as it’s a good alternative to getting stuck in L.A. traffic.
Upright Citizens Brigade
Off busy Franklin Avenue is the improv company that Amy Poehler founded. It's a perfect place to go to if you need a good laugh. I like to go to get inspired by these pro improvisers that are quick, witty and ready to tickle your funny bones.
Venice Beach
One of the few beaches we have in L.A. and it's perfect on a sunny day. You're in L.A. but not really. It's my favorite place to people watch with a coffee in hand. Countless shops to explore and good weekend food to chow down on.