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Rice Is Suddenly Los Angeles’s Star Dish, and Here’s Where to Eat It

No longer relegated to being a boring side dish, rice has suddenly been given a starring role in Los Angeles’s dining-out scene. It’s spiced, mixed with proteins and even a breakfast standout at a chef’s lauded house of porridge. Here’s where to indulge in the comfort food du jour, one grain at a time.

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porridge
Yelp/Kao-Wei C.

Breakfast Rice At Porridge + Puffs

Yakimiso sausage porridge is one of the standout dishes at this breakfast, lunch and brunch restaurant, where slow-cooked rice is livened up with proteins and farmers-market produce.

2801 Beverly Blvd.; 213-908-5313 or porridgeandpuffs.com

 

nightshade
Nightshade LA

Asian Fusion At Nightshade

In the Arts District, Chinese food gets a global update with Mei Lin’s dishes, including Koshihikari rice congee with crispy shallots, pork floss and XO sauce.

923 E. Third St. #109; 213-626-8888 or nightshadela.com

rice box
Rice Box

Healthy Fast Food At Ricebox

Cantonese-style barbecue is the specialty here, with an emphasis on healthy cooking (which means no red food coloring in the pork or MSG in the food). Along with a protein, you have a choice of jasmine rice, fried rice or quinoa brown rice.

541 S. Spring St. #131; 213-988-7395 or ricebox.net

vespertine exterior
Yelp/Bryan B.

Savory Rice Pudding At Vespertine

This groovy building holds the city’s buzziest dining spot (Chrissy Teigen raved about it), known for its multi-course dinner full of dishes that are often unrecognizable. (And unphotographable, since the low lighting and black dishware make getting a crisp shot nearly impossible.) You’ll love the rice served like an al dente risotto, accented with bright-red trout eggs.

3599 Hayden Ave., Culver City; 323-320-4023 or vespertine.la

fried rice
Yelp/Diana S.

Spicy Rice At Ma'am Sir

At this Filipino spot in Silverlake, you want the hangover fried rice, which is a mix of garlic rice and white rice with chunks of lop cheong sausage and green onions, topped with an egg with ginger-chili condiment. 

4330 W. Sunset Blvd.; 323-741-8371 or maamsirla.com



dana dickey

Senior Editor

Dana Dickey is a PureWow Senior Editor, and during more than a decade in digital media, she has scoped out and tested top products and services across the lifestyle space...