Best Dishes Eater Editors Ate This Week: July 8

The editors at Eater LA dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we’re always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here’s the very best of everything the team has eaten this week.

Naengmyeon and jeyuk bokeum at Kisa Sikdang in Koreatown

Matthew Kang

While it’s clear to me that Kisa Sikdang, despite its claims, kind of copped the moment from a similarly named New York City restaurant that opened months prior, there are things about the LA restaurant that feel truer to the spirit of South Korean “driver’s” restaurants (Kisa means driver in Korean). First, the meals are fairly affordable, with bountiful banchan and portions for $18.99 at lunch and $23.99 for dinner. I opted for the mul naengmyeon and jeyuk bokeum lunch special priced at $23.99, which comes with just three banchan instead of the standard six. The icy cold broth of the naengmyeon was superbly refreshing on a sweltering summer day, while the stir-fried spicy pork came out properly saucy and tender. A bowl of white rice cost a few bucks more, but overall this was a generous amount of food at a modest price and I’d return to try more of the proteins. 3060 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite #150, Los Angeles, CA 90006. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

Taco plate at Teddy’s Red Tacos in Echo Park

Rebecca Roland

There’s a lot of great birria in Los Angeles and Teddy’s Red Tacos makes some of the best. Owned by Teddy Vasquez, this fleet of trucks parks all over the city, from Echo Park to Venice and Whittier. It’s been a while since I had the chance to stop by so I went for a classic this time around: the taco plate. It comes with three tacos, rice, beans, salsa, and a side of crispy birria tostadas. The meat was saucy and rich, without being too wet, and the deep orange tortillas held the entire taco together impressively well. By the time I finished the trio of tacos, I was ready to go back and try the birria quesadilla. 1176 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90012. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor

Potato salad at Ototo in Echo Park

Cathy Chaplin

It doesn’t get any more comforting than the $12 potato salad at Ototo in Echo Park. I glossed over the menu’s fine print before ordering the dish and was pleasantly surprised to receive a heap of headlining potatoes accompanied by half a jammy egg and two Kurobuta pork sausages. In the era of small plates meant for sharing, I was tickled to receive a complete meal in a single bowl. The creamy Kennebecs delivered tang and richness, while the little hot dogs’ taut texture could not be beaten. The perfectly cooked egg was just a bonus. The dish captured the joy of a summer picnic in an unassuming ceramic bowl. 1360 Allison Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

Guava cheese turnover at La Segunda Bakery in Tampa

Mona Holmes

When in Florida, a visit to a Cuban bakery is essential. I was guided to one of the region’s oldest spots, La Segunda Bakery, an operator that’s been in business since 1915. When entering the Seminole Heights location, prepare for feet to be dusted with flour accompanied by the sound of massive fans, salsa music, and a team of workers preparing massive loaves of bread for wholesale and individual purchases. To the left is a display case showing off traditional baked goods with cookies, bread rolls, coconut pastelitos, and creations stuffed with guava and cheese. Labeled “guava cheese turnover” for mass appeal, the pastelito is massive, gorgeous, flaky, and made for enjoying with coffee that can be purchased next door at one of the area’s best coffee makers, Spaddy’s. Consuming the pastelito requires time to savor, so carve out 30 minutes and stake a claim somewhere where one can remain undisturbed. For fuller service and a bigger menu, visit the other three locations around Tampa and St. Petersburg. 5150 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33603. — Mona Holmes, reporter