June 2021

Maxwell Chicken Rice, Downtown LA

Jun 30, 2021

Our third stop for Hainan Chicken Rice is at Maxwell Chicken Rice in DTLA Chinatown. Maxwell is the name of Food Centre in Singapore with famous hawkers selling street food including Hainan Chicken rice. And in DTLA, this place does not disappoint. The tender and not dry dark meat chicken is succulent with slight flavors. Then again it isn’t about bold flavors. The sauces provide the added taste along with the fragrant garlic chicken rice. Unfortunately I didn’t take picture of the sauces. What makes Maxwell standout is there fried egg and their Vietnamese-influence garlic noodles. I would try again and recommend. . . . . . .

Cluck 2 Go, Pasadena

Jun 29, 2021

Cluck 2 Go, the second stop on the Chronicles of Hainan Chicken Rice 海南雞飯. Cluck2go has locations in Pasadena, Rowland Heights and Hacienda Heights. They portion is one of the larger ones among the ones I will post. One of the things that make the Hainan Chicken rice unique is that most places serve the chicken boneless, which is great! I also like how all servings include the popping hot and flavorful chicken broth. . . . . . .

The Chicken Koop, Alhambra

Jun 28, 2021

This week is all about Hainan Chicken Rice. The chronicles starts with Savoy Kitchen in Alhambra. Arguably the most famous Hainan Chicken restaurant in the greater Los Angeles area. 海南雞飯 has origins in Singapore from immigrant Chinese, naturally from the Hainan province. This boiled chicken dish features tender chicken with flavored garlic rice. Paired with a ginger sauce, a sweet spicy sauce, and soy sauce, this dish was introduced to me, years ago from an old girlfriend. Now, it is still one of my favorite dishes. You can find variants with roast chicken or fried chicken, but the garlic flavored rice remains the same and the most popular part of the dish. Savoy does not disappoint. If you never had Hainan Chicken rice, please do try it. The delicate skin, which might seem off putting, offers a moistness with the tender chicken. The rest of the week will have other Hainan Chicken from other establishments in the area. . . . . . .

What I am drinking Peanut butter flavored bourbon whisky

Jun 28, 2021

What I am drinking Peanut butter flavored bourbon whisky. Really good. Used my YETI to keep my drink cold! First sampled at BevMo, then bought a bottle at Costco. . . . . .

My first smoked brisket

Jun 27, 2021

My first smoked brisket. From Costco USDA prime. Smoked on my Weber Smokey Mountain. I think I smoked it at a temperature that was bit too high. Regardless it came out really good. Taste great. Only used salt and pepper as a dry rub. Check out the tenderness with the second picture. Really happy how it turned out. Couldn’t do it without . . . . . . . ._.10

Row Dtla, Downtown LA

Jun 24, 2021

Dinner in DTLA. Joined the DTLA Dinner Club and had a great dinner with six courses. First was the endive lobster boat, then 2nd was the caramelized fennel and leek gratin. For the third course, we had the uni bacon on baguette. The fourth course was a summer salad. And fifth course was braised mocha beef cheeks. And the final course was a homemade donut with ricotta. Nice outdoor terrace with great weather and to meet interesting people. Very cool joint. . . . . .

First dodger game of the year

Jun 24, 2021

First dodger game of the year! Go dodgers!! . . . . .

BADMAASH Downtown LA, Los Angeles

Jun 23, 2021

Nee Orleans/Creole cuisine in LA. Had the shrimp Po’boy, Jambalaya, hush puppies, and crayfish empanadas. I even bought a two pack of their frozen house made boudin. In the US, there are only a couple

Hanchic, Los Angeles

Jun 22, 2021

Hanchic. I would characterize this place as modern Korean or Korean fusion. We had their interpretation of Kalbi Jjim. It had all the flavors and textures of tradition Kalbi Jjim but presented in a different way. It was my favorite dish. Check out that large beef rib bone. We also had ragu tteokbokki and the chamchi toast as starters. And with the one-in Kalbi Jjim, we had the bulgogi risotto. Everything was really good and had the familiar flavors. Also, they don’t have their liquor license yet, so it is byob. There is a liquor store nearby if you need to pick up some booze. . . . . . . .la

The Maybourne, Beverly Hills

Jun 18, 2021

Lunch at the Terrace at the Maybourne. Had to have my spicy Bloody Mary. Almost too spicy. We should a rotisserie chicken salad, and handmade corn agnolotti, and pan seared red snapper. Great views and service. . . . . .

Brunch at Sibling Rival

Jun 17, 2021

Brunch at Sibling Rival. Breakfast burrito and the puffed grain bowl. Nice and bright decor. Food was ok. Nothing special. Had the Sunday Bloody with mezcal. Was quite strong. I’d visit again and recommend. . . . . . .

Night + Market, Hollywood

Jun 14, 2021

Night+Market. Thai food in Hollywood. My first time here. I had heard about this place and had always wanted to try. Had the famous spicy chicken sandwich that was featured on YouTube. Also had the way too spicy and ass-fire papaya salad. And the rice noodle which I almost single handed finished since the papaya salad killed me. Luckily I had my drink, which I forgot the name, that helped numb everything down because of the spiciness. . . . . .

Carnitas Michoacán, East Los Angeles

Jun 11, 2021

The final addition to the Chronicles of Carnitas of East Los Angeles - Carnitas Michoacán. I argue that the best Mexican food region in the US is right here in East Los Angeles/Boyle Heights. The long-standing community has great establishments that celebrate carnitas and culture. Carnitas Michoacán is a 24 hour restaurant that my friends and I used to frequent at the end of a fun night out. Close to the freeway and with a big menu, it is still a place I would stop by late at night. It is said that carnitas was originated in the state of Michoacán. . . . . . .

Porky's Carnitas, East LA

Jun 10, 2021

The Chronicles of Carnitas continues at Porky’s Carnitas. Had to try a place with such a eponymous name. Though not a fan of offal and unfried pork skin - the mixto taco with everything was really good. The texture and moistness was there. While the regular shredded caritas was on the dry side. This revelation has caused me to rethink mixto tacos. . . . . .

Los Cinco Puntos, Los Angeles

Jun 9, 2021

The next stop of the Chronicles of Carnitas of East Los Angeles is at Los Cinco Puntos, translated as the Five Points. This local and friendly favorite was highly recommended. I had the usual carnitas tacos and also had a carne asada taco as well. The torta was also carne asada. When I ordered the carne asada (beef) taco I asked the counter guy how he would add toppings. I almost regret it since it was so spicy hot! 🌶 🌶 🥵 the carnitas was good and even better with their hand made tortillas. Their tortillas were bread like and had a texture much different from other places. . . . . . .

Carnitas El Momo, Los Angeles

Jun 8, 2021

The Chronicles of Carnitas continues with Carnitas El Momo. Probably the internet’s most well known Carnitas truck in Los Angeles. I dig the generous portions in the tacos. The torta was was also very good with the toasted bread. I will probably visit again soon. . . . . .

The Little Jewel of New Orleans, Los Angeles

Jun 7, 2021

The Chronicles of Carnitas of East LA. Starting off with the Zamora Bros. Heard about these guys awhile ago. Had three tacos and torta. And also had a half pound of the chicharrones. The torta was excellent with the cheese. Next time I will have a torta with everything on it. Anyways, I think the Zamora Bros has the best chicharrones in town. . . . . . . . .eastla

Delicious Food Corner, Rosemead

Jun 2, 2021

The tea coffee with condensed milk at Monterey Parks Delicious Food Corner. This is tea and coffee not just tea not just coffee. It is a combo. I dig the details on the spoon. . . . . . .

Traditional Hong Kong style breakfast, Hong Kong

Jun 2, 2021

Traditional Hong Kong style breakfast. With the rice porridge, pineapple buns, macaroni spam in soup, rice noodle with dried shrimp, and the dry noodles. Reminiscent of my short time in Hong Kong years ago. You can see the western British influence with these dishes. I love the rice porridge with thousand year old egg and pork (which I didn’t get this time). The pineapple buns with the hard butter is also a favorite. Check out my next post of the tea coffee with the condensed milk. Too bad for breakfast they open at 9am. They should open earlier. . . . . . . . . macaronisoup

Instagram Post — June 01, 2021

Jun 1, 2021