Lahtt Sauce ★★★★

There are many variety of hot sauce in the market today.  Everyone seem to know Sriracha sauce from Huy Fong Food. AKA "Rooster Sauce".  There are seem no good alternative to that popular hot sauce for Asian cuisine.  Until I get to try this very newly launch hot sauce .  I get to try some samples and and was pleased of the quality of the hot sauce. 

The hot sauce packages is similar to most typical hot sauce form mainland china. The package could had been better.  I not a fan of has to use spoon to use for hot sauce.

They claim that the ingredient to used are high quality and nature.  The nutritional label could had been better and make it easier to read.

 I had try several food with the Lahtt Sauce.  I find out the quality of the sauce is very good.  The oil to the pasted of sauce are some of very best I had. It remind me a lot of a satay sauce except is spicy !  I think the people who use this hot sauce will be mostly Asian who are familiar satay sauce.  It tasted very similar and doesn't really compete directly to siratcha.  The package and the result are use for different purpose.  I think this sauce will be great for hot pot.


In Conclusion. I give this hot sauce a 4 out of 5 stars.  The quality of this sauce is unmatch and  is almost a categories of its own.  This sauce isn't for everyone and is targeted to certain group but is very good for what it does.  I still trying different dish with this hot sauce.

Review: Ktown Night Market★★ 1/2

Dude, where is the Korean Food?

I don't find this so called Ktown Night Market much influence by Korean Cuture, remind more like 626 Night Market but in a smaller scale. Majority of Food stall are Japanese and Chinese, there is very little Korean food.  Only thing I see authentic Korean food is the spicy rice cake. There were no Korean Tofu, Soup, and other thing that you know is Korean.  Here you find are mostly street food from other Asian Country, some are fusion take like the interesting bacon and green churros.

The top 3 most packed line are the Ramen Burger, Seoul Sausage, and Hotato Potato.  The line is awful long in those even if you are an early bird. They called this a night market, yet in order to get good food in decent time require you come very early, that defeat the whole purpose.

The line to getting very long around 5pm, I came here both day.  First day around 8pm, Omg the line is 2 blocks away and keep up growing!  However the second day, we arrive at 4pm the line to the gate is very short about just 30 or so peoples.  Male and female are search in the separate line in the gate.  No water and food allowed, drink price isn't bad in general $2-3 in most of the vendor.  Water cost you $2, might as well paid $1 to get boba tea, however it wasn't good especially at night.  This is when boba getting bad after more than few hours.  Anyone who drink boba a lot would know what I talking about, plus the boba lack milk, it just tea with sugar and boba.  

EZ Convenience Store (Lamb Skewers) - This is was irony that combination, convenience store that sell skewers... They lamb skewers not bad, it was best bargain $1 each, but in the second day they raise the price to $3 for 5 skewers, the line immediate disappear. 
Tokyo Curry (Boba Milk Tea) - This tasted like coffee boba, not good. Boba was nasty.

Mattou Seimen Ramen - This is one of the three ramen booth in the festival.  It claim is from japan and popular there, but I can't find anything online except they happened to be in the Japan Festival just few week ago in Santa Anita Park.  There's zero line in the second day afternoon, didn't like this ramen that much, the broth is super salty and little bit of spicy.  The chashu was replaced with ground pork, which is inferior to chashu in my opinion.  No Egg...  Only thing was stand out is the noodle, chewy and perfectly cooks.  Cost about $7, not a bad value but what it bother me if they are really 3 times ramen champion in Japan, it is hard for me to believe this.  Beside ramen, they also got Gyoza which is $5 pieces for 3.  Decent deal but I probably should try something else that is more exotic.

Whole Coconut Drink - Forgot which vendor this is from, I do remember this is the one that serve popcorn.  It cost about 2 for $9 or $5 each.  This is good alternate to most other drink in this festival.  I only wish they cut the coconut bigger and gave you better quality spoon.  Is is worth the money, they gave added a mini umbrella ha-ha.

Mama Musubi - This is one very popular Japanese rice ball vendor that I always hear about it, they are in 626-night market too. This is pricey rice ball, cost $3 to $3.50 each.  The size isn't big and the meal ratio is small, kinda overpriced but the rice is general fresh.  So if you like rice ball, it is worth to try.  The line is very long however.

Fluff Ice Food Truck - This was our last tasting in the K-Town Night Market.  I think is the only vendor that serves snowed ice, unlike 626, which got a handful of them.  I don't think is worth it unless you must get the snowed ice here, you are paying 30% more.  I am regret for not getting the macaroon ice cream instead from another vendor.

As you see, I didn't able to try any of the Korean food vendor, the fact is there's handly of them, the website said there's Moodaepoe KBBQ, I can't find them at all !  The non-food vendor is definite more dominated with Korean culture, handily any line in those.  The music is kinda small, it getting super packed at night, when some known k-pop show up.  2 PM is not perform in here, despite they were in their homepage video try to promoted the event, this definite increase the attendance.  Ironly, they and many other popular K-POP perform last week in the coliseum free, yet none of them shows up in this event....

This is their first event, it has too many flaws of other similar event like Ramen Festival and 626 Market.  The venue is too small to handle the big crowds; there was not enough supply to meet up the demand.   I am not surprise that it turn the way it is, since after all K-Town located East and West mid-point. Of course will be crowded plus the is easy access to public transportation.  I hope that they learn their mistake and select much bigger venue next time.  There is enough demand for this and please put more authentic Korean food vendor.

They should had do something with the recent South Korea Ferry Sink Tragedy, there's no mention anywhere in the event.

Super crowded and long lines during first day.

Mattou Seimen Ramen from Japan (The broth was way too salty)

Review: M Grill ★★★★ 1/4

Most people associate K-town as Korean style Barbeque or Tofu House, but very few know that there's Brazil BBQ in K-Town as well.  This place often was overshadow by Fogo de Chao who is a much bigger establishment and a franchise. The owner is a Korean but raised in Brazil and is very knowledge of Brazilian Churrasco Style of Barbecue.  

The parking is free and is first come and first based, but if you cannot find a spot.  Valet is available.  The restaurant is located in the second floor; I did not know and took me few minutes to realize it.  The entire second floor is the restaurant.  The décor is pretty nice and modern.  The restaurant itself isn't big, so if you coming in a big group, You might wanted call or do reservation.  The restroom is located in the front of the entrance.  They got large collection of wine and a small bar area as well.  While we waiting, they server gave us a bowl of their famous cheeseball bread.  I was not too impress, there has was not a lot of cheese inside We wait about 20 minutes before got a table.  The table we got was by the window, ok view nothing spectacular view of some old buildings.

The main reason we can besides trying this place for the first time, it happened to be DineLA Week.  The price is about $4 cheaper than the regular is, but the bonus is that one dessert is included per person.  Normally that goes around $10 each, this place was pretty packed during most of lunchtime, it wasn't until almost 2pm before the crowded start to disappear.  This place had very good customer service for the most part.

There is a salad bar; there is a lot of different variety of food.  The most usual one was the Seafood Stew;   the stew was tasty with shrimps, calamari, octopus, and few mussels.  Most of the stuff in the bar is fresh; the smoked salmon was all right. Love those big grilled peppers, and eggplants. 

Like most other Brazil Steakhouse, the staff brings the meat to your tablet.  You tell them which part of the meat to bet cut, you can cherry pick the rare or well cook part of the meat.  The selection is large for weekday lunch.  Up to 12 different kinds of meat can selected, but reality this is similar like Dim Sum Cart.  Meat are usually come out few time during your time, if you miss it might be a while before you able to get them back.  If you like Chicken Heart, then that should be the first thing you tell the server to request for it, it normally take almost 20 minutes.  The Chicken Wrapped in Bacon was my least favor, the bacon was not wrap it property and the meat could be tenderer.  The Linguica (Brazilian Sausage) Looks good but did not tasted as good, pretty average.  

Any sirloin was tasty, and was tender for the most part.  The Piranha tastes just like prim ribs, which was strange.  They got leg of Lamb as well, this one well cook and is not gammy as I thought it could be.  Beside the tiny monster chicken heart, the lamb was the second most favor.  Third, got to goes to the Grilled pineapple.  They season with cinnamon it was almost match in heaven.
One of main benefit of DineLA is that it included a dessert.  We pick Brazillian Flan and Mangar De Coco.  The flan was very good, was not bitter and tasted like been freshly made.  The Mangar one was very heavy coconut flavor, even got some pieces of coconut.  It was a bit too sweet but is good.  I not sure I would paid $10 for each of those dessert though.

Careful what beverage you order, we order their brazillian soda (Guavana Antartica) did not know till the bill came it cost $5! I never drink one can of soda cost that much.  The soda is very good but is not worth $5, rather get wine or beer instead.  What i really dislike is they did double charge for the soda, not sure if this was done in purpose or just miscommunication.  

Overall, I like this place. Brazilian steakhouse is good for those who wanted to get full but also wanted to eat good quality meats. You do get your money worth here, good service and food.  I would need to try Porto Alegre and Fogo de Chao to make a better comparison.  M Grill price is range in the middle between Porto and Fogo.

Review: The Seafood Village ★★★★

Tasty Beef Stew Bow

Creamy Bun

Shui Mai was average

I have been to the other two Seafood Village in the east side, this one is different.  First is the only one of the tree that also serves Hong Kong Style Barbeque.  The interior and décor is also bigger here.  Parking was easy to find in lunch time weekday.  Décor is standard and not fancy. I don't like the fish tank is quite dirty and I even saw a dead fish there.

Anyway, I come here for dim sum and this review is based on that.  Funny, this one also the only one of the tree that serve dim sum.  They replace the old fashion cart with the order form.  This can be hit and miss, the up side is that you can get any dim sum you what without keep hawking the cart.  But the downside could be you no longer can see what the dim sum look prior order it.

Our group try several dim sum and mostly were positive, there were no bad one just few average.  That is typical in almost all dim sum places.  The price was reasonable, most of the dim sum were starting from $2.18 weekday and $2.48 weekend. The congee was top quality, the meal ball was tender and most important the soup was very flavor due to added scallop.  Their rice noodle were hand made and had amazing texture.  The basic like shui mai wasn't exceptional but is average.  

This place was getting packed in lunch time, their lunch special is only like $5 something.  Waiter service is responsive but still need to ask for refill plate. I rated this dim sum somewhere in between New Capital to Sea Harbors.  Which is make it one of better dim sum in San Gabriel valley and probably the best value for the quality in Rowland Height.  The food quality and service  is 4 stars, but the value and good location is 5 stars which is equal a 4.5 stars !

Review: Gui Il Bun Ji BBQ ★★

Our group came on decision to eat KBBQ, after been walking countless hours in the L.A. Auto show.  There is was a lot of selection in K-Town, but we ended up this one, since it got four stars, and also have AYCE!

There was parking spot in the lot, but we were force to pay the $2 valet even though we park ourselves.  There was no waiting despite is Friday night.  The décor is modest, could some remodel.  We choose the $15.99 AYCE option, if you paying credit card it cost $2 more each person.

They got the usual stuff like brisket, beef tongue, and pork belly.  The steak is only one piece for two person.  There were no short ribs in this price.  

Overall, the meat was not bad but for this price cannot be complain.   We told them staff that we choose to paid them in cash, instead they foot us the bill with the added $2 each for credit card.  That was shady business tactics, it was all in Korean text. The staff didn't offer any apology for their mistake, and I don't think we would come back here.  There's such so many choices in Korean town.

2013 L.A. AutoShow

I been to L.A. Auto Show like 7 years in a row, there is always something to see.  It is noticeable that once very impressive variety of selection had decrease.  There is no Ferrari or Lamborghini. There is no top world debut car this year, except mid-rage and entry model.  Best day to come is usually the Friday the first day they open, less crowded and usually there’s discount if you purchased online ahead.  The best part in this year,they let you sit in 2 fix figure car like the Maserati Grand Turismo MR2 and BMW M6. 

Review: The Cheesecake Factory ★★★★

Chargrilled Coulotte Steak

Shrimpt Pasta

Banana Cheesecak

My assumption of cheesecake factory, do they only sell cheesecake? They sell cheesecake but definite not the only thing in their menu.  Their menu is huge, almost 20 pages!  Which was a surprise to me; they got cocktails, pizza, burgers, pasta, tacos, seafood, and of course cheesecake.

I came this place for a friend birthday dinner; Friday night in Santa Anita Mall is the worst time to find parking. Took me almost 20 minutes to find a pot. At the top of that, someone forgot to make the reservation ahead of time; our group had to wait over 2 hours!

The décor was nice; looks like a typical Italian restaurant.  The customer serve was friendly and provided good feedback.  I was the only in the group did not order the pasta.  The price of their pasta cost almost the same as the Steak. I ended up order the Chargrilled Coulotte Steak, which is a U.S.D.D. Prime Sirloin, topped with butter. I choose the mashed potatoes instead the fries.

The steak portion was 12oz that is a good size for $20.  In addition, this is prime grade too.  The steak was tender and good, it was slight undercooked in some section of the steak. The steak was not seasoning that well, but steak sauce solve that problem.  The mashed potatoes were very good, a watch great match with the steak.

I tried some of the pasta that my friends order, was not to impress with it.  Some of the pasta was dried, and the sauce is weak. The free bread was pretty good, soft and fresh. In the dessert, we order the banana cheesecake, which was so gooood !

Overall, I am impressing with this restaurant chain. Good quality food in most part that offer good service and atmosphere. However, you might wanted to book for a reservation in peak hours.

Review: Sun City Seafood ★★ 1/2

Roasted Duck 

Egg Tart

Shrimp Rice Roll

These places have been open for some time, yet it only got less than 70 reviews.    There are so many dim sum places in the area, and is not funny anymore.  This place dim sum can be dirt cheat if you manage to follow the requirement, but reality is confusing especially for first timer.  

Their strength is appearing in the dessert like egg tart was very good.   The BBQ mini dish was disappoint, the service was actually pretty for this type of atmosphere, and the cart lady was friendly.  I do wish the quality was better.  I would give this another chance in the near future.

Review: Rutsu 18 ★★★

SHOYU 

Chewy Noodle

Decor

Rutsu 18 is the newest Japanese restaurant in Alhambra, it replaced Tamaya.  Parking is easy; it got its lot and pretty of parking spot in the street.  The Décor have been remodel but is still unfinished.  All the tables and chairs are wood. 

Customer service is friendly, just what you expect from a typical Japanese restaurant.  However they don't greed you like some other Ramen shop.   There was some mistake from the order but was quickly been fixed.

I order the Shoyu Ramen which is reasonable priced at $7.75.  The portion was a bit small; noodle was the chewy one which is usual for Shoyu.  The broth was good and not too salty or oily.  They got sushi and chicken entrée, but no curry that Tamaya one.  Over all is pretty average, but there's definite room for improvement.

Review: Hooters Baja Burger ★★★

Baja Burger with Curly French Fries

1. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

2. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith.

3. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store or at Hooters

This was first time I dine in the Hooters.  It wasn't my first choice but I wanted to get something to eat before the Red Bull Flugtag.  The décor remind me a lot like typical sport bars but with more attractive waitress of course.   Don't bother to ask them straight for the number since they likely get that request like every hour.

The menu price is actually on par with typical sport bar and wasn't as pricey as I though.  We ended up order the Baja Burger with curly fries.    The burger was pretty good, the buns was toasted and the patties was cooked it just about right, only wish they did differently.  I would prefer slice of avocado over the guacamole.  The guacamoles tasted like those pre-made package.  The fries were cold and not fresh, we ask for replacement and they did that in a heart beep.

Overall it kinda meet my expectation, just don't expect high hope this place

Review: Omar's Pizzeria ★★★ 2/3

Puttanesca 18" Pizza

Mild Buffalo Wings

"Ideas are like pizza dough, made to be tossed around." ~ Anna Quindlen

I personally don't eat a lot of pizza, however I have heard a lot of good things about this New York Style Pizza place located in Arcadia.  happened to be in the area and decided to give them a try.

Parking is limited in the plaza, but there's several 30 minute ones, which I can attest is more than enough for this place.  Since this is not a full service restaurant, most orders here are likely coming for takeout. The owner was very friendly and even helped me open the door.

This place is famous for their pizza, so I ordered one called The Puttanesca which has artichokes, mushrooms, and olives.  The artichoke was overcooked and there was a lack of cheese, but the pizza dough was excellent. It was done just right. I also tried their Buffalo Wings, They were pretty good. The price was pretty affordable for what you get. 

There isn't a lot of Pizza Places in the area, so if you're in the mood for it, then this place is definitely worth a try. 

Review: Hunan Chilli King ★★★ 2/3

Dried Sautedd String Bean $7.99 - Avoid

Fried Snail Slice $9.99 - Must Get

Sauteed Lamb - Mild Spicy ($12.99) - Great Deal

Spicy Chicken with Hot Chili  $10.99 - Very Spicy

If you are someone who loves Chili and Chinese food, this is the place for you.  Just about every dish from the appetizer to the main entrée all have chili on it. If you don't like spicy food, don't come here period.  This isn't you average spicy food. This is type of food you need to get used of eating it.  At top of that you would need several cups of water or tea to cool off the heat!

Parking can be a nightmare here, suggest you just park near the supermarket nearby during the peek hour. The first thing that I notice when I walk to this place is the enormous amount of chili smell.  You will notice just about every dishes people order contain S&*T Load of Chili. At top of that they hang the chili in the wall. Just show you this place is very serious about Chili.

Food here is good, every dish do have chili.  They got some exotic meat like frog legs, snail etc... Those are actually great fit with chili. Just do not order the basic dishes like string bean and chicken, those was disappointed.   I heard their fish head is also very popular, but I have not tried yet.

This is not the place I would come weekly, but would be good during cold weather.  This place definite deserves to call them Chili King.  From the décor to the food it got more chili than you could count it.

Review: Pho Filet 2 ★★★ 1/3

#1 Combination Phone with everything but the kitchen sink =)

Side Veggies

Added with side veggies

I was so hungry in that day when I was fasting for over 12 hours due to blood test.  Technically I can just eat anything, but I wanted something to make up the loss blood and also can feed my hunger.  Pho was the first thing in my mind.

Located near by the square shopping center, parking is no problem.   If I remember right, the former business in here serve exotic food.  The interior is pretty big for a Pho place.   The menu have is easy to read and the price was reasonable.  I order the #1 Pho with everything (Beef Meatballs, Sliced Frank, Tendon, Tripe, and Sliced Beef Brisket).  I told the waitress to separate the meat from the soup, but it didn't happen.  The Pho was pretty good, the broth was on point.  The meat was mediocre, overcooked.  The broth does have MSG, which I was pretty thirsty afterward.

They need to paid attention what they customer request.  There are so many Pho places to choose from, I finding hard to recommend this one unless you happened to be in the area.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

I am a political and history junkie myself, this museum always at top of my bucket list to visit when I am in that area.  He has a deep resume and one of the best public speaker ever alive.  I got visited Nixon Museum couple time and have positive reaction.  The museum located in the Simi Valley in the middle of nowhere.

The museum is huge; you could easily spend good three or four hours there.  Since this one of the newer museum, it uses more technology like projector and many video displays.  Also feature some quiz game for the kids.  The museum covers from his radio career all way to presidency.  They even got the gun and clothing that were used by the gunman in the attempted assignation against Reagan.  I did read the news that as many as 80,000 items in this museum is missing from the audit.  It is a shame that someone would this.  

The best part of the museum as you probably would agree with me is the Air force One.  So cool you get to walk in a plane that were using by Several U.S. Presidents.  No photography as is allowed.  The staff in the museum is very friendly and helpful.   Make sure you bring a camera!

Review: 2013 LA Japan Fair ★★★

2 Scoops of Ice Cream with Red Beans

Tokoyaki

Tajima Ramen from San Diego

I have somewhat a high expectation for this festival but ended with mixed feelings after all was set and done. Surprisingly.  There was a lot of parking spaces.  There is a lot of indoor seating at this event, which is not something I've seen from other similar events.

The Ramen shop was the main reason I came to this place. The Keika Ramen from Japan was a good quality, but the portion size was tiny and they used Beef Stew instead of Chāshū. I also tried the other Ramen from San Diego "Tajima" and it was a bit spicy with a very heavy thick broth, not my kind, also was cold, Other than those ramen vendors, the rest you could find in most Asian related events like Tokoyaki and Ornament. There was only one vendor offering dessert, which was Ice Cream or Mochi, the Ice Cream was mix with red bean which is an interesting combination. The best deal at this event was the $1 Japanese Tea Beverage bottle.

Admission costs $5 plus at top of $7 parking.  If you from around the area is worth a look, but I do suggest going they're early otherwise the Ramen Soup might run out or get cold which I experienced. There was also Hello Kitty character and a performance stage.  This event is more for family and local than for true foodie outthere.

Review: Phoenix Dessert ★★★★ 1/4

$3.25 for 4 Variety Mochi

Red Bean

Black Sesame

Taro

Mango

                 Phoenix Dessert is a well-known for making traditional Chinese desserts and drinks, unlike most other places that are going crazy with Boba Milk Tea; this one doesn't offer the Boba Milk Tea at all, which I think is a good thing. Their selection can be overwhelming since there is so much to choose from. Their Tapioca drink with fruit slices is quite popular, but I like their Mochi the most since they are so unique and serve big portions. They have four flavors of Mochi (Black Sesame, Taro, Mango, and Red Bean) and I have tried them all and found each to be quite good, but Black Sesame is my favorite. The Red Bean was pretty good as well; I didn't like the Taro too much. The Mango depends on if it is in season or not. Each of the Mochi is have pieces of coconut outside. I wish they offered more flavors than just four. Parking is no problem here since most of the time you can easily find parking in the big lot that they share with the supermarket. Phoenix is a franchise, but I like their desert more than their food which I think was mediocre, but if you like Mochi you should definite try this place!