Ramen Burger

The ramen burger was causing a huge stir and T and I decided to create our own at home. It was a lot of fun making it and it was SUPER filling.

Ingredients

Minced beef

Cheddar cheese

Bacon

Ramen noodles 

Mushrooms

Japanese leeks

Kewpie mayonaise (BESTEST)

Shabu shabu sesame sauce 

Onion

Egg

Soy sauce 

Salt

Directions

1. Buy Ingredients (we went to the supermarket under SOGO)

2. Dice up 1/4 to 1/2 of the onion depending on personal preference and mix with the meat. Add soy sauce and salt and mix together. 

3. Quickly cook the noodles, drain, and wash with cold water. 

4. This bit was a bit tricky. We have read in some recipes that egg was added to hold the noodle patty together but we decided to go with the original recipe's method and just press down the noodle in a bowl to mold it. 

Press that downnn 

5. Sautee the mushrooms with diced onions and then pour in the japanese shabu shabu sauce.

6. Trim some of that bacon fat off... 

7. Slice up the japanese leeks. T and I LOVE leeks and scallions so the more the merrier. 

We're creative ;) 

8. Left the noodle in the bowl for around 15 minutes and it definitely did not hold up. It fell apart when we tossed it onto the pan :(

9. Stare at hot bf 

10. We decided to go the egg route and so we whisked some egg up and poured it into the patty. It definitely helped a lot in holding the ramen together but it made it a bit dense. 

11. Form the meat patty and fry that up. Make sure you get a nice caramelization of the surface by first using high heat and then turning it down. 

12. Toss on the leeks  then covered it with the cheese. Mmm

13. BACONNN! 

14. Build your ramen burger! 

15. We also fried an egg because we're greedy. 

TADA!! 

It was a lot of fun making it and it was quite the flavor bomb but I actually prefer a normal toasted bun. I felt that the ramen "bun" was too starchy and dense. It also didn't really have any flavor and overall it was just way too filling. I really did like everything that we put into the burger, the meat patty was juicy and flavorful, the mushroom mixture was delish, and the leeks were crunchy and fresh. Be ready for hardcore food coma after this! 

Gjelina

One of my dining priorities was to have a nice brunch and Gjelina had great reviews and was also in Abbot Kinney which was PERFECT because we were able to have a lovely brunch then go to the beach. It was such a beautiful afternoon with great food, amazing friends, and perfect weather. The service was friendly, and the atmosphere was cheery and bright. There needs to be more days like this.

Braised Sweet Corn - Cilantro, Chili, Feta & Lime
This was a wonderful medley of flavors that allowed for the fresh sweetness of the corn to shine through. The feta was tangy, the lime super refreshing, and the chili giving that perfect kick. Not a side to be missed. 

Crispy Fingerlings, Truffle Oil, Herbs & Parmesan
I am usually not the biggest fan of chunky potatoes but this was delishhh. I adore fries, hash browns, and tater tots, but I don't like home fries or chunky fries (you get the idea). These potatoes were perfect! The insides were fluffy and there was enough crunch to balance it out. And these crispy babies were all smothered in a aromatic truffle oil and parmesan blanket. Yum!

Braised Pork Meatballs, Tomato, Parmesan & Grilled Bread
Meaty juicy meatballs with a rich and fresh tomato sauce = amazing. The meatballs were so well flavored and plump and it went perfectly with the crunchy bread. We ordered two of these it was so good! 

Lamb Sausage, Confit Tomatoes, Rapinim, Pecorino & Asiago
I felt that this could use more cheese and gooeyness but the crust was delicious and crunchy and the toppings were high quality and tasty. 

I could not find this pizza on the menu! Maybe a special?
This pizza was gooey-er than the one above, it was good but not particularly memorable. 

Burrata with Grilled Peaches and Prosciutto
Ahhhh I love love loveeee this dish. The grilled peaches were divine and add on the prosciutto and creamy dreamy burrata?!!?! In heaven. 

Squash Blossom, Zucchini, Cherry Tomato, Burrata & Parmesan
This was my favorite pizza out of the three. The vegetables were so fresh and this combination was so unique. This pizza was also so visually appealing. 

Salt and Pepper Frites - Romesco & Aioli
I love fries and I love aioli. Enough said. 

This may also have been a special: Brisket Sandwich with Purple Slaw & Cheese
I took a bite of this and it was BOMB. The brisket was so tender and the slaw provided the perfect tangy balance. The only thing is that the bread was a bit too fat it seemed to be soaked in oil and that was a bit much. 

Warm Strawberry and Rhubarb Crisp - Almond Gelato
I think the rhubarb was a bit too sour but I don't have very distinct memories about this dish. 

Butterscotch Pot de Crème - Salted Caramel and Crème Fraîche 
AMAZINGGGG. So so creamy and luxuriously sweet. Give me more. 

Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake - Crème Fraîche and Hazelnut 
This was dense and rich but nothing after that caramel heaven in a pot. 

I really enjoyed my time at Gjelina and I can't wait to return next time I am in LA!

Gjelina 

1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd

Venice

Los Angeles

CA 90291

USA

Umami Burger

When I first had Umami Burger, my mind was blown. And as our days in LA decreased, our desperation to eat everything was at record high. We had booked Gjelina for brunch and decided to pop by Umami for a "bite" before our meal. Sadly, I felt that the burger was not as good as the one I had the first time, this could be due to the fact that it was my first time or that it was a different location. It was still yummy, just not amazing (although food porn level is very high for these pics). Tater tots were damn good though. They just opened a branch in New York so I would be down to go try it out.

Umami Burger

Various Locations

Ricky's Fish Tacos

Fish tacos are my newest obsession and Ricky's Fish Tacos is the undisputed place to get the best fish tacos in LA so I knew that no matter what I had to eat here. Ricky's is not opened everyday and it's not set in an actual restaurant setting so remember to check out his twitter to make sure you don't end up empty handed and disappointed! Ricky was super friendly and the food was made fresh to order. I did not care too much for the shrimp taco but the fish taco was the BOMB. The fish was extremely fluffy and was encased in a delicious crunchy and flavorful batter. The cabbage was nice and crunchy and all the sauces were also packed full of flavor and spice. I will definitely hunt down this mecca of fish tacos again the next time I am in LA. SO good.

Lobsta Truck

This day was such a fun and hectic day because we did not have a lot of days left to eat but there was so much to pig out in. Therefore we decided to go to two places for lunch. It was so hard to not overeat because the lobster rolls were gooood. The rolls at Lobsta Truck was definitely not as good at Luke's Lobsters in NYC but we were also quite hungry so it was tempting to just shove our face when we got here. The lobster was cut into large generous chunks and was juicy and sweet. I always prefer the warm version with butter but every sandwich was well seasoned. The crab was also yummy. Luke's Lobster is better because the bread is sweeter and more buttery and rich. The clam chowder was pretty damn good as well. Our next stop was my ultimate favorite: Ricky's Fish Tacos! Stay tuned.

Lobsta Truck

Various Locations (check site for most updated locations)

Ice Cream Lab

After our tasty lunch at Il Tramezzino, we went to check out a ice cream shop opened by J's friend. People from Hong Kong are familiar with Lab Made in Tai Hang and I was excited to see how the nitrogen ice cream of LA compares. The ice cream was delectable and very smooth but I do think that Lab Made has more interesting flavors. Both flavors were expressed well and had yummy condiments to match. The space was full of light and funky and the staff was friendly.

Earl Grey Tea - Earl Grey Tea, Madeleine Cookies 

Salt Lick Crunch - Pretzels, Caramel Sauce, Sea Salt

Ice Cream Lab

9461 S Santa Clara Blvd

Beverly Hills

Los Angeles

CA 90210 

USA