Best dishes in Los Angeles: 5 rice bowls to try now

From Korean-Mexican taco trucks to brick-and-mortars (now, four and counting) Roy Choi (of the legendary Kogi) has reached cult status in this town. And with the reopening of Chego, Choi fans make the pilgrimage from Palms to Chinatown to "go bowling...with rice." Rice bowls are packed with gourmet-meets-comfort food combos such as Spam, kimichi, scrambled eggs and bok choy ($8) and the veg-friendly Leafy T ($8) of chile, garlic and tofu rice topped with fried egg, Thai basil, water spinach, Chinese broccoli and fried shallots. The Chubby Pork Belly ($9)—red pepper paste-flavored Kurobuta pork mixed with fried egg, pickled radishes, water spinach, Chinese broccoli, cotija cheese and chopped peanuts—hits a strike every time. The Dude better watch his back.

If Venice embodies the feel-good California lifestyle, then Abbot Kinney is its mecca and Axe its culinary shrine. The long-standing neighborhood fixture is where hard bodies break bread with bohos and crunchier free spirits. Dinner offerings include California plates (i.e. local, seasonal), while the lunch and brunch menus boast salads, soups and sandwiches and the basic bowl ($12)—a generous helping of brown rice, bean sprouts, cucumber, cabbage, carrots, peanuts, cilantro and sesame-lime dressing. Protein seekers can add on housemade sausage ($8) grilled fish (MP) or chicken ($6) or if you're feeling saintly with this healthful bowl, tofu ($4).