Guelaguetza

In the last three decades, this bright orange restaurant with pagoda roofs has put Koreatown on the map as a citywide destination for Oaxacan cuisine and garnered national awards and recognition in the process. Greatly influenced by indigenous foodways, this regional cooking style from the Mexican state is most known for introducing Americans to the many variations of rich, flavorful mole—a deep, comforting, ultra-savory sauce made with dried chilies and cacao. Though L.A. is home to many other wonderful Oaxacan restaurants (the most outside of the state of Oaxaca itself), this family-run restaurant offers the kind of charming atmosphere (sometimes with live music) and friendly service that has made Guelaguetza a citywide institution, and the kind of place worth visiting over and over again.