Jitlada

What would Los Angeles be without Jitlada? With endless celebrity photos and “best of” lists on the walls, chef Jazz Singsanong’s strip mall joint in Thai Town is one of the city’s cult favorites. The crispy morning glory salad is an obligatory dish—a flavorful mix of crunchy, deep-fried Chinese watercress, plump shrimp, red onions, cilantro, red cabbage and bell peppers marinated in the spicy house dressing. If perusing the lengthy menu leaves you feeling dazed and confused, the crying tiger pork and green mussel curry are good places to start on the extensive list of fiery Southern Thai specialties. Pro-tip: Arrive on the earlier side of the evening to avoid a long wait.