Liu's Cafe

It’s all hits and no misses at Liu’s Cafe, a Chinese American daytime spot in Koreatown, where Angelenos happily line up for delicious rice bowls and breakfast sandwiches, plus Asian-inspired pastries from Isabell Manibusan, who previously oversaw the dessert program at Maude in Beverly Hills. The tiny, sleekly appointed café also serves an extensive menu of tea-based drinks, a small coffee selection and a few ultra-premium blends geared towards tea connoisseurs. (Note that the selection is more limited on weekends, when crowds overwhelm the tiny space.) On our visit, we loved everything we tried, but particularly the braised pork belly rice and Manibusan’s distinctive pineapple buns, which feature a a concha-like streusel crust. Early risers can also enjoy a newer Hong Kong-style French toast and breakfast set.