In 2020, when the coronavirus struck, Jihee Kim started a take-away pop-up project out of her house. The focus was banchan, a Korean vegetable usually served in small plates as a side for traditional meals. The business became so popular that Kim started looking for a permanent location as soon as the pandemic ended. She only found a suitable one in 2023, in a converted garage in Victor Heights, just on the border of L.A.’s Chinatown. Here, you can stop in for her specialty, but also for delectable charred okra, fermented tomatillos, and chopped peppers. There’s a small lunch box option—similar to a Japanese bento—which is a wonderful option if you’re on-the-go. —Elena Clavarino

Elena Clavarino is a Senior Editor at AIR MAIL