Asian American and Pacific Islander, or AAPI, Heritage Month has arrived, bringing cultures we do not always take the time to celebrate to the forefront. Food is undeniably one of the best (and tastiest) ways to learn. Sizzling rice bowls, lumpia, pho and popcorn chicken are all just a short walk from UCLA. Beyond late-night study breaks and quick meals on the go, these restaurants carry cultural traditions and histories that make them significant parts of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, I invite you to expand your perspectives beyond campus convenience. Countless untold stories lie behind Westwood’s most popular AAPI-owned eateries. Whether it is sharing family-style Chinese plates or digging into Hawaiian barbecue, Westwood’s diverse collection of AAPI-owned restaurants stands as a proud part of Los Angeles food culture.
Chin Chin
Orange chicken or chow mein are probably the first Chinese-American dishes that come to mind. Chin Chin goes beyond mere delivery boxes. Chinese-Aqles such as sesame chicken, Mongolian beef and hand-folded chicken pot stickers are served alongside a polished sit-down dining experience. Chin Chin was first established on Sunset Boulevard in 1983. It remains an LA favorite because it combines the comforting, popular dishes many may know with an elevated experience. The nearby Brentwood location offers UCLA students an experience that is much more than just takeout.
Chinese-American food has always been about modification and innovation. By creating dishes aimed to be more approachable for American palates, immigrant communities crafted unique takes on traditional Chinese cuisine that came to define Chinese-American food itself. Chin Chin is one restaurant that has managed to honor the history and tradition that make Chinese-American food unique while also serving accessible comfort food.
Almost Famous Indian
As soon as you walk through the doors of Almost Famous Indian, the savory aroma of butter chicken, garlic naan and flavorful spices wafts from the kitchen. Among the countless restaurants in the Westwood area, Almost Famous Indian has quickly become a dependable go-to for many.
Indian cuisine differs greatly from region to region. The sheer number of spices and cooking techniques gives the country’s cuisine endless culinary possibilities. Dishes such as chicken tikka masala and biryani represent only a small portion of the country’s expansive food culture. Almost Famous Indian serves staples of Indian cuisine that form the foundation of South Asian food culture.
Almost Famous Indian’s modern aesthetic and bright presentation help make the restaurant representative of a growing trend: young Indian people reclaiming Indian food culture in the LA dining scene. It offers food that may seem daunting in a way that feels approachable and easy to understand.
Liu’s Cafe
Few places in Westwood capture the feeling of Taiwanese comfort food quite like Liu’s Cafe. The smell of fried popcorn chicken and simmering beef broth pulls you inside before you even realize it. Regardless of what you order, every dish feels comforting in the way good street food is supposed to.
Taiwanese cuisine thrives on contrast: crispy and soft, salty and sweet. These contrasts collide within the same meal without ever feeling overwhelming. Much of that balance comes from Taiwan’s culinary history, shaped by Fujianese, Japanese and Indigenous influences over generations. Crowded food stalls turn Taiwan’s streets into social gathering spaces long after sunset. There is no doubt that night markets are central to Taiwanese culture.
Liu’s Cafe recreates a small piece of that atmosphere for Bruins just a short walk from campus. It may not compare to a bustling Taipei night market, but during a packed dinner rush filled with students trying to eat quality Taiwanese food, it comes surprisingly close.
Westwood Thai Cafe
Steaming bowls of Thai curry after final exams or reliable plates of pad thai during late-night study sessions may contribute to Westwood Thai Cafe’s status as a beloved campus spot. Thai food relies heavily on contrast: creamy coconut milk balances spice, lime and basil cut through saltiness and a splash of fish sauce enhances noodle dishes. When Thai food is done well, its bright flavors and contrasting textures become addictive.
Thai food can often seem intimidating, but it has earned a strong reputation in LA because of its beloved presence throughout the city. Westwood Thai Cafe serves authentic Thai dishes that keep diners coming back while introducing you to flavors you may not be familiar with in an accessible, campus-friendly way.
Nong La Vietnamese Cafe
There is little more satisfying than a hot bowl of pho after hours spent studying in Powell Library, and this is where Vietnamese cuisine truly shines. Fresh herbs complement rich broths in Nong La’s well-loved pho, creating comfort in a unique way. The restaurant provides you with an option that does not take any of its dishes for granted and has earned its place in the hearts of many Bruin foodies.
The cornerstone of Vietnamese cuisine is fresh ingredients: the splash of lime added to nearly everything, the mound of basil and cilantro garnishing every bowl of pho. Through this combination of traditional flavors and fresh ingredients, the food achieves a complexity that often goes unrecognized. Pho became globally celebrated largely through Vietnamese immigrant communities, representing both comfort and connection to home for many people in Los Angeles and beyond. Nong La has certainly found a niche within that culture that keeps people returning time and time again.
Gushi
You cannot get too close to Gushi during the dinner rush — or almost any time in between — because of the constant line of students waiting for Korean fried chicken and rice bowls. In an area with limited Korean food options near UCLA, Gushi has found its niche and cemented itself as one of Westwood’s favorite meals. The bold flavors of Korean cuisine paired with comforting carbohydrate bases make for a rich dining experience, with marinades and spices taking center stage. Gushi perfectly captures the energetic feel of Korean food with crispy chicken coated in rich sauces.
Gushi also represents how far Korean culture has spread throughout Los Angeles’ dining scene. As Koreatown has become increasingly popular with young people, Korean food and dining culture have continued spreading across the city. Gushi brings a taste of Koreatown directly to Westwood.
Big Boi Filipino Comfort Food
Filipino food is a cuisine that deserves far more recognition in LA and Big Boi Filipino Comfort Food serves exactly that. It is the type of meal that makes you think of your grandmother’s cooking with its deep flavors and strong ties to family tradition. Dishes such as Filipino adobo, lumpia and garlic rice carry histories shaped by Chinese and Spanish influences. With its unique combination of sweet, salty and tangy flavors, Filipino food never ceases to surprise and comfort.
Many Filipino Americans find one of their strongest connections to home and culture through food. Big Boi serves that kind of comfort food to UCLA students, offering a glimpse into a food culture that has remained important to many families for generations.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
Ono Hawaiian BBQ may seem like a casual plate lunch spot, but Hawaiian cuisine carries a history beyond the typical plate lunch. Behind that mound of rice and macaroni salad is a culinary tradition built over decades. Hawaiian food contains influences from Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean and other Polynesian cuisines, all evident in dishes ranging from barbecue chicken and teriyaki beef to musubi and macaroni salad served side-by-side on the same plate.
Ono Hawaiian BBQ is a trusted, affordable comfort food spot that satisfies with enormous portions and accessibility. It is more than just a casual meal on the go — it also represents a blended cultural history.
