This column will explore how food can make or break your day as a college student dealing with God-knows-what and some insight on where to dine to decrease your chances of breaking it. Getting ready and going out with your friends is almost as good as the food you all share afterwards. It’s a fact that good food tastes even better past two in the morning, but sometimes the $20 sandwich from Fat Sal’s just doesn’t hit as hard as it should after dancing to the same 25 songs they blast at Rocco’s. In order to really utilize your time in Los Angeles, it is vital that you take advantage of as many spots to eat out as possible. Whether you’re from across the country or down the street, I know you haven’t tried it all! Of course, there are some quick spots like Mickey D’s or In-N-Out that’ll never let you down, unless you want ice cream or — yes I’m going to say it — decent french fries, but sometimes it’s nice to debrief the questionable decisions we made only moments before. I have also learned that going out with people who somehow may love to eat more than you do is a sure way to find the right bite. After scarfing down many, MANY, late night “dinners” around LA, there’s a spot that has officially become my go-to. Sun Nong Dan is where I discovered I truly lack self-control. I’m pretty sure the first time I experienced Galbi Jjim was somewhat of a spiritual awakening and a realization that my days of 3 a.m. Big Macs were going to come much less often. Now unfortunately, this dish comes at a price — $99.99 to be exact, and that’s without the mandatory rice cakes and cheese on top. But wait! I know it’s a lot . . . trust me I know, let me at least describe the dish before you take your business elsewhere. Coming out on a large sizzling plate, surrounded by unlimited amounts of banchan, or Korean side dishes, including many different types of kimchi, and with a bowl of purple rice upon request, there are some fall-off-the-bone short ribs simmering in their rich and savory secret galbi sauce. With the potatoes and carrots that also come with it, you can (should) add rice cakes and a fat layer of mozzarella on top. After setting it down on the table, they take out the blowtorch and light it up – come on, dinner and a show?! What more could you want at that hour? Okay, back to the price, the large is fifteen dollars more, but the reason it’s so perfect is because you can split it up to about six ways, eight if you’re willing to push it! If you’re going out, you’re most likely going out in a group, and at Sun Nong Dan, you can all sit, relax and enjoy. With a Fat Sal’s sandwich coming in around $20 with tax, it only comes out to a few dollars more. Now, yes I am completely aware that the price can still be steep for a young college student, so I’m not just recommending the most expensive item on the menu. If you still want to go there and experience something new, I highly recommend the Galbi Tang for $23.99, this savory and flavorful soup with short ribs and noodles still comes with the banchan and can be split between two! Finding nearby spots that are open super late has always been difficult for me, and while I typically go to the Koreatown locations, they just opened a Sun Nong Dan on the Sawtelle strip. Only a short trip from UCLA’s campus, this place is available to you and all your friends 24/7. It’s important to go and try new things that might require a bit more effort, because the night rarely ends at last call, so why not enjoy the sunrise from the comfort of your local Korean chain?
