The other day, I stumbled upon a Snapchat memory of me during my senior year of high school. It read: “I don’t care where I go to college as long as the food is good and there’s a Trader Joe’s nearby.”
After coming to UCLA, I realized that both of these were fulfilled.
Not only is UCLA ranked number one in college dining, the campus also has a Trader Joe’s within walking distance, along with what seems like millions of food options nearby. To be honest, I might have been more excited about the food in Los Angeles than actually attending school there. With so many options, each meal was an opportunity for me to learn more about my surroundings.
Most people state that food on the Hill and in the dining halls starts to get boring after a while. I’ve definitely felt that more this quarter, but I still really appreciate the access that we get to high quality food, especially compared to what my friends at different colleges have been eating. In my opinion, UCLA is full of amazing food choices.
Some of my personal favorites are the coconut yogurt and tri-tip flatbread at BPlate, Epicuria’s cauliflower fritter, The Study frozen yogurt, and the Korean bowl at Rendezvous.
Outside of campus, though, there are so many viral and hyped foods, as well as plenty of less popular spots that are classics for UCLA students. My most memorable bite was probably from Alba for my roommate’s birthday dinner – I was enamored by the lasagna and focaccia.
Other good eats in Los Angeles include the Beachwood Cafe (mentioned in one of Harry Styles’ songs!), the Bigg Chill, Erewhon, and Pura Vida.
One of the culture shocks I got from coming to LA was discovering how hyped matcha spots are. In my hometown on the East Coast, looking for spots specifically for matcha isn’t a thing. In LA, I have matcha at least once a week.
The Kerckhoff banana matcha is one of my favorites, along with Bonsai. I actually wasn’t the biggest fan of La La Land, despite how popular it is. I’m hoping to be able to discover more fun drinks soon.
I may not have escaped the “Freshman 15” (and my bank account is drained), but I honestly have no regrets. Food is a big part of my social life, and it seems to be that way for many college students.
Whether it’s making plans to eat somewhere my friends and I had seen on social media or just stopping by a random cafe when hungry, each meal is a way to familiarize myself with the city and the people around me.
Food is a way to explore, and the delicious meals I eat in LA are definitely a memorable bonus.