It’s a hot, California-like summer day. My shoes trudge up the steps, backpack heavy in hand, until a blast of AC and coffee hits me like a truck. I’m at one of my favorite places in the San Gabriel Valley: the Blossom Market Hall. The smell of fresh, sweet pastries with smoky lamb kebabs makes my mouth water, and I’m thankful for the serendipity (and my legs) that brought me here.
Growing up in the multicultural hub that is the San Gabriel Valley, there are restaurants from anywhere you can think of. So with the immense diaspora that exists, I’ve become accustomed to choosing between tough choices on the menu. But at Blossom Market, my decision-making skills are almost always tested. But after too many hours and way too much money spent, here are my top Blossom Market picks.
Matcha Banana or Banana Coffee @ AK Roast
For someone who despises bananas, I love AK Roast’s Banana Matcha. I usually stray away from banana-flavored drinks in general: partially because of that sickly artificial banana flavoring, but also because said flavoring overpowers the delicate flavor of a good matcha. However, the banana flavoring in AK Roast’s coffees is surprisingly light and tastes natural (probably because they use real bananas). Neither flavor feels overpowering: the creamy banana pairs perfectly with the smooth matcha—a must try. Personally, I’m not into coffee, but I do know that their banana coffee has a similar effect. Meeting LA-native vloggers @rjsiu and @jalinsiu at AK Roast doesn’t hurt either (guess what they ordered!).
(It was the banana matcha.)
Chipotle Fries @ Wahib’s Mediterranean
Yes, out of all the appetizers, my go-to is fries (I will not deny the ‘picky eater’ allegations because they are true). For someone who adores a seasoned fry, only a few have stood out to me—and one of them happens to be the fries at Wahib’s. Their Chipotle sauce is house-made, and they make the fries fresh so they’re extra crispy. Their fries are tossed in a red, salty-spicy coating before getting a generous drizzle of the sauce, which is tangy and umami in a way I’m not sure how to describe.
Original or Holy Moly Chicken Sandwich @ Cafe et Cetera
I’m a sucker for a really good chicken sandwich, and it just so happens that the chicken sandwich at Cafe et Cetera is among the best I’ve tried. One of the biggest differences — visually speaking — is the color of the chicken. I’m used to the greasy fast-food oil that colors my Popeye’s chicken sandwich’s signature dark brown, but the color of the chicken is light, meaning that they use fresh oil. The crispy, well-marinated chicken paired with the tangy coleslaw and just the right amount of creamy mayo makes it balanced and yummy. If you’re up for the challenge, the Holy Moly chicken sandwiches are the spicy version with a mouth-watering kick. Bonus: if you get the combo, their tater tots are done amazingly as well!
Birria Ramen @ La Olla Cocina
This is only for people who aren’t afraid of a little spice: the birria ramen at La Olla is thoroughly spicy but still
amazing. La Olla’s quesabirria (a quesadilla with birria in the center) is already done well: the meat is soft and flavorful, with the kick that emphasizes the strength of the birria spices. The birria taco dipped in the Tapatio noodle soup makes your mouth water—in a good way. Topped with cilantro and onion, the combination of spicy, umami, and just a tang of sour from the slice of lemon makes this an irresistible combo. Although the portions are a bit small, this is definitely worth the money.
