13 Los Angeles Street Food Gems You Won't Want To Miss

Founded more than 200 years ago, El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula – better known as Los Angeles – offers more than just a mouthful of a name for historians to argue over. It's also a melting pot of cultures and communities, whose long history has created a jigsaw of cuisines that not only happily co-exist, but underpin one of the most vibrant, flavorful street food scenes in the United States.

The range of dishes offers a beguiling tour of the world for our tastebuds, from Mexican and Middle Eastern, to Japanese and Jamaican, with a bit of everything else thrown in between. Everyone from BBQ devotees to vegans are catered to, and while Los Angeles is home to many great restaurants that will suit all comers, some of the most mind-blowing stuff is found at local spots tourists wish they had back home. No matter what you're in the mood to eat, Los Angeles' cosmopolitan street food scene has got you covered.

Topping home-made tacos with an iconic Latin American snack sure is delicious, but it's still a pale imitation of what's on offer in the City of Angels. No visit could be considered complete without ordering from some of the city's iconic taco food trucks. If you've never previously tried Mexican food, brace yourself for multiple mouthfuls of foodie heaven, and if you think you've already eaten great tacos, L.A. has the most flavorful surprise in store.

Wafer-thin, marinated meat or mildly spicy falafel, doused in a garlic sauce, served with zingy pickles or crispy salad, and enveloped in a soft, warm wrap. Is there anything not to love about shawarma? Stick a pin in a map of downtown Los Angeles and you're bound to find a street vendor or food truck selling this wildly popular Middle Eastern delight.

Xiao long bao and other dim sum are adored across the United States, so it's no surprise that this Chinese food staple has also become a part of the Los Angeles street food landscape. You might have to look a little harder for food trucks serving them, as there aren't as many compared to taco outlets, but for those moments when only a melt-in-the-mouth, steamed dumpling will do, it's worth tracking them down.

One of the best things about the hot dogs available in L.A. isn't just the smorgasbord of styles, flavors, and other takes on this classic street food. It's also the unique insight each version gives you into the culture behind it. From indulgent Korean corn dogs to snappy bites slathered with unique, home-made toppings, you'll never again be short of inspo when it comes to upgrading boring hot dogs at home.

When you think of Los Angeles, Vietnamese dishes probably don't spring to mind – unless you've explored the city's street food scene. Although it faces stiff competition from other Asian countries, there's a lot of love for Vietnamese dishes. One of the must-try foods is the bánh mì sandwich: a baguette that's crispy on the outside and soft in the center, packed with meat, pickled veggies, and herbs.

Of course there are hamburger stands all over the City of Angels, but what makes so many special is the creativity and invention that goes into them. We know that chefs love an unusual burger topping, but the street vendors in L.A. are no slouches when it comes to delivering on flavor, either. Whether you're looking for a gourmet burger made with locally-sourced meat or something quick, straightforward, and utterly delicious, you'll find it all.

Ethiopian food is having a moment in the United States, especially among vegans,who it seems can't get enough of injera flatbread. Luckily, swearing off all meat is not required when visiting L.A.'s Little Ethiopia neighborhood, where a plethora of amazing street food lies in store. Lentils may have more protein than an egg, but they're also a key ingredient in several Ethiopian recipes, all served with those iconic flatbreads.

A vibrant mix of cultures make up Los Angeles, and some have carved out their own spaces within the city, like the El Salvador Corridor, locally known as El Mercado Salvadoreño. There you will find everything from fried foods to corn cakes called riguas, but make a beeline for any pupusas; delicious, eaten-before-you-know-it pockets of fried masa often filled with pork, cheese, and refried beans, and served with delicious salsas and other sides.

Los Angeles is home to a growing street food trend that displays a smart and delicious fusion of Korean and Mexican flavors, taking the best of both worlds and bringing them together with incredible results. Alongside freshly-made kimchi you would add to every tuna salad, expect mouthwatering sweet-savory tacos made with bulgogi, thin strips of marinated beef drenched with lashings of yogurt sauce, and spicy broths that will leave you wondering where they have been your whole life.

Whenever you're in L.A., be sure to catch one of the many BBQ pop-ups that sit across the city for some of the tastiest street food ever. All the classic meats are present and correct, as well as the traditional sides, but there's also every possible kind of flavor combination available, and the best come when Los Angeles' different cultures play together. Armenian-Texas rib, anyone?

Not all street food in the City of Angels is specifically dinner-focused; snacks are covered too. While these summer loaf pops don't need a mold, Mexican paletas do. These ice popsicles are traditionally made using fresh fruit, or blended with cream. Although they're vibrant and colorful, they're not just for kids, with street vendors offering exciting flavor combos, including hojicha, blackberry jam, and horchata.

Peruvian food might be the last thing on your mind during a visit to L.A., but the country's national dish, ceviche, really ought to be one of the street foods you try. On the face of it, ceviche is ridiculously simple: It's just seafish marinated in citrus juice. In the hands of Los Angeles' street food magicians, however, it's an outrageously flavorful treat.

Some people think you can put anything in a tortilla wrap and call it a burrito. In Los Angeles, Japanese street cooks did, creating sushi burritos that beg to be devoured. The marriage isn't as weird as some might think: the traditional sushi ingredients, fish, vegetables, and rice are all carefully packaged inside a soft tortilla. It's the perfect on-the-go fusion food.