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ALL UNDER $20 FOR THE FRUGAL FOODIE
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Story and photos by Walter Jay Jr.
If you are ballin’ on a budget, want to change things up and are tired of hitting the drive-thru and making instant noodles, here are the five of the best foodie meals in the South Bay for $5, $8, $10, $12 and $15 This list includes everything from breakfast to savory tacos, Hawaiian and Japanese eats. Eating on a budget doesn’t have to mean losing out on an delicious meals with these top five frugal foodie picks.
1. $5 Ensenada’s Surf N Turf Grill
2 Tacos de Pescado ($2.59 each) - Two fried or grilled swai fish tacos served on a palm-sized corn tortilla with cabbage, pico de gallo, crema and salsa. This taco is an explosion of contrasting flavors and textures. The crunchy fish fillet and cabbage juxtapose the supple tortilla, juicy pico de gallo, luscious crema and rich, spicy salsa.
Address: 4749 Artesia Blvd, Lawndale, CA 90260
2. $8 Marugame Udon
Kake Udon is made-to-order udon noodles served with a signature house-made Kake soup, of dashi, mirin and soy sauce. Add a perfectly cooked Onsen egg, some fresh cut scallions and a pile of crunchy tempura bits and have a full meal for under $7, or if you’re extra hungry get a large bowl for under $8.
Address: 2029 Sawetelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
3. $10 The Pan
If you love breakfast for lunch or dinner, try The Pan’s all-day breakfast. Their three buttermilk pancakes filled with a banana cinnamon puree and topped with bananas, walnuts, whipped butter and powdered sugar is the perfect meal to satisfy anyone who loves sleeping in, but hates missing breakfast.
Address: 16601 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90247
Two Tacos de Pescado at Ensenada’s Surf N Turf Grill in Lawndale, Calif. on May 8, 2021.
4. $12 Ramen Yamadaya
Vegan Ramen ($11) + Seasoned Egg or Tofu ($1). Are you thinking vegan ramen, really? Yes, vegan ramen. Ramen Yamadaya’s meat-packed, porky, unctuous iterations of ramen are always a delicious option, but this bowl of vegan ramen is made from a house-made miso broth, spinach noodles and topped with bamboo shoots, scallions, red cabbage, spinach, a shiitake mushroom, corn, a tomato wedge and kikurage mushrooms is just as good, if not a little better.
Address: 3116 W 182nd St, Torrance, CA 90504
5. $15 Back Home in Lahaina
The loco moco at Back Home in Lahaina is one of the best-kept secrets in the South Bay. If you want to turn this massive Hawaiian specialty into a three-course feast for under $15, first start with a Portuguese Sausage Musubi ($3), you can’t go wrong.
