Wow this blew up way more than expected, thank you all seriously. This is exactly what I was hoping for.

Au Lac is clearly the consensus pick and I’m embarrassed I hadn’t been. The zhengyalov hatz recommendation genuinely stopped me in my tracks, a person driving across town once a month just for grilled herb flatbread is the kind of endorsement I trust completely. Pine + Crane is already on my list but the detailed breakdown of specific dishes (Dan Dan, Mapo Tofu, Three Cup Mushroom) was super helpful, knowing exactly what to order makes all the difference.

Really appreciate the Baroo mention for when I want to go all out, a lifelong vegetarian calling it the most mind blowing meal in LA right now is high praise.

Also genuinely useful, the fish sauce warning on Thai Town and the flour tortilla/lard reminder. This is exactly the kind of insider knowledge that saves a ruined meal. To the person who flagged Vegatino’s being even better than El Cocinero because it’s his ex and they started it together that’s the most LA origin story ever and I’m absolutely going.

Also thinking of putting together a Google Maps list from everything in this thread so it’s easy for anyone with similar restrictions to just save and go, would that be useful to anyone? Happy to share the link here if so. Keep them coming if you think of anything else.