Some of LA’s most exciting meals can be found on the back patio of a wine bar or under an EZ-up on a neighborhood corner. Pop-ups are ingrained in the dining culture of the Southland, whether they’re a preview of a more permanent space or just a one-off. This is a guide to new and ongoing pop-ups around town. Have a pop-up that should be on this list? Email us at [email protected].
Upcoming
Executive chef at Montage Long Beach, David Serus, is welcoming Chef David Feau of Wally’s Beverly Hills for a one-night collaboration dinner on May 17. Priced at $250 per guest, the menu features kampachi crudo, dover sole, a prime rib cap, and more. Reservations are available by calling Montage Laguna Beach at (949) 715-6420. 30801 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
This weekend, Dai Pie Dong will be popping up at three different locations across Los Angeles. Get a taste of the British-Cantonese savory pies in El Sereno and the Arts District. Multiple locations.
Chef Kyungbin Min, formerly of Hanchic, will be at Seoul Sausage on May 17 and 18 serving a dongchimi-brined twice-fried whole chicken. The meal for two also comes with tteokbokki, gimbap, banchan, and sauces. For drinks, complimentary beer and soju from Jinro will be available. 1263 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
In honor of AAPI month, AAPI LA is hosting its annual market at Row DTLA with Smorgasburg. Food vendors to look forward to include Beard Papa’s, Nam Coffee, The Ugly Bao, and Unreal Poke. 777 S. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021.
Ongoing
Throughout May, some of LA’s best burger spots will be popping up at Highland Park Brewery. It all starts with a collaborative burger with Goldburger, before Bub & Grandma’s, Perilla, and Yellow Paper Burger come into the mix. 1220 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Head to Fiesta Grill in Santa Clarita over the weekend to find the soul food pop-up Booku Po’Boys. The menu features an array of po’boys, including Cajun shrimp, cheese streak, steak and shrimp, plus fried chicken cracklings, lemon pepper Cajun wings, and more. 24623 Arch Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
For a chilaquiles craving, head to the corner of Vermont and 6th Street in Koreatown where Don Chilaquiles sets up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day except for Monday. Order a platter with salsa verde or rojo and a choice of meats including carnitas and carna asada, or a chilaquiles burrito stuffed with chips, crema, fried eggs, salsa, and more. 601 S. Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005.
Chef Debbie Lee’s Korean fried chicken restaurant, Yi Cha, is popping up at the former Bar Moruno space in Silver Lake on Friday nights in advance of its opening in its permanent Highland Park spot this summer. Pull up a seat at the bar for fried chicken, banchan, and beer. 3705 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026.
For burgers in Long Beach, head to the weekly Hamburgers Nice pop-up at the neighborhood cafe and bar, Good Time. On Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the pop-up serves burgers and fries that pair perfectly with a glass of wine. For a morning craving, Hamburgers Nice is also open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., serving breakfast burgers, croissant sandwiches, and more. 1322 Coronado Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90804.