Known for glitz and glam, you may think eating well in L.A. will empty your wallet. Fortunately, this city is a treasure of big flavors and mouthwatering meals on a small budget. Whether you’re in the mood for ramen, tacos, or some unexpected dish, in such a vibrant place as L.A., you won’t need to splurge to eat like royalty.

Are you craving a delicious meal but don’t want to break the bank? We got you with hidden gems, but also beloved places where $15 will bring you the greatest culinary experience.

Ready to discover the best food spots and eat on a budget in L.A.?

1. Leo’s Taco Truck

LA is known for affordable taco trucks, but there is one standing out with the $2 al pastor taco. Leo’s is a classic for budget-friendly options. Pork freshly carved from the trompo plus a slice of pineapple in a small tortilla. In the evening, you can enjoy dinner while attending a show of taqueros expertly slicing and tossing the ingredients into tortilla-packed palms.

We know one taco won’t be enough, but even with three or four, you’ll be under $15. There are around 7 locations around the city, so it’s going to be easy to find a Leo’s nearby.

2. Liu’s Cafe

This affordable Chinese American cafe is located in Koreatown, and they offer an array of rich flavors for under $20. You can get a generous portion of white rice and soy-braised pork and add a Hong Kong milk tea for $4, and you’ll still be under $15.

The pastry and the weekend-only French toast may tempt you to go a little bit overboard, but keeping it simple with a bowl of rice and a drink at Liu’s is more than a great deal.

3. Mariscos Jalisco

Mariscos Jalisco became a beloved icon among taco trunks, and they created a devoted fanbase. Their dorados de camaron or shrimp tacos at only $2.5 deserve their fame and good reputation, as they feature fresh, tasty shrimp. They are covered in a corn tortilla that is fried to the golden brown standard of perfection.

Topped with generous slices of avocado and salsa roja. You can also find a bountiful seafood-laden Poseidon tostada at $9.5, including their delicious crispy shrimp. Keep in mind that these trucks only accept cash.

4. Shin-Sen-Gumi

Here you can surpass $15, but their Shin-Sen-Gumi original noodle bowl still has its special spot on our list. Ramen starts as an inexpensive dish, but based on what you want to add, like eggs, extra noodles, or cashu, it can push the price to $20.

Our suggestion for you is the Hakata soup which starts at $12, and it already has enough ingredients to be a full meal on its own, such as red ginger, cashu, green onions, and sesame. The add-ons start at $1.75 here, but if you opt for extra noodles, wakame, or corn, you’ll still stay within the budget.

5. My Dung

It’s easy to overlook this timeless gem in Chinatown with all the new restaurants and pop-ups. My Dung is a Vietnamese sandwich shop at the intersection of Broadway and Ord. Here you will find crates of colorful and affordable vegetables and fruits. Their sandwiches, filled with grilled pork or chicken, pate, or pork with skin, are complemented by jalapeno and cilantro, pickled radish, or shredded carrots of your choice, for just $6.

If you love crusty French loaves and you also fancy fresh soy milk or some fresh fruit, this is the right place for you, and a sandwich plus a beverage will keep you under $10. This is another place where you will only be able to pay in cash, so make sure you pass by an ATM before.

6. Zhengyalov Hatz

This Glendale eatery specializes in, guess what: Zhengyalov Hatz, which is an Armenian bread filled with different herbs and a specialty from Artsakh. This dish is entirely vegan if you exclude the butter, and it can be described as delicious, light, and spring-like tasting.

Their minimalist menu includes paxlava, a variation of baklava, beverages such as Armenian coffee, glass teapots with herbal and spices tea, and okroshka, a tangy yogurt drink with cucumber and dill.

7. Joy on York

Taiwanese noodle bowls or scallion bread sandwiches are all priced around $9 at Chef Vivian Ku’s Highland Park staple. No matter what you choose, you won’t be disappointed, but the standout option is the thousand-layer sandwich. This is a great deal priced at $9 for the fully loaded version.

The plain version starts at $6, and you upgrade it for $7 with cheese, for $8 with egg, and for $9, you will get the full version with hot sauce and purple basil all mixed in a warm, crispy pancake. This is a unique choice for a fast lunch or dinner.

8. Sapp Coffee Shop

This restaurant is nestled in a strip mall, and it comes with a cozy vibe but is also unexpectedly placed. You will get really good Thai-style dishes here, but their famous dish is the jade noodles.

They culturally shifted us with this soupless bowl filled with BBQ pork or roast duck, crab meat, and endlessly thick green noodles. If you’re in an extra mood, you should order it spicy. Another spot where you need to make sure you have cash with you.

9. Northern Thai Food Club

At Thai Town, all the dishes are rich in flavor, but there is one specialty that stands out as the essence of curry noodles. You will only pay $10.99 for the traditional stuff, and you can choose between beef or chicken drumstick while enjoying a creamy coconut cream soup.

The egg noodles are perfectly flat and chewy, and the dish is enhanced by lime wedges, shallots, and our sour mustard, along with some crispy noodles for a distinct texture. Another great meal to try is the Northern Thai spicy pork sausage, packed with fresh herbs that you get for $10.99.

10. Mae Malai Thai House of Noodles

At their new permanent location, just a 5-minute walk from where their place used to be when they were street vending, you can savor the best boat noodle soup at $8.49. Their traditional small bawl is filled with pork crackings, green onions, meatballs, bean sprouts, and mixed pork or beef offal of your choice.

You can try the larger version of $16 bowls containing Tom Yum Noodle Soup. Their expanded menu features pad thai, housemade Isaan-style sausage, and krapow. Enjoy delicately steamed pandan coconut custards for dessert, and you will get the most affordable and full meal you could find.

11. Zam Zam Market

The generous portions and the blends of flavor at Zam Zam Market may lead to exceeding the $15 mark with tax and tip. However, the fiery chicken biryani is a top contender on the best cheap eats list. The portions served by the Pakistani family are enough for two or three people, and they feature spices and bone-in chicken pieces, so it’s important to eat with care.

You will get a large boiled potato and a special ingredient from Karachi and India. After a few bites, you will feel the spice, so it would be helpful to have a tangy cilantro or mint-infused raita to cool you down.

12. Marugame Udon

You will most likely not let anything on the plate at Marugame Udon, as you will savor every addictive bite. This Japanese-style cafeteria, located in downtown Sawtelle and Glendale, has the best fresh noodles pulled in front of you and served in your choice of broth.

A standard portion starts at $5.95, and the largest portion will be found at $15.95. What highlights the price are the tempura bites, each costing $1. Here you pick your noodles bowl, and you match tempura, meats, eggs, and chilled toppings to build your favorite meal.

If you’re interested in all the different cultures and how food shaped them, this is a book you can find on Amazon: Food Is Culture

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