Guelaguetza Restaurant

"There are many tres leches cakes in Los Angeles, but none are better than the absolutely drenched but perfectly balanced version from Guelaguetza. What makes this particular tres leches wonderful is the balance of sweetness, richness, and creaminess, leading one to take bite after bite until the whole slice is gone. These stacked cakes, covered with the lightest buttercream and decorated with ripe fruit and a few flowers, can be ordered by the slice or whole with advance notice. — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Cathy Chaplin, Eater Staff

"Not only is Guelaguetza one of the most legendary restaurants in town (open since 1994, they’ve completely revolutionized Oaxacan food in LA), it’s also one of our best parties. Since the pandemic, they’ve added a new patio to their Ktown dining room where you’ll find a rowdy mix of families, friends, and people who’ve only just met all happily toasting hibiscus agua frescas and sharing giant plates of Oaxacan grilled meats plates. Definitely order one of their [excellent tlayudas], but it’s not an official celebration without the Festival de Moles, a sampler platter combining four kinds of silky sauces and Guelaguetza’s signature dish." - kat hong

"A meal at Guelaguetza, a Oaxacan institution, involves multiple types of mole, tlayudas, and big plates of meat. All of it is phenomenal and best when shared. With its massive space and live music, it’s a great spot for a big group dinner or for entertaining out-of-towners dead set on drinking as much mezcal as their bodies will allow. Also, don’t forget to order some queso fundido—it’ll ruin every other queso you’ve ever had." - brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins

"A meal at Guelaguetza, a Koreatown institution for Oaxacan cooking, usually involves multiple types of mole, tlayudas, big plates of meat, and a healthy amount of mezcal (all of it shared, ideally). With its massive space and live music, this is a great spot for a big group dinner or for entertaining out-of-towners with a full-on feast. There are several family-style sampler platters on the menu which are a good bet, but if had to spotlight one dish, get the queso fundido—it’ll ruin every other queso you’ve ever had." - sylvio martins, brant cox, garrett snyder

"You can't bring up Oaxacan food in LA without talking about Guelaguetza, and for good reason—this Koreatown institution deserves credit for bringing top tier mole to the masses in LA (their website domain is literally ilovemole.com). But mole aside, Guelaguetza is also where you go to eat banana leaf tamales, black bean enfrijoladas, and crispy tlayudas decorated with tasajo and spicy chorizo links. Dinner at this giant Chinese-pagoda-turned-Oaxacan restaurant is like going to a tourist attraction: there’s a gift shop selling merch, an open kitchen where spectators can take photos of sizzling meats, and even a live band playing Latin jazz. Head to Guelaguetza for large group dinners, birthdays, or anytime you're in the mood for a $25 mezcal tasting. " - brant cox, nikko duren, garrett snyder, sylvio martins