Liu's Cafe

"This casual Taiwanese  iner in Koreatown has the kind of daytime scene where off-duty chefs sip hot milk tea with friends and dates lock eyes over warm buns. The people-watching is a major draw here, but it’s the inventive pastries and homey rice bowls that make it a standout. We recommend stockpiling the matcha pineapple buns and black sesame coconut cakes then throwing in a few gussied up classics like spicy wontons and Hong Kong-style French toast filled with oozy “lava custard.” They don’t open until 10:30am, but get there by noon on weekends before things start to sell out." - brant cox, sylvio martins

"This Taiwanese-style restaurant in Koreatown has a walk-up counter and vintage posters on its wall. Liu’s Cafe is beyond stylish with an excellent menu to boot. The chiayi chicken rice or the tea egg sandwich with pickled cucumber always satisfies. The braised pork belly rice is even better for those with larger appetizers. Prices are very reasonable considering how expensive things have gotten in LA, with nothing over $14 in the savory section. Order the pineapple buns, cream buns, egg tarts, and cookies for later." - Matthew Kang

"You think you’ve seen it all, then Liu’s Creamery hands you ice cream topped with cilantro. And somehow, it works. Tucked next to daytime spot Liu’s Cafe, this low-lit spinoff feels like a speakeasy as much as it does a scoop shop, and makes for a fun and laid-back post-dinner dessert stop in Koreatown. The flavors channel Taiwanese night markets—there's honey toast, Ovaltine, ginger pear, and vanilla-y Taiwan milk—and the thick, custardy ice cream is a solid base to mix and match toppings like doubanjiang fudge, chili crisp, or cured egg yolk. The best bet is to order one of the creative, pre-set combos on the menu—though maybe avoid the Night Market Special if you have that gene that makes cilantro taste like soap. Food Rundown Night Market Special The herb-topped Night Market Special might make you do a double take, but it’s surprisingly delicious. The milky ice cream mellows out the fragrant cilantro oil, while the sesame peanut powder and fresh cilantro on top add a nutty, slightly peppery edge. Pineapple Cake As the name says, this is basically Taiwanese pineapple cake in ice cream form. A scoop of milk ice cream is layered with sweet, tangy pineapple jam, then blanketed in cookie crumbles that provide a nice crunch. photo credit: Cathy Park Traditionalist Order this one for a good ASMR session. It delivers a ton of crunch and texture from candied black sesame and peanut powder, plus jiggly grass jellies that are fun to slurp. Honey Toast If you’re opting out of toppings and want to keep your scoop simple, get the honey toast flavor. It’s subtly sweet and speckled with crackly bits of toast that taste like dessert croutons." - Cathy Park

"The light-filled dining room of Liu’s Cafe feels miles away from the busy Koreatown streets right outside. Inspired by cafes in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Liu’s serves a tight menu of simple dishes from consulting chef Lareine Ko. Only five options are available on the daily menu, each coming in at $14 or under. For something savory, order the Chiayi chicken rice or the braised pork belly rice, or, for something more indulgent, tuck into the Hong Kong-style French toast. The cafe also carries a rotating selection of pastries from chef Isabelle Manubisan, including cream-stuffed pineapple buns and corn cheese danishes. With an inviting interior designed by Studio Kosma, it’s easy to want to settle in at a table over mugs of hot Hong Kong milk tea or a matcha pineapple bun." - Eater Staff

"The light-filled dining room of Liu’s Cafe feels miles away from the busy Koreatown streets outside. The daytime breakfast and lunch spot from the team behind the now-closed Tokki opened in late 2023 on the same block as Koreatown hotspots Here’s Looking You and 6XS Coffee. Inspired by cafes in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Liu’s serves a tight menu of simple dishes from consulting chef Lareine Ko. Only five options are available on the daily menu, each coming in at $14 or under. For something savory, order the Chiayi chicken rice or the braised pork belly rice, or, for something more indulgent, tuck into the Hong Kong-style French toast. The cafe also carries a rotating selection of pastries from chef Isabelle Manubisan, including cream-stuffed pineapple buns, corn cheese danishes, and more. With a tranquil, but inviting interior it’s easy to want to settle in at a table over mugs of hot Hong Kong milk tea or a matcha pineapple bun. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor" - Eater Staff