Los Angeles, a city often synonymous with glitz and high prices, holds a surprising secret for the savvy diner: an abundance of cheap eats Los Angeles under $20 that deliver astonishing flavor and value. Forget the notion that quality dining here requires a hefty budget; with a little know-how, you can embark on a culinary journey across continents without emptying your wallet.
This isn't about compromising on taste or experience. It's about tapping into LA's vibrant, diverse food scene, where immigrant communities, innovative chefs, and long-standing local favorites consistently serve up dishes that are both delicious and incredibly affordable. From spicy Korean ramyun to authentic Peruvian rotisserie chicken, and from gourmet banh mi to classic diner breakfasts, the under-$20 landscape in LA is richer and more exciting than ever.
At a Glance: Your Guide to Under-$20 LA Dining
- Discover Global Flavors: LA’s multicultural fabric means you can find authentic Sri Lankan, Okinawan, Vietnamese, Thai, and Mexican dishes, often for less than $15.
- Maximize Value with Buffets & Combos: All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ or robust Indian thalis provide substantial meals for minimal cost.
- Embrace Casual & Street Food: Food trucks, convenience shops, and humble delis are hotspots for budget-friendly, high-quality eats.
- Strategize Your Meals: Think about breakfast deals, shareable plates, and lunch specials to stretch your dollar further.
- Don't Skimp on Quality: "Cheap" in LA often means exceptional, home-style, or artisanal quality, not a compromise.
The Underrated Abundance of Affordable LA Dining
Despite rising costs elsewhere, Los Angeles maintains a remarkable number of eateries where a satisfying, flavorful meal can be had for less than a twenty-dollar bill. This phenomenon is deeply rooted in the city's unique culinary ecosystem. LA's sprawling nature and immense cultural diversity foster a competitive environment where authenticity and value are paramount. Many establishments, particularly those serving international cuisines, operate with efficiency and a focus on beloved, high-quality staples, allowing them to keep prices accessible. It’s a testament to the city’s entrepreneurial spirit and its commitment to diverse palates.
A Global Taste Tour: Finding Value in Every Corner
LA's under-$20 food scene is a microcosm of its global identity. You can literally eat your way around the world without needing a passport or a fat wallet.
Asian Delights: From Hainanese Chicken to Spicy Ramyun
The Asian food landscape in LA offers some of the most consistent and exciting budget options.
- Hainanese Chicken Perfection: At Heng Heng Chicken Rice in Hollywood, a half-and-half plate of their signature poached or fried chicken over rice costs less than $20. It's a masterclass in simplicity and flavor.
- Vietnamese Banh Mi & More: Bé Ù in Virgil Village is a fantastic Vietnamese spot, known for its reasonably priced banh mi, flavorful pork riblets, and addictive popcorn chicken. Everything tastes homemade and hits the spot.
- Taiwanese Breakfast & Bistro Comfort: For an early start, Huge Tree Pastry in Monterey Park (cash-only) offers their iconic fan tuan for a mere $5.50 – a sticky rice roll packed with savory goodness. Later in Koreatown, Liu’s Cafe provides Taiwanese-Hong Kong comfort, with spicy wontons or Chiayi chicken over rice hovering just over $10. Don't forget their house-made egg tarts and pineapple buns.
- Okinawan Onigiri Wonders: Also in Koreatown, Supamu delivers all its Okinawan onigiri creations, including spam, egg, and kimchi combinations, for under $15. You can add fried soft-shell crab or curry croquettes without breaking your budget.
- DIY Korean Ramyun: For a truly unique and interactive experience, Slurp & Sip in Los Angeles is a Seoul-style convenience shop where you pick your ramyun package (starting at $5.99), add toppings like eggs and cheese, and cook it yourself on automated ramen machines. It's quick, customizable, and incredibly satisfying.
- Filipino & Indian Feasts: Look for buffets that offer exceptional value. Bamboo Bistro in Panorama City features Filipino favorites like adobo, pancit, and lechon. India’s Tandoori on Wilshire Blvd provides an Indian buffet with tandoori chicken, biryani, and naan – a great way to sample a variety of dishes for one low price.
- Thai Noodle Nirvana: In Thai Town, Amphai (Northern Thai Food Club) serves a soul-warming Khao Soi curry noodle soup for just $12.99, a rich and complex dish that’s hard to beat for the price.
- Japanese Ramen: Santouka in Mar Vista is a reliable choice for Hokkaido-style ramen, with bowls typically around $12.95, offering a rich broth and perfectly cooked noodles.
Latin American Legends: Tacos, Pupusas & Rotisserie Chicken
The vibrant flavors of Latin America are exceptionally well-represented in LA's budget dining scene.
- Tijuana-Style Tacos: Taquería Frontera in Cypress Park, recognizable by its Selena mural, is a Tijuana-style corner stand that excels in burritos, queso tacos, and smoky carne asada, all under $12 a dish. Their dedication to authentic flavors makes every bite count.
- Salvadoran Pupusa Paradise: Los Cocos Panaderia y Pupuseria on Centinela Avenue offers an impressive 19 types of pupusas, from classic pork with cheese to vegan options like squash with potato. Each is a comforting, handmade delight, and you can easily enjoy several for under $20.
- Peruvian Rotisserie Gold: Pollo a la Brasa Western in Koreatown is a local legend for its Peruvian rotisserie chicken. A quarter chicken with sides for around $11.42 is a juicy, flavorful meal that punches above its weight.
- Korean-Mexican Fusion: For a quintessential LA experience, track down the Kogi Taco food truck. Their Korean-Mexican fusion tacos and combos are usually under $15, delivering a unique blend of flavors that made them famous.
- Echo Park Taco Tour: Create your own mini-tour: grab an El Pastor Queso from Angel’s Tijuana Tacos ($4.50), a Birria Quesabirria from Teddy’s Red Tacos ($3.70), and a Tinga Taco from Guisados ($3.79). You'll have three distinct, delicious tacos for around $14, a perfect example of how to enjoy cheap eats Los Angeles under $20 by combining street food stops.
Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Gems: Shawarma & Specialty Pastries
Don't overlook the rich, aromatic options from the Mediterranean and Middle East.
- Arabic Shawarma Excellence: Borjstar Shawarma Shop in the South Bay serves up Arabic-style shawarma (a mix of chicken, beef, and lamb) in plates or wraps, all priced at $16 and under. It's deeply flavorful and incredibly filling.
- Sephardic Bourekas: For something truly unique, Borekas Sephardic Pastries in Sherman Oaks (with a new Van Nuys location) offers signature bourekas with fillings like mushrooms with truffles or spinach with cheese, made with a proprietary phyllo/croissant dough. While a full meal might push the $20 mark, a few bourekas make for an exquisite and substantial snack or light meal.
American Comfort, LA Style: Classics that Still Deliver Value
Sometimes, you just crave classic comfort food. LA's under-$20 scene has you covered, often with local twists.
- The Quintessential Burger:
- Super Burger near the 210 Freeway is run by Jean and Ben Khe and offers a classic cheeseburger for $7.95, alongside pastrami and chili cheese fries. Their chicken teriyaki with rice and veggies at $15.95 is also a standout, easily feeding two.
- Win-dow (multiple spots) keeps it incredibly simple and affordable with a single cheeseburger for $4.35 and fries for $3.95. You can build a substantial meal for well under $15.
- In-N-Out Burger (multiple locations) remains a timeless choice; a grilled cheeseburger with fries is approximately $7.
- Hot Dog Heroes: Earle's On Crenshaw in South LA is renowned for its grilled hot dogs (all-beef, chicken, and vegetarian options) and chili cheese fries. For a quick, satisfying bite, Pink’s Hot Dogs at Universal CityWalk still offers chili dogs and fries for $5–$6.
- New York-Style Pizza Slices: At The Coop Pizza in Palms, owners Mike and Christina Fransen offer generous New York-style cheese slices for $3.50, or $4.25 with pepperoni. A couple of slices and a drink are a perfect budget lunch.
- Bodega-Style Subs: Super Rad Sub Shop in West Hollywood has an entire menu under $20, featuring a fantastic bodega-style egg and cheese breakfast sandwich ($12) and a chopped cheese lunch sandwich ($16-$18).
- Home-Style Italian: Sunday Gravy in Inglewood, led by Chef Sol Bashirian, provides comforting Italian food like lasagna, chicken Parm, and Bolognese. While some dishes might nudge the $20 mark, many offer generous portions for an exceptional value.
Smart Strategies for Savvy Budget Dining in LA
To truly master the art of finding cheap eats Los Angeles under $20, adopt these practical approaches:
- Embrace Lunch Specials & Early Bird Deals: Many restaurants offer significantly lower prices for lunch portions or during specific weekday hours. Buffets, in particular, often have a more affordable lunch rate compared to dinner.
- Look for Combos and Plates: Often, a "plate" or "combo" meal will provide a main dish with sides for a single, attractive price that’s less than ordering components separately. Think Borjstar Shawarma or Pollo a la Brasa Western.
- Don't Fear the Food Truck or Corner Stand: These mobile and often cash-only operations are economic powerhouses. Their lower overheads translate directly into lower prices for you, without sacrificing quality. Kogi Taco and Taquería Frontera are prime examples.
- Consider Sharing (Sometimes): While many under-$20 meals are single-serving, some dishes, like the chicken teriyaki at Super Burger, are substantial enough to split, effectively halving your cost per person. All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ for $15-$20 is also a fantastic shared experience.
- Utilize Breakfast Bargains: Breakfast menus frequently feature some of the best deals. S & W Diner (as highlighted in a full-day budget plan) offers eggs, bacon, and hash browns for $12.95, providing a hearty start to your day.
- Seek Out Ethnic Markets and Delis: Places like Baja Subs Market & Deli combine a market with diverse, affordable menus encompassing Sri Lankan, Mexican, and Southeast Asian flavors, with most items under $16. These often have incredible hidden gems.
- Check for Cash-Only Spots: Some of the best hidden gems, like Huge Tree Pastry, are cash-only. Be prepared to avoid ATM fees.
For a broader understanding of LA's culinary landscape beyond just the under-$20 options, including other hidden gems and affordable dining strategies, you might want to Explore LA's affordable hidden gems. This pillar article provides a wider context for budget-friendly dining across the city.
Your Under-$20 LA Culinary Playbook
Let's put these strategies into action with a couple of practical scenarios.
Scenario 1: A Full Day of LA Budget Bites
Imagine starting your day with a hearty breakfast at S & W Diner (eggs, bacon, hash browns for $12.95). For lunch, track down a Kogi Taco food truck for some Korean-Mexican fusion tacos and a drink for under $15. Then, for dinner, embark on an Echo Park Taco Tour, sampling a few different street tacos from Angel’s Tijuana Tacos, Teddy’s Red Tacos, and Guisados for a diverse and delicious experience that totals around $14. Your entire day's eating comes in well under $50, with each meal offering unique flavors and substantial portions.
Scenario 2: A Quick & Satisfying Weekday Lunch
You're in Koreatown and need a quick, delicious, and cheap lunch. Pop into Supamu for an Okinawan Spam, egg, and kimchi onigiri with a side of curry croquettes for under $15. Or, for a sit-down option, Liu’s Cafe offers Chiayi chicken over rice for just over $10. If you're near Palms, two pepperoni slices from The Coop Pizza will set you back only $8.50. These options are fast, flavorful, and keep you well within budget.
Quick Answers: Common Questions About LA's Cheap Eats
Are "cheap eats" in LA still good quality?
Absolutely. In many cases, "cheap" refers to the price point, not the quality. LA's competitive and diverse food scene means that many establishments specializing in cheap eats Los Angeles under $20 are often family-run, community-focused, and dedicated to authentic, high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes. Think of the fresh, handmade pupusas at Los Cocos or the expertly prepared Hainanese chicken at Heng Heng.
How do I find these budget-friendly places?
Word of mouth is powerful. Follow local food blogs, Instagram accounts that specialize in LA food finds, and ask locals for their favorite spots. Don't be afraid to venture into neighborhoods known for specific ethnic cuisines; that's where many of the best values are found. Also, keep an eye out for places with lines – often a good sign of quality and value!
Are there good vegetarian/vegan options under $20?
Yes, definitely. LA is a very plant-friendly city.
- Indian Sweets & Spices in Atwater Village offers a vegetarian thali with curries and rice for under $15.
- Bé U Kitchen in Echo Park provides excellent vegan banh mi and pho options.
- Many taco spots offer vegetable or bean-based tacos that are very affordable.
- Los Cocos Panaderia y Pupuseria has fantastic vegan pupusas like squash with potato or beans with Soyrizo.
What about parking at these places?
Parking in LA can always be a challenge, but many budget-friendly spots, especially food trucks or smaller delis, are located in areas with street parking or small, shared lots. For popular spots, consider carpooling, rideshares, or public transport if feasible, especially for multi-stop food tours like the Echo Park Taco Tour. Always factor in a few extra minutes for parking.
Making Every Dollar Count: Your Next Steps
The takeaway is clear: exceptional dining in Los Angeles doesn't have to break the bank. With its vast array of multicultural options, innovative street food scene, and dedication to fresh, flavorful ingredients, LA truly excels in providing cheap eats Los Angeles under $20.
Your next step is simple: pick a cuisine or a neighborhood from this guide that piques your interest. Whether it’s a Vietnamese banh mi, a Peruvian rotisserie chicken plate, or a classic LA burger, commit to trying one new under-$20 gem this week. Explore the diverse flavors, savor the incredible value, and discover that some of the city's most memorable meals come with the most approachable price tags. Happy eating!