Los Angeles has a reputation for $24 smoothies and “small plates” that somehow cost the same as a car payment. But that’s only one LA.
The real city—the one where people actually eat on a random Tuesday—runs on tacos, noodle soups, shawarma, pupusas, dumplings, and sandwiches that don’t require a special occasion (or a financial advisor).
If you’re hunting for the best budget friendly restaurants in Los Angeles (LA), this guide is built for you: places where flavor is loud, portions are generous, and you can still walk out feeling like you got away with something.
What “budget friendly” means in this guide
To keep this useful (and not vague), I aimed for spots where you can realistically eat for about $25 or less per person, especially if you skip alcohol and order smart. That includes counter-service gems, casual sit-downs, legendary stands, and a few markets where you can mix-and-match.
The fast way to “win” cheap eats in LA
LA is huge, so the biggest money-saver is geography: pick one area and eat there all day. When you crisscross the city for one “viral” place, you pay in time, rideshare, parking, and hunger-induced bad decisions.
A simple strategy that works:
- Choose one zone: Koreatown/Thai Town, Downtown, Northeast LA, the Valley, or the Eastside
- Eat one “main” meal (your splurge) and keep the rest snacky and street-style
- Prioritize places with strong staples (rice plates, soups, tacos, rotisserie chicken) instead of trendy one-off dishes
Quick-hit shortlist: 15 places that are almost always a good idea
If you want the “just tell me where to go” version, start here:
- Taquería Frontera — smoky Tijuana-style stand; hearty options can stay under $12
- Heng Heng Chicken Rice — chicken-and-rice sets priced under $20
- Liu’s Cafe — Taiwanese-HK comfort food around just-over-$10 territory
- Supamu — Okinawan onigiri; everything under $15
- Slurp & Sip — instant Korean ramyun starts at $5.99
- Won Kok — old-school dim sum window with ultra-cheap buns
- Azizam — Persian comfort with a homey vibe; called out as an affordable standout
- Biriyani Kabob House — Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi menu; serious bang-for-buck
- Bridgetown Roti — Caribbean patties + roti (dangerously snackable)
- Casa Gish Bac — Oaxacan tlayudas and moles in Pico-Union
- Delmy’s Pupusas — pupusa joy with farmers market energy
- Dama Grill — shawarma/fries combo that eats like a full meal
- Mala Class — bold Sichuan noodles and small plates with real punch
- Super Rad Sub Shop — whole menu under $20; chopped cheese vibes
- Grand Central Market — the “choose-your-own-adventure” move for every budget
Tacos and smoky street-style plates that keep LA affordable
LA’s greatest budget luxury is how many truly elite meals live in parking lots, on sidewalks, or behind a counter with one or two wobbly tables.
The trick is to order like a local: two tacos plus one “anchor” item (a burrito, a consomé, a quesadilla, a plate). You’ll feel fed, not just teased.
A few standouts worth planning around:
- Taquería Frontera (Cypress Park): there’s something deeply satisfying about watching smoke and choreography through the open window while your order comes together. Eater specifically calls out that you can get filling dishes for less than $12, which is basically a miracle in 2026 LA.
- Barbacoa Ramirez (Arleta): if you love weekend food missions, this one is all about lamb barbacoa done the real way—slow, patient, and absolutely worth it. It’s highlighted as one of the most affordable picks in the LA Times “101 Best” ecosystem.
And if you want a “Michelin but still casual” flex, keep an eye on the Bib Gourmand list, which is literally about strong value—spots like Villa’s Tacos show up there.
Rice plates, noodles, and dumplings: the best budget-friendly “full meal” category
When you want to spend less and feel genuinely full, the best move is simple carbs + protein + broth. LA is unreal at this.
Start in Koreatown and you can eat cheap all day without repeating a cuisine.
A few heavy-hitters:
Heng Heng Chicken Rice (Thai Town)
This is the kind of place that makes you wonder why anyone pays $28 for a sad salad. Their chicken-and-rice sets are described as priced under $20, and it’s exactly the kind of comforting, reliable meal you can build a whole day around.
Liu’s Cafe (Koreatown)
Think spicy wontons, chicken over rice, braised pork belly, plus pastries and milk tea—Eater notes many dishes land at just over $10. That’s rare value for food that actually tastes like someone cares.
Supamu (Koreatown)
Onigiri is the stealth budget MVP: portable, satisfying, and weirdly perfect when you’re walking around the city. Eater says everything here is under $15.
Slurp & Sip (Koreatown)
Sometimes you just want salty, steamy noodles immediately. Eater notes ramyun starts at $5.99, and you can dress it up with toppings. It’s the cheapest “hot meal” hack in the neighborhood.
Won Kok (Chinatown)
This is the dim sum energy you dream about: fast, direct, and priced like it time-traveled from another decade. Eater calls out items like buns and sticky rice for just a couple bucks.
Sandwiches, burgers, and pizza when you want classic comfort
There are days when you don’t want an “experience.” You want a sandwich that makes you quiet for a minute, or a burger that fixes your mood.
LA does those too—without making you spend fine-dining money.
Super Rad Sub Shop (West Hollywood)
Eater points out the whole menu is under $20, with breakfast around $12 and lunch sandwiches in the $16–$18 range. In West Hollywood, that’s basically an act of generosity.
Super Burger (Pasadena)
Yes, it’s outside central LA—but if you’re anywhere near Pasadena, this is a classic “big plate, modest price” kind of spot. Eater mentions a cheeseburger at $7.95 and a teriyaki plate that can feed two.
Quarter Sheets (Echo Park)
Pizza can get expensive fast, but this one earns its “worth it” status—and it’s recognized as Bib Gourmand on the Michelin Guide’s LA list, which is a good sign you’re getting value, not just hype.
Old Gold Tomato Pies (Los Feliz)
If you like thick, square slices with sweet tomato sauce—this is the move. The Infatuation flags it as a cheap-eats-worthy stop.
Softies (University Park)
Smashburger culture can be overpriced for what it is, but The Infatuation highlights this as a casual, personality-filled option—useful if you’re near USC and want something fast.
Global comfort food that feels like a bargain
This is where LA is honestly unfair to every other American city: you can eat across the world without leaving town—and some of the best budget-friendly meals come from cuisines that are naturally built around sharing and big flavor.
Here are a few “anchor meal” picks (meaning: you’ll leave full):
- Azizam (Silver Lake): singled out by the LA Times as one of the most affordable picks from its 2025 “101 Best” guide universe. Persian comfort that’s meant to be lingered over.
- Biriyani Kabob House (Koreatown): also highlighted as an affordable standout—big, spiced rice dishes are a budget cheat code.
- Bridgetown Roti (East Hollywood): patties and roti that are basically engineered for maximum satisfaction per dollar.
- Dama Grill (Palms): Eater’s under-$25 picks include it for shawarma; it’s the kind of meal that feels simple until you realize you’ve cleaned the whole container.
- Les Sisters (Winnetka): New Orleans classics in the Valley—po’ boys, gumbo, jambalaya, plus beignets if you’re doing it right.
Also, if you want “value validated by Michelin,” Lalibela shows up as Bib Gourmand in LA. Ethiopian food is one of the best budget dining formats anywhere because it’s built for sharing.
The market move: eat at Grand Central Market without overspending
If you’re indecisive—or you’re traveling with someone who says “I don’t care” and then rejects every suggestion—Grand Central Market is the fix.
It’s been around for over a century, and part of the charm is the mix: snacks, full meals, dessert, coffee, and stalls that range from super basic to quietly excellent.
The budget-friendly way to do it is to treat the market like a tasting menu you control:
- Pick one main plate to split
- Add one small snack each
- Finish with something sweet (or skip it and call yourself responsible)
Condé Nast Traveler specifically notes that the cheaper takeaway spots (tacos and sandwiches) can be just as good as the more hyped counters, which is exactly what you want to hear when you’re trying to keep spending sane.
A few more cheap-eats favorites worth knowing
If you want extra options—especially for specific neighborhoods—these are excellent adds from The Infatuation’s cheap eats coverage:
- Carnitas El Momo — highlighted for some of the best carnitas tacos around
- Zhengyalov Hatz — Armenian bakery for herb-filled flatbreads and khachapuri
- Asadero Chikali — Mexicali-style tacos de guisado in a comfy setup
- El Ruso — Sonoran-style tacos with handmade tortillas
- Robowok — quick Chinese bowls popular with students
How to keep your LA food budget low (without eating sad food)
Budget travel food works best when you spend intentionally—not when you “accidentally” spend $70 because you were hungry and impatient.
These tactics make a real difference:
- Eat your biggest meal at lunch (many places feel cheaper earlier in the day)
- Skip delivery fees and order in person when you can
- Order one starch-forward item (rice plate, noodles, burrito) as your anchor
- Split “extra” items: fries, dumplings, a dessert—so you get variety without doubling cost
- Bring water and save drinks for when they’re actually special, not just a $6 fountain cup
- If you’re doing stands, keep small bills or a card ready so you don’t slow the line (LA is not gentle about line etiquette)
3 mini-itineraries for eating cheap in LA
These are designed so you’re not zig-zagging the city.
1) Koreatown + Thai Town day
- Breakfast: Supamu onigiri
- Lunch: Liu’s Cafe (rice dish + something snacky)
- Dinner: Heng Heng Chicken Rice
- Late-night: Slurp & Sip ramyun
2) Downtown + Chinatown day
- Brunch/lunch: Grand Central Market (share a main + snack)
- Afternoon: walk it off
- Dinner: Won Kok (dim sum to-go is a power move)
3) Northeast LA taco mission
- Lunch: Taquería Frontera
- Snack: something sweet later (keep it simple)
- Dinner: Mala Class when you want spice and a sit-down vibe
FAQ: Budget dining in Los Angeles
Is it still possible to eat cheap in LA?
Yes—especially if you lean into street food, noodle shops, and casual counters. The city’s “affordable greatness” lives in everyday places, not in reservation-only dining.
Where should I stay if I want the most budget-friendly food nearby?
Areas like Koreatown, East Hollywood/Thai Town, Chinatown/Downtown, and parts of Northeast LA make it easy to stack cheap eats without long drives.
Any good options for groups?
Ethiopian (share plates), Persian (shareable spreads), and taco/stand ordering are all group-friendly because you can order wide and keep cost per person reasonable.
Final thought: LA’s best “cheap” food doesn’t feel cheap
The best budget friendly restaurants in Los Angeles (LA) aren’t about settling—they’re about choosing the parts of the city that never needed to be expensive to be great.