Alhambra

Alhambra, which is east of East L.A. and south of South Pasadena, is a pretty quirky place these days. 40 years ago it was mostly white people with a few Mexicans here and there for color. I mean the place is right down the street from the San Gabriel Mission, for God's sake (ha). But these days Alhambra is the New Chinatown/New Vietnam (apologies...I don't know what else to call it) of Los Angeles. In the 1970s Chinese and Vietnamese families began moving here and have changed the makeup of the city. It is so fascinating to see the amazing amount of culture clash that people live in every day. You can get (arguably) the best dim sum in L.A. (whose restaurant is housed in a very pretty Mission-style building) and then turn around and go to a dive coffee shop that hasn't changed in 50 years. The main street of Alhambra, which is called "Main Street," has banners everywhere touting the "mosaic" that is the New Alhambra. All I know is I can get amazing sushi and Chinese and Vietnamese food within one block. The old Von's down the street is now an Asian food superstore and they have incredible stuff.

In fact, last time I was there I saw the instant coffee from Vietnam that HAT used to bring to work. I wonder if I should buy here some more.