Where to Find the Best Meatballs in Los Angeles
"Miracles are like meatballs, because nobody can exactly agree on what they are made of, where they come from, or how often they should appear."
-Lemony Snicket, The Carnivorous Carnival
There's some form of meatball in every cuisine, each with its own variation on a humble theme -- minced meat pressed together -- so it's no big surprise that there's a National Meatball Day to celebrate this very diverse comfort food. In Los Angeles, you don't ever need to travel too far to find a miraculous meatball. Here's where you can get it and debate amongst yourselves over the best version of it:
Köttbullar
It's known that Swedish expats like to go to Ikea to eat meatballs, surrounded by posters of Scandinavian villages reminding them of home. The meatballs, served with lingonberry jam and potatoes, rate high among punters, and not just the homesick ones. And good news for non-meat eaters: the Swedish furniture company announced earlier this year that vegan meatballs will be on the menu in April.
Where to find it:
Ikea, Burbank Town Center, 600 N San Fernando Blvd. Burbank; (888) 888-4532
Kofte
Kofte, kefta, or kofta, is found in, but not limited to, Afghan, Armenian, Indian, Iranian, and Turkish cooking. The more memorable kinds of these spiced meatballs are made with minced lamb (though chicken and beef versions are also popular), mixed with just a few simple herbs like parsley or mint, and grilled on a spit roast.
Where to find it:
Carousel Restaurant, 304 N Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203; (818) 246-7775
Sunnin Lebanese Cafe, 1776 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 475-3358
Tsukune
A friend told me that whenever she eats yakitori, she has to order the chicken meatball out of pure nostalgia. This is the ultimate Japanese kids' food that can be appreciated at any age: eaten off a skewer, inoffensively chewy, and salty with a slight sweetness from the tare sauce.
Where to find it:
Nanbankan, 11330 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; (310) 478-1591
Kokekokko, 123 Onizuka St. Ste 203, Los Angeles, CA
Lion's Head
In this Shanghainese specialty, massive pork meatballs are braised in a soy sauce and served on a bed of leafy greens (sometimes mixed with cellophane noodles). This is one of those dishes where you want to make sure you have enough rice in your bowl to soak up all the gravy.
Where to find it:
Shanghai Restaurant, 140 W Valley Blvd., Ste 211, San Gabriel; (626) 288-0991
Southern Mini Town, 833 W Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel; (626) 289-6578
Bò Viên
If you prefer springy, beef meatballs in noodle soup, a bowl of pho bò viên is a warm and satisfying meal. If you prefer meatballs for breakfast, this is available at 7 in the morning, too.
Where to find it:
Saigon Flavor, 208 E Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 572-6036
Pho Filet, 9463 Garvey Ave. Unit A, South El Monte, CA 91733; (626) 453-8911
Albondigas
The Spanish prepare their meatballs like their Italian neighbors -- the meatball is most often grilled then braised in tomato sauce. In Mexican restaurants, however, albondigas are served in a clear broth with vegetables like carrots, onions, corn, and zucchini.
Where to find it:
El Arco Iris, 5684 York Blvd, Los Angeles; (323) 254-3401
Tamales Lilianas, 4629 E Cesar E Chavez Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 780-0989
Polpette
Let's be honest -- this is what most of us think of when we hear the word "meatball." Blame the children's ballad, the Sopranos Sunday Gravy recipe craze, or the simple fact that it's a ubiquitous spaghetti accompaniment in the U.S. (However this list features two non-pasta versions.) Polpette are usually made with a mix of ground pork and veal, then cooked in tomato sauce. Pizzeria Mozza serves it with toasted bread. At Bay Cites in Santa Monica, you can order the hot meatball in a sandwich (recommended) or in a take out container.
Where to find it:
Pizzeria Mozza, 641 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles; (323) 297 0101
Bay Cities, 1517 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 395-8279