Eat in Los Angeles: Massis Kabob

Persian Koubideh Beef


Persian Koubideh Chicken

I visited Massis Kabob, a Persian restaurant found in the food court at Westfield Century City, twice during my two week respite in Los Angeles. I think that's saying something.

I tried the Persian Koubideh Beef, served with rice, pita bread, a roasted tomato, and side of tomato and cucumber salad, both times. The beef and rice are packed with flavor, while the vegetables provide a nice crunchy balance. I enjoyed placing a bed of rice, a piece of beef, and some salad inside of a pita, eating it all together. I also tried a bit of the Persian Koubideh Chicken, which is moist and delicious.

If you've been to Massis Kabob recently, what do you recommend trying?

Massis Kabob
Website | Facebook | Yelp

10250 Santa Monica Blvd. # FC 11, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Open: Monday - Saturday 10 - 9, Sunday 10 - 7

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Eat in Los Angeles: Taste of Tehran

Beef Koobideh with a seasoned ground sirloin skewer, rice, roasted tomato, and side salad

I visited Taste of Tehran, a casual Persian restaurant on Westwood and Missouri in West Los Angeles, for the first time while catching up with an old friend earlier this month. 

I ordered what I usually get at Persian eateries: Beef Koobideh often served with rice and a roasted tomato. Theirs was as good as expected. I don't eat much beef, except when I'm trying food from cultures where their beef dishes are truly excellent — Korean barbecue and Persian skewers come to mind. The beef was perfectly flavored and was complemented by the rice and tomato well.

I would definitely stop by the next time I'm in the area. If you've visited Taste of Tehran recently, what do you recommend trying?

Taste of Tehran

Website | Instagram | Yelp

1915 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

Open: Daily 11:30am - 9pm

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Eat in Oakland: Big Dill Kitchen at Oaktown Spice Shop

Sumac & Onion Focaccia and Pistachio Lemon Olive Oil Cake

After missing an earlier pop-up for Big Dill Kitchen, I was excited to see that Helia had another one at Oaktown Spice Shop in early March. Through Big Dill Kitchen, Helia shares the incredible Persian food she makes on Instagram and for sale at events around the Bay Area. Oaktown Spice Shop sells a variety of spices at locations on Grand across from Lake Merritt in Oakland and on Solano in Albany. Stocked with more chili, herb, and salt varieties than you knew existed, it is easily one of the best-smelling stores around.

Helia offered a few baked goods, teas, and carrot jam at her pop-up. I tried both of the baked goods: the Sumac & Onion Focaccia and the Pistachio Lemon Olive Oil Cake. Both were quite good. The bread was better than your usual focaccia, which was made possible by the sumac and onions that added a nice flavor. The olive oil cake was moist and the lemon provided a dynamic flavor, while the pistachio gave it a nice crunch and color on top.

The next time Helia has a pop-up, I'll be sure to try another baked good and the Persian Carrot Jam, which I've heard good things about.

Big Dill Kitchen

Website | Instagram

Open: see Instagram for details

Oaktown Spice Shop

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Yelp

546 Grand Ave., Oakland, CA 94610

Open: Daily 10am -  7pm

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Eat in Los Angeles: Laziz Grill

The Combo Kabob made with charbroiled chicken and ground beef skewers, white basmati rice topped with saffron, grilled tomato, onion, and pita bread

I visited Laziz Grill, a casual Persian restaurant on Westwood and Missouri in West Los Angeles, for the first time in early April, while catching up with an old friend. As has been the habit, I try to eat as much Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food as I can when I'm in LA.

I ordered what I usually get at Persian restaurants: the Combo Kabob plate featuring charbroiled chicken and ground beef skewers, white basmati rice with saffron, a grilled tomato, onion, and pita bread. Laziz's kabobs were as good as expected. The meat was well-made and flavorful, while it was complemented by the rice, tomato, and onion well. My friend liked her kabob plate as well as the Tachin rice cake. Their portions are large, so be prepared for leftovers.

The next time I'm in the area, I'll probably order the beef kabobs again, stopping by Mashti Malone's next door for ice cream afterwards.

Laziz Grill

Website | Instagram | Yelp

1896 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

Open: Tuesday - Sunday 11am - 8:45pm

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Eat in Los Angeles: Saffron & Rose Ice Cream

White rose (left) and cucumber ice cream

I remember first hearing about Persian ice cream made with rose water in high school. A classmate of mine always talked about how it was the highlight of his day, often stopping by the Westwood location after spending hours studying for the SAT at a prep center nearby. Fast-forward almost a decade; on a weekend trip to Los Angeles, I finally visit the mythical ice cream shop that has eluded me for so long. 

Saffron & Rose Ice Cream definitely lives up to its reputation. I immediately ordered the first two flavors I sampled―you get two in one scoop―and I was smitten. I had the white rose and the cucumber, which features tiny bits of the namesake vegetable. Their ice cream has a very thick consistency and seems to stay colder longer than the traditional types I'm familiar with, making it perfect for a warm day. (Eat it slowly to prolong the experience and to avoid the brain freeze I encountered.) I definitely recommend stopping by if you're interested in trying something you can't find in the freezer section of a Safeway.

Saffron & Rose Ice Cream
Website | Facebook | Yelp
1387 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Open: Monday - Sunday 9am - 10:30pm

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Eat in Los Angeles: Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream

Mashti with Turkish Coffee ice cream


Double scoop of Lavender and Saffron Rosewater with Pistachio

Mashti Malone's Ice Cream is located on La Brea and Sunset in Hollywood. They serve the old-school flavors you already love as well as dynamic Persian ice cream in Saffron Rosewater, Orange Blossom, and the like. This was my first time visiting this shop and my third time ever having rosewater ice cream. (The first couple of times I tried Saffron & Rose Ice Cream in Westwood, which I also recommend.)

I ordered the Turkish Coffee ice cream sandwiched between two wafers in what they call a mashti. It is essentially a hands-on version of a cake cone. The ice cream was creamy and the coffee flavor was spot-on. My mom ordered the Lavender ice cream. Although it was much bolder than I'm familiar with, I really appreciated this departure from subtlety. She also had the Saffron Rosewater with Pistachio, which was equally bold and layered. We took home a pint of the Faludeh, which has a very icy texture, a peculiar sweetness, and rice noodles. It's one of those flavors you'll have to try to really understand.

Overall, Mashti Malone's is an A+. It's the perfect treat on a summer's day or after a hike in nearby Runyon Canyon.

Craving more photos from Mashti Malone's? Look no further.

Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Yelp

1525 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Open: Sunday - Thursday 11am - 11:30pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 12am

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