Instead of sleeping or imbibing, I'm spending my pre-JD hours updating this blog for you! Since taking my last final exam, I've spent most of my time reading (Why is Mindy Kaling so hilarious?), sleeping, eating, cooking, and lounging around without a care in the world. In addition, I've been terribly spoiled by my friends recently - and by spoiled I mean being fed very well. It isn't a hyperbole to say that the past two weeks have been my favorite days in 2012. I figure it's time I share some of the wonderfulness with you before "It-Which-Must-Not-Be-Named" robs me of such pleasures like a heartless thief.
Let's start with Lukshon.
Believe it or not, Lukshon is related to Father's Office, if only through its Korean/ Russian chef and owner, Sang Yoon. Unlike Father's Office (FO), a gastropub with tasty burgers and refreshing brewskis, Lukshon takes you on a mini journey to Southeast Asia where spices run high and noodles are in. It's also a far more peaceful dining experience compared to its ever-bustling, next-door neighbor in the Helms Bakery district of Culver City. But like FO, you will leave the restaurant feeling satisfied.
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| Menus |
Our server was very thorough with explaining some of the current faves amongst the chefs and everyday diners, alike. We started our meal with the Tea Leaf Salad, evidently a "must-try" from the kitchen. The chefs boast that this tangy mix of cabbage, crispy chana dal, chopped marcona almonds, peanuts, sesame, and two large blue prawns present flavors that aren't readily available outside Southeast Asia, if at all. Needless to say, we were so impressed that we were picking at the last few bits of almonds and peanuts with chopsticks until the end of the meal.
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| Tea Leaf Salad - $11 |
Next up was the Baby Monterey Squid. Let me tell you, the squid are indeed baby. The squid are accompanied by slices of chiang mai pork sausage, pureed mint and candlenut, and topped with rau ram (Vietnamese coriander). I liked the squid, but wasn't a huge fan of the sausage. This is unfortunate because the squid pieces are so small and few.
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| Baby Monterey Squid - $11 |
For our noodle dish, we opted for Chiang Mai Curry Noodles, and holy moly, it was delicious and spicy! The chile, tumeric and lemongrass melded into an unique taste that gave a hearty kick of heat that hit the back of my throat. The chicken, prawns, yuk choy, bean sprouts, crispy wonton pieces, and chewy rice noodles all provided differing textures, but enveloped in that familiar curry flavor I love.
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| Chiang Mai Curry Noodles - $13 |
Last, but not least, how could we not try the Spicy Chicken Pops? These chicken drumettes are not a huge crowd favorite, but even Cupcake Wars' Candace Nelson has deemed them as good as her mom's on Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." They are really that good.
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| Spicy Chicken Pops - $10 |
Little balls of chicken coated with glaze made of garlic and spicy Sichuan salt, I crave you.
At the end of our meal, we were given two complimentary desserts, which is the norm.
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| Complimentary desserts |
I wish I'd written the ingredients of the desserts because both were light and refreshing in a way desserts rarely are.
The first involved panna cotta, diced Asian pears, and raspberry sorbet.
I really don't know what the second one was (food blogger fail), but I especially liked the candied pieces of whateveritwas that was sandwiched between the two creamy textures.
While we chose to sit inside, outdoor seating is also available.
Mr. Sang Yoon, you did not disappoint. I found Lukshon's dishes innovative, well-thought out and not over-done. I'll be back... at least for the spicy chicken pops. Yum!
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cuisine: Asian Fusion
location: Culver City
hours: Lunch - T-Fri, noon-3:00 PM; Dinner - M-Thu, 5:30-10:00 PM; Fri-Sat, 5:30-10:30 PM
websites: { Lukshon | yelp }
parking: parking lot, street
attire: Casual
other reviews: { J Gold | LAT | food, je t'aime }
