Torrance Tastebuds Part 2: Exploring Mexican Tacos, Burritos, Korean Cuisine, and French Bakeries
前言｜Introduction
先前的文章介紹了在托倫斯和其周邊城市的餐廳以及咖啡廳等，這次的文章主要會繼續擴充這類的名單。如果沒有閱讀過此系列的文章，可以點擊上一行的連結查看先前的內容。這篇主要會集中介紹洛杉磯南灣地區的墨西哥餐廳、韓式料理、以及法式麵包店。
The previous article introduced restaurants and cafes in Torrance and its surrounding cities. This article will continue to expand on such lists. If you haven't read the previous articles in the series, you can click to read them first. This article will mainly introduce Mexican restaurants, Korean cuisine, and French Bakeries in the South Bay area of Los Angeles.
認識托倫斯周邊城市—漢諾瑪海灘｜
Getting to Know the Neighboring City of Torrance — Hermosa Beach
漢諾瑪海灘（Hermosa Beach），在西班牙文中的 "Hermosa" 意為 "美麗"，是美國加利福尼亞州洛杉磯縣的一座沿海城市，與托倫斯同樣位於當地人俗稱的南灣區（South Bay）。它是洛杉磯三個沿海城市之一，其他兩個分別是北邊的曼哈頓海灘（Manhattan Beach）和南邊的雷東多海灘（Redondo Beach）。在2020年美國人口普查時，漢諾瑪海灘的總人口為19,728人。
Hermosa Beach, meaning "beautiful" in Spanish, is a picturesque coastal city situated in Los Angeles County, California, USA. It is positioned in the South Bay area, colloquially known by locals. Among the trio of coastal cities in Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach stands alongside Manhattan Beach to the north and Redondo Beach to the south. As per the 2020 U.S. Census, the total population of Hermosa Beach was recorded at 19,728.
漢諾瑪海灘的沙灘以沙灘排球、衝浪、划槳板、酒吧、自行車和跑步等活動而聞名。特別值得一提的是，這個城市有一條著名的沿海步道／自行車道，被稱為「The Strand」。這條路可以從南邊的托倫斯海灘一直走到北邊的聖塔莫尼卡市（Santa Monica）。沿途有許多商店、餐廳和娛樂場所，因此經常可以見到人們在這條步行道上慢跑，並欣賞沿海風景。
The sandy shores of Hermosa Beach are celebrated for a variety of activities, including beach volleyball, surfing, paddleboarding, enjoying beachside bars, cycling, and running. Notably, the city boasts a renowned coastal trail and bike path called "The Strand." This scenic route spans from Torrance Beach in the south to Santa Monica City in the north. Along the path, numerous shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues line the way, creating a popular scene of people jogging and relishing the coastal scenery.
如果你與我同樣都曾居住在芝加哥，那麼漢諾瑪海灘的 「The Strand"」和芝加哥人熟知的芝加哥河畔步道（Riverwalk）有些一些相似之處。不同之處在於，芝加哥的河畔步道面向著芝加哥河，而漢諾瑪海灘的 "The Strand" 則面向太平洋。
If you've also lived in Chicago, you'll find some resemblances between Hermosa Beach's "The Strand" and Chicago's famous Riverwalk. The key difference is that Chicago's Riverwalk offers views of the Chicago River, whereas Hermosa Beach's "The Strand" provides a picturesque panorama of the Pacific Ocean.
餐廳口袋名單介紹/值得再訪的地方—第二集｜
Restaurant Pocket List Introduction (Places Worth Revisiting)—Part II
隨著人們遷徙並跨越國界，他們將自己的傳統美食帶到新的地方。而菜餚，就像文化本身一樣，逐漸在新環境中適應和變化，產生了許多融合的菜式。由於洛杉磯曾經是西班牙和墨西哥的殖民地之一，直至19世紀中葉墨西哥輸掉美墨戰爭後，才南遷到洛杉磯南邊，形成了現今的墨西哥，因此該城市仍然保留著豐富的墨西哥文化和美食。
With people migrating and crossing borders, they bring their traditional cuisines to new locations. Similar to culture itself, dishes gradually adapt and evolve in the new environment, resulting in the creation of numerous fusion cuisines. Due to Los Angeles being a former colonial territory of Spain and later Mexico, and with Mexico relocating to the southern part of Los Angeles after losing the Mexican-American War in the mid-19th century, shaping the present-day Mexican influence, the city continues to preserve a vibrant Mexican culture and culinary heritage.
Mexican Tacos - Ensenada's Surf N Turf Grill
首先，來介紹一下位於漢諾瑪海灘的墨西哥餐廳 — Ensenada's Surf N Turf Grill。這家餐廳以巴哈半島風味("Baja-style")的墨西哥夾餅而受當地人喜愛。巴哈半島風味通常指的是使用新鮮的海鮮，特別是魚肉，以炸或烤的方式製作，再搭配上新鮮的蔬菜和獨家調製的醬料而製成。
Firstly, let's take a closer look at Ensenada's Surf N Turf Grill, a Mexican restaurant situated in Hermosa Beach. This eatery is beloved by locals for its Baja-style Mexican tacos. Baja style, in this context, entails the use of fresh seafood, particularly fish, prepared through frying or grilling, complemented by fresh vegetables and unique, house-made sauces.
Ensenada's Surf N Turf Grill
基本上，每次我光顧這家墨西哥餐廳，我總是會選擇墨西哥夾餅，有時是Taco de Pescado（魚肉夾餅），有時是Taco de Camaron（蝦肉夾餅）。這兩款墨西哥夾餅都提供兩種製作方式，一種是Breaded（炸製），另一種是Grilled（烤製）。而我個人更偏好後者。
Whenever I visit this Mexican restaurant, my go-to choice is always their baja-style tacos. Occasionally, I order their Taco de Pescado (fish taco), and other times, it's Taco de Camaron (shrimp taco). These two Mexican tacos come with two preparation methods: Breaded (fried) or Grilled. Personally, I lean towards the grilled option.
在櫃檯點完餐後，可以前往旁邊的小餐車取黃椒、檸檬和醃洋蔥。在取餐後，可以將這些配料加進墨西哥夾餅中。我特別喜歡它們的黃椒，因為它本身已經用調味料醃製過，搭配夾餅一同享用非常解膩。如果沒有點飲料也可以免費拿取水杯取水。
After placing your order at the counter, you can head to the side counter to grab some yellow peppers, lemons, and pickled onions. Once you've picked up your meal, add these toppings to your Mexican tacos according to your liking. Personally, I enjoy their yellow peppers as they come pre-marinated with flavorful seasonings, providing a refreshing complement to the taco. If you haven't ordered a beverage, you can request a cup free of charge.
註：這間餐廳本身有自己的停車場，所以停車非常方便。
Note: This restaurant has its own parking space, making it very convenient.
墨西哥夾餅－烤蝦｜
Taco de Camaron－Grilled Shrimp
它們的夾餅用料非常豐富，因為蝦子非常新鮮，所以我個人更喜歡烤蝦多過於炸蝦。
Their tacos are crafted with a generous selection of ingredients. Given the freshness of the shrimp, I personally favor grilled shrimp over fried ones.
值得一提的是，在洛杉磯的各個角落，經常可以見到當地獨特的墨西哥餐車(Taco’s Truck)文化。洛杉磯出生的男友經常告訴我，這些餐車的食物實際上非常道地。而且由於價格實惠，經常可以看到有人在餐車旁邊坐下來享用美食。
It's noteworthy that Los Angeles has a distinctive Mexican food truck (Taco’s Truck) culture, visible in various corners of the city. My boyfriend, a Los Angeles native, often assures me that the food from these trucks is genuinely authentic. Thanks to its affordability, it's common to see people seated by the food trucks, relishing their meals.
Mexican Burritos - Baran’s 2239 & Phanny’s
從小在台灣長大的我對墨西哥美食並不是很熟悉，直到搬到美國後才逐漸了解到它們獨特的飲食文化。除了上述提到的墨西哥夾餅外，墨西哥捲餅，又稱為「Burrito」，也是一道常見的墨西哥傳統美食。這道料理主要將各種食材，如烤肉、豆類、飯、起司、蔬菜等，包裹在一張大型的小麥餅中，然後捲起來而成。通常會附上店家特製的莎莎醬，可以自行淋在捲餅上一起享用。
Growing up in Taiwan, I wasn't familiar with Mexican cuisine until I moved to the United States. Over time, I've come to appreciate the unique food culture it offers. In addition to the Mexican tacos I mentioned earlier, there's another popular traditional dish from Mexico called the "Burrito." This dish involves wrapping a variety of ingredients—grilled meat, beans, rice, cheese, and vegetables—in a large flour tortilla, creating a delicious rolled treat. It's usually served with the restaurant's special salsa, allowing you to add a personal touch to the flavor by drizzling it over the burrito before enjoying.
墨西哥捲餅可以大致分為兩類：一般捲餅和早餐捲餅（Breakfast Burrito）。一般捲餅的內餡通常包括烤肉、豆類、飯、奶酪和蔬菜等材料。而早餐捲餅則融入典型的美式早餐元素，如炒蛋、培根、香腸、薯塊和蔬菜等，有時還會搭配起司和酪梨，增添風味。由於它們食用起來方便又快速，因此常常會見到一些店家在早午餐時間販售。
Mexican burritos come in two main varieties: regular burritos and breakfast burritos. The regular burrito usually includes grilled meat, beans, rice, cheese, and vegetables. In contrast, the breakfast burrito incorporates typical American breakfast ingredients like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and vegetables. Occasionally, they are also complemented with cheese and avocado to add more flavor. Due to their convenient and quick-to-eat nature, you'll often find these burritos available at eateries during breakfast and brunch hours.
講到這裡，就不得不提到最受當地人喜歡的兩家專門做早餐捲餅的店家—分別是Phanny’s 和 Baran's 2239 。
When it comes to breakfast burritos, there are two local favorites in the South Bay area—Phanny’s and Baran's 2239.
Baran's 2239
這家餐廳榮獲米其林指南中的Bib Gourmand獎項，這項獎主要頒發給性價比高且品質優良的餐廳。值得一提的是，這家餐廳並非每天都提供墨西哥捲餅，而是在每周的周五推出特製的墨西哥捲餅（Special’s），並在Instagram上提前開放預購。如果錯過了，也不用擔心，因為它們的姊妹店—Tigres Fuego也在同一個時刻提供普通的墨西哥捲餅。雖然提供的不是特殊口味，但也是同樣的好吃。
This restaurant has been awarded the Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide, an accolade primarily given to restaurants offering high value for money and excellent quality. It's worth mentioning that this restaurant doesn't offer burritos every day, but instead, they have special burritos every Friday, with pre-orders available on Instagram in advance. If you miss out, there's no need to worry because their sister restaurant, Tigres Fuego, also offers regular burritos at the same time from Friday to Sunday. Although they don't provide special flavors, they are equally delicious.
#SpecialityBurritos #Baran’s2239
我個人認為他們家的墨西哥捲餅特色在於扎實的內餡和創新的口味。雖然與Phanny’s的用料略有不同，但同樣都非常美味。也因為墨西哥捲包裹得比較紮實，內餡在吃的時候比較不容易掉出來。
I believe what sets their burritos apart is their solid fillings and creative flavors. While the ingredients may vary slightly from Phanny's, they are equally delicious. Additionally, because the burritos are tightly wrapped, the fillings are less likely to spill out while eating.
Phanny’s
1021 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
這家店與Baran’s 2239最大的不同之處在於它們專注於提供早餐捲餅。內餡主要包含蛋和薯餅，且內餡可以額外加點酪梨跟墨西哥辣椒。非常推薦加酪梨進去，因為並不是每間店都有提供這個選項。這間店的墨西哥捲餅特色在於它們的用料豐富且實在，相較於Baran’s 2239精緻的墨西哥捲，更帶有家庭式的風味。
The key distinction between Phanny’s and Baran’s 2239 lies in their specialization in breakfast burritos. Their fillings predominantly consist of eggs and hash browns, with the option to add avocado and/or Mexican chili peppers (Jalapeño). I recommend adding avocado to your burrito, as there aren’t many restaurants offering this option. What sets their burritos apart is the abundance and heartiness of their ingredients, offering a homelier flavor compared to the more refined burritos at Baran’s 2239.
我覺得這兩間店都有各自獨特且可取之處，如果有機會路過這個城市，非常推薦你試試看。除此之外，這兩間店的位子都離海邊很近，所以天氣好的時候很適合在海邊坐著享用．
I feel that both of these restaurants have their own unique and appealing qualities. If you happen to pass by this city, I highly recommend giving them a try. By the way, the locations of these two shops are both very close to the beach, making them perfect for sitting by the beach and enjoying the nice weather.
Korean Restaurant - Gaya Korean Tofu & Grill
來到美國後，我特別喜歡韓式泡菜和豆腐湯。或許是因為在大學時代就讀香檳時，常常和朋友一起到附近的韓式餐廳用餐的緣故吧。每到冬天，喝上一碗豆腐湯總是能讓身心感到溫暖。
After arriving in the United States, I developed a fondness for Korean kimchi and tofu soup. It probably stems from my college days in Champaign, Illinois, where my friends and I frequently visited Korean restaurants after classes. Whenever winter arrived, a piping hot bowl of tofu soup was just the thing to warm me up.
搬到Torrance後，我常常光顧Gaya Korean Tofu & Grill。他們的價格實惠，小菜也特別好吃。雖然他們沒有提供網上訂位的服務，但可以提前通過電話為大型聚會預訂座位。
Since moving to Torrance, I've become a regular at Gaya Korean Tofu & Grill. They offer delicious food at reasonable prices, and their side dishes are particularly tasty. Although they don't accept online reservations, you can call ahead to reserve seats for large groups. On one occasion, I reserved a table for 16 people, and the owner graciously arranged everything beforehand.
這家韓式餐廳主要由一對韓國夫妻經營，我常常看到他們的兒子在前台幫忙。因為是家庭經營的餐廳，所以當人較多時，可能需要等一段時間才能入座。
This restaurant is run by a Korean couple, and their son often assists at the front. As it's a family-run business, there might be some waiting during busy periods.
Gaya Korean Tofu & Grill
韓式豆腐湯（Sundubu-jjigae）是韓國料理中以嫩豆腐為主要成分的湯品。它通常由辣椒醬、豆腐、以及各種肉類（如牛肉、豬肉或海鮮）和調味料烹製而成。我特別喜歡他們家的海鮮豆腐湯，通常我會點小辣（Mild）。如果你不太能吃辣，但又喜歡海鮮的鮮甜味，我推薦你選擇這個辣度。
當提及韓式料理，就少不了它們特有的小菜文化。韓國稱小菜為「반찬」（banchan），通常是由各種蔬菜、海鮮、豆製品、海草、泡菜等製成的小碟菜肴。在韓式餐廳中，小菜通常是免費供應的，而且可以無限續加。也因此，可以跟服務員續加小菜。它搭配主菜尤其解膩，每次都能吃得很飽。
Sundubu-jjigae is a Korean dish featuring tender tofu as the main ingredient in a soup. It is typically prepared with spicy chili paste, tofu, various types of meat (such as beef, pork, or seafood), and seasonings. I particularly enjoy their seafood tofu soup; I usually order mild. If you can't handle very spicy food but still enjoy the tasty flavor of seafood, I suggest going for this mild level of spiciness.
When it comes to Korean cuisine, one cannot overlook its unique side dish culture. In Korea, these side dishes are called '반찬' (banchan), and they're usually small plates of vegetables, seafood, tofu, seaweed, kimchi, and more. In Korean restaurants, these side dishes are complimentary and you can ask for more whenever you like, just like in this restaurant. They go really well with the main dishes and make sure you leave the table feeling full and satisfied.
#Menu #GayaKoreanTofuandGrill
Boiled Pork Belly Slices and Soup
除了豆腐湯，我還挺喜歡他們的水煮五花肉跟大骨湯（Boiled Pork Belly Slices and Soup)。除了五花肉跟大骨湯外，這道餐點還會提供五花肉沾醬跟配湯的辣椒醬，以供你調整鹹度與辣度。它們的大骨湯真的非常鮮甜，如果完全不能吃辣也可以不加辣椒醬食用。
Apart from tofu soup, I also quite like their boiled pork belly slices and soup. In addition to the soup and the pork belly, this dish also comes with dipping sauce for the pork belly slices and chili sauce for the soup, allowing you to adjust the saltiness and spiciness. Their pork bone soup is really sweet and savory; if you can't handle spicy food at all, you can also enjoy it without adding the chili paste.
雖然這間店沒有提供外送服務，但可以提前用電話預訂外帶。之後在到店內取餐再付款。老闆會現場跟你確認餐點。
While this restaurant doesn't offer delivery service, you can place a takeout order by phone in advance. Then, you can pick up your order at the store and pay on-site. The owner will confirm your order with you in person.
French Bakeries
搬到洛杉磯南灣後，我發現這裡有許多值得再訪的法式麵包和糕點店。其中可少不了位於Redondo Beach的Little French Bakery。這家麵包店同樣是一家家族企業，由法國廚師Guillaume Sabbadin和他的妻子Debora於西元2020年共同成立與經營。在移居加州之前，Guillaume Sabbadin曾在法國的米其林餐廳工作過一陣子。
After moving to the South Bay of Los Angeles, I found out there are plenty of French bakeries and pastry shops worth checking out again. One spot you shouldn't miss is Little French Bakery in Redondo Beach. It's a family-owned joint run by French chef Guillaume Sabbadin and his wife Debora since 2020. Before moving to California, Guillaume Sabbadin spent some time working in Michelin-starred restaurants in France.
Little French Bakery LLC
我個人認為他們家的特色在於對於法式糕點和麵包的創新，時不時會在店內和社群媒體上看到他們推出新口味。其中值得一提的是，前陣子推出的百香果可頌。由於我是第一次看到這種口味的可頌，我當時毫不猶豫地買了一個。和我想的一樣，它們的百香果內餡吃起來非常天然可口。完全體現百香果本身的水果風味，一點也不甜。
需注意的是，他們只會在店內加熱鹹味的麵包，而甜味的麵包和糕點則不會現場為您加熱。我曾經買過他們家的甜味麵包，帶回家後自己加熱過。我個人認為，加熱過後更能體現麵包本身的酥脆感，這比直接在現場吃更加美味。
除了偶爾會推出的新口味，我也強烈推薦他們的Almond Croissant和Savory Puff Pastry。尤其是Wild Mushroom和Potato, Bacon & Mushroom。蘑菇味真的特別濃郁，推薦給喜歡蘑菇味的朋友們。
In my opinion, what sets them apart is their creativity with French pastries and bread. Every now and then, you'll see them rolling out new flavors in-store and promoting them on social media. One standout was their recent passion fruit croissant. When I saw it for the first time, I didn't hesitate to grab one. Just as I expected, the passion fruit filling tasted incredibly natural and delicious, fully capturing the fruit's flavor without being overly sweet.
One thing to keep in mind is that they only warm up savory bread in-store. Sweet treats and pastries won't be heated on the spot. I've bought their sweet bread and pastries before and warmed it up at home. Honestly, heating it up just adds that extra crunchiness to the bread, making it even yummier than when it's fresh from the store.
Besides the occasional new flavors, I also strongly suggest trying their Almond Croissant and Savory Puff Pastries. Especially the “Wild Mushroom” and the “Potato, Bacon & Mushroom” ones. The mushroom flavor is very intense, so I'd recommend them to friends who love mushrooms.
Sweet Wheat
這間法國手工麵包店兼餐廳是由法國兄弟Romain和Alexandre Lecat共同成立和經營。他們在法國巴黎受訓後，在Redondo Beach開設了這家店。與Little French Bakery不同的是，這家店餐點種類豐富，提供更多的座位，空間也更加寬敞。這讓它更適合與朋友和家人聚餐。
我個人喜歡他們的蔬菜鹹派（Vegetable Quiche），內餡含有小番茄、橄欖、洋蔥、紅甜椒、雞蛋和韭菜等。以及它們的水果塔（Berry Forest Tart）。值得一提的是，他們的官方網站有貼心的列出每種麵包和點心含有的致敏物（例如，雞蛋等）。如果是要含有水果的蛋糕需要提前至少24小時在網上預訂，因為他們很多蛋糕都是現做的。
I really like their Vegetable Quiche, filled with baby heirloom tomatoes, olives, onions, red bell peppers, eggs, and chives. I also recommend trying their Berry Forest Tart, the fruits are incredibly fresh and sweet. Another great thing about this palce is that their website lists all the allergens in their pastries and bread, like eggs. Just for heads up, if you're throwing a big party and want a larger fruit cake, make sure to order online at least 24 hours in advance becuase they usually needs longer times preparing their cake.
結語｜Conclusion
這座城市擁有許多來自各國的美食和文化，很難在短時間內發現所有值得推薦的餐廳。歡迎大家在底下留言給我，希望以後有更多的機會繼續發掘值得一試的餐廳！
This city has a wide variety of food and cultures from around the world. It's tough to discover all the top restaurants quickly. If you have any recommendations, please share them below. Hopefully, I'll get more opportunities to find amazing places to eat in the future!
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