Yes, yes, I should drive to OC or SGV, but what's the best or at least decent pho on the Westside? ? ? ? ??

In general, I think of ramen like cola and pho like lemon-lime soda.

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whooooosh

I think the whole approach to each is on different timelines too. Ramen was - eh - ramen until the “these guys are from Japan and slingin’ ramen pretty much like it is done in Japan” evolution. Japanese food in general was pretty humble stuff, as were most of the Japanese immigrants. As the salary man started setting up shop here, the specialists followed. Couple that with the increase in appreciation for better food, and the scene got better.

Examples of Vietnamese cuisine - most of it - are still pretty humble stuff - as are the the bulk of immigrants. But the subsequent generations have shown an appreciation for their culture by way of the food, and some really interesting AND tasty stuff has already hit the scene and I am sure will continue. The dynamics of cultural pressure on the children to excel in school and seek out a profession is a huge restraint on the trajectory though.

The Latino community has already experienced a food evolution as well. The angle of approach is a little different, but with so many Latinos in the food industry for the past multiple decades, greatness was destined to happen. I recall mentioning this on CH - it didn’t take a fortune teller to call this one.

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