The interview with Mae Malai chef Malai Data can be viewed in the video player at the bottom of this story.
Los Angeles is home to some very good eateries, but not all are created equal.
One establishment that retained their Michelin Star for the fifth time in a row this year is Kato in downtown Los Angeles.
Serving Asian-American fare in an upscale setting, Kato’s menu is curated by chef Jon Yao, who was inspired by his upbringing in the San Gabriel Valley.
Co-owner and sommelier Ryan Bailey detailed the rise of the restaurant, which started in a simple 900 square foot space eight years ago and has now moved to a spot at ROW DTLA that’s more than five times larger.
“We went from six employees to 40, and 900 square feet to about 5,000,” he said. “Then we took on the undertaking of putting together a wine list of over 3,000 wines and [implementing] exceptional bar service.”
It’s not just the Michelin Star that Kato has been honored with; the restaurant also received the One To Watch 2024 Award from 50 Best Restaurants and their bar was recently honored for exceptional service.
KTLA 5’s Erin Myers and photojournalist Chris Gierowski were lucky enough to have the opportunity to try some of the delicious dishes, but not on camera, as no fork was nearby.
Kato is located in ROW DTLA, a space on South Alameda Street that includes retail outlets, pop-up shops, offices and restaurants. More information about the restaurant can be found here.
While most people who eat out have likely heard of the Michelin Star, another arguably lesser-known major recognition is the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award, which highlights “best value for money restaurants.”
The price limit for Bib Gourmand consideration varies from country to country depending on cost of living, but Michelin says all food inspectors are looking for the same thing: high quality at a reasonable price.
Myers and Gierowski got samples of one local Bib Gourmand winner, Mae Malai Thai House of Noodles in Hollywood’s Thai Town.
What’s impressive about Mae Malai is that they started out as a mother and son selling food on Hollywood Boulevard. Even more impressive is the fact that Mae Malai has only been open for eight months.
“One day [my mother] came up to me and said ‘Son, let’s go sell [food] on the street,” Malai Data said. “We started selling on Hollywood Boulevard and it was a big hit…we got the courage to open up a restaurant…then eight months later, here we are.”
All recipes at Mae Malai are from Malai’s mother or grandmother, giving each dish a signature homecooked taste that you won’t find anywhere else, especially at that price.
If you would like to try Mae Malai for yourself, visit 5445 Hollywood Boulevard Unit A. More information can be found on their Instagram.
According to Michelin, food experts take into account five “universal” criteria when giving out the prestigious Michelin Star award:
- Quality of ingredients
- Harmony of flavors
- Mastery of techniques
- Personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine
- Consistency across entire menu and over time
To view all the California restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide, click here.