Best coffee shop in Lakewood! Okay so much to say here so I'm gonna go off. The food is super yummy…read moreand it's cooked by one of the owners. Family owned so that is a point all on its own and they're such a sweet loving family too. I love the brownies and coffee cake and she gave me the corner piece! The space is insanely cool with two main rooms and even a smaller conference room. So many potential services and classes/experiences offered. This is what community means. If u need a place to feel cozy safe and love come here. If you're like me and need a place to work then it's perfect for that too. Can't say enough. I even booked a tattoo with Gewell and I love it (yes there is a small, clean, and licensed room on site dedicated to tattoo!!! And no coffees or food are made there haha).

Padekwa had me in awe!…read more PADEKWA, which means "you are welcome," is one of those hidden gems you could easily drive past without realizing what you're missing. Located off Bellflower Blvd and South Street in Lakewood, this coffee shop is much more than a place to grab a drink. From the moment you walk in, you're surrounded by art, creativity, and community. The space is open and inviting, with plenty of seating, outlets for studying or working, cozy lounge areas, a conference room available to rent, and even a quieter section with books and softer lighting. I ordered the Banana Bread Dirty Chai, a Matcha, and a slice of coffee cake. The Dirty Chai was sweet and flavorful, but the Matcha stole the show. It was smooth, beautifully balanced, and not overly sweet. The coffee cake was equally impressive. Perfectly sweet with a tender crumb, it's the kind of pastry that pairs beautifully with a morning coffee and is sturdy enough for those who like to dip their pastries into their drink. One thing that stood out to me was learning that the pastries are made by the owner's mother, an award-winning pastry chef. Although I didn't try everything, the display case was filled with beautiful pastries that looked fresh, handcrafted, and made with care. What impressed me most was that PADEKWA kept surprising me. Everywhere I looked, there was another detail that revealed this place is about more than coffee. From the artwork and creative spaces to the community events they host, it's clear that connection and creativity are part of the vision. The best part? I left feeling like I had only scratched the surface. It's the kind of place that makes you want to come back, not just for the drinks and pastries, but to learn more about the people and heart behind it. If you're looking for great coffee, creative inspiration, delicious pastries, and a place that truly feels welcoming, PADEKWA is definitely worth a visit.

Pasta e Pasta is one of my favorite Japanese Italian spots. The interior is super cute and I love…read morethe wine display in the restaurant. I also appreciate that every table comes with olive oil and vinegar. We ordered the mentai cream pasta and the uni pasta. The mentai pasta was packed with umami and the pasta itself was cooked perfectly al dente. The nori and mushrooms paired really well with the sauce as well. The uni pasta was just as good. The sauce was rich and creamy and the uni on top was fresh and buttery. The meal also comes with complimentary bread and salad. The salad was light and refreshing which helped balance out the richness of the pasta. The bread was simple but great for dipping in olive oil and vinegar. The service is always friendly and efficient. If you're a fan of Japanese Italian fusion, this place is definitely worth a visit. I honestly have nothing bad to say and can't wait to come back and try more of the menu!

Pasta was mid, prices reflect what most pasta dishes with seafood cost these days…read more The bread they serve at the start was soft and made for great soaking up of the sauces from the pastas. Pastas were oilier than expected. Tight seating; they really packed as many tables in. It was loud and hard to have a conversation unless you were yelling. They seem popular... that being said, I'd rather pick up uni from one of the Japanese markets or Maruhide and make my own.

This Korean market offers really farm fresh and truly delicious fruits of all kinds. I usually buy…read morepeaches and nectarines from them, and I have never been disappointed. One thing of note: if you expect to meet a disc jockey or dance to any type of techno music over there, you will be sorely disappointed, because there is none.

I've been going to them for years. The seasonal fruit here is consistently top-notch.read more

Amazing service, clean and super organized one stop shop. There is their little restaurant next…read moredoor as well if you want to grab a quick bite. I get fresh cut meat from here as well. Good taste.

Came here for their goat and halal meats. Goat, mutton,…read morechicken was what u ended up buying and a few grocery items. Next door their Pakistani Restaurant is good too. Order was taken fast but the wait for the foods take some time. Got myself a mutton wrap. Told the lady who took my order recommend me no spicy dish. Took a bite its delicious but i needed a fire extinguisher I looked inside the wrap and full of jalepino peppers. The fresh bread $1.50 is a big size

If you love exploring incredible flavors, this market is an absolute must-visit. It is a fantastic…read moreplace to taste your way through all kinds of foods from around the world. Their international selection is impressive, featuring everything from Spanish to Asian specialties, but there are two things you absolutely cannot leave without: ​The Phenomenal Cheeses: Their Gouda and overall cheese selection are out of this world. Rich, authentic, and high-quality. ​The European Gummies: I have been a certified gummy candy lover for 60 years, and I can confidently say that the European gummies they carry are better than any other gummy I have ever tasted. They are unmatched!

Came here on a Saturday afternoon for the first time in at least a decade. I was immediately…read moregreeted by a man with a pony tail as I went directly to the deli counter. I waited for a while and received no assistance so I asked the guy for help. The man did not speak Dutch so I explained to him what I wanted (salami deli meat). I asked him for a pound of deli meat. I went to shop around the store and noticed the fridges were empty as were the isles. After a few minutes I came back to the deli counter and found my uncut piece of meat (in tube form) placed on the weigh scale? To my dismay I asked him if he was going to cut it with the pretty slicer machine near him? I mean that's how it used to work and how it works at any other deli meat counters. As the man cut the salami I continued to shop and picked up a jar of silver onions that looked brownish ( the onions inside the jar) and I thought well maybe they are supposed to look this way. Maybe they were a different type of onions. When I thought to look for an expiration date again to my dismay I observed that it had been expired since 2023. Unfortunately I purchased extra pedas chili which looked ok but when I got home I found out that it has been expired since 2018 (please see attached picture). This wasn't the worst of it though because we found a jar of something with leafy green bits that had been expired since 2013. Yes 2013! Bro! You think I should try the chili? You think I'll survive? This place has gone to the pits. Hopefully a health inspector straightens this place out. Furthermore when I got the salami back the slices looked as if my he deli meat cutter blade was very dull.

Best Sylvanas and Sansrival cake here in LA 100% must try! They are always sold out during…read moreholidays too!

I would order from them before they had a pastry shop. Their Silvina's and sans rival remind me of…read moremy childhood. Great service too!

I realized something funny recently....I tend to completely forget to review the places I visit the…read moremost and eat.... I've been coming to Pampanga's Bakery in Artesia for a while now, and it's long overdue that I actually give them their flowers. If you are looking for authentic, comforting Filipino baked goods and kakanin, this is the gold standard. Every time I walk in, the shelves are loaded with staples. Their selection of kakanin is also massive. The **Puto Assorted** and **Puto & Kutsinta** packs ($3.90) are always perfectly soft, vibrant, and fresh, and they have massive trays of **Biko Pandan** and **Cassava Cake** if you're feeding a crowd. For the savory side, the **Chicken Empanadas** and **Fried Lumpia** always hit the spot. And of course, there's the **Turon**. Yes, the price has risen to $1.05 a piece, but honestly? It's just modern economics, and it is still worth every single penny. It is still the absolute best of the best--shattered-crisp, perfectly caramelized on the outside, and packed right. The staff is always fast, the bakery smells like heaven, and the quality has stayed incredibly consistent over the years. Don't be like me and gatekeep it...if you haven't been, stop by!

They have excellent turon but I'm giving 2 stars and this is why:…read more We have been coming to this place for years because of their perfectly sweet turon. One thing they have always been consistent about is the quality of their turon--and unfortunately, the long wait times as well. There have been several occasions when we had to pay and come back later because of the high demand for their product. Because we live about 30 miles away, we were advised to place our orders by phone before making the trip, which is exactly what we've been doing. Yesterday, however, we experienced one of the most inefficient customer service experiences we've ever had. We called multiple times to confirm our order, and the staff who answered assured us not to worry because they had plenty available and that our order would be ready when we arrived. When we got there, the exact opposite happened. We were told they had run out of turon and that we would need to wait another hour. While discussing the situation with the cashier, we watched another staff member assist the customer behind us, who purchased 60 pieces. We had preordered only 30 pieces, yet somehow they were able to fulfill that larger order while failing to honor ours. Poor customer service will eventually drive customers away. Yes, the product is excellent, but there will come a time when the product alone is no longer enough to keep customers coming back. Given the popularity of their business, they should be focusing on improving their customer service and honoring preorders to maintain customer loyalty. Good products attract customers, but good service keeps them.

Definitely a favorite, and I'm surprised I don't stop by more often. I guess with all the new shops…read moreconstantly popping up, I'm always tempted to check out what's new. Still, it's nice to know this place remains a reliable go-to whenever I'm craving a good drink. One thing I really appreciate is how creative they are with their seasonal menu. It feels like there's always something new to try, and there is always a drink I want to try. This time, I ordered the seasonal High Mountain Paradise with 50% sugar and lychee jelly. It was absolutely delicious, and the 50% sugar level was perfect. It was just sweet enough to bring out the flavors without overpowering the tea itself. The mango and guava notes were a bit subtle, but they paired wonderfully with the delicate oolong tea, creating a refreshing and well balanced drink. The lychee jelly was also a great addition, adding a little extra texture and sweetness with every sip. I'd also say this jelly was softer than the typical jelly I've gotten, which I really liked. The shop can get pretty busy, probably because they really do offer a little bit of everything. Besides drinks, they have a food menu that seemed surprisingly popular during my visit. I saw plenty of people ordering snacks and meals, and everything coming out looked and smelled amazing. I'll definitely have to come back and try some of the food for myself next time. The space itself is on the smaller side, so finding a seat during peak hours can be a bit challenging. That said, they do offer both indoor and outdoor seating, which helps.

I came here with my girlfriends from my basketball team a couple weeks ago. I really like this…read morechain and I'm excited that they are branching out to more locations. I ordered the scallion pancake wrap with crispy chicken. I enjoyed it and also liked eating the mabo tofu tots off of my friends plates. I had a yummy brown sugar boba drink as well. The place was kind of small, but it was clean and it had enough seating. The service was really nice and friendly, shout out to the black guy with the pretty eyes.