The original Little Sister in Manhattan Beach has always piqued my interest, but I never got around to dining there because: Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits. You know how it goes. It took a shiny new Downtown outlet, as well as the initiative of a few colleagues, for me to finally make my way here. And let me tell you, it was well worth the wait.

Here at this newish and very bustling spot, Chef Tin Vuong cooks up solid Vietnamese and Asian-inspired fare. Drawing from family recipes and his San Gabriel Valley roots, Chef Vuong’s creations are beautifully composed, boldly flavored, and straight-up tasty.

To start, our party ordered one of every item under the “Introductions” section of the menu. First up was the house-made sesame sourdough baguette with Echire AOC butter and sea salt ($5).

Next to arrive was the cold ma po doufu with hot chili broad bean paste and crispy leeks ($5). 

My favorite of the Introductions was the “Ma La Beef Tartare” with pear, pine nuts, quail egg, and bone marrow vin, served with cassava chips ($12).

And finally, superb pork, shrimp, and crab dumplings in a spicy black vin dressing with chives, spinach, peanuts ($10). The toothsome texture of the wrappers was especially memorable.

Next we moved on to the bo tai chanh, lime-cooked beef with rau ram (Vietnamese coriander), basil, mint, onions, fried shallots, and nuoc cham dressing ($13). It was so fresh, so light, so satisfying.

I was pleased as punch to see the “Viet Coconut Braised Pork & Quail Eggs ($13) on the menu. While thit kho is my all-time favorite Vietnamese dish, it’s usually considered too homey to be served in a restaurant setting. Little Sister’s version featured tender hunks of pork and itty bitty quail eggs in a fish sauce-spiked caramel sauce. Eaten with rice, it was terrific.  

Our final savory item was the #SGV Special banh mi ($11) with pate, grilled pork, and cold cuts, as well as the usual accoutrements: pickled daikon and carrot, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno, and house-made egg yolk mayonnaise spread. Served on the side was a small bowl of pho broth.

From the crisp-airy bread to the abundant and flavorful meat, I liked everything about this sandwich.

For dessert, we dug into the Vietnamese Coffee Flan accented with palmiers (the Unofficial Cookie of Vietnamese People) and condensed milk creme ($8)…

…as well as the warm coconut bun with condensed milk, black sesame, and peanuts ($8). While I preferred the java jolted flan to the warm bun, both desserts were fitting conclusions to an excellent feast at Little Sister.

I look forward to returning with my favorite Vietnamese food lover in tow: The Astronomer.

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Little Sister
523 West 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213-628-3146

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