L.A. Times hosts sixth annual Food Bowl this month, featuring the city’s unique cuisine

The Los Angeles Food Bowl Night Market will take place this weekend, and while this event gives people the chance to try different types of cuisines, the high ticket price may serve to be a hindrance for USC students.

The L.A. Times’ Food Bowl is a month-long festival, celebrating the diversity of food that L.A. has to offer. The Food Bowl boasts a combination of both local eateries and world-renowned chefs, as well as speaker panels and food events across the city of L.A.

The Night Market will take place this weekend from Friday through Sunday at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood.

The weekend kicks off Friday with a “Smoked Soirée,” before moving onto “Saturday Night Flavor,” and concluding the event with a “Backlot Brunch” on Sunday.

For college students who struggle finding authentic L.A. restaurants and cannot drive across the city for a food tour, the Food Bowl Night Market might be the perfect way to try food from many different restaurants all in one convenient location.

Mandi Mikasa, a senior at USC who runs the Instagram account @foodoflosangels, said she loves the L.A. food scene because of “the diversity and different types of cuisines that L.A. has to offer.”

Mikasa began her food account to be a resource to people not familiar with the L.A. food scene. “If I can provide a recommendation or a spot that really interests or sparks [someone’s] curiosity,” Mikasa said. “Then I feel like my purpose has been fulfilled.”

The L.A. Food bowl gives city residents the opportunity to try different kinds of cuisine in one place and provides an opportunity for vendors to show their restaurants on a larger scale.

Tabula Rasa Bar, which opened in L.A. in 2016, will be participating for the first time this year. “[W]e are so proud of Los Angeles as a whole, the diversity that is present and in our restaurant,” said Nicole Daugherty, one of the owners and beverage director of Tabula Rasa Bar.

Being part of the L.A. Food Bowl is an honor for many L.A. restaurants. They are able to share their cuisine with people and gain exposure.

“We’re happy to just be shoulder to shoulder with other people who are working hard and putting out unique food from around the world, but that is quintessentially Los Angeles,” said Daugherty.

However, for many students, exploring the L.A. food scene proves to be difficult.

For Fin Prakittiphoom, a sophomore at USC, transportation is a consistent issue when trying to find new places to eat in L.A.

“Most of the food places I find are always amazing, but getting there is always an issue because I don’t have a car,” she said.

Transportation is not the only hindrance created by the L.A. Food Bowl. The 21+ age rule and the high prices provide an obstacle for most college students.

For the price of $300 for a GA weekend pass or $540 for a VIP pass, you can gain access to all-inclusive food and drink tastings from the Night Market. For an individual night, the price starts at $110.

“I don’t think it’s catered towards college kids by the price point. Although I think it would be very beneficial to college students,” Prakittiphooom said. “I think that a lot of students would not pay that amount.”

Tickets are still available for the Night Market this weekend from Friday Sept. 23 through Sunday Sept. 25.