The Student Newspaper of Oxford Academy

The Gamut

The Gamut

The Gamut

This May, traverse Artesia through an AAPI food crawl

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Syd

May is AAPI heritage month, and Southern California is brimming with Asian American-owned businesses to support in celebration! A food crawl is the perfect low-maintenance day trip, where all you’ll need is a few of the tastiest spots in a walkable area and an appetite to sample one item from each place — preferably with friends to split the food (and bill). Packed with vibrant restaurants of Indian, Chinese, and Taiwanese cuisines, Little India and Pioneer Street in Artesia is a great place to start! 

 

Saffron Spot 

Where else within a 20 minute drive can you find an ice creamery with South Asian flavors besides Saffron Spot? Nestled in a crowded plaza, make sure your parking skills are on par to check this place out. Their signature “Saffron Silk” ice cream is pleasantly earthy and floral, infused with infamously expensive saffron and notes of pistachio and rose. If you’re feeling parched, order a refreshing glass of sugarcane juice, freshly pressed right in front of you! Perfect on a sweltering summer day, this unique ice cream shop has something for everyone.

 

99 Ranch 

A surprising choice for a food crawl as a seemingly straightforward supermarket, but don’t be fooled by the facade. 99 Ranch’s latest remodel has made room for a food court with offerings of spicy hand-pulled Chinese noodles, assorted Chinese BBQ items, and more. Split a bowl of char siu rice with a friend and peruse the supermarket aisles for snacks afterwards!

 

Chennai Dosa Corner 

Indian cuisine doesn’t always have to be meatless; Chennai Dosa’s vast menu suits both vegetarian and carnivorous palates. Rich, curried chicken tikka masala can be enjoyed alone or alongside a savory garlic naan, which is directly translated as bread. Though on the expensive side, the price tag is offset by the generous portions that are more than enough to share with a group.

 

Ambala Sweets and Snacks 

After hitting Chennai Dosa Corner for a tasty lunch, head a few doors down to Ambala Sweets and Snacks for North Indian dessert! Their specialty lies in their glass display case that shows off tons of fresh, housemade sweets, including a melt-in-your mouth cardamom milk cake called kalakand or a sugary condensed milk pistachio fudge also known as pista burfi. This cozy dessert shop has plenty of seating, so you and your friends can sit and savor the treats before embarking further on your food journey.

 

Though you can follow this fully-planned food crawl itinerary, the diversity of this Asian enclave has enough variety for you to explore even more enticing cultural cuisines. This AAPI month, support local Asian businesses and enjoy your personally curated sample platter while you’re at it!

 

About the Contributors
Sydnee Cho, Staff Artist
Sydnee Cho, a junior on the Gamut, is serving her third year as an illustrator. After two years of writing articles, Sydnee was able to experience her new passion of illustrating, causing her to change her role from a writer to an illustrator. While having an intimidating and strong outer shell, she adores the color pink (hence having pink stationary and phone cases), Monster High, The Devil Wears Prada, and talking to others. Sydnee claims that she is a fashionable person, which is obvious with her mindblowing total of 11 piercings and shining silver jewelry. Sydnee also has a dangerous addiction of making money and spending it on online shopping, therefore working as a waiter in a restaurant to earn that money. Not so surprisingly, her favorite thing in the world….is money. She usually spends her time listening to 80s and 90s music, as well as Lana Del Rey, or playing Royal Match (she is currently on level 3945!). To the freshmen who are nervous about their new adventure in high school, Sydnee gives the advice, “Calm down and chill, life ain’t that deep.”
Haley Nguyen, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Haley Nguyen is a M.I.D. (majestic, intelligent, and delicious) junior and is going into her third year of Gamut. For this 2023-2024 school year, she will be Gamut’s A&E editor as “it’s more interesting than the other sections” and is looking forward to getting to know the new additions to the Gamut family. Haley is also involved in Key Club and VSA (Vietnamese Student Association), which she danced for at the annual International Show. Aside from school, she is super big on typology such as MBTI and is an ENFP, a Word Hunt Fiend, and a chronic afterschool napper. Her prized possession is her light blue HydroFlask, which you might see her carrying around. Although it’s dented, can’t stand up straight, has a hole at the bottom, and more, she treasures it as it’s been with her through thick and thin since seventh grade.
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This May, traverse Artesia through an AAPI food crawl