Time Out L.A.'s 2025 class of Best Young Chefs, Yazeed Soudani, Ashley Cunningham and Sarah Durning are three of L.A.’s most exciting rising talents, all under the age of 30. They helm buzzy and popular concepts, and have made an impact on the city’s restaurant scene with less than a decade of experience under their belts.
We sat down with the chefs to find out their favorite places for sushi and tacos—arguably, two of L.A.’s most iconic food groups—plus their top picks for a good cup of matcha. Here's what they told us.
Favorite tacos in Los Angeles?
Tacos Los Cholos (South L.A.) and Taqueria Frontera (Cypress Park)
“I would have went for Ricky’s Fish Tacos as well, but he disappeared. I need to make sure they hear about Ricky’s Fish Tacos, because that was the GOAT.” – Yazeed Soudani
Villa’s Tacos (Highland Park) and Angel’s Tacos (Sylmar)
“Number one, Villa’s Tacos. Number two, Angel’s Tacos. I specifically love the Sylmar location. Those are my two favorites.” –Ashley Cunningham
Mariscos Jalisco (multiple locations), Tacos Guelaguetza (East Hollywood) and Brothers Cousins Tacos (West L.A.)
“Mariscos Jalisco, number one. Tacos Guelaguetza outside of Pavilions on Melrose and Vine. Brothers Cousins on the Westside. I watched that place blow up and it is so good. I’m never over there anymore, but I crave it all the time.” –Sarah Durning
Favorite place to grab sushi?
Shibuya (Calabasas) and Kushiyu (Tarzana)
“Shibuya is still up there for me. I like the idea of having some bites that are simple and sometimes I want a spicy tuna rice cake. I also went to Kushiyu growing up.” –Yazeed Soudani
Yume Sushi (Studio City and Calabasas)
“Yume Sushi. I love Yume. I’m very picky when it comes to sushi. I eat with my eyes first. Everything needs to be super thinly sliced, really pretty. I also like the service, I like getting a warm towel, the different rolls.” –Ashley Cunningham
Sugarfish (multiple locations)
“My friends and I always get Sugarfish. Japan has ruined-slash-blessed so much food for me. I have no desire to eat sushi here now.” –Sarah Durning
Where do you go for matcha?
Community Goods (Beverly Grove)
“Honestly, it’s still gonna be Community Goods. I get it, it’s basic, everyone’s going there. Stereoscope’s cool, too.” – Yazeed Soudani
Bad Ash Bakes (Pasadena) and Stagger Coffee (Koreatown)
“It can’t be Bad Ash [Bakes]? Then Stagger. I love their double matcha. But the matcha that we serve in store is smooth, with no bitterness, no astringency, a little bit of umami.” –Ashley Cunningham
Stereoscope Coffee (Hollywood, Echo Park, Long Beach)
“I really have one matcha that I ride for, and that would be the dirty matcha at Stereoscope. I drink it with two percent or whole milk. I get it iced, and that's my matcha.” –Sarah Durning