Ice Cream That Feels Inevitable | Bumsan Organic Milk Bar

Good morning, Los Angeles. You’re reading Obsessed LA, your insider guide to what’s actually worth being obsessed with in the city. Each week, we highlight the restaurants, events, and hidden gems that capture LA’s best energy.

Lately, the best nights in LA have been the least ambitious ones. No big plan. You leave the house and grab a drink somewhere. You might end up eating even though you weren’t planning to. Somehow dessert sneaks in because you’re already out and it feels dumb not to.

This issue is basically that feeling. A bar you just appear at. Pasta you trust. Ice cream that resets your mood. Places that don’t ask you to commit to anything.

Here are the obsessions.

While walking through Koreatown last week, I stopped at a millennial-pink dessert stand. That’s how I found Bumsan Organic Milk Bar. Soft serve done with intention.

The soft serve here isn’t the icy, cardboard-cone kind of stuff. It’s smooth, milky, and almost dreamy. It’s difficult to not rave about the “true milk” flavor, especially when you swirl it with matcha. That’s now my go-to combo. If you want to really commit, top it with a warm croffle (yes, croissant-waffle hybrid). It melts perfectly, and the toppings stay crunchy the whole time.

The shop itself is tiny, with outdoor picnic seating, but that just means more space to people-watch and soak up that cozy pastel vibe everyone talks about. If you’ve been to k-town, you know parking is luck-based, so be ready to wander a block or two. It’s part of the adventure.

I don’t remember the first time I went to La Pergoletta, which honestly feels right. It’s not the kind of place you discover in some dramatic way. It’s the kind of place you slowly realize you keep ending up at.

You order pasta here the same way you do when you’re hungry and don’t want to gamble. It’s easy to skim the menu, land on something familiar, and it shows up exactly as you pictured it. The pappardelle is wide and comforting, and the lasagna was heavy in the right way. You don’t spend the meal analyzing anything, you just keep eating.

The room gets loud in a good way. Tables are very close, wine glasses are constantly being refilled, and you’ll overhear half-finished conversations you don’t mind being part of. Dates feel relaxed here. Our friend dinner stretched way longer than planned.

La Pergoletta isn’t a “must-try.” It’s a “we should just go there” place, and those are the ones that actually last.

There’s something reassuring about Puppy Paws Boutique. The selection is well-made and clearly chosen with care. Everything is thoughtful, like someone actually had intention designing it.

They make stuff that you’d actually buy for your pup. But not just because it’s cute, but because it’s good. We’re talking quality collars, leashes, toys, and accessories that will last more than a week. I still use my portable dog bowl to this day.

What I love about this place isn’t just the products, it’s the energy. You can tell this came from a place of real care, not “let’s cash in on the pet trend.” The site? Easy. The products? Stuff you are gonna end up with once you see it.

If your dog has been rocking the same sad leash since forever, Puppy Paws Boutique is your out. Level up, because your dog deserves hardware that doesn’t break and a Petagonia jacket.

Hollywood
A daytime DJ set with DJ Jay Hauz and DJ Rigmaiden Reserve. Coffee and matcha will be flowing. There will also be a full brunch and music setting the tone early.
RSVP →

──────────────────────

DTLA
An intimate stand-up show serving honest comedy in a smaller setting. Expect jokes that land and real energy. The crowd is there for actual laughs, not a performance.
RSVP →

──────────────────────

Venice
A free, all-levels yoga session outside. Slow flow, fresh air, easy crowd. Bring a mat and stretch before the day gets loud. Let the simplicity of an outdoor class reset your weekend without the studio squeeze.
Details →

If you’re ever on Ventura Blvd and your plan is basically “let’s just grab a drink and see what happens”, there’s a very real chance you end up at Laurel Tavern. You walk in knowing exactly what’s going to happen. You order a drink without asking questions. You get food even if you said you weren’t hungry. You’ll probably get burgers and something fried even if it wasn’t part of the plan. It all shows up super fast.

The patio is usually filled up. The TVs are always on. Some nights it’s low-key. Other nights it feels weirdly social, like you accidentally walked into a friend-of-a-friend situation.

This is the kind of place where plans dissolve quickly. Rounds happen without discussion. Time stops being relevant. Laurel Tavern works because it doesn’t ask anything of you, it just does its job quietly.

If you feel like supporting Obsessed LA, here is a section with helpful links.

Obsessed LA is a free local independent newsletter. Your contributions go towards keeping the vibes great so we can have more fun and build more community. I appreciate all the support! Buy me a coffee.