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    Now Serving

    4.9 (46 reviews)
    ModerateBookstores
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Now Serving

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    Yvonne B.

    This is one of my favorite bookstores! Now Serving specializes in cookbooks and food-related magazines. I love their variety, their events are super fun and engaging. I went to the Vibrant Hong Kong book discussion and author meet and greet, it was incredible! The store is located in the corner of plaza, the staff are super friendly and curate the store with such care. I will definitely be back for another event and more books!

    Ryna D.

    Lovely food centric bookshop! Fantastic for cookbooks and other special topic books in this realm. The staff is really nice and very helpful.

    Maruko X.

    The bookstore has very interesting collections, and it carries all stuff related to cooking, from recipes books to cooking tools. If you need something and they're out of stock, they could order it for you and notify you through email.

    Mysha R.

    I mean this in all sincerity, what a wonderful bookstore. My partner is a Kitchen lead for a Taiwanese brunch cafe and a home cook that loves to experiment with new flavors and styles in his cooking. I'm a home cook myself but more of an avid eater despite it all. I've been wanting to take him here for so long but after a few months wait, we were able to go. The selections they have are not just celebrity cookbooks or books that are strictly James Beard winning or NOMA worthy. There is genuinely such care and consideration put into the selection and you can tell by just looking around. They offer a garden variety of cookbooks for entry level cooks, home cooks, chefs, fermenters, camping cooks, low budget cooks, meal prep pets, cultural cooks, etc. I fell in love with the cooking items they had (albeit a bit too pricey for my tax bracket) and the ideas we were able to explore while here. They have a box by the door of 25% off books we couldn't help but rummage through as well as hot sauce, dining magazines, and other snacks sprinkled throughout the store to buy and try. I highly recommend this store to anyone who is looking for cooking inspiration and ideas. The store clerks are knowledgeable and provide excellent recommendations as well.

    "I Am A Filipino" Authors Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad
    Jun L.

    What an awesome bookshop specializing in cookbooks!!!!! Yes, cookbooks!!!!! 5 stars!!!!! According to the staff, Now Serving has been in the Far East Plaza for about a year. The Far East Plaza is also home to LASA, Howlin' Rays and Chego, so the location is perfect for a cookbook shop! I never knew about Now Serving until I RSVP'd for a Q and A session and book signing event with Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad, authors of the newly published I Am A Filipino and This Is How We Cook. (5 stars for the book also by the way!!!!!) So glad I RSVP'd early for the event since there were only about 30 or so guests that can be accommodated due to the size of the store. Yes, the shop is pretty quaint but it is jampacked with a ton of cookbooks as well as cooking related knick knacks. You can easily spend a couple of hours just browsing through the merchandise offerings and perhaps finding that inspiration to cook! If you're a striving home-cook like me, a visit to Now Serving is definitely a trip worth making. Now Serving is open Monday, Thursday to Saturday (11 am to 7 pm), as well as Sunday (12 to 5 pm). Be on the lookout for book signings and events through their Instagram page, but also simply stop by and check out this really cool cookbook shop when you're in the Far East Plaza!

    Eclectic selection of culinary magazines.
    Richard R.

    It's a little overdue that I am finally reviewing Now Serving. The straw that broke the camel's back was attending their book signing for the latest edition of "The Joy of Cooking". What an amazing experience it was to sit (literally) right next to John Becker and Megan Scott while they explained their journey into the editing and updating of one of America's most beloved cookbooks. But this is what they do at Now Serving. We are so fortunate to have any independent bookstores at all these days (thanks to amazon dot com) let alone one that does such an incredible job focusing on food glorious food. One of the true "Joys" of the evening was the job Ken Concepcion did moderating the discussion. Not an easy task but with his chef's background he made it seem so easy. The stock of books at "Now Serving" all show this same exceptional care and knowledge that only people who truly understand food and its preparation can provide. If you are a home cook or just someone who loves food please do yourself a favor and visit "Now Serving". You will most definitely be glad you did.

    Breakfast quesadilla with fresh salsa and hash breakfast sandwich with taters!
    Renee D.

    Last minute Sunday breakfast search landed us here! Wait wasn't too bad and it was sooo worth it! Sat outside and next time we'll bring the pooch to people watch with us!

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    3 years ago

    this little gem of a store is FABULOUS. i'm so impressed how the books were curated places together!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Now Serving

    Does this cookbook shop accept cash?

    Hi Yessenia, we accept cash, all major credit cards and apple pay.

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    Review Highlights - Now Serving

    “The Far East Plaza is also home to LASA, Howlin' Rays and Chego, so the location is perfect for a cookbook shop”

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    The Last Bookstore - Have a seat, it's quite warm. #heater

    The Last Bookstore

    4.5(2.7k reviews)
    1.1 mi•Downtown
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    While exploring LA's Arts District someone suggested that I check out The Last Bookstore then…read morehesitated when I asked if I could walk there. I could, she said, but with temperatures approaching 100 degrees and the possibility of walking through some seriously uncharming blocks, she suggested that I might not wish to. I walked there anyhow and all was fine. The Last Bookstore is quite a treat, especially if you take the time to head to the second floor. It's on this floor where you'll find a plethora of intriguing artwork as well as a mind-boggling array of used books. What else might you find? A porthole constructed of books, a tunnel constructed of books, and a sitting room where you'll be surrounded by books about infamous murderers. (I might be wrong on that last one, but while I sat in that room, those were the books I saw). There's so many used books up there that I found myself having to move a stack of books just to get to the stack behind it that I wanted to root through. Thousands upon thousands of used books and yes, I did make a purchase. Coming back down to the main floor it was impossible not to notice the concert happening on a big platform in the center of the place. Couches surround the area and for a short while I sat and enjoyed the show. Soon I was asked to move as they were reconfiguring things for a sound bath experience being offered shortly (unlike the concert, the sound bath was not free). So there's a ton of stuff going on here and the place is something to see and experience. I'd not make a special trip here were I not somewhat nearby but if you're in the Arts District, Little Tokyo, or heading to Grand Central Market, you're rather nearby and The Last Bookstore is a great place to explore.

    Super cool book store that feels endless. Full of unique art and character…read more A must stop while visiting LA to take in the vibes, history and snag an affordable book! My friend and I had so much fun just walking around and discovering all of the cool visual art at every turn!

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    Kinokuniya

    Kinokuniya

    4.4(399 reviews)
    0.8 mi•Little Tokyo, Downtown
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    Kinokuniya is a Japanese bookstore chain founded in 1927 and this overseas location in Little Tokyo…read morewas temporarily closed in July 2025. The store used to be located on the 2nd floor of the Weller Court Shopping Center just above Marukai Market, but the bookstore recently reopened in a new space just across from the Weller Court Shopping Center in June 2026. The new space is twice as large as the previous space and this is currently the second largest Kinokuniya store in the United States. [Parking]: Aiso Parking Garage is across the street from the bookstore, but unfortunately it is now $1 per hour for the first two hours and $5 for each additional hour with a daily maximum of $18. $6 flat rate after 5 PM. [Selection]: The bookstore combines books, stationery, and gifts all in one place. There is a permanent corner for Studio Ghibli items with two giant plushies - Jiji from Kiki's Delivery Service and Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro. The bookstore has an incredible S-tier art book selection with sample books available for visitors to flip through those pages. There is also a section of the bookstore for a pop-up exhibit and the July exhibit corner was showcasing special commemorative illustrations and comments from Steel Ball Run: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. [Conclusion]: Look some of the books they sell here will be a bit more expensive than just buying them online, but the quality of the selection here is absolutely top-notch. This is one of those bookstores where anime enthusiasts can wander around for more than an hour and browse through English/Japanese manga, magazines, and anime merchandise.

    Kinokuniya in Little Tokyo has moved to a new and bigger location! They are located across from the…read moreWeller Court area. Inside, they have a massive setup and is definitely one of the bigger Kinokuniyas I have been to in America. They have all the usual goodies from books, manga, figures, stationery, blind boxes, and more. Stop by and you will most likely not leave empty handed!

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    Kinokuniya - Interior of Kinokuniya Los Angeles in Little Tokyo

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    Stories Books & Cafe - Books

    Stories Books & Cafe

    3.7(560 reviews)
    1.5 mi•Echo Park
    •$$

    Another very cute bookstore that's located in Los Angeles. It's fairly difficult to find street…read moreparking, especially on the weekends. I used the ParkSmarter app to reload my hourly fees for my car. Just a little hint if you're visiting from out of town. I didn't walk away with a purchase, because nothing truly peaked my interest. As an indie bookstore, you are offered a variety of items: cards, books, Knick knacks, magazines, and more. I think the best part of this bookstore is that they have a study area located in the back of it. Combined with the study area is a coffee shop that also sells beer. How cool is that! I was hesitant to sit at the bar since we were in a time crunch, but h would have loved to enjoy it. There were numerous patrons sitting around and having conversations and enjoying their beverages. The vibes eye very vintage yet hipster. Loved it entirely and I absolutely want to visit again !

    My Stories Books & Cafe Diary:…read more Week 1 - I bought the Robert Crumb book of Blues, Country & Jazz Artists, had an espresso. The espresso was only $3.50. I wish it was served in a tiny porcelain cup. Week 2 - Bought a pack of Tarot cards and laughed at Keith Morris' memoirs - highly recommended. Bought an espresso, which was still served to me in a paper cup. Week 3 - Bought a collection of Anne Sexton's poetry. When will they film a biopic about her? She's totally movie material. I didn't know Vashti Bunyan wrote a book, holy cow. Couldn't slurp my espresso because all the chairs and tables were taken by campers, so I took my $3.50 espresso and hung out at the huge parking lot next to the patio.

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    Stories Books & Cafe - So many gems here, if you spend the time searching.

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    The Library Store

    The Library Store

    4.7(48 reviews)
    1.2 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    TRENDY LITTLE STORE w/ GREAT FINDS! Central Library's "The Library Store" is a current,…read morewell-stocked gift shop with buzzy reads and stylish merch. I loved seeing their pocket-sized collection from their genre-specific books to celebrity finds. I spotted a Chappel Roan book among other favorites. Additionally, they had a selection of Heated Rivalry novels and other fan-favorites. I definitely see myself coming here more often, too bad my booklist is currently full. My Mom and I got a few items (a small version of Macbeth, socks, mug, etc.). Staff were pretty polite but a little awkward, I think they're on high-alert for shoplifters. The store was neat and tidy. Lighting was dim and the store wasn't packed. As this is a gift shop in LA, library-specific merch is slightly pricy. However, the quality of the goods are great. If you're entering through the backside of the library go straight down the entrance hallway a bit and turn to your right. The Library Store is hard to miss!

    I felt like a kid walking into a candy store while visiting this charming and well curated gift…read morestore in historic LA Central Library! When I heard the greeting, I said "im definitely walking out of here with a gift or two," I got four! And, why not? It feels good to support the Library and get something special too :)

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    Duranno Bookstore - Inside Store

    Duranno Bookstore

    4.1(7 reviews)
    2.9 mi•Wilshire Center, Koreatown

    This is the Korean Christian bookstore. Very neat, very clean, good collection here. And so…read morepeaceful here. They have some cute stationary stuff here too as well as some English books. One book I was looking for wasn't here but the person quickly identified it and was able to ship to my address! Also Korean book covers are fire!! Typography and illustration is on another level. I appreciated it so much and was some good inspiration to me as a designer haha.

    I don't recommend this place at all. I went to Korea last year and came home with the first two…read moreHarry Potter books in Korean. While in Korea, I didn't know that Incheon Airport would have shipping boxes for excess luggage, so when I thought I would be limited by just the space I left for souvenirs and other gifts in my bags, I could've bought all seven Harry Potter books. As you can tell by the town I'm in, I'm in the Bay Area. Here in the Bay, we don't have a lot of Korean bookstores, and the one I could find here didn't really focus on fiction/fantasy books. I found this place after searching the internet for "Korean bookstores in LA/SoCal." I called and asked the staff if they had Harry Potter. They said they didn't, but they told me that if I found some store back in Korea that had what I was looking for, they told me to email them the link or something and then they would order the books for me. When I pointed out that by that logic, if I could find a book by myself and then pay for the store to mail the books directly to me, customs and all, then I'd just be doing their job. The employee told me to "take it or leave it," and they acted completely shocked that I did leave.

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    Now Serving - bookstores - Updated September 2026

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