Esther's Guide to LA
Esther Kim shows us her stomping ground, Los Angeles, California. Meet Esther Kim, a Korean-American visual artist, who's worked as a creative for more than ten years, collating a pretty whopping CV having experimented with: illustration, character licensing, design, art direction - the list goes on. Whilst being cute, her work is knowing, and has a refined girliness that’s influenced by her love of fashion, and multi-cultural background. Notably, Esther created her namesake character, Esther Bunny, her emotional alter ego which exhibits the loneliness and alienation felt from being an outsider within the differing cultures she was raised in. Esther was kind enough to give a peek into her life in LA; which was also the backdrop for the campaign of our latest collab! She let us in on her favourite spots for mooching, drinking and eating, all of which have got us wanting to book a flight ASAP.
Tell Us About L.A
I love my home in Los Angeles for the weather, the proximity to nature (full of incredible hikes), museums, and great coffee spots. Los Angeles is also full of good yoga and pilates spots, and healthy food spots. Being in such a diverse city makes me so happy, and it means I have access to Asian and healthy food markets on my doorstep.
When I’m at home I spend a lot of time just regulating my nervous system. I’m working on creating routines and cultivating habits that help me to relax, and calm down, so I can keep doing what I do for as long as I can!
Where should we go for a coffee?
Thank You Coffee
This is a cosy little coffee spot in Chinatown! The drinks feel so personalised, and I love the unique flavours; I savour each sip. One of the founders, Jonathan Yang, does the artwork for the shop and their merch is really good, too.
Esther’s Drink: Five Spice Latte
938 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Everyday, 9am – 4pm
For shopping?
Paper Plant Co
My favourite coffee place leads perfectly into my top shopping spot! This is my friend’s Friedia Niimura’s store in Chinatown and, Thank You Coffee is inside - two great things in one place. Every time I go there I have to say hi to my friends, grab a great coffee then restock on gifts and stationery.
938 Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Mon-Sun, 9am – 4pm
For a meal?
Pine and Crane
Pine and Crane is always good no matter when, or how many times, I go there. I have so much respect for restaurants that are consistently excellent. I have a soft spot for the Silverlake location, but they also have a beautiful new location in DTLA. I always order Beef Roll, Pan Fried Pork Buns, Dan Dan noodles, Wonton Noodle Soup, Wood Ear Mushroom salad and Lotus Root salad. That’s my order pretty much every time.
1521 Griffith Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Mon, 12pm – 10pm Tues, Closed Wed-Sun, 12pm – 10pm
To grab a bite to eat?
Jook Hyang
Whenever I feel sick, or sad, and need something really healthy and healing I will order the Ginger Chicken Soup. My brother ordered this for me when I got sick one time and it was like a big hug in a meal. You can feel the care and love in all the ingredients and that food is medicine.
2666 W Olympic Blvd Suite #116, Los Angeles, CA
Mon-Sat, 7am – 9pm
A must visit?
The Broad
I love the architecture of this museum and how the art is displayed. The cave-like entrance with the single escalator going up to a very open high ceilinged gallery is incredible. It feels refreshing seeing the large scale pieces.
221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Mon, Closed Tues-Wed, 11am – 5pm Thurs, 11am – 8pm Fri, 11am – 5pm Sat-Sun, 10am – 6pm
