Brandon Ly



L.A. Times Food
 2022-Present
TRLab  2023-2025

IDEO  2019-2022

Black Bean Grocery  2018

Airbnb  2018-2019

DoorDash  2014-2018



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Commissioned Artworks2022-Present
I used to sober-drink water. How the new nonalcoholic cocktail wave let me join the party
Illustration: Jiayue Li
I tasted 394 wines in one day. Here’s what I learned about the state of American wine
Illustration: André Derainne 
The official bottled water power rankings
3D Modeling and Animation: Haruko Hayakawa 
Your guide to the wonderful world of L.A. French fries
Illustration: Lucia Calfapietra
Grab quick, affordable sushi at 11 of the best hand roll bars in L.A.
Illustration: ZUCK
As L.A. shifts, one summertime hero still reigns: the ice cream man
Illustration and Animation: Nolan Pelletier
New York vs. Los Angeles: Of course Dodgers fans have the better food city. Here’s why.
Illustration: Rui Pu
Where to get the best ice cream in L.A.: From classic parlors, to gelaterias and vegan creameries
3D Modeling and Animation: Yasmin Islas
The most delicious, creative margaritas to try in Los Angeles
Illustration and Animation: Wenjing Yang
Why In-N-Out has barely changed its business for 75 years — not even its fries
Illustration: Yuki Murayama
Where to have a prosperous Lunar New Year feast in Los Angeles
Illustration: Fangyu Ma 
8 white (and pink) wines to go with Angelenos’ rites of spring
Illustration: Bruno Reis Santos
I’m a martini purist. Here’s what is — and isn’t — in the perfect classic cocktail
Illustration: Karlotta Freier 
14 unique martinis redefining the classic cocktail in L.A.
Illustration: Armando Veve 
A simple route to seafood sustainability? Eat way more of these four things
Illustration: Lorena Spurio
Which SoCal Costcos are the ‘most Asian’? (Hint: Look for the durian and lumpia)
Illustration: David Huang 
Where to find the most irresistible mooncakes in L.A. this season
Illustration: Sun Bai
Find the key to your next great salsa in the fruit aisle
Illustration: David Huang
Making tamales brings my family together. But can we keep the tradition going?
Illustration: Nicole Medina
The best cookbooks of 2024
Illustration: Arabella Simpson
The best cookbooks of 2023
Illustration: Arabella Simpson
24 delicious ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Los Angeles
Illustration: Fangyu Ma
I used to sober-drink water. How the new nonalcoholic cocktail wave let me join the party
Illustration: Jiayue Li
Going coco for the coconut flavors of coastal Mexico
Illustration: Fangyu Ma
There is more to coffee culture in L.A. than you can ever imagine
Illustration: Sam Alden
The Sunset Boulevard ‘it’ bar where natural wine flows and the disco ball’s always aglimmer
Illustration: Ariel Davis
©2025 Brandon Ly