Advance Notice. Global Street Food Fest.

Los Angeles, of course, is never short of global food options. But with the rise in popularity of the food truck came the arrival one thing we may have been missing out on: street food. Obviously, we've all been exposed (/tortured) by those wonderful-smelling carts on street corners selling bacon-wrapped hot dogs and other sizzling goodies late at night, but what is honest-to-goodness street food exactly? And why should we care?

That'll surely be some of the questions posed by Evan Kleiman, L.A. chef and KCRW host, as she heads up the Good FoodGlobal Street Food fest on May 1st. There, she'll be conversing with a few foodie experts, including OC Weekly's Gustavo "Ask a Mexican" Arellano and food writer Robyn Eckhardt, about street food and how it can shape a culture or city (the subject of Los Angeles, I'm sure, will be touched upon). And then, after that intellectual enlightenment, guests will get to savor that street food firsthand, with tastings available from five food trucks: India Jones Chow Truck, Mariscos Jalisco, Piaggio Gourmet on Wheels, Let's Be Frank and the Nom Nom Truck.

Get to understand the food, and indulge afterward. For better or for worse, you may never look at a bacon-wrapped hot dog in the same way again.

The Global Street Food Fest is taking place May 1st at the Broad Stage, located at 1310 11th St. in Santa Monica. Tickets are on sale now for $40-$42.50.

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Malaysia Kitchen Night Market.

For all the various cuisines we're able to enjoy in Los Angeles, somehow Malaysian food seems to get forgotten in it all. I'm sure most, even those who like to think of themselves as foodies, probably are not be getting as much great Malaysian cuisine as they might like.

But fear not, BEATs. Tomorrow night Third Street Promenade will be turning into a bona fide street market, thanks to Malaysian Kitchen, a global initiative aimed at getting the world out about Malaysian cuisine, sponsored by the Malaysian government itself. From 5:30pm to 8:30pm (hope you can beat that traffic!), the promenade will be transformed with colorful tents and lanterns to get the feel of a real Malaysian market, and vendors from local restaurants like Monsoon Cafe and Belacan Grill will be offering free tastings of Malaysian cuisine. Think street grub like chicken satay in peanut sauce or beef rendang (like beef curry).

And it's all free! Get into the cultural spirit. Plus, the weather's supposed to be pretty nice out, so it'll be perfect for taking a walk and enjoying some great Malaysian food.

The Malaysian Kitchen Night Market is taking place tomorrow from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.

And if anyone knows of some great Malaysian food spots, comment below!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Malaysian Kitchen NYC

Advance Notice. Silver Lake Jubilee.

Silver Lake has already hosted a few high-profile street fest concerts in the past few years, like the Sunset Junction and FYFest, but it's about to add another.

The Silver Lake Jubilee is set to take place next weekend, May 22 and 23, on Myra Ave. between Santa Monica Blvd. and Fountain Ave. This first-time fest will be hosting a slew of live (and many of them locally based) entertainment, including Foreign Born, The Growlers, The Living Sisters and The Like. Beyond that, there'll be DJs, poetry, art, local vendors, plus more than 20 food trucks on hand to keep you well-fed. It sounds like a block party gone big, and the best part is, admission is only $5, which you purchase now. (College students get buy one get one tickets too!)

Take part in a homegrown community effort, and have some fun too!

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. L.A. Street Food Fest.

Impressing your sweetheart for Valentine's Day can be difficult when you're on a budget, but thanks to this year's L.A. Street Food Fest, it looks like you may be in luck.

The 1st annual fest takes place this Saturday, rounding up some of the best and well-known roving food trucks that have been all the rage in Los Angeles lately into one easy, concise space. Participants like ice-cream sandwich makers Cool Haus, breakfast specialists The Buttermilk Truck and the French fry extravaganza known as Frysmith will be dishing out exclusive 'tasting menus' at $1-$5 all day over at the L.A. Center Studios. There's a $5 general admission fee which includes a free drink ticket.

As you're digesting your food, you can take a peek over at the Unique L.A. exhibits, which will also be setting up shop at the festival. You can pick up some recycled vinyl pieces from DoubleDipped or some accessories from Stylesmith as an extra V-Day gift.

The event is first-come, first-serve, and considering how popular these trucks are these days, it'd be best to show up early. Remember to bring cash, and look out for a celebrity chef pop-up to come truckin' along too.

The L.A. Street Food Fest takes place 11am-5pm on Feb. 13 at the L.A. Center Studios at 500 S. Beaudry Ave.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Komodo Truck