LAGuide
Where To Eat In LA After Wisdom Teeth Removal
photo credit: Adobe Stock
How we got here: we typed “what to eat...” into Google, and the top suggestion was “...after wisdom teeth removal.” Hmm, a dumb idea? Then we took a team poll and realized that most of us at Infatuation LA have had our pesky third molars removed. So maybe not such a dumb idea after all—useful, in fact. So if you’re currently in pain and your face looks like a bee-stung Cabbage Patch Kid, consider this your salvation. Here are some LA spots that will make these next few weeks less miserable.
DISCLAIMER (IN CASE YOU CAN’T DETECT A JOKE): We are food writers, not medical professionals. This is clearly a silly guide. Please follow your doctor’s orders and eat or don't eat what they tell you to. And keep those sockets clean.
THE SPOTS
You could go to Pinkberry, but that’s an everyday thing. You need something extra special because you’re experiencing what feels like a hamster applying a tiny jackhammer to your jawbone. What you need is a bougie “yogurteria” in Beverly Hills. Go Greek claims its froyo is healthier, too, but we don’t care about that. We care about their delicious flavors, like greek biscuit, honey, and almond. Just make sure to skip the toppings. The last thing you need is chia seeds lodged in there.
When was the last time you ventured into this dark, long-forgotten place? Well, get familiar with it. The lime flavor is either gross or the best, depending on who you ask.
photo credit: Kim Fox
Gelato evokes something Häagen-Dazs never will. Maybe it’s the smoother, denser texture, or maybe it’s because we seek it out when we’re going through something. Either way, take your pain and misery to Bacio di Latte at Westfield Century City Mall (or their Larchmont and Brentwood locations) and order their two bestsellers: the not-too-sweet pistachio and the namesake bacio di latte that tastes of pure cream with the tiniest smooch of vanilla.
photo credit: Matt Gendal
Tofu = soft. Pudding = soft. Tofu pudding = very soft and a tad jiggly, too. The one at Siam Sunset is especially delicious thanks to the sweet ginger syrup it’s floating in.
photo credit: Matt Gendal
At some point during your soft foods journey, you’ll reach a breaking point and feel like a teething baby on the verge of a meltdown. Lean into it at Borit Gogae. For $30 per person, this tranquil Koreatown spot serves a barley rice set for two that includes a huge spread of vegetable-forward banchan and three nourishing soups: scorched rice, pumpkin puree, and a luscious perilla seed and chicken porridge. It’s soft food heaven. Depending on how far along you are with healing, you might have to pass on the delicious banchan. Oh well, more soup for you.
photo credit: Matt Gendal
This is good soup. You want this soup. The chicken broth has just the right level of schmaltz going on, and the giant matzo ball is as light and fluffy as the cotton balls that were packed into your mouth last week.
One never needs an Erewhon smoothie, except maybe right now. (Note: not all Erewhons are created equal. We can explain.) Don’t get anything with seeds and definitely don’t use a straw. Suction is a big no-no while healing. That means you’ll have to scoop your $20 organic, probiotic, algae-infused smoothie with a spoon. And before you complain about looking dumb in front of the Real Influencers of Erewhon, remember that you shouldn’t take yourself that seriously. You just spent $20 on a smoothie. (A good smoothie, nonetheless.)
photo credit: Matt Gendal
You’ve finally reached the point in your recovery journey where you can chew soft foods. Congratulations! You (and your appetite) must be thrilled. Pancakes are thankfully delicious, filling, and easy to chew, and few places do them better than Du-par’s. The griddle leaves them slightly crisp on the outside, but spongy and soft on the inside. Go all in on the tangy boysenberry syrup.
photo credit: @livpar
Breakfast By Salt’s Cure knows how to make a soft scramble, with an emphasis on soft: think small curdles, velvety smooth, perfectly seasoned. Sometimes, it takes having limited jaw mobility to appreciate the little details.
photo credit: Olivia Mans
You shouldn’t eat things like toasted sourdough because of the current situation in your mouth, but what if said sourdough was soaked in a nourishing chicken bone broth? Call it a loophole if you want. The bread is mushy and soggy in a satisfying way, as opposed to a gross way. Maybe eat around the crust, though.
Please order all of the above foods as takeout and enjoy them on your IKEA Malm. The pain shall pass, but your newfound appreciation for soft foods will be forever.
