A cosmopolitan center where hundreds of languages are spoken, Los Angeles is the home of an extraordinarily diverse array of ethnic restaurants. The city offers every imaginable type of Mexican regional cuisine as well as specialties from most Central and South American countries. Vendors at Asian street markets sell steamed dumplings and fresh seafood from carts. You can eat Korean or Southern-style barbecue, feast on Persian, Indian or fusion cuisine, sample sushi or pho or jambalaya. Some of the coolest restaurants are tucked into mini-malls in ethnic neighborhoods that are a short drive from campus. Check out www.laweekly.com/eat+drink for great recommendations in the area.

USC also offers several meal plans that each provides a wide range of food choices. In addition to the two Residential Dining facilities—Parkside Restaurant and EVK Restaurant—there are 20 great places to grab a bite. For more on dining options available at USC, click here.