Grand Central Chinese

Just after Grand Central Market opened one morning, a customer was spotted breakfasting on a gorgeous plate of freshly steamed vegetables with silken tofu cubes and colorful fried rice on the side. The purveyor was Ongpin Express, a stall that has new Chinese owners. The vegetables include whatever is on hand, like nappa cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, carrots, baby corn, mushrooms and water chestnuts. It’s a great low-fat plate to take home, even more so if you choose steamed rice instead of fried. Communication with the counter attendants can be a bit difficult, so try to place your order with one of the Chinese chefs.

Steamed vegetables, tofu and rice, $4 at Ongpin Express in Grand Central Market, 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles. (213) 687-0437.