A scrumptious and affordable Taiwanese bakery, Yi Soon is a treat to yourself that is not to be missed. With a huge selection of bakery favorites--cookes, tiramisu, cakes, tarts--as well as Asian specialties--scallion buns, green tea cakes--this lovely bakery is chock full of treats to tempt and surprise you. Many buns and treats cost less than a dollar, although prices increase steeply for the decorated cakes and such. Tips: wear loosely fitted clothes and bring an appetite for adventure. Cash only.

Formerly Pho Pasteur, Le's offers some amazing Vietnamese food. It's not a big place and you will definitely have to wait but the food is worth it. You can get many different Vietnamese specialties here, but the recommendation has to be the pho - chicken, beef, even tofu is great. The decor is nothing to write home about but you won't notice once the put that big, steaming bowl of goodness in front of you.

The Allston location of Boston's original Shabu-Zen in Chinatown.

While the hole-in-the-wall ambience of S & I Thai can be enough to scare off the average foodie, don’t judge a Thai restaurant by its décor. Locals know the takeout at this hidden gem is perfect for those longing for an affordable, late-night fix of curry-flavored goodness in the Allston-Brighton area. S & I Thai serves up an array of dishes, including a Som Tum (or Papaya Salad for $7.95) that’s so spicy it will literally make you tear up and, of course, their ubiquitous Pad Thai including basil, crispy, and spicy tofu. A basic rule for those on a quest for the perfect Boston-area dive is to check the menu. If it’s in Thai and you have to order by pointing to a lineup of pictures on the wall, it’s a good thing. A menu without English usually means the food is 100% authentic.