When most people first visit Anaheim, they tend to think, "I should check out Disneyland" and wander around.

As they do, they naturally notice the restaurants around. The places they see? They're mostly geared towards tourists. The prices are high, the lines are long, and the food is just average.

Locals don't really go there. The true food lovers venture outside of that area.

The fun of eating in Anaheim starts with "escaping Disneyland."

Just a short drive away, the atmosphere changes completely. Prices drop, portions increase, and most importantly, you get a real local vibe. This is where the real experience begins.

Let's talk about Korean food first. Honestly, you can find some decent options even within Anaheim.

There are quite a few places that serve dishes like sundubu jjigae, samgyeopsal, and naengmyeon. If you say, "I just want to eat Korean food today," you can definitely find something. But if you want to broaden your options, just drive over to Garden Grove.

There, you'll find a well-established Korean business district that makes you think, "Is this really America?" If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, heading to LA's Koreatown is the ultimate destination. Just keep in mind the distance and traffic.

You absolutely have to try Mexican food in this area at least once. Anaheim is known for having a high standard of Mexican cuisine. Even just visiting a local taco truck can leave you wondering, "Why is this so delicious?" If you see locals lined up at a taqueria, just follow them in. The chances of failure are low. Surprisingly, it also suits Korean tastes quite well.

As for burgers, there's no need to say much. When you come to Southern California, there's almost a ritual to visit In-N-Out Burger. The line is long. Really long. But the funny thing is, almost no one just eats there once. Even if they think, "Oh, it's just okay," they go back again. It's oddly addictive.

And then there's pho. This is a surprisingly important point. There are many places near Anaheim that serve high-quality Vietnamese food. Just a short drive away, you'll find Little Saigon in Westminster and Garden Grove. When you go there, you might feel like, "Isn't this almost like being in Vietnam?" The depth of the broth is different. It's great for hangovers and light meals.

Japanese food is also better than expected. While there are many chains, the small, independently-run sushi spots are often hidden gems. There are quite a few places that offer good quality for the price. You can get a good sense of these places just by checking a few Yelp reviews.

Ultimately, the fun of eating in Anaheim is the thrill of discovery. Very few people come knowing the best spots from the start. I also had a few failures at first. There were places I went to based on ratings and thought, "Why does this have 4.5 stars?" and others I entered without expectations and found my favorite spots.

So here's the most practical tip: open Yelp or Google Maps and search for "Anaheim + type of food." Pick a place with a lot of reviews and decent photos and give it a try. After doing this a few times, you'll eventually find a favorite spot that feels like your own. At that point, the area will start to feel familiar.

The conclusion is this: the real food in Anaheim isn't the tourist fare, but the "local food." It's worth experiencing the area around Disneyland once, but after that, it's best to venture out. As you explore, you'll eventually feel like, "This place feels like my neighborhood now."