It should be easy in one of the world’s great metropolises to find a proper meal after midnight, but it’s not. Oh, it’s not hard to find food — there are taco trucks, dive coffee shops and even Del Tacos all over — but something interesting and warming, with waiter service… that’s another matter. Here are seven of our favorites all around town. (Sorry, Valley, you don’t have any great late-night finds, but Du-par’s will do just fine.)

BCD Tofu House

Centrally located for people heading across town in the midnight hour, this chain joint may not have Koreatown’s best soon (tofu hot pot), but it’s open 24 hours, and the steaming bowls of soup are just fine, as are the barbecue and bibim bap dishes.

869  S. Western Ave., Koreatown, 213.380.3807, bcdtofu.com. B, L & D 24 hours daily. Korean. Beer & wine. AE, MC, V. $ – $$

El Puerto Escondido

Just landed at LAX at 2 a.m.? Coming out of a late movie at the Bridge? Wishing you were on the beach at Los Cabos? Then head for this 24/7 Mexican seafood joint and order up some Happy Oysters, ceviche and camarones al mojo de ajo (don’t bother with the non-seafood dishes). If it’s before 2 a.m., you can even get a bucket of Coronas. Is that the roar of the Pacific, or just a 767?

915 Arbor Vitae St., Inglewood, 310.670.1014, elpuertoesc.com. B, L & D 24 hours daily. Mexican/seafood. Beer & wine. MC, V. $-$$

Pacific Dining Car

Dating to 1921, this swank former railroad dining car on the fringes of downtown is as beloved as Musso & Frank and even more overpriced — but the food’s a lot better, and it’s downright heavenly in the middle of the night. Steaks are the specialty, and they’re terrific if someone else is buying; stick with breakfast if you’re buying.

1310 W. 6th St., Downtown, 213.483.6000, pacificdiningcar.com. B, L & D 24 hours daily. American/steakhouse. Full bar. AE, MC, V. $$$-$$$$$

Fred 62

The tattoos on the staff can be as entertaining as the menu — Thai Cobb salad, the Fred McMurray (egg sandwich), the Hippie sandwich — but the real joy of Fred Eric’s 24-hour post-punk Los Feliz diner is that it makes everyone happy, even at 4 a.m. Udon, waffles, cheeseburgers, vegetarian Thai noodles, chocolate shakes… you name it, they’ve got it, at reasonable prices and served in deep-dish retro booths.

1850 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz, 323.667.0062, fred62.com. B, L & D 24 hours daily. Californian. Beer & wine. AE, MC, V. $ – $$

Sanamluang Café

Bleary club kids sit in this utilitarian diner alongside night-shifters from Kaiser and Children’s Hospital, fortifying themselves with wonderful noodle dishes; try the boat soup noodles and the pad see euw (drumken noodles). If you really need to wake up, order the (ultra) spicy beef noodle soup. A Hollywood dive treasure.

5170 Hollywood Blvd., East Hollywood, 323.660.8000. L & D to 4 a.m. daily. Thai. No booze. Cash only. $

Izzy’s Deli

It’s a fact: Izzy’s matzo ball soup, pastrami sandwiches, smoked fish and brisket does taste better in the middle of the night. The bright lights will wake you up more than the coffee.

1433 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.394.1131, izzysdeli.com. B, L & D 24 hours daily. Delicatessen. Beer & wine. AE, MC, V. $-$

Suehiro Café

On those rare occasions when you get a little carried away at the Edison or the Redwood Room, a closing-time meal at this appealingly aged Little Tokyo landmark will fix you right up. Everyone knows the restorative power of a steaming bowl of udon, and Suehiro’s is robust and flavorful. The teriyaki’s not bad, either.

337 E. 1st St., Little Tokyo, 213.626.9132. L & D to 1 a.m. Mon.-Thurs., 3 a.m. Fri.-Sun. Japanese. Beer & wine. MC, V. $