Los Angeles is a haven for all manner of ethnic eats, and Chinese ranks as some of the best. While the central areas of the city don’t have many authentic offerings, a short drive to the east cures all. Neighborhoods like Monterey Park and San Gabriel hold dozens of delicious options, from mild and well-textured Cantonese treats to gloriously spicy Szechwan delicacies. The next time you have a craving for some Chinese morsels, give one of these gems a try.
Ocean Seafood 747 N. Broadway Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012 213-687-3088 Hours: (Sun-Thu) 9am-10pm (Fri-Sat) 8am-10pm Ocean Seafood is a massive, banquet-style Chinese restaurant perched on the second floor of a large building in Chinatown. Diners are greeted by gigantic fresh aquariums as they ascend the stairs, full of lobster, crab, and fish. By all means, order the crab – the tastiest option is the Chili and Garlic Sauce. And if you’re in the area on a weekend morning, this is the best local spot to grab a little dim sum and people watch. Average price per person: $15 - $20
Lake Spring Cuisine 219 E. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91755 626-280-3571 Hours: Call for more information For some of the best Shanghi cuisine outside of China, Lake Spring is definitely the spot. Dishes like Orange Sesame Chicken, Spicy Scallops, and the delicate and fresh House Special Shrimp are sweet, spicy, and perfectly balanced. The Pork Pump – tender rump roast – is legendary, and the “prosperous” Chicken is stuffed to the hilt with amazing savory ingredients and baked to perfection. Average price per person: $15 - $20
Mission 261 261 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel, CA 91776 626-588-1666 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 10:30am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm (Sun) 9am-3pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm Grab the whole crew and sail into Mission 261 for the most succulent dim sum in Southern California. Housed in a century-old mission-style building, the ambiance here isn’t all about red dragons and gold accents. This is modern Chinese fare with easy to read menus and super-efficient staff. Diners arriving before noon on weekdays are treated to nice dumpling discounts, and this massive venue can host all manner of parties, weddings, and banquets. Average price per person: $15 - $25
Crown Cafe 1000 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel, CA 91776 626-286-0298 Hours: Call for more information One of the lesser-known culinary delights in the area, Crown Café features a huge list of authentic, perfectly prepared Chinese dishes. Classics like Spicy Fish Head, Pork Skin dishes, Smoked Pork with vegetables, and absolutely anything with crab are wow-worthy and delicious. The service is lightning-fast and polite, and while the décor won’t win any awards, you won’t notice a lack of ambiance once you start tasting all of these incredible flavors. Average price per person: $10 - $20
New Concept 700 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754 626-282-6800 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 10:30am-3pm, 5pm-11pm (Sat-Sun) 10am-3pm, 5pm-11pm Part of a respected Beijing chain, New Concept is a medium-sized Hong Kong haven serving up luscious dim sum dumplings with a hugely varied and eclectic clientele. The city’s hipsters and wealthy Chinese alike flock here for the whole spectrum of cuisine options, so the wait time can be significant. There’s a nine course banquet menu featuring amazing options like Shark Fin’s Soup and Braised Abalone, which makes New Concept an excellent option for special occasions. Average price per person: $20 - $30
Red Pearl Kitchen 6703 Melrose Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90038 323-525-1415 Hours: Daily 6pm-11pm Owned by restaurant power-couple Tim and Liza Goodell, Red Pearl is a new addition to the Chinese landscape in LA. Although not traditional by any means, the small plate factor allows for ample tastings, and the flavors are out of this world. Try the Spicy Yams, the Kobe Skewers, or the Honey-Lemon Chicken. The atmosphere is chic and relaxed, without the pretentious Hollywood vibe. You’ll also enjoy outstanding service and a truly impressive drink menu. Average price per person: $25 - $40
888 Seafood 8450 Valley Blvd, Suite 121, Rosemead, CA 91770 626-573-1888 Hours: Daily 9am-3pm Even the pork and chicken dishes at this primarily seafood-centric Chinese haunt are spectacular. You’ll not find a greater variety of authentic goods in all of LA, and the ambiance is delightful too. Waiters in green vests and bow ties push around carts loaded with dim sum and other tasty dishes. 888 isn’t open for dinner, so come early to avoid the massive crowds. Try the pan-fried noodles, cooked tableside, as well as the Shrimp Har Gow. The Deep Fried Taro Root is a must-try too – a mixture of crunchy sweet and velvety soft. Sesame Paste in Rice Dough rounds out the perfect meal. Average price per person: $15 - $20
Happy Family 18425 E. Colima Road, 2nd Floor Rowland Heights, CA 91748 626.965.9923 Hours: Daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-8:45pm
Happy Family is not your typical Chinese eatery. While the menu may read like a typical joint, with options like Shark Fin Soup and Sesame Chicken, every last dish here is 100% vegetarian. Yet Chinese families, foodies, and vegetarians alike flock here in droves, because everything is really, really good. For just under $11, patrons order from the huge list of options to their heart’s content – it’s an all-you-can-eat, savory mecca. Ask your server about the vegetarian Duck – while it’s not on the menu, when they have it, you simply must indulge. Average price per person: $10 - $15
101 Noodle Express 1408 E. Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801 626-300-8654 Hours: Call for more information Now *these* are some decadent noodles. Hand-pulled and entirely homemade, the noodles here swim in rich, vibrant broths and are sautéed up with magnificent veggies. 101 also features an amazing sandwich called a Beef Roll, or Niuron Juan, that will simply make your sing. There’s nothing fancy about this little café, but the food is so yummy and authentic, Chows come from miles and miles away to sample the goods. Average price per person: $10 - $15
Empress Pavilion 988 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 213-617-9898 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 9am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm (Sat-Sun) 8am-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm This is the high royalty of Chinatown cuisine. Your best bet at Empress Pavilion is to go all out – order the Shark Fin, the Peking Duck, and a huge sampling of dim sum. The Sliced Abalone and Sea Cucumber are also divine, and the ambiance isn’t shabby either. You’ll feel like Chinese royalty as you sample some of the best examples of this fare the city has to offer. Average price per person: $15 - $25
The Top List of Best Chinese Restaurants - Los Angeles, CA