There’s no question popular chain restaurants can satisfy your cravings for cashew chicken and fried rice, but when you’re in the mood to be a little more adventurous, Long Beach and the nearby South Bay offer a variety of Chinese eateries – from casual neighborhood spots to all-you-can-eat buffets and formal restaurants with full bars and entertainment.
CHEN’S CHINESE RESTAURANT 2131 E Broadway Long Beach, CA (562) 439-0309 Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11:30am-9:30pm; (Fri-Sat) 11:30am-10pm
This locals’ hangout is frequently crowded with families and college students clamoring for Chinese food prepared fresh and served in portions large enough for sharing. The dimly lit dining room decorated in varying hues of red is spacious enough for groups and offers a choice of tables or comfortable booths. Specialties include sweet and sour chicken, won ton soup, green beans in oyster sauce, and almond barbecue pork, but the chef will customize any entree with additional ingredients of your choice for a minimal charge. Free delivery is available on orders of $15 or more within the local area, and lunch combination plates and specials are easy on the wallet.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $10-$15
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed
ZEN ASIAN BUFFET Long Beach Towne Center 7503 Carson Boulevard Long Beach, CA (562) 496-3888 Hours: Lunch: (Mon-Fri) 11am-3pm; Dinner: (Mon-Fri) 4-9:30pm; (Sat-Sun) 11am-10pm
Featuring a low-key atmosphere and all-you-can eat Asian cuisine, this popular eatery at the Long Beach Towne Center is perfect for those who like to sample a variety of entrees and side dishes without paying hefty prices. A team of chefs use fresh ingredients to create a daily menu of more than 100 items including traditional favorites like beef and broccoli, moo shu pork and orange peel chicken as well as barbecued ribs, stir fries, seafood, numerous noodle and vegetable dishes, and a few Japanese offerings like sushi and sashimi. Lunch is only $7.69 per person, while the dinner buffet is $10.99 on weekdays and $11.99 on weekends (beverages not included). A 10 percent discount is offered to moviegoers who present ticket stubs from the nearby Regal cinema.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $13-$16
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
LV CHINESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT 4139 Norse Way Long Beach, CA (562) 938- 8088 Hours: (Sun-Sat) Lunch: 11am-3pm; Dinner: 4:30-9:30pm
Conveniently situated near Long Beach City College and the Long Beach Airport, this no-nonsense restaurant offers fresh and affordable Chinese food and fast service whether you decide to eat in or get takeout. The casual atmosphere attracts a horde of office workers and students at lunch, while groups taking advantage of the family style combos monopolize the tables at dinner. Popular dishes include the crispy rice soup, seafood chow fun, honey walnut shrimp, orange beef and the hot, braised fish filet. Vegetarians may substitute tofu for meat in most entrees.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $12-$20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
W’S CHINA BISTRO 1410 S. Pacific Coast Highway Redondo Beach, CA (310) 792-1600 Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11am-9:30pm; (Fri) 11am-10pm; (Sat) 12-10pm; (Sun) 12-9:30pm
Just a stone’s throw from the trendy shops of Riviera Village in South Redondo, this contemporary Chinese bistro boasts an elegant dining room, outdoor patio, and sleek bar. Handsome woods combined with a waterfall wall and picture windows give the restaurant an upscale ambience, though the clientele is mostly dressed beachy casual. Owners Fernando, Roberto and Marcelino Chong were born to Chinese parents in Cuba and grew up in Peru. The modern menu they’ve created infuses traditional Chinese fare with South American, European and Caribbean inspired flavors. Must-have appetizers include potstickers, spring rolls, crab-stuffed shrimp cigars, and crunchy lettuce cups. Regulars also rave about the Chinese chicken salad, peppery beef in plum sauce, wok sea scallops and steamed salmon with soy lemon sauce. Dessert is as eventful as the meal with a tempting array of cakes, tarts, crème brulee, and made-on-site sorbets.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15-$30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
THE GOLDEN LOTUS 31176 Hawthorne Boulevard Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (310) 377-5892 Hours: (Daily); Lunch: 11:30am-2:30pm; Dinner: 5-10pm; Karaoke:(Weds) 8-10pm; Live Jazz and Dancing: (Fri-Sat) 9pm-2:00am
Tucked in the Golden Cove Shopping Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, this sophisticated Chinese restaurant has been a favorite with residents of the South Bay and Long Beach for more than 17 years. Specializing in low cholesterol and low sodium dishes, Golden Lotus offers more vegetarian choices than most Chinese restaurants. The recently remodeled facility features an elegant dining room, spacious bar area and a dance floor. Live jazz is featured Friday and Saturday evenings with karaoke on Wednesday nights. Signature dishes include pecan shrimp, Chinese filet mignon, black pepper chicken and lamb rib rack. Family style dinners and lunch specials are available daily with a choice of traditional entrees like lemon chicken, shrimp with cashew nuts, beef with snow peas, and curry chicken served with spring rolls, soup, and shrimp toast. Popular appetizers include spicy chicken lettuce wraps, and moo shu, a mix of shredded veggies and your choice of meat wrapped in thin pancakes and served with hoisin sauce. Dessert features several citrus and coconut flavored sorbets and gelato.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $30-$50
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open.
HOUSE OF VEGE 2439 Pacific Coast Highway Lomita, CA (310) 530-1180 Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11am-9pm; (Fri-Sat) 11am-9:30pm
Located halfway between Long Beach and Torrance this Chinese vegetarian restaurant offers an extensive menu of traditional favorites with tofu and vegetables substituting for meat. For example, the Crispy House “Chicken” is actually created with breaded and fried shiitake mushrooms in a mildly spicy sweet and sour sauce. Striking green tiles on the back wall, black lacquered chairs and softly draped windows lend a touch of elegance to the comfortable dining room. There’s an all-you-can-eat menu for $14.95 with more than 50 items to choose from, or you may order from the a la carte menu. One of the sides regulars crave most is the brown rice specially imported from China. It’s a tasty blend of 10 different rice varieties ranging in color from light tan to umber. Other standouts include eggplant with basil, Szechwan-style tofu and the sweet rice and red bean cakes. Estimated cost per person for dinner: $17-$25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
CHINA TEA HOUSE 3414 Sepulveda Torrance, CA (310) 325-6716 Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11am-9:30pm; (Fri-Sat) 11am-10pm
This family-owned eatery in Torrance has a devoted following of loyal customers who drive from Long Beach, San Pedro and other South Bay neighborhoods to enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine in a warmly inviting and friendly atmosphere. Fresh seafood is the house specialty with several live lobsters and crabs on view in huge fish tanks. Rock cod filet with black bean sauce is one of the most requested entrees. Along with Cantonese style chicken, beef, pork and vegetable dishes, the menu includes bird’s nest and shark’s fin soup, plus several savory clay pot creations including a Chinese stew of scallops, shrimp, pork and mushrooms. Beer and wine are available, and the restaurant offers catering and banquet meals.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $10- $15
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
Longtime fans rave about the dim sum trays at this popular restaurant in Lomita. The roomy and beautifully decorated dining room features an aquarium, small bar and private rooms for parties. Service is attentive, and there never seems to be a long wait even on busy weekends. Not-to-be-missed specialties include barbecue pork buns, four seasons chicken, and an enticing presentation of vegetables, shrimp and crispy noodles called shrimp in a basket.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $15-$35
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
A neighborhood institution for 52 years, Ming’s is family-owned and operated with an emphasis on personalized, friendly service. Serving an extensive menu of authentic Chinese cuisine in a casual atmosphere, the restaurant also offers takeout on every item on the menu, catering, and special party trays. Fans rave about the barbecue pork ribs, kung pao beef and egg drop soup, but you’ll also want to try the shrimp and squid, sweet and sour pork and moo goo gai-pan. Lunch specials are $5.95, and family style dinner combos range from $8.95-$13.95 per person.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $10-$17
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
FU YUAN LOW 26-F Peninsula Center Indian Peak Road Rolling Hills Estates, CA (310) 541-0803 Hours: (Mon-Fri) Lunch: 11:30am-2:30pm; Dinner: (Mon-Thu) 5-9pm; (Fri) 5-9:30pm; (Sat-Sun) 11:30am-9:30pm
Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, Fu Yuan Low takes pride in offering low sodium, no MSG meals prepared to suit patrons’ dietary requests. Family dinners range from $14.95-$17.95 per person including a variety of popular appetizers and entrees like paper-wrapped chicken, shrimp in hot garlic sauce and Szechwan style shredded pork. Other specialties include crispy scallops, squid in yu-shong sauce and sesame and pine nut shrimp. Lunch combo plates for $6.95 include your choice from 21 different entrees plus soup, salad, egg roll and fried rice. Free delivery is available within a three-mile radius after 5pm, and banquet and meeting rooms are available for large parties.
Estimated cost per person for dinner: $20-$30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
The Top List of Best Chinese Restaurants - Long Beach, CA