The best Chinese restaurants in Los Angeles

What is it? A new-school farm-to-table restaurant in Alhambra from chef Chris Yang that's not Chinese in the traditional sense, but riffs on regional Chinese staples in unique, nostalgia-tinged ways.

Why we love it: Anyone familiar with the Sinosphere's culinary influences will delight in Yang's inventive takes: dan dan campanelle, Hainan-style fish over wonderfully silky chicken fat rice, and smoked char siu paired with spicy mustard (one of the city's best preparations of pork jowl). The fried chicken wings—naked-skinned and served with just salt, white pepper, and a lemon wedge—get at the heart of what Yang's does best: flawlessly executed Asian-inflected comfort dishes that are far more complex than they look.

Time Out tip: If you see the Dungeness crab cold noodles on the specials board, order them immediately. And don't skip dessert—the caramelized black sesame cake might even elicit a rare nod of approval and “not too sweet” from your Asian parents.

Address: 112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

Opening hours: Mon 9am–2pm; Thu 9am–2pm, 5–9pm; Fri 9am–2pm, 5–9:30pm; Sat 9am–2:30pm, 5–9:30pm; Sun 9am–2:30pm, 5–9pm

What is it? The trailblazing Alhambra Sichuan restaurant that first put mala ("numbing and spicy") on the culinary map for most Angelenos. 

Why we love it: We’re fortunate enough these days to have dozens of different interpretations of Sichuan cuisine, but it's still hard to beat Chengdu Taste. Fiery dishes fill tables with intoxicating aromas and an overarching red hue that often signals an intimidating level of heat. The restaurant showcases a lighter, yet still spicy style of Chengdu cooking, with signature dishes like hearty diced rabbit with "younger sister's secret recipe." Other must-tries include Sichuan-style mung bean jelly noodles with chili sauce, always-comforting mapo tofu, and toothpick lamb with cumin (a personal favorite).

Time Out tip: While their second Rowland Heights location is temporarily closed, it’s set to reopen March 1, 2026. Fingers crossed. 

Address: 828 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm

What is it? A newer Cantonese-style live seafood restaurant in Alhambra from namesake owners Henry Tu and Henry Chau, representing the next generation of spots like Newport Seafood and Boston Lobster.

Why we love it: The must-order is the house special Vietnamese-style sautéed lobster—fried garlic, a mountain of thickly cut green onions. Add on the glass noodles to complement the sweet red roe scattered throughout each plate. The sprawling menu is a treasure trove beyond the lobster, from well-executed classics like mixed seafood crispy chow mein to deep-fried salted pig's feet with crackling skin reminiscent of Peking duck. 

Time Out tip: Ask your server about the seasonal veggies. For the most complete experience, we recommend rolling deep, though leftovers reheat beautifully if you’re coming solo or with just one other person.

Address: 301 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801

Opening hours: Daily 11am-9pm

What is it? A transportive Temple City restaurant serving imperial cuisine—an age-old style of cooking once exclusively reserved for China's ruling class that pulls from all over the country but roots itself firmly in Beijing.

Why we love it: Yes, you're paying in part for the ornately decorated dining room, but Bistro Na's remains the best traditional Chinese restaurant for special occasions. The extensive, picture-heavy menu can be overwhelming, but the signatures deliver: delicate crispy-skinned shrimp and braised kurobuta pork belly are highlights. What’s more, Chef Tian Young changes the menu seasonally, so coming here never gets old. In general, we recommend ordering a few meat and seafood items, at least one rice or noodle dish, one vegetable and one dessert.

Time Out tip: The highly sought-after Peking duck—which melts in your mouth—requires at least one week's pre-order (though it's often booked a month in advance, as only a few are available each night).

Address: 9055 Las Tunas Dr #105, Temple City, CA 91780

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9pm; Fri, Sat 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-9:30pm

What is it? A Sichuan restaurant from Chengdu natives Lynn Liu and Kelly Xiao, with locations in Alhambra, West L.A., City of Industry, and Tustin, serving a jaw-dropping selection of hot-and-numbing dishes.

Why we love it: Spice fiends flock here for a menu that builds upon familiar options like mapo tofu and kung pao chicken while venturing into harder-to-find territory with mung bean jelly tossed in chili oil, wok-fried crab, and the showstopping "party in a pot" Leshan bobo chicken pot. 

Time Out tip: A rarity among Sichuan restaurants: they also offer desserts, including brown sugar rice cake and pumpkin mochi wrapped around red bean paste.

Address: Several locations

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A well-oiled international chain specializing in xiaolongbao, with locations in Arcadia, Glendale, Century City, Torrance, Downtown Disney, and their newest outpost in Santa Monica, complete with outdoor fire pits and ocean views. 

Why we love it: After trying soup dumplings everywhere—dim sum joints, Shanghainese specialists, dumpling generalists—Din Tai Fung still reigns supreme thanks to consistently high quality and ubiquity. Each soup dumpling is meticulously made, resulting in lovely, thin-skinned pouches filled with pork—there are other options too, but the go-to is the plain pork—and hot broth; eat with a dab of soy sauce, vinegar and ginger, slurping the dumpling’s soup carefully when you begin. Beyond the dumplings, don't miss the Shanghai-style rice cakes, spicy wontons (any filling), and pork chop fried rice. Everyone raves about the green beans for good reason, though the Taiwanese cabbage is probably the most underrated dish on the menu. For dessert, it’s a tough choice between sesame buns and chocolate and mochi xiaolongbao. Get both. 

Time Out tip: Wait times are epic, so plan ahead with a reservation or join the digital waitlist. Solo diners and pairs can try their luck at the walk-in bar. Takeout and delivery are available, but fair warning: the soup dumplings don't travel particularly well.

Address: Several locations

Opening hours: Vary by location 

What is it? A Hong Kong-style café (cha chaan teng) in San Gabriel and Rowland Heights, serving all-day Cantonese classics like stir-fried beef udon, pineapple buns, and salt-and-pepper anything.

Why we love it: After scouring the San Gabriel Valley for the best all-around cha chaan teng, Tam's Noodle House is the top choice. Every rice and noodle dish delivers: precisely executed wonton soup, decadent flat shrimp-roe noodles served dry with proteins like beef belly or pig feet, and dried scallop and egg white fried rice. The breakfast menu (8–11am) includes your choice of warm beverage. Be sure to order the cheung fun (steamed rice rolls), which come to your table soft, velvety and ready to be doused with sweet soy sauce. The one caveat? Unlike many Chinese banquet-style eateries, Tam’s Noodle House isn’t particularly suitable for large groups. 

Time Out tip: The Rowland Heights location is open until 2am, so you can get your midnight noodle fix. 

Address: 120 N San Gabriel Blvd #J, San Gabriel, CA 91775; 19035 Colima Rd, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A Taiwanese restaurant in Rowland Heights with a sprawling menu specializing in dainty, flavorful preparations of classic dishes—worth the trek even if you don't live in the San Gabriel Valley.

Why we love it: The place might be hard to find and the menu a tad difficult to navigate for first-timers, but that's part of the charm. Standouts include three-cup chicken, a delightfully gooey paper-thin oyster omelette, and, when in season, dragon whiskers—a tender vegetable also known as chayote or long xu cai. Offal lovers and newbies alike will find common ground with an order of pork kidney with sesame oil and ginger paired with delicate angel-hair rice noodles.

Time Out tip: The steamed clam custard, reminiscent of Japanese chawanmushi, requires an hour of preparation, so call in advance. 

Address: 18888 Labin Ct C113, Rowland Heights, CA 91748

Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-8:30pm; Sat-Sun 11am-3pm, 5pm-9pm

What is it? Chef Tony He's beloved casual made-to-order dim sum concept from Vancouver in Arcadia.

Why we love it: While Sea Harbour (He's original Rosemead restaurant) offers a wider array and cozier environs, the cooking shines just as bright here with show-stopping creations: truffle-laced shumai, translucent scallop and shrimp dumplings topped with fish eggs, and not one but two jet-black dishes adorned with edible gold—shrimp har gow and salty-sweet lava egg yolk buns (eat the latter extremely carefully). Yes, the final bill will raise eyebrows among dim sum aficionados, but the precision and artistry justify both the price and the inevitable wait.

Time Out tip: Come early on weekends to beat the line and pace yourself—you'll want to save room for sesame-eyed coconut jelly bunnies. Note: the Monterey Park location has closed. 

Address: 1108 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11am-9pm; Sat, Sun 10am-9pm

What is it? A mom-and-pop restaurant in Alhambra specializing in all things braised, with a menu spanning Sichuan, Taiwanese, and Cantonese classics.

Why we love it: The standout soy-braised pork rice comes with a variety of cuts and supplemental pickled peppers that elevate the dish. Beyond the braised specialties, you'll find boiled pepper fish, beef noodle soup, fermented tofu, plus the requisite dumplings and fried rice. Dishes such as sliced potato slivers and cucumbers capture the essence of the Chinese cold case, and there's a delicate rendition of Shanghainese yan du xian (salt pork, bamboo, and tofu skin soup) worth seeking out.

Time Out tip: With a few large tables and open till 11pm (a rarity in this part of town), Luyixian’s the ideal spot for getting soulfully made, affordably priced Chinese food for a late-night crowd. 

Address: 2 E Valley Blvd #1E, Alhambra, CA 91801

Opening hours: Mon-Tues, Thu-Sun 11am-11pm

What is it? An authentic and wildly affordable cafeteria-style Chinese restaurant with locations in Monterey Park and Alhambra, famous across the Southland for shengjianbao (Shanghainese pan-fried soup dumplings).

Why we love it: Operating for over 20 years, Kang Kang Food Court has drawn celebrity diners like Momofuku chef David Chang through its doors for its piping-hot, juicy, deep-fried soup dumplings. But the rest of the menu is full of quieter delights that keep budget-conscious locals coming back: fragrant beef noodle soup, mini shrimp wonton soup, Suzhou-style fresh pork mooncakes, and—among the various combo choices—a delicious steamed egg studded with minced pork. 

Time Out tip: Ask about the build your own shave ice menu. 

Address: 27 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801; 9618 E Las Tunas Dr, Temple City, CA 91780

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A Vietnamese-influenced Chinese restaurant in a San Gabriel strip mall serving some of the most incredible fresh stir-fried lobster in town—despite what the New England-sounding name might suggest.

Why we love it: Sure, Boston Lobster has a solid Cantonese menu across the board—the melt-in-your-mouth shaking beef (listed as "French style beef cube") rivals the city’s best, and the clams in basil sauce are excellent. But let's be real: you're making the drive for the signature lobster, piled high with mountains of crispy noodles, green onions, garlic, and an obscene amount of fresh lobster. It's the kind of dish that makes you question how much lobster is too much lobster. 

Time Out tip: In search of a deal? Their affordable lunchtime specials menu doesn’t compromise on taste. 

Address: 4501 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am-8:40pm

What is it? Tony He's original sprawling dim sum palace in Rosemead, offering made-to-order dim sum of the highest order since 2002.

Why we love it: Sea Harbour was one of the first to ditch the dim sum carts for a la carte Cantonese classics. With a menu of more than 100 items, stick to the well-executed basics: crystal shrimp dumplings, pork dumplings, and vibrant pork soup dumplings that arrive hot and juicy in their tins. The springy rice noodle rolls nail the ideal filling-to-rice-paper ratio and are some of the best in the city. Beyond the classics, don't miss the fried whole smelt, steamed black fungus in vinegar, and celery-and-fungus dumplings.

Time Out tip: The line on the weekend forms long before opening—arrive early or opt for a weekday lunch to beat the crowds.

Address: 3939 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am-3pm, 5pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-10pm

What is it? A cash-only Taiwanese noodle joint in Temple City that's only open three hours a day and gets you in and out in half an hour tops (not counting the line). 

Why we love it: The spicy, complex beef noodle soup is one of the best versions in Los Angeles—reason enough to plan your day around their limited hours. But bring friends to share the minced-pork noodles in fermented bean sauce (listed as "pork bean dry noodles") and assorted cold-case appetizers, such as smashed cucumbers, shredded tofu, and tea eggs. 

Time Out tip: The sesame dry noodles are exceptional enough to convert even the dan dan mian skeptics. For a milder change of pace, or perhaps a takeout order on sick days, order the chicken soup noodles.

Address: 9148 Las Tunas Dr, Temple City, CA 91780

Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm

What is it? A no-frills, cash-only, family-run Taiwanese breakfast joint in Monterey Park.

Why we love it: Pine & Crane Downtown gets the breakfast buzz, but those in the know understand that Huge Tree Pastry came first—and does all the classics just as well for much, much cheaper. The star is the fantuan: a delicious handheld bundle of sweet purple or white rice wrapped around scrambled egg, fried youtiao (Chinese cruller doughnuts), pork floss, and pickles.

Time Out tip: Round out your order with scallion pancakes, pan-fried radish cakes, baked sesame bread, and full-sized youtiao, perfect for dunking into steaming hot soymilk (available sweet or salty). And remember to bring cash—easier said than done. 

Address: 423 N Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Opening hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 7am-3pm

What is it? Among the San Gabriel Valley's Shanghainese heavy hitters—including Michelin-recommended Jiang Nan Spring—this modest Shanghainese restaurant serving classically prepared regional specialties with minimal grease and fuss leaves the strongest overall impression.

Why we love it: Regional staples like soy-braised eel with leeks, pan-fried rice cakes, and red braised pork belly are executed with restraint and precision. Shanghai's famous tempura-like fried fish with seaweed powder comes delicately crisp and lightly seasoned. Shanghainese cuisine, with its subtler flavors and heavy reliance on plum wine and spirits, can be an acquired taste, but Southern Mini Town makes it easy to fall in love.

Time Out tip: There are only a few tables, so check Yelp for wait time and to add yourself to the waitlist ahead of time. 

Address: 833 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun 11am-2:30pm, 5pm-8pm for dinner

What is it? A longtime Temple City mainstay specializing in Shanghainese cuisine, though the kitchen also executes Sichuan, Cantonese, and Hunan-style dishes with surprising speed and technical finesse.

Why we love it: Even on weekdays, lines form well before opening—and for good reason. While  dishes run on the oilier side compared to other Shanghainese joints, the flavors still shine in staples like soy-braised eel, stir-fried rice cakes, burnt scallion noodles, and various stir-fried dishes made with luffa (a mellow gourd popular across Asia). 

Time Out tip: The $11.99 all-day special featuring Shanghai's famous red braised pork belly (listed as "braised pork in brown sauce") is wonderfully fatty and an absolute steal.

Address: 5557 Rosemead Blvd, Temple City, CA 91780

Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-9:30pm 

What is it? Vivian Ku's beloved Eastside-ish mini-empire serving new-school takes on Taiwanese and Chinese comfort food across three locations—Joy in Highland Park, Pine & Crane in Silver Lake and Downtown.

Why we love it: Extremely affordable (most items run under $15) and always satisfying, the homestyle dishes here don't exactly recall the banquet-style splendor of many San Gabriel Valley restaurants, but they do bring good-to-great Chinese food within convenient driving distance for much of L.A. proper. Think thousand-layer pancakes, mapo tofu rice bowls, and comforting wonton soup that hits the spot every time. Don’t overlook the daily greens and panfried pork buns.

Time Out tip: Hit the Downtown Pine & Crane before 11am for breakfast gems like fantuan, cruller-studded bowls of savory soy milk, dan bing (Taiwanese crepes stuffed with cabbage, corn, scallions, and scrambled eggs), and a traditional congee set complete with several types of pickled vegetables.

Address: Multiple locations

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A casual restaurant specializing in traditional Uyghur cuisine, a Xinjiang regional staple—which Dolan’s faithfully reproduces with ingredients and flavors that skew Central rather than East Asian.

Why we love it: Dolan’s isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a political statement. Servers wear shirts that have "Google 'Uyghurs,’” emblazoned in white letters across the front. Should you want to know more about the ongoing persecution and cultural genocide of the Turkic ethnic group in China's Xinjiang province, owner Bugra Arkin has links for you up at the counter. Politics aside, the food also makes a statement. Steamed manta dumplings come filled with soft pumpkin, while the signature stir-fried chicken, leek, and potato arrives on a bed of hand-pulled flat noodles. 

Time Out tip: Our go-to order is the Uyghur polo—a flavorful braised rice dish cooked with carrot, onion, and lamb, served with red cabbage and apple coleslaw and yogurt on the side.

Address: 742 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Opening hours: Daily 11am-9pm

What is it? An upscale Sichuan hotpot chain (the largest in China) with mall-anchored locations at Westfield Santa Anita and Century City, featuring built-in hotpot tables that hold up to four different kinds of broth.

Why we love it: Diner's choice rules the day here—order from an electronic tablet to customize your meal with nine different base broths (the Sichuan mala soup is always a hit), then build your feast with meat, seafood, vegetables, and other delicious add-ins. Feeling celebratory? Splurge for the Miyazaki A5 wagyu ribeye, and the signature Dancing Noodles for a graceful noodle-pulling performance at your table, complete with musical score.

Time Out tip: With walk-in waits stretching past the two-hour mark on peak nights at both the Westfield Santa Anita and Century City locations, reservations are highly encouraged. 

Address: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 2610, Los Angeles, CA 90067; 400 S Baldwin Ave Suite 2015, Arcadia, CA 91007

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A dumpling spot specializing in namesake oblong-shaped potstickers, with an original San Gabriel location and a Hollywood outpost that's a refreshing alternative to the area's more tourist-geared Chinese restaurants.

Why we love it: The hui tou are a glorious study in the beauty of simplicity—juicy pork or beef dumplings that shine with just a splash of black vinegar and soy sauce. Round out your meal with wontons, soup dumplings, noodle soups, and traditional appetizers like seaweed salad and scallion pancakes.

Time Out tip: For a walk on the milder side, order the egg and tomato noodle—a nearly universal Chinese comfort food.

Address: 1643 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 704 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A seriously underrated local chain with over two dozen locations across Los Angeles—from Westwood and Hollywood to Downtown and the South Bay—that puts decent Chinese noodles, dumplings and wontons within a short driving distance for most Angelenos. 

Why we love it: Sure, you'll find solid xiaolongbao and pan-fried jiaozi, but Northern Cafe's real strengths lie in its cold starter salads and harder-to-find dishes like lao gan ma (chili crisp) fried noodles, zhajiangmien (Chinese black bean noodles), and Sichuan-style cumin lamb. It's proof that sometimes the best Chinese restaurant is simply the good one closest to you.

Time Out tip: Specialties vary by location, so be sure to ask what their “thing” is. 

Address: Several locations

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A casual, streamlined Sichuan noodle spot from the Chengdu Taste team specializing in hand-pulled noodles that will reliably numb your tongue—with locations in SGV, West Adams, Artesia, and Rowland Heights. 

Why we love it: Legendary L.A. food writer Jonathan Gold wrote Mian “has noodles like no one else in the San Gabriel Valley.” Mala—that signature numbing, spicy quality of Sichuan peppers—remains the ultimate name of the game at Mian. Though the easily decodable menu (for both spice and numbing level) ensures the heat-averse can rest easy each time they order a bowl of Chongqing-style noodles or pick from the varied selection of hot and cold Chinese appetizers. 

Time Out tip: The West Adams location is your best bet for a quick Sichuan fix when the craving hits. Also, don’t skip the pork dumplings. 

Address: Several locations

Opening hours: Vary by location

What is it? A sleek fast-casual dim sum house with limited seating but ideal for takeout, best known for its fresh-to-order dim sum classics. 

Why we love it: Although you won’t find chicken feet on the menu, ixlb Dim Sum carries the bulk of a standard yum cha menu, including wonderfully bouncy shrimp har gow, gleaming custard-filled pineapple buns and soup dumplings individually housed in aluminum foil wrappers. Beyond dim sum, the restaurant also serves a handful of other dishes, including shrimp toast and scallion pancakes. Tablets with pictures make ordering feel the opposite of intimidating. 

Time Out tip: We’ve heard tales of people bailing out because the parking situation is insane, but we’re here to tell you there's a private (tip-based) valet parking lot in the back of the Hollywood location.

Address: 5900 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 10905 Lindbrook Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Sun 11am-9pm

What is it? A venerated Chinatown institution dating back to 1965, specializing in Hong Kong-style and Americanized Chinese cuisine. While there are now 12 sleeker outposts across the San Gabriel Valley, the OG location remains the crown jewel.

Why we love it: House special congee, Hainan chicken, and a delectable steamed Chilean sea bass in a bath of soy sauce and sesame oil are just three dishes from its hundred-item-long menu worth an order when you visit Phoenix Chinatown, where time itself almost seems to stop entirely. Good thing you have a steaming hot pot of jasmine tea to enjoy the moment. 

Time Out tip: Try the salted anchovies in steamed ground pork (ham yue jing yuk bing), cold boneless steamed chicken, and lettuce cups—these items have been on the menu for 50 years. 

Address: Original location 301 Ord St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, with offshoots across SGV

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

What is it? A Mar Vista Taiwanese comfort food neighborhood joint from chef-owner David Kuo (the mind behind Fatty Mart) slinging scallion pancakes, soup dumplings and inventive cocktails.

Why we love it: The squid ink soup dumplings—a briny, jet-black riff on the usual xiao long bao —are the signature and worth ordering your own six-piece batch. Vegetarians are more than covered, too, thanks to standouts like General Tso’s cauliflower, market greens, and Sichuan eggplant slicked with housemade chili crisp. If it’s a group outing, don’t sleep on the family-style barbecue pork platter served with pillowy steamed bao buns. 

Time Out tip: Little Fatty is an ideal low-key date spot. Last call for food is at 9:45pm, but the aptly named adjoining bar, Accomplice, keeps the cocktails flowing till midnight. Grab a seat and order from the ever-changing “bartender’s playground” menu.

Address: 3813 Grandview Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Opening hours: Daily 5–10pm

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What is it? A family-run Chinatown institution (with outposts in Pasadena and Long Beach) known for its cult-favorite slippery shrimp and a sprawling menu of Mandarin and Sichuan classics.

Why we love it: Opened in 1977 by five brothers as an homage to their hometown of Yangzhou in China, Yang Chow still rocks its old-school, no-frills charm—think diner-style booths and walls plastered with countless celebrity portraits. With more than 100 dishes, it’s the kind of place you can return to for years without repeating an order, though the slippery shrimp— lightly battered, sweet, sticky, and wildly addictive— is non-negotiable. Regulars also swear by the kung pao squid and General Tseng’s chicken.

Time Out tip: Service moves fast and the kitchen prefers one big order, but pacing yourself makes for a better meal. Grab a mai tai or lychee martini while you wait.

Address: Multiple locations, including Chinatown, Pasadena, and Long Beach. 

Opening hours: Vary by location