The slop bowl is alive and well in L.A.’s ever-shrinking weekday lunch landscape, but the well-composed, health-conscious renditions are notable at this fast-casual Chinese American restaurant from Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng, the couple behind Santa Monica’s now-closed Cassia. Combos (two bases, two vegetables and a main) start at $13, with upgrades for premium proteins like garlic chili shrimp, a lomo saltado-inspired beef and broccoli, and Sichuan-flavored spicy minced lamb. For Ng, Jade Rabbit also represents a culinary homecoming; both his parents and grandparents operated Chinese restaurants in the L.A. area. After decades of upscale cooking, the Chinese American chef is bringing it all back with Jade Rabbit. I also enjoyed the almond roca chocolate chip cookie and Cantonese-style lemon iced tea. Everything I tried on the main menu was delicious, and some of it was even healthy; most importantly, however, everything I tried was affordable.
At a time when dining out is more expensive than ever, it’s places like Jade Rabbit that represent the sweet spot for the average diner, offering a little cheffy flair without breaking the bank. For those on the Westside, it’s a worthy way to spend your lunch break and a great spot to pick up dinner on the way home.