Popular Sichuan Restaurant Closes Its Rosemead Location After Five Years

Welcome to Meanwhile in the SGV, monthly updates from the San Gabriel Valley from Eater’s roving reporter Jim Thurman. This month, Chengdu Taste closes its second-ever location in LA and rice noodle rolls continue to sprout up around the SGV.

Rosemead— The second branch of acclaimed Sichuan restaurant Chengdu Taste has closed. Opened in August 2014, it often provided shorter waits than the perpetually packed original Alhambra location. The replacement is Mr. Dragon Noodle House, which touts their special beef tripe noodle soup among a rather Pan-Chinese menu. 8526 Valley Blvd., Suite 108-109

Jim Thurman

San Gabriel— After an absence of two years, Shanghainese restaurant Wang Jia has returned at a new location. Formerly on San Gabriel Blvd., the restaurant has taken over the space of another Shanghainese restaurant, Emperor Noodle. 800 W. Las Tunas Dr., Suite 300

Jim Thurman

San Gabriel— Rice noodle rolls are having their moment in the SGV, with new restaurant openings focusing on the dish. New to Hilton Plaza is the first local outlet of Chinese chain Yin Ji Chang Fen. Specializing is rice noodle rolls (chang fen) and congees, the chain dates back many years in China. It replaces solid Hunan restaurant Xiang Wei Lou, which was around for more than a decade. 227 W. Valley Blvd., Suite 118-A

Hacienda Heights— Food from Northwestern China is served at Like Xinjiang Taste. Look for an extensive skewer menu, samosas and a couple of chicken dishes, including big plate chicken. It replaces Blisschi Pot. 15827 Gale Ave.

Monterey Park— Signage is up in front of the former Empress Harbor Seafood announcing that Tang Gong Seafood is coming soon. No word on opening date. 111 N. Atlantic Blvd., Suite 350

San Gabriel— Santa Ana’s Tasty Zone has opened an SGV outlet in the former Jackpot Hot Pot. The restaurant features both well-known and some fairly unique Sichuan-style dishes. 523 S. San Gabriel Blvd.

Alhambra— A Hong Kong café arrives on Main Street with the opening of The Bay Café, run by the same folks that operate Rosemead’s Bay Island Café. Look for a typically broad HK-café menu of Cantonese and Western fare, breakfasts and lunch and late night specials. It replaces the short-lived Mr. Fish. 39 W. Main St.

Monterey Park— Gourmet BBQ has taken over the space last held by No. 1 LA BBQ. Skewers and Dongbei-style food, like pickled napa cabbage soup/stew, are on the menu. 429 W. Garvey Ave.

El Monte— Bun bo Hue and other fare from the Central Vietnamese city of Hue feature at 5 Stars Hue. It replaces another Vietnamese restaurant, Thon Vy. 10053 Valley Blvd.

Arcadia— New to Arcadia, Taiwanese chain Apartment Li-Xiang features a small menu focusing on beef noodle soups, dumplings and appetizers. It replaces Souper Bowl, which served individual Taiwanese-style hot pots. 411 E. Huntington Dr., Suite 101D

Arcadia— Lanzhou-style beef noodle soup is the specialty at Lan Noodle. Six different types of noodles, hand-pulled on site, are available. With the recent loss of Alhambra’s China Tasty, this provides another option for Lanzhou-style noodles. 411 E. Huntington Dr., Suite 102

Rowland Heights— The cleverly named Cow Up offers skewers and other dishes in a nice space for parties, with a big screen for music or sports. It’s also open until 1:30 AM on weekend nights. 18888 Labin Ct.

Rowland Heights— Hong Kong-style Victory Café has replaced the eastern branch of EMC Seafood & Raw Bar. 19101 Colima Rd.

• All San Gabriel Valley Coverage [ELA]