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House-special lobster at Newport Seafood.

22 Essential San Gabriel Valley Restaurants, 2023 Edition

Cantonese seafood, Northern Chinese noodles, and soup-filled dumplings for days.

by Matthew Kang and Mona Holmes Updated Jun 7, 2023, 4:59pm PDT

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House-special lobster at Newport Seafood.

| Cathy Chaplin

by Matthew Kang and Mona Holmes Updated Jun 7, 2023, 4:59pm PDT

The San Gabriel Valley just east of Downtown Los Angeles is a trove of incredible dining destinations. The expansive area that includes cities like Arcadia, Alhambra, Monterey Park, and San Gabriel contains some of the finest Asian restaurants in Southern California, including a significant Sichuan, Cantonese, and Vietnamese food scene. Here now, a guide to essential restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Din Tai Fung

The original landing spot in North America for this Taiwan-based chain, Din Tai Fung has relocated to inside the Westfield Santa Anita serving Shanghai-influenced xiao long bao and other stir-fried fare. In addition to dumplings, try the refreshing cold cucumber appetizer and comforting pan-fried rice cakes. There are locations in Century City and Torrance as well, both inside malls.

400 S Baldwin Ave #M5, Arcadia, CA 91007

Visit Website

A steam basket of dumplings with vegetables on square plates at a restaurant. — Dumplings and appetizers from Din Tai Fung.

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1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle

The region of Gansu might have the best noodles in all of China, with the city of Lanzhou featuring a slew of hand-cut or hand-pulled noodles served in soup or with dry spices. 1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle follows much of the same recipe as the lauded Lan Noodle in Arcadia, with similarly great broths and spice blends to make every bite interesting. Tired of “handmade pasta” and its sky-high prices? The portions and affordability of Lanzhou noodles will put a smile on your face.

148 E Duarte Rd, Arcadia, CA 91006

Visit Website

Chopsticks pulling noodles from a spicy bowl of soup. — Noodle soup from 1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle.

Dai Ho Restaurant

Known for its casual digs and amazing beef noodle soup, Dai Ho is a classic SGV cafe that only serves during lunch from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. Get there early before anything sells out, and be sure to bring cash.

9148 Las Tunas Dr, Temple City, CA 91780

A bowl of beef noodle soup from Dai Ho Restaurant.

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Bistro Na's

As the SGV’s only Michelin starred restaurant, Bistro Na’s boasts an extensive menu of palace-style fare with the ambience to match. Prices will be commensurate with the quality, but there’s no doubt that Bistro Na’s is the most upscale place to eat in San Gabriel Valley. Try the spicy dry-braised black cod served in a long oval platter.

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

Visit Website

Bistro Na’s sign.

Also featured in:

24 Essential Chinese Restaurants in Los Angeles

Tam's Noodle House

A true Cantonese all-day cafe with some of the quickest service anywhere in town. Place an order and expect everything from the kaya toast to the Hong Kong milk tea to arrive in mere seconds. Comforting bowls of shrimp wonton soup and fried rice give way to one of the best fried fish filet dishes in the SGV. The menu’s got all the hallmarks of a classic Chinese restaurant but with affordability, speed, and big portions in mind.

120 N San Gabriel Blvd #J, San Gabriel, CA 91775

Visit Website

Khaosan Thai Noodles. — Stir-fried noodles with shrimp.

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Diamond Bakery

Cantonese bakeries are numerous across SGV, but Diamond Bakery might be near the best of the bunch, with a huge array of individually wrapped pastries to egg custard tarts to full cream-filled sheet cakes.

927 E Las Tunas Dr G, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

Diamond Bakery.

Ducks Restaurant

Japanese comfort food is on full display at Ducks, a family-owned restaurant serving katsu curry, yaki udon, spicy tonkotsu ramen, and all manners of tempura at reasonable prices. It’s easily one of SGV’s most beloved and enduring Japanese restaurants. Don’t mind all the ducks on display inside the dining room.

1381 E Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

Karaage bowl at Ducks in San Gabriel.

Also featured in:

15 Essential Restaurants in San Gabriel

Golden Deli San Gabriel

Arguably the best overall Vietnamese spot in SGV, Golden Deli’s crispy, crunchy cha gio are always in demand, but everything from the bun to the pho are fantastic too. People are almost always waiting for one of the small strip mall restaurant’s coveted tables.

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815 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ewa & Jeromy Ko (@nom_life)

Newport Seafood Restaurant

With an expansive Cantonese menu with Cambodian influences, this huge standalone building in San Gabriel remains one of the region’s top overall restaurants, especially for its fresh lobster made with green onion and garlic, as well as bo luc lac.

518 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

House-special lobster at Newport Seafood.

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Jiang Nan Spring

With a wide, elegant dining room that feels grown up compared to some of its SGV rivals, Jiang Nan Spring is a Shanghai-style restaurant with a big menu and elegant cooking across the board, from the noodles to the fried rice. The kind of place to have a slightly fancier Chinese dinner if the need arises, with a menu and dining area big enough to please a crowd.

910 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

Visit Website

Jiang Nan Spring — Jiang Nan Spring.

Also featured in:

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Bistro 1968

San Gabriel Valley’s newest landmark dim sum spot might also be its best right now, with a bustling, well-designed dining room filled with eager daytime diners ordering a parade of squid ink har gow, crispy lobster rolls, and heaping bowls of congee. Bistro 1968’s specialties extend to sesame-filled peanut mochi, Iberico pork char siu, and curry-laden Singapore-style pan-fried noodles. Expect to wait during prime weekend hours.

402 S San Gabriel Blvd Ste A, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Crispy lobster roll with a side of mayonnaise. — Crispy lobster rolls from Bistro 1968.

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Yang's Kitchen

A modern Asian American restaurant with chef flourishes, seasonal ingredients, and California-inspired fare, Yang’s Kitchen has had to navigate the pandemic with some major adaptations to its menu. But the brunchy, all-day fare has some highlights, including a customizable set meal and cornmeal mochi pancakes.

112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

Visit Website

A smattering of dishes from Yang’s Kitchen in Alhambra. — Dishes from Yang’s Kitchen in Alhambra.

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Kogane

Probably SGV’s most high-end omakase destination, Kogane is a seven-seat counter that serves incredible sushi from two accomplished chefs at a starting price of $250 for dinner. Lunch time is a more approachable $100 and includes some table seating as well. A truly special experience.

Open in Google Maps

1129 S Fremont Ave Unit C, Alhambra, CA 91803

Akami, or leaner bluefin tuna in sushi form, at Kogane in Alhambra. — Akami nigiri sushi from Kogane in Alhambra.

Also featured in:

The 20 Essential Sushi Restaurants in Los Angeles

Mian

Chengdu Taste founder Tony Xu has a more casual noodle-centric restaurant just down the street from his famous Sichuan restaurant. Mian might be even better, with elegantly sauced and well-portioned dishes that can be eaten almost every day.

Open in Google Maps

301 W Valley Blvd #114-115, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

Noodles and chaoshou at Mian — Noodle dishes from Mian.

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Medan Kitchen

It’s incredible that 77-year-old Siu Chen went from home cook to restaurant owner during a pandemic. The family-run operation is now Rosemead’s hub for Indonesian fare with beef rendang, lemongrass fried chicken, and grilled pork satay. It’s a takeout model where all food is prepared and pre-packaged, so order early or walk-in and try your luck. —Mona Holmes

8518 Valley Blvd STE 102, Rosemead, CA 91770

Visit Website

Prepared food for sale at Medan Kitchen.

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Chengdu Taste

Tony Xu’s enduring Sichuan restaurant can be inconsistent with the level of spice it puts into its dishes, but when the dishes are spicy, the heat can be unrelenting (and awe-inspiring). The mung bean noodles, spicy wontons, toothpick lamb, and eggplant dishes are the highlights.

828 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Visit Website

A variety of colorful Sichuanese dishes from Chengdu Taste. — Dishes from Chengdu Taste.

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Sichuan Impression

One of the two main Sichuan restaurant powerhouses in SGV, Sichuan Impression has a way of serving polished, almost elegant regional dishes with enough spice to draw a decent of sweat on the brow. Start with the cold house special noodles and end with the mapo tofu with a bit of steamed rice.

1900 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Visit Website

Cold special noodles and steamed chicken with chili sauce at Sichuan Impression — Special noodles and cold steamed chicken from Sichuan Impression.

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Babita Mexicuisine

Babita is true throwback Mexican restaurant with white tablecloths, classic Mexican fare, and a grown-up ambience. It’s a real gem in San Gabriel Valley, a place to experience upscale Mexican food with good wine and stellar service.

Open in Google Maps

1823 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alice Wunderland (@alisyn1derland)

Gram Cafe & Pancakes Los Angeles

Fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes have been around in LA for a couple of years now, but few have perfected the format better than Osaka import Gram Cafe, serving at the ever-busy Atlantic Times Square in Monterey Park to long daytime lines. The labor-intensive process means the batter has to be constantly whipped, but the results are worth the effort, with jiggly, airy creations that come with a side of syrup and whipped cream.

Open in Google Maps

500 N Atlantic Blvd Suite 179, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Visit Website

A tattooed person holds souffle pancakes stacked on a plate at Gram Cafe and Pancakes. — Souffle pancakes.

Hue Thai Bakery & Deli

In Rosemead lies perhaps the city’s best banh mi spot, serving the platonic ratio of ingredients stuffed into a bread baked on the premises, with a choice of French roll or light baguette. Staff recommends the latter for a lighter crispness. With meaty paté, head cheese, ham, chả lụa (steamed pork sausage), and crisp pickled vegetables with the intense spice of fresh jalapeño and bright cilantro, this sandwich has it all.

8968 Garvey Ave, Rosemead, CA 91770

Bánh mì đặc biệt at Hue Thai Bakery & Deli in Rosemead.

The Hat

This classic fast-food spot makes sliced pastrami an attainable art form, with sandwiches, hot dogs, and burgers used as a format for serving the preserved brisket. The Hat has always been a reliable spot for after-school snacks and late-night munchies in the SGV.

2300 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

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The Hat.

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Delicious Food Corner

This bustling Hong Kong-style cafe in Monterey Park has a huge menu of everyday Cantonese fare, including congee and rice rolls by day and more shareable noodle dishes and stir-fries in the evening. Bring a crew and order a ton of dishes.

2325 S Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754

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Delicious Food Corner dishes overhead. — Congee and more from Delicious Food Corner.

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Din Tai Fung

400 S Baldwin Ave #M5, Arcadia, CA 91007

The original landing spot in North America for this Taiwan-based chain, Din Tai Fung has relocated to inside the Westfield Santa Anita serving Shanghai-influenced xiao long bao and other stir-fried fare. In addition to dumplings, try the refreshing cold cucumber appetizer and comforting pan-fried rice cakes. There are locations in Century City and Torrance as well, both inside malls.

400 S Baldwin Ave #M5, Arcadia, CA 91007

Visit Website

A steam basket of dumplings with vegetables on square plates at a restaurant. — Dumplings and appetizers from Din Tai Fung.

1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle

148 E Duarte Rd, Arcadia, CA 91006

The region of Gansu might have the best noodles in all of China, with the city of Lanzhou featuring a slew of hand-cut or hand-pulled noodles served in soup or with dry spices. 1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle follows much of the same recipe as the lauded Lan Noodle in Arcadia, with similarly great broths and spice blends to make every bite interesting. Tired of “handmade pasta” and its sky-high prices? The portions and affordability of Lanzhou noodles will put a smile on your face.

148 E Duarte Rd, Arcadia, CA 91006

Visit Website

Chopsticks pulling noodles from a spicy bowl of soup. — Noodle soup from 1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle.

Dai Ho Restaurant

9148 Las Tunas Dr, Temple City, CA 91780

Known for its casual digs and amazing beef noodle soup, Dai Ho is a classic SGV cafe that only serves during lunch from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. Get there early before anything sells out, and be sure to bring cash.

9148 Las Tunas Dr, Temple City, CA 91780

A bowl of beef noodle soup from Dai Ho Restaurant.

Bistro Na's

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

As the SGV’s only Michelin starred restaurant, Bistro Na’s boasts an extensive menu of palace-style fare with the ambience to match. Prices will be commensurate with the quality, but there’s no doubt that Bistro Na’s is the most upscale place to eat in San Gabriel Valley. Try the spicy dry-braised black cod served in a long oval platter.

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

Visit Website

Bistro Na’s sign.

Tam's Noodle House

120 N San Gabriel Blvd #J, San Gabriel, CA 91775

A true Cantonese all-day cafe with some of the quickest service anywhere in town. Place an order and expect everything from the kaya toast to the Hong Kong milk tea to arrive in mere seconds. Comforting bowls of shrimp wonton soup and fried rice give way to one of the best fried fish filet dishes in the SGV. The menu’s got all the hallmarks of a classic Chinese restaurant but with affordability, speed, and big portions in mind.

120 N San Gabriel Blvd #J, San Gabriel, CA 91775

Visit Website

Khaosan Thai Noodles. — Stir-fried noodles with shrimp.

Diamond Bakery

927 E Las Tunas Dr G, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Cantonese bakeries are numerous across SGV, but Diamond Bakery might be near the best of the bunch, with a huge array of individually wrapped pastries to egg custard tarts to full cream-filled sheet cakes.

927 E Las Tunas Dr G, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

Diamond Bakery.

Ducks Restaurant

1381 E Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Japanese comfort food is on full display at Ducks, a family-owned restaurant serving katsu curry, yaki udon, spicy tonkotsu ramen, and all manners of tempura at reasonable prices. It’s easily one of SGV’s most beloved and enduring Japanese restaurants. Don’t mind all the ducks on display inside the dining room.

1381 E Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

Karaage bowl at Ducks in San Gabriel.

Golden Deli San Gabriel

815 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Arguably the best overall Vietnamese spot in SGV, Golden Deli’s crispy, crunchy cha gio are always in demand, but everything from the bun to the pho are fantastic too. People are almost always waiting for one of the small strip mall restaurant’s coveted tables.

Open in Google Maps

815 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ewa & Jeromy Ko (@nom_life)

Newport Seafood Restaurant

518 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

With an expansive Cantonese menu with Cambodian influences, this huge standalone building in San Gabriel remains one of the region’s top overall restaurants, especially for its fresh lobster made with green onion and garlic, as well as bo luc lac.

518 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

House-special lobster at Newport Seafood.

Jiang Nan Spring

910 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

With a wide, elegant dining room that feels grown up compared to some of its SGV rivals, Jiang Nan Spring is a Shanghai-style restaurant with a big menu and elegant cooking across the board, from the noodles to the fried rice. The kind of place to have a slightly fancier Chinese dinner if the need arises, with a menu and dining area big enough to please a crowd.

910 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

Visit Website

Jiang Nan Spring — Jiang Nan Spring.

Bistro 1968

402 S San Gabriel Blvd Ste A, San Gabriel, CA 91776

San Gabriel Valley’s newest landmark dim sum spot might also be its best right now, with a bustling, well-designed dining room filled with eager daytime diners ordering a parade of squid ink har gow, crispy lobster rolls, and heaping bowls of congee. Bistro 1968’s specialties extend to sesame-filled peanut mochi, Iberico pork char siu, and curry-laden Singapore-style pan-fried noodles. Expect to wait during prime weekend hours.

402 S San Gabriel Blvd Ste A, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Crispy lobster roll with a side of mayonnaise. — Crispy lobster rolls from Bistro 1968.

Yang's Kitchen

112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

A modern Asian American restaurant with chef flourishes, seasonal ingredients, and California-inspired fare, Yang’s Kitchen has had to navigate the pandemic with some major adaptations to its menu. But the brunchy, all-day fare has some highlights, including a customizable set meal and cornmeal mochi pancakes.

112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

Visit Website

A smattering of dishes from Yang’s Kitchen in Alhambra. — Dishes from Yang’s Kitchen in Alhambra.

Kogane

1129 S Fremont Ave Unit C, Alhambra, CA 91803

Probably SGV’s most high-end omakase destination, Kogane is a seven-seat counter that serves incredible sushi from two accomplished chefs at a starting price of $250 for dinner. Lunch time is a more approachable $100 and includes some table seating as well. A truly special experience.

Open in Google Maps

1129 S Fremont Ave Unit C, Alhambra, CA 91803

Akami, or leaner bluefin tuna in sushi form, at Kogane in Alhambra. — Akami nigiri sushi from Kogane in Alhambra.

Mian

301 W Valley Blvd #114-115, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Chengdu Taste founder Tony Xu has a more casual noodle-centric restaurant just down the street from his famous Sichuan restaurant. Mian might be even better, with elegantly sauced and well-portioned dishes that can be eaten almost every day.

Open in Google Maps

301 W Valley Blvd #114-115, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Visit Website

Noodles and chaoshou at Mian — Noodle dishes from Mian.

Medan Kitchen

8518 Valley Blvd STE 102, Rosemead, CA 91770

It’s incredible that 77-year-old Siu Chen went from home cook to restaurant owner during a pandemic. The family-run operation is now Rosemead’s hub for Indonesian fare with beef rendang, lemongrass fried chicken, and grilled pork satay. It’s a takeout model where all food is prepared and pre-packaged, so order early or walk-in and try your luck. —Mona Holmes

8518 Valley Blvd STE 102, Rosemead, CA 91770

Visit Website

Prepared food for sale at Medan Kitchen.

Related Maps

Chengdu Taste

828 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Tony Xu’s enduring Sichuan restaurant can be inconsistent with the level of spice it puts into its dishes, but when the dishes are spicy, the heat can be unrelenting (and awe-inspiring). The mung bean noodles, spicy wontons, toothpick lamb, and eggplant dishes are the highlights.

828 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Visit Website

A variety of colorful Sichuanese dishes from Chengdu Taste. — Dishes from Chengdu Taste.

Sichuan Impression

1900 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

One of the two main Sichuan restaurant powerhouses in SGV, Sichuan Impression has a way of serving polished, almost elegant regional dishes with enough spice to draw a decent of sweat on the brow. Start with the cold house special noodles and end with the mapo tofu with a bit of steamed rice.

1900 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Visit Website

Cold special noodles and steamed chicken with chili sauce at Sichuan Impression — Special noodles and cold steamed chicken from Sichuan Impression.

Babita Mexicuisine

1823 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Babita is true throwback Mexican restaurant with white tablecloths, classic Mexican fare, and a grown-up ambience. It’s a real gem in San Gabriel Valley, a place to experience upscale Mexican food with good wine and stellar service.

Open in Google Maps

1823 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alice Wunderland (@alisyn1derland)

Gram Cafe & Pancakes Los Angeles

500 N Atlantic Blvd Suite 179, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes have been around in LA for a couple of years now, but few have perfected the format better than Osaka import Gram Cafe, serving at the ever-busy Atlantic Times Square in Monterey Park to long daytime lines. The labor-intensive process means the batter has to be constantly whipped, but the results are worth the effort, with jiggly, airy creations that come with a side of syrup and whipped cream.

Open in Google Maps

500 N Atlantic Blvd Suite 179, Monterey Park, CA 91754