So, in response to a RFC (Request for Chinese) food that I just received, here are a list of a couple of my favorite restaurants as well as things to order when you arrive. I’m assuming family-style dining, where you can order at least 4 dishes and share. An order of steamed rice is assumed.
Sichuan (or Szechuan, if you prefer):
Oriental Pearl $
621 W. Main St. (Atlantic Blvd.)
Alhambra, CA 91801
626-281-1898
- I originally heard of this restaurant during an interview on NPR, so go figure. Having been to Beijing and eaten “ma-la” dishes, where your tongue goes simultaneously numb and hot, I was disappointed to return to the states and not be able to find authentic Sichuan cooking. This restaurant seems small, but packs a punch and is probably the closest to authentic that you can get. Not super cheap, but great, great value.
Order recommendations:
Water Boiled Beef or Fish (or ask for combination) – try to get this one as spicy as possible, and ask for ma-la flavor if you can.
Mapo Tofu – Probably the best mapo tofu around. A very common dish done right, extremely spicy as well.
Spicy Crispy Chicken (sp?) I’m not sure what this is called on the menu. It should be little crispy chunks of chicken in a bed of red peppers. Pretty good.
Kung Pao Chicken – very different from American style KP chicken.
Chinese cabbage or broccoli – good to balance out the spicyness with veggies.
To drink: the watermelon blended drink is pure, not-to-sweet watermelon, that really helps to cool you off during the dinner. It’s big.
Shanghai
Green City $$
(not sure if this address is accurate)
140 W. Valley Blvd #207
San Gabriel, CA 91776′
My friend and I drag our companions to this place often for the incredible specialty dishes that are available. It’s a little harder to recommend what to order, since i’m not sure of the english names of the dishes, but you can always ask the wait staff to help since they’re fluent in English. Prices are a little higher than your typical Chinese restaurant, but it’s absolutely worth it, with incredible taste and nice ambience. This is in Focus Plaza, on the second floor above Sam Woo.
Order Recommendations:
1 – Salted fried fish – in a tempura-like batter, this is one of their specialties. It comes out like incredibly delicate fish sticks with some salt for rubbing or dashing. My favorite dish there.
Braised (Hong-Shao style) tofu – this tofu is braised in a sweet red sauce, and is delicious.
Crab meat dumplings – kinda foggy on this one. Just order one of the Shanghai-style steamed dumplings, and don’t forget to dip them in a spoon of vinegar first.
Wu-ti ribs – I think it actually says “Wu-Ti” on the menu. These are some great rib chunks.
Any veggie – it’s good to eat vegetables!
Mei Long Village $$
301 W. Valley Blvd., No. 112,
San Gabriel
Great ambience and food, but definitely upscale and pricier than your average Chinese restaurant. If you’re really feeling like beef though, this is your spot. Great shanghai-style dumplings, and make sure to get the pork pump and dip sweet rolls in it. Mmm. It’s in the back left corner of a plaza on the north side of Valley.
Order recommendations:
Pork Pump – a huge thigh of pork just falling off the bone, with plenty of delicious pork fat.
Sweet rolls – these come out hot and fresh from the oven, and are perfect for dipping with the pork pump.
Shanghai-style dumplings – again, get the soft, steamed dumplings.
Any veggie – balance out the pork pump with some vegetables.
There are a few of my favorites. Leave a comment if you visit a restaurant and try any of my recommendations!
Food
