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    China Express

    3.2 (250 reviews)
    InexpensiveChinese
    Open 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

    China Express Photos

    Business Info

    CHINA EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - China Express

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    Shrimp W.lobster Sa
    Alethea A.

    Very fast service, tasty shrimp in lobster sauce, came with rice and more than 1 shrimp per $! (I don't know if that's typical). Fed 2 people for ~$18. And I didn't break out in hives which happens occasionally when shrimp aren't fresh/cleaned properly. Definitely a takeout kinda spot though (there are only 4 tables, 2 in and 2 out). Do the business a favor and pay cash.

    Menu September 2023
    Thomas K.

    Got the Mongolian beef during their lunch special. It was just ok. You get a heavy container with a lot of food. But the rice and onions are filler. Not too much meat. Very oily. Each onion piece was coated in oil. The flavor was just ok. Not terrible but not great. I want to like and support this place. It has a small business mom and pop feel to it. The food however was not worth making my way here again for. It would be like a no name chinese stand at the food court of a mall. I didnt hate it but didnt love it. Solid 3 stars

    Kung Pao Three Flavored
    Kendra P.

    How have I lived in Pasadena all these years and never even heard of this place is beyond me. My husband drove by it one day and thought that we should try it, so we got takeout one night. I would say best affordable, quick Chinese food in the area. Huge portions and everything was made to order, not sitting under a heat lamp. The food was so hot it still was too hot to eat once we got it home. They pack the to go containers to the brim, we had serval meals for leftovers. The people there, I would have to assume are the owners are very nice people. The place is small and I would mostly think people come for the takeout. I will definitely be going back again when I have that craving for Chinese food.

    China Express Chicken Broccoli .

    Went for a bike ride in El Prieto , was really hungry for Chinese food I googled and read a few reviews . Five minutes later I was ordering Chicken Broccolli. Not in the menu, but I heard the lady before me order it. The broccolli was perfectly cooked (not soft nor mushy nor hard) just the right soft crunch moist with egg drop soup flavor . The chicken was sliced in a way that I thought it was fish, but as my mouth encapsulated it , it was indeed a delicious soft chicken with the light sauce (like an egg drop soup flavor) from the broccoli that mixed to the chicken. The Side of fried rice had just enough light saltiness to pop out tha complemented the veggie and chicken. There was also in in a small bag a spring roll delightfully light and didn't seem greasy plus a crunchy wonton . A garlic pepper sauce was included but I would have preferred a slightly , crunchy toasted chile oil or toasted garlic sesame oil. No Diet Coke in cans only in bottle. BUT for $13 this was something I would drive from West Hollywood to Altadena! I pinned China Express in my map!

    Shrimp with China peas lunch speacial. (Egg roll not shown)

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Love it here, I will definitely come here again and again. The food is nice and the service is quick.

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    3 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    They get your order wrong say their going to replace it like any other restaurant would and they want you to pay again

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    3 years ago

    Food is amazing always fresh and hot! Recommend yess Ona scale 1-10 10love it will I go back yes definitely..

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Best Chinese food in Pasadena, food is always made fresh to order and has been a staple in this community for decades.

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Very good food...every time I come food is fresh no complaints...good prices and good portions

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I never leave reviews for anything, but the food I ordered was absolutely awful. Please do yourself the favor a don't order anything here.

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Food is okay nothing fancy or gourmet but is average Chinesse food not bad not delicious just regular!

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    9 years ago

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    Page 2 of 7

    Ask the Community - China Express

    Are they open now?

    Yes. 11:30-8:30pm

    Is China Express closed? I've been trying to go for the last week!

    Why is it closed

    Do they use MSG?

    Probably but it's good! Just drink lots of water after

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    People searched for Chinese 193,387 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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    Woon

    Woon

    4.0
    (259 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    finally tried woon pasadena! we ended up ordering a second scallion pancake because it was so fresh…read moreand crispy! mama's five spice chicken wings - super juicy, the flavor was sooo good! beef noodles - really hearty, and delicious scallion pancakes - WARM AND CRISPY AND SOFT AND FRESH must get! veggie fried rice - loved the mushrooms and broccoli stems chinese pickled cabbage - nice acidity! overall very fun, good came out very quickly after ordering at the front! decor inside is really cool, overall loved the vibes

    I ordered delivery so this is strictly based on the food and not the service or actual location…read more I got the beef noodles and order of the scallion pancakes as those got the most reviews and appeared to be the most popular dishes. I also love a good beef noodle dish and scallion pancakes. I had high hopes and boy was I disappointed. The portion is about the most mediocre I've ever seen. The beef noodle dish was $18 and what I got was basically a side dish. Like 6 slices of beef and 1 small bunch of bok choy. The char was pretty good but holy smokes did I feel ripped off. The scallion pancake was prob even worse because not only was it a ripoff at $10 for like 6 small pieces (prob made up 1 whole pancake), it was bland and oily. No scallion flavor at all. I have major regrets to the point where I'm actually mad which doesn't happen often. I would never purchase from here again. I get costs are high especially for food but I felt like I was robbed. I am more than willing to pay for quality but there also has to be some element of worth. And absolutely not worth it.

    Photos
    Our table
    Our table
    Pickled Chinese cabbage, don't like it
    Pickled Chinese cabbage, don't like it
    Bacon fried rice

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    Bacon fried rice
    Noodle St

    Noodle St

    4.4
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$
    Women-owned & operated
    Kid friendly

    Noodle Street is one of those places that always hits perfectly on a cool or rainy day. There is…read moresomething about a big, comforting bowl of noodles there that just feels right. My go-to is the beef noodle soup with knife-cut noodles, and I love the meaty beef rib. The broth is comforting, the noodles have that great chewy texture, and the beef is exactly what I want when I am craving something warm and filling. I keep telling myself I should branch out and try more of their noodle dishes, but my heart simply cannot say no to the beef noodle soup. I have also had the dumplings and beef rolls before, and both are good as well. The place can get full, but it is always worth it and genuinely never disappoints. Overall, Noodle Street is a reliable favorite for a cozy meal, especially when the weather calls for something warm, hearty, and satisfying.

    Had a great experience at Noodle St Pasadena. The food and service were both really good, and I…read moreloved being able to see the cooks making the noodles fresh to order. The quality was solid, and everything came out hot. The chicken wings were great, the garlic green beans and cucumber salad were amazing, and the signature spicy ramen was really good too. It was a bit greasy, almost like birria, but the meat was tender and the broth tasted like it had been cooking for 48 hours deep, rich, and full of flavor. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is the Korean beef. It was way too sweet and didn't really give Korean BBQ flavor. The meat seemed more steamed than grilled, and not even vinegar or chili oil could save it for me. Other than that, everything else was fresh, flavorful, and worth coming back for.

    Photos
    Stir Fry Noodles with Tofu ($15.80) - onions, spinach, bell peppers and carrots. With triangle noodles.
    Stir Fry Noodles with Tofu ($15.80) - onions, spinach, bell peppers and carrots. With triangle noodles.
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Beef Stir-Fry Noodles

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    Beef Stir-Fry Noodles
    Mama Lu’s Dumpling House

    Mama Lu’s Dumpling House

    3.8
    (429 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Mama Lu Dumpling House is my favorite Chinese spot in the area. The dumplings are amazing, which is…read moreexactly what you hope for when going to a place known for them. You really cannot go wrong with the xiao long bao, steamed buns, or any of their other dumpling offerings. Beyond the dumplings, they have a lot of other dishes I really enjoy. Some of my favorites are the beef rolls, spicy wontons, green onion pancake, chow fun, orange chicken, and chow mein noodles. The noodles are especially good and, importantly, not overly greasy or oily, which can sometimes be an issue at other places. The prices are also competitive, especially considering the portions and quality of the food. It is the kind of place where you can order a good spread, share a bunch of dishes, and feel like you got a solid meal for the money. I also love that they bring out sugared peanuts when you sit down. It is a small touch, but a really nice one. The restaurant has plenty of seating, though service can be a bit slow at times, so good luck flagging down a waiter when it gets busy. You can also tell they are a high-volume dumpling restaurant because there is often steam in the dining room, which can make the restaurant feel a little warm at times. A couple of practical heads-ups: the tables are on the smaller side and can get crowded quickly if you order a lot of dishes, so just be mindful if you are planning to feast. You will also likely need to park in one of the structures around the area, but there is a large parking structure right across the street and plenty of parking options around Old Town. Overall, Mama Lu is a great spot with excellent dumplings, solid noodles, competitive prices, and a menu that keeps me coming back. Definitely one of my go-to places in Pasadena.

    This is one of my go-to spots in Pasadena. The Shanghai rice cake is one of my favorite dishes of…read moreall time, perfectly chewy and well-balanced with the sauce. It's not mushy like the usual rice cakes you get compared to other places. The spicy wontons were light in spice, which is exactly how I like them. The XLBs are always a hit and perfect for sharing. The staff was attentive, and there are plenty of parking spaces around. Super spacious compared to the MPK location.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    French beef stir fry
    French beef stir fry
    Green Onion Pancake

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    Green Onion Pancake
    Yang Chow

    Yang Chow

    3.8
    (715 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    Upon recommendation, I decided to visit this restaurant with a friend. We really enjoyed the…read moreslippery shrimp ($24.50) and Szechuan (orange) chicken ($22.50). Bowls of steamed rice cost $2.50, and we each got one. Portions are generously large and worth the cost; we took leftovers home. The tea offered to us tasted good. The slippery shrimp had a nice crisp with a pleasant blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. There's a slight spice from the red chili that felt mild on my tongue. This was our first time trying out the dish, and we liked it the most. The orange chicken tasted solid, and it had a slightly crispy texture. For some reason, the rice had an aftertaste I wasn't familiar with, but it was still fresh. There was a fortune cookie at the end of our meal. I'd come back for the slippery shrimp and order something other than the orange chicken. The restaurant opened at 11:30 am, and we were one of the first customers to dine in. The ambience was quiet and relaxed, but they got busier as many more people arrived. Service was good as the staff packed our leftovers in containers for us. Our server asked us where we were from as he was used to seeing regulars during the time we visited. Before we exited, we took some time to see framed photos of celebrities who visited Yang Chow before, including Conan O'Brien and Magic Johnson.

    We've been loyal customers of Yang Chow for over 20 years, but we will never give the Pasadena…read morelocation another dime. We placed a large order including slippery shrimp, Szechuan beef, and wonton soup, but the chicken lo mein arrived with charred pieces and tasted terribly burnt. ​When we called, the manager, Phil, was incredibly rude. He demanded we drive 30 minutes back just to return the noodles for a refund, defensively asking, "What else do you expect me to give you?" When we tried to reason with him and reminded him of our 20-year loyalty, Phil literally said, "That's not my problem," and "I don't care." ​Everyone knows that businesses are struggling in this economy, and a manager with this kind of attitude is definitely not making things any better for the restaurant. It makes zero sense to treat a 20-year regular like a scammer over a side of noodles. Phil's horrific attitude and total lack of accountability just cost them a lifelong customer. Avoid this location.

    Photos
    Entrance
    Entrance
    Shrimp with lobster sauce
    Shrimp with lobster sauce
    Our spread

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    Our spread
    Lunasia Dim Sum House

    Lunasia Dim Sum House

    3.8
    (2.5k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Overview: convenient kiosk ordering, tough parking, delicious dim sum…read more ---- We decided to order some dim sum to-go and got the classic offerings of siu mai, har gow, cheung fun, chicken feet, pan fried turnip cake, ginger beef tripe, black bean pork short ribs, and egg tarts. Everything, and I mean everything, was so delicious. One of the best dim sum places I've been to. The pricing of the items ranged from $8-$10 per item we ordered which is expensive but as a treat every once in a while and for the amount of time and effort that goes into making dim sum, it was worth it. I've tried making dim sum at home and it is so hard! Pricing breakdown: $8 items: - har gow (4 pcs) - siu mai (4 pcs) - black bean spare rib - pan fried turnip cake - egg custard $9 items: - chicken feet $10 items: - shrimp rice noodle roll I think they no longer have the tripe on their menu anymore bc I couldn't find it on their online ordering. Also their chili oil was priced at $0.98, which was kind of small, I would do without it next time. ---- The parking was really tough, luckily I had another person with me drop me off then I ordered and then we double parked waiting for it to be finished. The inside of the restaurant felt like an elevated dim sum place, things were neat and a darker ambiance which felt more intimate if you decided to eat in. We took ours to-go and it was still so good! ---- Overall: if I'm ever back in Pasadena I'll be sure to stop by for dim sum, classic dishes with an elevated taste, pricey but worth it

    Perfect family dim sum experience for us…read more We took out my parents and in-laws for dim sum: my parents' very first time ever. We did wait about an hour, but honestly I didn't mind at all because it gave us a chance to relax, talk, and catch up as a family. Once we were seated, my parents were immediately impressed with the decor: elegant and cultural without feeling overly modern or cold. And can we talk about the tea kettles? They looked like literal pieces of art being poured at the table. Ordering was super easy with the QR code system, so my husband handled the whole spread: shumai dumplings, chicken feet, sesame balls, and more. Everything came out hot, fresh, and beautifully plated. The ENTIRE table agreed on one thing: the chili oil condiment deserves to be sold in bottles to take home. It was that good. Smoky, just the right amount of spicy, and addictive. Now for the real test: my in-laws. They've been to *many* dim sum places and are not easily impressed. They declared this place to have the best chicken feet that they've ever had: meat easily sucked off the bone, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and perfectly seasoned. High praise coming from dim sum veterans. Most importantly, my parents' first dim sum experience couldn't have been better. They loved everything from the ambiance to the food to the overall experience. My husband and I want to come back to explore more of the menu because there's clearly so much more to try

    Photos
    The outside of the restaurant.
    The outside of the restaurant.
    Back of the restaurant with plenty of parking.
    Back of the restaurant with plenty of parking.
    Nice, modern look and feel

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    Nice, modern look and feel
    Sichuan Street Food

    Sichuan Street Food

    4.5
    (104 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    I've been coming here at least once a week for the past five months, and this place continues to…read moreimpress every single time. The service is consistently great... attentive, efficient, and genuinely welcoming. Fair warning for anyone new to Sichuan cuisine, the dominant flavor is "spicy". That said, the dishes are not just about heat... they're layered, aromatic, and incredibly well-balanced. Every dish I've tried has been outstanding, both in flavor and presentation. If you're a fan of bold, authentic flavors and reliable service, this spot is definitely worth visiting. Tip - If you're new to the cuisine, I strongly recommend getting everything MILD spicy. I've been told by some of my colleagues that MILD spicy is still pretty spicy, so be warned. With that said, strongly recommend the dishes below. Lamb with Cumin 11/10 - My favorite dish here by far. Aromatic, flavorful, and the spices are just on point. Dan Dan Noodles 9/10 - Solid and consistently good. The sauce is properly seasoned and truly compliments the perfectly cooked noodles. Shredded Cabbage with Pork 9/10 - Not to be confused with twice cooked pork. This dish is so simple and bland looking, but it's packed with flavor... so good! Garlic Pork Belly 8/10 - This is a cold dish. The meat was perfectly cooked and properly coated in chili oil. Solid and consistently good. Kung Pao Chicken 8/10 - In my opinion, it's an elevated Kung Pao Chicken. Solid and consistently good.

    This place is crazy good. When you think of Szechuan food you're probably thinking SPICE, but you…read morecan adjust the heat of most of the dishes here so you're not frying your tongue off. It can get really busy, though, so expect to wait or just call in your order and take your food to go. I recommend the soy sauce tofu with beef dish. It's fire. Massive W. Gen Z words. Good.

    Photos
    Sichuan Street Food
    Orange Chicken
    Orange Chicken
    Rice- comes with the dish

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    Rice- comes with the dish
    Panda Inn

    Panda Inn

    4.1
    (2.1k reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$
    Takeout during COVID-19
    Delivery during COVID-19

    There's a parking lot that is free for 3 hours with validation from the restaurant. We had…read morereservation and were seated immediately. Our waiter was Jacob and he was great. Soft spoken and kind, we were very at ease with him. The restaurant itself was beautiful and the couches are very comfortable, which was a huge plus. The ginger ale is made in house and is many tiers higher than Canada Dry. We ordered the Panda Beef and the Panda Inn Special because it was our first time there and why not? Lean in to what their specials are. Both dishes were amazing. The Panda Inn Special featured large plump bites of lobster, chicken, and shrimp, with a medley of vegetables and smaller pieces of pork. The Panda Beef was shockingly amazing with crisp and flavorful slices of beef. We finished up dinner with Chocolate Lava Cake and the Warm Rice Pudding, the latter of which is also made in house. Both were a very great end to the dinner. Other notes that were very appreciated: - the checkbook and how nice it looked -they took the parking ticket with the check so we didn't have to go validate it ourselves - white rice is free? - the bar had an automatic wine glass shiner that was fun to look at - take out bag has a very luxury feel to it

    The best dinner we ever had. All food are very good and specially the sushi are excellent made by…read moreChef Ian. Thanks to Manager Kenny, Maureen and Tony for great service.

    Photos
    COVID-19 Practices and Procedures
    COVID-19 Practices and Procedures
    COVID-19 Practices and Procedures
    COVID-19 Practices and Procedures
    Panda Inn

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    China Express - chinese - Updated July 2026

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