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This place a little hidden. But, if you find it. You definitely will not regret coming.. They are welcoming, asked how we found them..We actually found it on Instagram. The location is not super fancy. But, we didn't come for that. We came for the food. Not getting to the food. The food is, fresh and flavorful. The portion is a good size. Justin the owner was very nice and wish him the best. He told me he makes the chili oil himself. Which I could not leave without grabbing one.
Sizzling plate dishes combining meat of choice with noodles and sauce of choice, either mushroom or black pepper. Plates come with soup or salad and garlic bread, and all dishes also available as rice plates with 2 sides. Taiwanese comfort food!
This is a small hidden spot in a business plaza. The beef noodle soup portion was pretty large and the meat was tender. The flavor was intense and different. It came with a side of pickled veggies. The chili wontons were bomb. The chili crisp was delicious. I could just have ordered a few of these for lunch. The chicken steak was interesting. I like the idea of the sizzling plate but the sauce was not my favorite.
Came here as a party of 3 on Saturday around dinner time and the place was pretty full. We ordered the lu rou fan, coulotte steak, and pork meatball vermicelli noodles. Lu rou fan 4/5: todays side dishes were curry and zucchini. The side dishes of the day change every day. The meat on the rice was a bit fatty. The zucchini was pretty ok and so was the curry. The tea egg was super flavorful and the best part of the dish imo. Coulotte steak 3.5/5: this came with some garlic bread pieces and some corn soup. The corn soup was kinda starchy and the meat was also pretty standard. Pork meatball vermicelli noodles 2/5 : probably the most basic. The meatballs were a bit hard and the noodles were meh. Overall probably wont come back but i overheard some others enjoying their food so maybe I just ordered the wrong things.
Having spent 18 years of my life in Taiwan, I have to say I am very happy with the food here. We ordered the teppan meal dual set with fish and pork as this Taiwanese item is hard to find in most Taiwanese restaurants. If you're not familiar with what a Taiwanese teppan is, it's basically a cooked piece of meat served on a cast iron plate (called a teppan, which literally means "iron board") with spaghetti noodles and a sunny side up egg. This is served alongside a choice of black pepper or mushroom sauce on the side, which you then drizzle over your food prior to digging in. This teppan meal is always prefaced with a bowl of corn soup, a lettuce salad with a thousand island-like dressing, and garlic toast. Needless to say, formosan restaurant did this just like in Taiwan! We got our corn soup, thousand island dressed lettuce, as well as garlic toast first. Then after we had finished munching on our appetizers, the sizzling hot teppan plate arrived with the sauce on the side. I was so excited they did it right (not to mention super nostagic)! Our pork and fish meat were both seasoned well (not overly salty, since it's meant to be eaten with sauce) and cooked right. There was no tough or chewy meats here. Wonderful! The only one slight modification I would make is that I found my mixed sauce a tad on the sweet end. Nevertheless, it was still tasty. After we had finished 90% of our meal, my friend still wanted a few more items so we added chili oil wonton, and pork braised rice (lwu rou fan), both were delicious and hard to stop eating. Our party of three left very satisfied. On top of that, we felt very taken care of as our waitress was super diligent about keeping our waters refilled, checking up on us, and clearing out empty plates. This is the least Taiwanese thing about this place, haha, but in a good way of course. Can't wait to come back!
Formosan's food is always consistent. Same goes to the service. Whether they get super busy or you're the only one there, they give you the same level of curiosity and service. The menu is both English and Mandarin with plenty of pictures to help you decide. You can order in English or Mandarin. The place is clean just right for a Taiwanese restaurant. The sizzling plates are always a hit. I always get the meat with fish with pepper and mushroom sauce. It comes with soup and salad and garlic bread on the side, just like in Taiwan. Since that's my to- go dish. Never a miss. Being adventurous this time, I got a rice dish instead. It came with veggies, curry and minced meat on top of the rice. I've seen different combinations of veggies and side dish. Don't be picky- trust the chef. Unfortunately there's not many Taiwanese restaurants in this city that's worth trying. This place is definitely a hit. I'm glad this one is still standing.
Found this place on IG. Always knew this restaurant was around the area but never got to try it but new ownership seemed to spell new menu items. Was drawn to the teppan Taiwanese steak. This is something endearing to me as I used to eat this in Taiwan and very nostalgic. Ordered the New York steak teppan. The meat was nicely cooked. What was the highlight was the very rich and flavorful mushroom and black pepper sauce. Topped with an egg and noodles. This hit home. Remember this was very close to the flavor you can find in Taiwan. Also had the fried rice and minced pork rice. Overall the teppan was the winner. Just for that I would come back and highly recommend for any Taiwanese steak cravings.
Updating my review! I haven't been to Formosan in years and saw some high reviews. I decided to try it again and happy to report the quality and taste is back. They have a new owner and I saw huge improvements in the menu, dishes, and service. Everything was fantastic. The food at the restaurant tastes pretty close to the flavors of Taiwan. Appetizers: special taiwanese sausage, fried tofu, and popcorn chicken are my favorites! Entree: pork chop sizzling platter with mixed sauce and spaghetti. This also came with 2 slices of garlic bread, a small salad, and small corn chowder Drink: love the Thai tea
I'm always down for chili wontons. When a new place popped up in my feed, I scheduled a visit. I got off work at 2pm but started freaking out because they close at 230pm and reopen at 5! I was gonna miss my chance for a sit down experience...so I reluctantly called and ordered them for pickup. I had to go to Sprouts nearby so I decided to eat them in my car before going in since eating them at home would take too long and they wouldn't be fresh anymore. I must've had the best 15 mins of my life in my car. The wontons were SO GOOD. The chili oil wasn't super hot, and they also sell it in store! I plan to go back and (sadly) order to go again, but I plan on buying a jar of that chili oil! A must try. Still want that sit down experience so I will have to plan a weekend venture there soon.
Came here to try the Taiwanese steaks. Had these as a child in the night market but never liked the noodles so happy to see the rice substitute. The corn soup was pretty good. Flavor was light and needed to be slightly sweeter or salter. The salad is your typical iceberg with thousand island dress and the bread was nicely toasted. Next came the steak which was good and big portion as well. Had the mixed sauce but might try just the pepper next time. The oyster omelette was pretty spot on but just needed more sauce. Service was great with the water coming by several times. We'll need to come back for the rice plate dishes.
Found this restaurant based on the Yelp reviews. I have to say the reviews were true. The chicken & pasta on the sizzling plate was super authentic and delicious. Everything we ordered was amazing and exceeded our expectations. So glad that we found this gem in the neighborhood. Will definitely come back again soon.
I absolutely love this place. Not only is it nostalgia wrapped up in a chicken steak, the service is great and they give huge portions! Everything is so well seasoned and I feel very safe and cozy when I eat this. It's hard to find the old Taiwanese griddle-esque meals and not only is this one, but it is done so well. Please support this local gem!!
Formosan Restaurant is a small Taiwanese steakhouse that offers your steak of choice served with a flavorful sauce over your choice of rice or spaghetti. I chose a coulotte steak (aka picanha) over spaghetti with black pepper sauce ($20.95) and it comes with 2 pieces of garlic toast, corn soup, and a small side salad. I thought value was pretty good, the black pepper sauce was nice and peppery, and I liked having it with some spaghetti. It reminded me of when I was a teenager eating this in the SGV with my Taiwanese friends. They say that they use choice grade steaks here and the steak was cooked to my preferred level of doneness (medium). It was refreshing to have steak prepped taiwanese style, but I would rate it as 3 stars (A-OK). It was essentially what I was looking for: simple and satisfying, but not extraordinary. My wife had their pork chow mein, which she felt was lighter on flavor than my chosen dish. I think that she would order something different if we were to return.
1 year ago
Formosan Restaurant is a cozy Taiwanese restaurant in an unassuming plaza with several other restaurants. My partner and I have been here a few times and always enjoy our meals here. Sad to see that their last day is May 11th. Would highly recommend people to try before their last day. Our latest visit was during lunchtime on a weekday. We were greeted upon entering and were told to choose whichever table we wanted. We ordered a Wintermelon Tea, Fried Pork Chop Rice, and the Century Egg Tofu. Food and tea came out quickly. Everything was so good and felt like comfort food that family would make. The pork chop was seasoned well and came with a tea egg, and vegetable sides of broccoli and tomato as well as soup. The tomato side reminds me of this tomato egg that we eat often. The century egg tofu was delicious. The tofu had a great texture -- soft, creamy, but also dense. The sauce that it came with was sweet, salty, and garlicky. The century egg was good. The winter melon tea was light on ice, well-balanced, and not too sweet. Overall, giving Formosan Restaurant a 5/5. Wish we started coming here sooner. Staff are nice, service is quick, prices are great, and the food is delicious. Highly recommend people to try if they haven't before. Will definitely be back before their last day. read more
Yum. This place is great! Authentic Taiwanese food with the classic meal sets. Flavors were on-point. Got the braised pork belly rice ~ the meat was tender; my meal set came with tofu, broccoli, and a braised egg. Well-portioned. It was delicious! If ever around in the area, will definitely come back. read more
Pretty good first experience, Oyster omelette was excellent, definitely coming back to try their signature steak items. Stopping by the area and trying this place out on an early lunch for Saturday. It's wasn't too busy, the service was prompt. The Lou Rou Rice and Pork Stir-Fried Vermicelli were decent and the Ouster Omelette was excellent. read more
2 years ago
This place a little hidden. But, if you find it. You definitely will not regret coming.. They are welcoming, asked how we found them..We actually found it on Instagram. The location is not super fancy. But, we didn't come for that. We came for the food. Not getting to the food. The food is, fresh and flavorful. The portion is a good size. Justin the owner was very nice and wish him the best. He told me he makes the chili oil himself. Which I could not leave without grabbing one. read more
1 year ago
Sizzling plate dishes combining meat of choice with noodles and sauce of choice, either mushroom or black pepper. Plates come with soup or salad and garlic bread, and all dishes also available as rice plates with 2 sides. Taiwanese comfort food! read more
2 years ago
This is a small hidden spot in a business plaza. The beef noodle soup portion was pretty large and the meat was tender. The flavor was intense and different. It came with a side of pickled veggies. The chili wontons were bomb. The chili crisp was delicious. I could just have ordered a few of these for lunch. The chicken steak was interesting. I like the idea of the sizzling plate but the sauce was not my favorite. read more
2 years ago
Came here as a party of 3 on Saturday around dinner time and the place was pretty full. We ordered the lu rou fan, coulotte steak, and pork meatball vermicelli noodles. Lu rou fan 4/5: todays side dishes were curry and zucchini. The side dishes of the day change every day. The meat on the rice was a bit fatty. The zucchini was pretty ok and so was the curry. The tea egg was super flavorful and the best part of the dish imo. Coulotte steak 3.5/5: this came with some garlic bread pieces and some corn soup. The corn soup was kinda starchy and the meat was also pretty standard. Pork meatball vermicelli noodles 2/5 : probably the most basic. The meatballs were a bit hard and the noodles were meh. Overall probably wont come back but i overheard some others enjoying their food so maybe I just ordered the wrong things. read more
Having spent 18 years of my life in Taiwan, I have to say I am very happy with the food here. We ordered the teppan meal dual set with fish and pork as this Taiwanese item is hard to find in most Taiwanese restaurants. If you're not familiar with what a Taiwanese teppan is, it's basically a cooked piece of meat served on a cast iron plate (called a teppan, which literally means "iron board") with spaghetti noodles and a sunny side up egg. This is served alongside a choice of black pepper or mushroom sauce on the side, which you then drizzle over your food prior to digging in. This teppan meal is always prefaced with a bowl of corn soup, a lettuce salad with a thousand island-like dressing, and garlic toast. Needless to say, formosan restaurant did this just like in Taiwan! We got our corn soup, thousand island dressed lettuce, as well as garlic toast first. Then after we had finished munching on our appetizers, the sizzling hot teppan plate arrived with the sauce on the side. I was so excited they did it right (not to mention super nostagic)! Our pork and fish meat were both seasoned well (not overly salty, since it's meant to be eaten with sauce) and cooked right. There was no tough or chewy meats here. Wonderful! The only one slight modification I would make is that I found my mixed sauce a tad on the sweet end. Nevertheless, it was still tasty. After we had finished 90% of our meal, my friend still wanted a few more items so we added chili oil wonton, and pork braised rice (lwu rou fan), both were delicious and hard to stop eating. Our party of three left very satisfied. On top of that, we felt very taken care of as our waitress was super diligent about keeping our waters refilled, checking up on us, and clearing out empty plates. This is the least Taiwanese thing about this place, haha, but in a good way of course. Can't wait to come back! read more
Formosan's food is always consistent. Same goes to the service. Whether they get super busy or you're the only one there, they give you the same level of curiosity and service. The menu is both English and Mandarin with plenty of pictures to help you decide. You can order in English or Mandarin. The place is clean just right for a Taiwanese restaurant. The sizzling plates are always a hit. I always get the meat with fish with pepper and mushroom sauce. It comes with soup and salad and garlic bread on the side, just like in Taiwan. Since that's my to- go dish. Never a miss. Being adventurous this time, I got a rice dish instead. It came with veggies, curry and minced meat on top of the rice. I've seen different combinations of veggies and side dish. Don't be picky- trust the chef. Unfortunately there's not many Taiwanese restaurants in this city that's worth trying. This place is definitely a hit. I'm glad this one is still standing. read more
Found this place on IG. Always knew this restaurant was around the area but never got to try it but new ownership seemed to spell new menu items. Was drawn to the teppan Taiwanese steak. This is something endearing to me as I used to eat this in Taiwan and very nostalgic. Ordered the New York steak teppan. The meat was nicely cooked. What was the highlight was the very rich and flavorful mushroom and black pepper sauce. Topped with an egg and noodles. This hit home. Remember this was very close to the flavor you can find in Taiwan. Also had the fried rice and minced pork rice. Overall the teppan was the winner. Just for that I would come back and highly recommend for any Taiwanese steak cravings. read more
Updating my review! I haven't been to Formosan in years and saw some high reviews. I decided to try it again and happy to report the quality and taste is back. They have a new owner and I saw huge improvements in the menu, dishes, and service. Everything was fantastic. The food at the restaurant tastes pretty close to the flavors of Taiwan. Appetizers: special taiwanese sausage, fried tofu, and popcorn chicken are my favorites! Entree: pork chop sizzling platter with mixed sauce and spaghetti. This also came with 2 slices of garlic bread, a small salad, and small corn chowder Drink: love the Thai tea read more
2 years ago
I'm always down for chili wontons. When a new place popped up in my feed, I scheduled a visit. I got off work at 2pm but started freaking out because they close at 230pm and reopen at 5! I was gonna miss my chance for a sit down experience...so I reluctantly called and ordered them for pickup. I had to go to Sprouts nearby so I decided to eat them in my car before going in since eating them at home would take too long and they wouldn't be fresh anymore. I must've had the best 15 mins of my life in my car. The wontons were SO GOOD. The chili oil wasn't super hot, and they also sell it in store! I plan to go back and (sadly) order to go again, but I plan on buying a jar of that chili oil! A must try. Still want that sit down experience so I will have to plan a weekend venture there soon. read more
Came here to try the Taiwanese steaks. Had these as a child in the night market but never liked the noodles so happy to see the rice substitute. The corn soup was pretty good. Flavor was light and needed to be slightly sweeter or salter. The salad is your typical iceberg with thousand island dress and the bread was nicely toasted. Next came the steak which was good and big portion as well. Had the mixed sauce but might try just the pepper next time. The oyster omelette was pretty spot on but just needed more sauce. Service was great with the water coming by several times. We'll need to come back for the rice plate dishes. read more
Found this restaurant based on the Yelp reviews. I have to say the reviews were true. The chicken & pasta on the sizzling plate was super authentic and delicious. Everything we ordered was amazing and exceeded our expectations. So glad that we found this gem in the neighborhood. Will definitely come back again soon. read more
I absolutely love this place. Not only is it nostalgia wrapped up in a chicken steak, the service is great and they give huge portions! Everything is so well seasoned and I feel very safe and cozy when I eat this. It's hard to find the old Taiwanese griddle-esque meals and not only is this one, but it is done so well. Please support this local gem!! read more
Formosan Restaurant is a small Taiwanese steakhouse that offers your steak of choice served with a flavorful sauce over your choice of rice or spaghetti. I chose a coulotte steak (aka picanha) over spaghetti with black pepper sauce ($20.95) and it comes with 2 pieces of garlic toast, corn soup, and a small side salad. I thought value was pretty good, the black pepper sauce was nice and peppery, and I liked having it with some spaghetti. It reminded me of when I was a teenager eating this in the SGV with my Taiwanese friends. They say that they use choice grade steaks here and the steak was cooked to my preferred level of doneness (medium). It was refreshing to have steak prepped taiwanese style, but I would rate it as 3 stars (A-OK). It was essentially what I was looking for: simple and satisfying, but not extraordinary. My wife had their pork chow mein, which she felt was lighter on flavor than my chosen dish. I think that she would order something different if we were to return. read more
2 years ago
Service: Super friendly waiter, speaks fluent English and Mandarin. Very attentive being the only waiting staff during lunch time. Food Spot on with the stir fried noodles and oyster pancake We would go back with our kids soon! Then I'd try beef noodle soup, steaks and many other items. read more
2 years ago
Growing up, going out to get teppen or sizzling steak was always a special treat. Sadly all the sizzling steak places have closed except for this gem. So worth the one hour drive to satisfy this craving. Each steak set comes with a light salad, corn chowder, and garlic bread. Then the tender steak is served sizzling on the cast iron plate with sunny side up egg and noodles. Such a comforting nostalgic experience. Ribeye Steak with Noodles and Mushroom Sauce Oyster Omelette read more
First time trying Taiwanese sizzling steak! Got the surf n turf with ribeye and garlic shrimp with noodles. Comes with sauce can choose from mushroom, black pepper or mixed. Opted for mix and went very well with all the food on the sizzling plate. Left a happy camper. Oyster omelette was on point as well. Service was awesome and appreciated that our table was checked on regularly. Plenty of parking. read more
Had high hopes for this restaurant because I love sizzling steaks! The server was friendly and served us in a timely manner. We had a large party (10 people including 2 children under 5), and we received good service. The steak was good, but the meat quality could be slightly better. It was a bit too chewy for me, and had too many sinewy bits that were inedible. It was also cooked to a higher doneness than we expected. We had ordered both level3 and level6 doneness and both were more done than we wanted. Overall not bad, if I do come back again I may have to splurge for their ribeye steak to get a higher quality meat. read more
3 years ago
Formosan's sizzling steaks are a huge part of my life. Growing up in the area, my friends and family all would come here regularly. Their authentic Taiwanese sizzling steaks are fantastic and their new menu items are absolutely incredible. The fried tofu which was my favorite appetizer. We also tried the oyster omelette, popcorn chicken, spicy wonton, and sesame cold noodle, all so good. The ribeye and chicken steaks are the most popular but you can mix and match as well, like their surf n' turf options with shrimp. Their mushroom and black pepper sauces are so flavorful and goes so well with the noodles and meat. Prices are super fair and affordable as well. Service is fantastic and the restaurant always gives me homey vibes. read more
3 years ago
Culinary Transformation: Formosa Delivers Excellence Formosa is not just a restaurant; it's an experience that tantalizes the taste buds and warms the soul. Under the skilled guidance of its talented chef, Formosa has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a beacon of culinary excellence in our community. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in an ambiance that feels like home. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a delicious meal. it's the food that truly steals the show. Every dish is a masterpiece, crafted with precision and passion. The flavors are bold and authentic, offering a true taste of Taiwan. Whether you're a fan of classic favorites or eager to explore new culinary delights, Formosa has something to satisfy every palate. One of the most remarkable aspects of Formosa is its staff. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. The team at Formosa treats you like family, going above and beyond to ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of extraordinary. Their attention to detail and dedication to customer satisfaction are truly commendable. And let's not forget about the complimentary soft drinks--a thoughtful touch that further enhances the dining experience. It's little gestures like these that set Formosa apart and make it a true hidden gem in our community. In conclusion, if you're craving authentic Taiwanese cuisine served in a welcoming environment by a team that treats you like family, look no further than Formosa. With its talented chef, fantastic food, homely ambiance, and amazing staff, Formosa is a culinary destination that exceeds expectations in every way. read more
3 years ago
A great place to get some homestyle Taiwanese food. We're big fans of the rice combos which come with two side dishes that rotate everyday. Portion size is pretty generous and makes for a filling meal with a little bit of everything. I will say sometimes the food can be a bit hit or miss in terms of quality but it's never bad -- more so just ok. But again, next to Class 302 it's a great option if you're looking for that classic taste of home! Whenever we come the clientele tends to be a mixture of Taiwanese aunties/uncles and young people which is always a good sign. Service is pretty quick and we haven't had a bad experience. Definitely come check this place out if you can! read more
Our steak with spaghetti was so good and the food tastes so authentic. It really does remind me of the steak I grew up eating in Taiwan, especially the sauce. The prices are so affordable. Service was impeccable. Our steak comes with soup, salad, and best of all, their garlic onion bread!! I could eat all of their bread by myself. I highly recommend the mixed sauce. Get ready to fill up your belly with some Taiwanese dishes!! The restaurant is cozy and I like the set up. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Yummy and authentic Taiwanese dishes. They have the best oyster omelette outside of Taiwan read more
3 years ago
I LOVE THE SIZZLING STEAK OH MY GOSH I've been coming for a little while, but with the new owner this restaurant is so much better now. Everybody's friendly and the vibe is really chill. More than anything, though, the food is I'm gonna be back again and again. I haven't had a sizzling steak this good elsewhere, and the price and vibe and friendly staff are just right. Love Formosan Steak! read more
3 years ago
The soups and steaks are all great!! We are all very satisfied!!! It's fabulous authentic Taiwanese foods!!! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Food was great. We had the chow mein and pork chop entree. It was very filling and portioned generously. The chili oil is tasty and I would buy a bottle next time I go. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
This place just keeps getting better. We have been coming here for years and are never disappointed. Service and taste are top notch. Their new menu is helpful for showcasing our favorites like fried tofu, beef noodle soup, popcorn chicken, and sole filet with their delicious mixed sauce. Updated 2.10.23: Under new management and owner - even better service and quality of food. Justin (owner) takes great care of the customers and puts care in everything that they serve. You gotta go--I've added new pics to this update. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
After having been here and the surrounding restaurants in the plaza, this place takes the cake. Authentic Taiwanese food, reminiscent of when I would go over to my friends house when I was a kid. The chicken steak is my favorite on the menu, flavorful and tender, followed by the Taiwanese sausage fried rice. The owner was very welcoming. Very good service. Food came out hot and fresh, always got refills on my water, AND THERES THAI TEA! TLDR: delicious hole in the wall, authentic Taiwanese, great service. Also, good price for the amount of food you get. 10/10 would go again. read more
4 years ago
I mean if you grow up in Taiwan you will know what this place is all about. This is what makes the night markets in Taiwan so great and since I can't always visit Taiwan, this place will have to do. The flavor on the hot plate dishes are exactly how I remembered when I had them as a kid. The spaghetti sauce, the corn chowder and the garlic toast. Now, bear in mind, this is street eats, not a 3 starred Michelin restaurant. I feel like the people that gave a bad review on their food is not being fair. I can only really comment on the hot plate dishes since that what I always order and they're the closest to what I had in Taiwan in the Los Angeles area. There is another place in Rowland Heights called Chiou House that also offers sizzling hot plates, but Formasan's are superior in terms of flavor and value imo. read more
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More info about Formosan Restaurant
18846 Norwalk Blvd
Artesia, CA 90701
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http://www.formosansteaks.com
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