Met up with my sister and her brother here for lunch. The wife found this place from a tiktok video and we decided to try it since we didn't get to try a lot of Taiwanese food on our trip to Taipei. When you come in, there is a sign that tells you to order before being seated. My sister and her bf had yet to arrive so I placed a sizeable order for the 4 of us. Luckily, they were there (waiting in the car) so I told them to walk over so we can be seated. I ordered 2 orders of chiayi chicken (1with white rice and 1 with brown rice), 2 orders of thousand layer pancake (1 with egg and 1 with egg and cheese), shrimp wonton, dance dan noodles, wonton noodle soup, hakka mochi and forbidden rice pudding. For drinks we had a few of the shaken iced green teas and 1 taro milk tea (my sister said it didnt taste like taro) Everything was great. I was surprised my sister's bf liked the food. The chiayi chicken was good with a bit of the chili sauce (sambal). The thousand layer pancake was good if you dip it in the black vinegar (mixed with chili oil and a little soy sauce). The shrimp wonton were surprisingly light and tasty. The dan dan noodles was balanced my medium thin sliced cucumber. Everything was portioned very small so you can try everything.we didnt get additional sides because were getting full. The desserts was what I was looking forward to and it did not disappoint. The hakka mochi reminded me of the soy pudding stalls in singapore that had mochi balls filled with a black sesame paste and peanut paste inside. This is what the hakka mochi was but in dry soft chewy form with black sesame and peanut grains to top it off. For my sister, it reminded her of the filipino dessert pichi pichi. The forbidden rice pudding reminded me of a soupy version of the filipino dessert biko. It had chunks of sweet potatoes and tapioca. Also very good but my bias is the hakka mochi. The ambiance was bright, bustling and inviting. Very small tables perfect for a quick bite. Highly recommend if you want a tapas style lunch that doesn't break the bank. read more

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Absolutely loved the Thousand Layer Pancake with Egg and Cheese. I wasn't so big a fan of the Dan Dan Noodles, though, as the noodles were overcooked and clumped together in a huge mass. We waited 25 minutes for a table, which makes sense for a Friday night. Nice spot and I'll probably be back for the pancake. read more

Joy has given us so much... JOY! This place is super cute to begin with. We had such a great experience, and being our first time, we ordered items that were highly recommended by their staff and enjoyed every single item. From the Dan Dan noodles to the pancake with eggs & cheese, pork belly bun and rice pudding for dessert, everything was delicious! Their food is also reasonably priced so you can pretty much try everything without breaking the bank. We will definitely be back for more! Quick tip: there's street parking and a public parking lot about a block away. Happy eating! read more

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I LOVE SOUP!!! so this place can get very crowded very fast . luckily the employees have a good system of getting people in and out smoothly. go in and order at the counter and get your number, they will call your number once a table has opened up. i ordered the pork bun and wonton noodle soup and they were both sooooo good. bun nice and chewy and pork had a good flavor. the soup was delicious and the wontons are enormous lol. fyi all the wontons here are shrimp so be careful if u are allergic. i had the milk tea to drink too and it was good, not too sweet. overall very happy!!! i definitely want to come again ‍‍‍ read more

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Big fan of Taiwanese food growing up, and this place did not disappoint. From the merch to the wooden Chinese menu, the atmosphere feels intentional and distinct. We went early on a Friday evening and it was already filling up. The line moved quickly, and so did the food. A friendly cashier and kind staff made the whole experience seamless. We got the Pork Belly Bun to start. Great mix of flavors: sweet and savory pork, with herbs and pickled greens adding a refreshing contrast. The Slack Season Noodles had a rich broth. This would be the pick for savory and hearty broth lovers. If you love peanut flavors then look no further from the Dan Dan Noodles, a nutty, sweet, and thick sauce with herbs and cucumbers to cut through the richness. The Passion Fruit Tea was nice, a little sweet for my taste but that is probably the right way to drink it. I'd love to see a slightly broader menu, but what they do, they do well. Prices feel fair, especially in this economy, and while portions aren't huge, they don't feel skimpy either. A solid spot for a quick, comforting bite. read more

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Joy is one of those neighborhood gems of LA servicing such delicious Taiwanese comfort food. We came on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was pretty busy - the line to order moved quickly, but we ended up waiting outside for a little before a table opened up for us. The space itself is casual and cozy yet trendy. We loved all the dishes we got - everything tasted so yummy, comforting, and clean. - Woodear mushroom appetizer - perfectly seasoned and paired really well with the warm dishes - Hot and sour soup - so hearty and reminded me of my childhood! - Chiayi chicken rice - a comforting chicken over rice dish - Slack season noodles - a simple yet delicious and nostalgic noodle dish with minced pork, garlic, and shrimp - Scallion bread sandwich - their scallion bread is so yummy and fresh! The pork belly was so flavorful too Street parking only. They also have a walk up window on the side of the building for to-go orders. read more

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When I'm in need of comfort food, Joy is my go to. My favorites are their wonton noodle soup, beef noodle soup, beef roll, and mapo tofu. Their milk teas and fruit tea are also very very good. Parking can be tough in this neighborhood, and it can also get crowded. But it's worth it. It's lively and vibrant inside, and I've never had issues with service. Their sister restaurant Pine & Crane in DTLA is amazing as well. read more

Joy - Wonton Noodle Soup Milk Tea - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Never thought I would actually try this restaurant. I remember my first attempt to try this restaurant (years ago), I got frustrated trying to find a parking. The restaurant itself was also super busy back in the days. I left and never returned. Recently, couldnt decide on where to eat. A suggestion for this place came up. It was on a weekday and the line didnt seem so bad. We were able to find a meter parking close to the restaurant. Ordering process was simple. We ordered the layered pancakes with cheese & eggs, DanDan noodles, hot & sour soup (sm), and a shaken green tea. We then waited for tables to be cleared. The staff guided us to a table. Wait wasn't that long. The egg & cheese layered pancake was yummy. It had some chilies and greens (basils) inside. Looked very simple, but was packed with flavors. I also added a little vinegar to enhance the taste. The DanDan noodles were ok. I think the noodles were a bit too soft. The flavors were good. The amount of sauces were good. A good ratio of everything. It wasnt super creamy like most places. So that was a plus. The hot & sour soup was way too salty. It would have been very good if it wasn't so salty. The shaken tea was surprisingly not bad for the price. RR avail Meter parking Service was alright. read more

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Great spot to try. Food was delicious and the workers were nice. Inside has swaying but gets full quick! read more

Joy - Dan Dan Noodles and Minced Pork on Rice - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Loved the variety of food options for vegetarians! Cold Salad appetizers: Tofu noodle salad (2/5) - way too salty but I'm glad I told the server because they took it and were willing to swap it out with a different app Wood ear mushrooms (4/5) - pretty solid Lotus root (3/5) - Cut a little thicker than I'd like but still pretty good Dan dan noodles (5/5) - delicious and saucy! Thousand Layer Pancake with Egg (4/5) - A little oily but still yummy Scallion Bread Sandwich with Bean Curd (4/5) - The bean curd was flavorful but a bit salty. The marinade ended up sogging the bread too much so it fell apart. Still tasty though. Mochi (5/5) - Delicious! Must get! I'll say their chili oil is not super remarkable and doesn't pack much of a punch though. Place got busy on saturday we got seated pretty quickly. read more

This place is such a vibe. Great for lunch or dinner. Can be quick, can be long. There's no parking so give yourself time to find a street spot (easier to find in the day) they have a walk up window off the sidewalk for Togo orders, or they have a counter that you can walk in and order from - and take a seat at a table inside. You will not be waited on per se - it is a counter ordering situation. The menu is great, everything is more or less shareable! You can even find some hard to find drinks in their beverage fridge (shout out Aloha drinks from Hawaii!) We got a medium hot and sour soup - good for sharing, so so so delicious Dan Dan noodles 20/10 but could use more spicy (just add chili oil at the table) The scallion bread is like focaccia with scallions. Not a scallion pancake. Cold items - wood ear mushrooms are fiiiiiiire The tables are okay - most are stools so if you have a bad back, opt for a table near a wall. Would definitely return! They also have a great combo special for like $17 read more

Joy - Vegan Mapo Tofu Dan Dan Noodles Hot & sour soup Scallion bread - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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It was my first time trying Taiwanese food and Joy made for a pleasant and delicious experience. The establishment opens at noon for the lunch hour and immediately the place was filled with hungry patrons which was a good sign. The staff was welcoming and beyond friendly. The place itself is small and does fill up fast but it's nice to see the subtle history cues of the owner and the inception of Joy. Everything ordered was absolutely delicious. Forgive me for being general and not breaking down each specific item; just take my word and give Joy a try, you will not be disappointed. You truly cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Thank you! read more

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Pretty good place for Taiwanese food. They definitely focused on a few dishes but they do them well. Got the Chiayi chicken rice and the wonton noodle soup. I like how the flavors are done well, giving it a nice clean taste. Service is quick, you order up front then grab a table to sit. read more

Absolutely loved. Such a low key vibe with high key food. You order at the counter and then once a table is available they seat you. We waited in line for about 20 minutes and the food came out really quick once we were sat. I really don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu, it was all good. A great place to try a bunch of items with a group. Service was also great and everyone was so nice! read more

Joy - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Amazing food that I had the other night! the Shrimp dumplings are so good mmmm just as crave-able as I remember, also they came out hot and juicy. The dan dan noodles are food but I played them out over the years, the boa buns are so so good! I want more and would return for a few of those alone. read more

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One of my favorite spots in Highland Park has to be Joy. It's the sister restaurant to Pine & Crane, but I love that they still offer different options here, which keeps things exciting. My go-to order is the thousand layer pancake with everything on it--it's a must-try. It's flavorful, crispy, and just overall delicious. I also love getting the dan dan noodles, especially with the option to add chicken breast for extra protein. The noodles have the perfect texture and bounce, and the peanut sauce brings such a rich, umami flavor that's honestly unforgettable. The shrimp wontons are also really good and something I usually always order when I'm there. I didn't get it this time, but the passionfruit tea is super refreshing and pairs well with pretty much anything on the menu. This place is always popping, and for good reason. The atmosphere is great, and they're always playing good music, which makes the whole experience even better. read more

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I get why this place is so popular! The food is freaking delicious. The orders are big enough to share, so we shared the Dan Dan noodles, thousand layer pancake with cheese and vegan mapo tofu. Holy smokes, was it so good! Definitely worth checking out! read more

Joy - Thousand Layer Pancake - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I ordered the Joy combo with five spice beef sandwich, shrimp wonton soup, bean curd, and upgraded to a passion fruit green tea. Food was good with flavors being quite subtle so adding the chili oil and soy sauce gave it a nice kick! The employees were very nice and helped give recommendations on what were most popular. The place was very welcoming and everyone was so nice. I really loved the straw decor that was placed around the restaurant!! read more

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Food was so yummy and the service was very quick! Loved everything we ordered. Can't go wrong with the pork on rice read more

Joy - Pork on rice - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Let's start with the positives! This is a trendy place with pleasant ambiance, lively crowd, and lots to do around the area. Parking isn't too difficult to find either. Service is good staff are welcoming. The food hmmmm if you haven't tried authentic taiwanese food, I'd say give this a try! Food was decent no complaints, but this place is more so a watered down/blander version of more traditional Taiwanese places I've tried. The beer was good though! read more

Joy - Toastea - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Joy is in the heart of highland park and is one of my favorite spots for taiwanese minced pork rice. Parking is a bit challenging since it's all street parking but you can also park in paid lots if you can't find street parking. We came around 12:30pm on a Saturday and waited about 15-20 minutes to order. The line did get a lot longer after we arrived though. You order first then sit down when there's available seating. Our favorite is always the minced pork over rice, it's super flavorful. The thousand layer pancake is also a really delicious must try with the basil and chili sauce. Chiayi chicken with rice is also very good if you like chicken. The rice is very moist and light compared to the minced pork rice. Staff were friendly as always, I highly recommend this spot! The surrounding area is also very hip and nice to walk around. read more

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Stopped by here on a Saturday and was really happy I did. I got the joy lunch. Delicious sandwich and soup as well as amazing shake and iced tea. The staff is so friendly. I just sat in there by myself and had lunch and I didn't feel awkward at all. It's really clean and bright and I really love the mushrooms as a side. Everything seemed super fresh and was well priced. I love that. It's counter service and they bring it to you after you order it. Overall, such a pleasant place, I've already suggested it to multiple people. read more

Joy - Joy Combo - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The food here is so good!! Definitely has the Taiwanese taste/flavors in the appetizers and noodles. The thousand layer pancake is so good work the cheese and egg in it, and tastes great when it first comes out. The slack noodles taste like the soupy noodles you get at the night markets in Taiwan. The noodle texture for all the dishes is on point, very chewy and flavorful. My favorite cold appetizers were the cauliflower and wood ear mushroom. The vegetables were okay, nothing special, I could probably make it at home. The drink is not that good in my opinion, so I would probably skip it next time I come. Atmosphere is nice and a good place to meet up with friends to catch up. Service is nice but there are a lot of tables and not that many waiters so wait can be a bit long for a table depending on the time. Parking is a bit hard to find, I'd recommend driving inwards to the neighborhoods for more street parking. read more

Joy - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I've had Joy bookmarked on my list for years now but never had the chance to try it until now. The parking situation isn't the best- I don't think there's a single dedicated lot so you either park on the street or park in a paid lot nearby. Even so, the paid lots are pretty small and fill up fast. It's super convenient to order and pickup- there's a pickup counter on the side of the shop. Lurou fan- honestly it's one of the best I've had in the area. The pork is so tender and well seasoned. Five spice is prominent but not overpowering. Rice is cooked to perfection and soaks up the sauce well. The hard boiled egg was slightly disappointing though because it wasn't as tea flavored as I would have liked it to be. Pork belly rice - melt in your mouth pork belly. Good but flavor is a bit lacking. I think it comes with some lurou sauce but it's rather bland. The mustard greens it came with was also flavorless. Chicken rice - the shredded chicken was really good but compared to the lurou fan it's also a bit lacking in flavor. I added their chili oil and it added a bit more depth to it. Mochi - soft and chewy. the peanut one is better tasting and I wish they sold the peanut separately. The sesame had a weird texture and it was bitter. The portions are super generous and prices are reasonable. read more

It's been a while since I've eaten at Joy. We came on a Sunday to meet up with friends for lunch. We got there briefly before they opened and waited in line for about 15 minutes. When Joy opened, we ordered quickly as we were the 4th party in line. We got our table and the food came out rather promptly. I'm glad we waited early as the tables filled up and Joy does not let people sit if their parties are not fully present. There were four of us and we ordered a variety of foods. I got the Joy combo with the lotus root and five spice beef bun. My partner got the Dan Dan noodles as did our friends who also got the mixed pork and mochi. The beef portion was so big, the bun failed to hold it all. It was delicious though as were the lotus roots and the soup. Such a great combo with a variety of flavors and textures. My partner and friends devoured their Dan Dan noodles. I think the Dan Dan noodles are just ok but my friends declared it the best Dan Dan noodles they've ever had. The minced pork rice were also liked (but not loved). Regardless we all enjoyed the food and my friends were happy we introduced them to a new food spot. Parking can be found on the street or in the parking lots behind York. Last, lots of places seem to have raised their prices a lot but Joy's prices seem to only have gone up a little. Truly appreciate and enjoy the food at Joy. read more

Last time I was here, it was just a quick hakka mochi run, and this place has some of the best warm mochi! Came back with some friends for a more sit down situation and was shocked to see how busy it was for a Wednesday, lined out the door. But it was actually pretty quick since they have a good system of working on food and when they let people in. I got the wonton noodle soup and a honey lemon tea. Really not the best wontons I've had and the noodles tasted more flour-y than I would have liked. The soup and bok choy were pretty good. I like citrus as much as the next person, but the honey lemon tea was way too lemony, super sour every sip. The saving grace of this place is still their hakka mochi, just perfection. I did try my friend's sea salt tea and it was really good. So until I try other things, unfortunately Joy is getting a 3 star from me. read more

Joy - Hakka Mochi - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Five out of five for great service and amazing food! My favorite were the woodear mushrooms - they are a must if you come here. The dan dan noodles were so flavorful and yummy. The noodles had a perfect chew to them. The wonton noodle soup was also delicious, just note that it served in a little bowl as an appetizer so if you're planning on filling up on it, get two bowls! Loved the drink options and enjoyed the large bottle of sake. I would definitely come back! read more

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We were in the area running errands and finally made it to Joy, a spot I've had bookmarked forever. Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs. I ordered the combo with iced green tea, hot & sour soup, a seaweed appetizer, and the scallion bread sandwich with pork belly. The sandwich was a little dry, but I asked for hoisin sauce on the side and it made a big difference. The other appetizers also looked tempting, so we added lotus root and pickled cabbage. All three were tasty and refreshing, though the lotus root had a bit more chili heat than I expected. The thousand-layer pancake with cheese and egg was also a win. The dan dan noodles could use more peanut flavor to stand out. We wrapped things up with the minced pork over rice, which also was a bit dry, but we liked the tangy pickled veggies on top. It's nice to have a traditional Taiwanese restaurant on this side of town. A few dishes leaned slightly bland or dry, but overall, it was a good experience. Bonus points for the complimentary Mexican wedding cookies they sent us home with. I'm glad we waited until the hype is gone and can just walked right in for a table on a weekday. All the dishes came out quickly, and overall, 3.5 stars. read more

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I love a place that is consistent and this place has been since I first came when they opened in 2018. Just went last week when I was in the area and still delicious. The mapo tofu is always great, the wonton soup is yum. Still such a busy place so be ready to wait in line for a seat, cute place once you get in. Or just order pick up like me and there's some benches outside you can sit at. read more

Came here on my birthday and I can't complain. Joy is a great place to get some Taiwanese food. I forgot the names, of the dishes already because i haven't been since June! Staff was accompanied and they hooked me up for my birthday so I thought that was really nice! I like the decor and tables it brings a vibe, so the pictures u take are dope! read more

Joy - Spread - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Ok. I'm back. I've fallen back in love. The strength is that the food will always be delicious and hot. The service is consistently quite good with human touch - which can sometimes get lost in the city. Sometimes they skimp - and I'm sure if it happens I'll whine again; but recently it's all been perfectly delicious. read more

Finishing out my Taiwanese food search for 2025, is Joy, the sister location to P&C! And just like P&C, the food and the line process (order, get number, wait, get seated when table is ready) is almost identical. That said, once we were able to sit and eat, there were a few items that did spark Joy: -Spicy Shrimp Wontons -Dan Dan Noodles -Hakka Mochi -Minced Pork on Rice All were fairly yummy, but I only wish there were a little more in quantity. However, if I'm comparing this to their sister restaurant, portion sizes are the same. Like P&C, the ambiance is rather casual and quick, but also a good spot to catch up with friends, or get a quick Taiwanese craving in L.A. satisfied! read more

Had such a great time at Joy! The staff was super friendly and helpful, which I really appreciated. We got the Dan Dan noodles -- so good! The flavor was perfect and not overpowering like it can be at some other spots. Light, balanced, and super tasty. Also tried the Mapo Tofu, which I loved -- again, not too heavy and really well balanced. The shaken iced tea wasn't totally my thing since I was expecting it to be sweet, but the tea quality itself was solid. Overall, everything tasted fresh and I'd definitely come back! read more

Joy - Vegan Mapo Tofu Dan Dan Noodles - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I love everything about this place.... These Dan Dan Noodles are to die for, I highly recommend this dish. Their other menu offerings look good too, and I'm definitely returning to try them. There's lots of nice unique drink offerings as well, ranging from things like wines and teas you don't normally see everywhere. The staff is friendly and the service is quick, and the aesthetic is nice. You can find street parking if not on the boulevard, then at least in the neighborhood. Highland Park overall has a lot of fun businesses nearby, such as dessert shops, bars, music venues, restaurants, and arcades. I'm a fan! read more

Joy - Dan Dan Noodles - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

One of my goals for this trip to California was the Taiwanese breakfast item Chinese Crepe or Jian Bing. Searching on Yelp, it seemed that Joy offered some fusion version of it, so we headed on over after a nice walk at Descanso Gardens. Joy opens at noon. You order at the counter, then take a seat with a number stand so they know where to deliver your order to you. We ordered the Dan Dan noodles, shrimp wontons, thousand layers pancake with egg, the forbidden rice pudding, hakka mochi, and taro milk tea. The two desserts were represented by two cards that we were to put up when we were ready for them. Everything came out pretty quickly, but my DC was not impressed. Given her history with the San Gabriel Valley, she wanted to take me to somewhere more authentic. The taro milk tea was a bit on the grainy side. I liked the rice pudding and dan dan noodles, but wasn't as pleased with the shrimp wontons and the egged pancake. read more

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Food 3/5: Pine and Crane is better for sure. Not authentic Taiwanese food, more like fusion. Pancake was too thick, Dan Dan noodle was too salty, and chicken bowl (cafe Liu was better) had too much rice compared to the chicken portion. Cold seaweed dish was also mid. Black vinegar and soy tasted like water was added. Very blend. Service 3/5 like a quick diner service with quick diner ambiance. Won't be back again. read more

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Restaurant/ cafe located in the busy area of Highland Park that offers up food inspired by Taiwanese street food with soups, buns, etc. This place seems to be always busy, so it's got a lively, relaxed vibe going on here. The service style is fast-casual where you walk up to the counter and order your food and try to find seating as they bring you your food when ready. The pricing and portions are such that it's easy to order a main and a side or two and walk out the door stuffed and wallet intact. Came here with a few friends for dinner. The place was pretty packed, so we had to wait a little bit after ordering so we could get seated. We each got an entrée and split a few salads/sides. I personally ordered the slack season noodles. To share we got some bamboo shoots and cucumber cold appetizers. I also ordered a taro milk tea to wash everything down. The noodles were tasty, comforting, and it the spot. The cold appetizers were also tasty. Just simple sides to mix up the flavors and textures of the overall meal. Personally, I'm a big fan of this spot. Next time I come back, I want to try some of their other noodles and/or dishes. This is the type of place you can go multiple times in a week. read more

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My family and I frequently visit Joy and consistently enjoy our experience. We are always impressed with your exceptional cuisine. Our favorite dishes include the Dan Dan Noodles, various cold salads, Mapo Tofu, dumplings, and scallion pancakes. We particularly appreciate the value and variety of your food. We have all at some point celebrated our birthdays at your establishment. Beyond the outstanding food, the friendly staff and excellent music selection enhance our dining experience. I highly recommend visiting Joy if you are in the Highland Park area and bringing out of town friends and family. I hope you find it as enjoyable as we do. Remember to sample their delicious drinks and desserts! read more

Joy - Fruit Shaved Ice - Taiwanese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Excited to try this place. The menu reflected a lot of street food dishes of Taiwan. Parking was a pain bcos all you could find was street parking n to find an empty spot one must have some luck n patience. You'd have to drive about a mile away to find free street parking. I was expecting a wait but got lucky there were few tables open. Interior was quite spacious but not too big. I ordered the slack seasoned noodle. it appeared to mimic Tainan's 'peddler noodle'. The presentation was good. I liked how they copied the dish's shrimp in the center of the bowl. the bowl had savory broth (which it needed a bit more of) but it was lacking that garlic taste. it definitely needed more of it. 2nd thing we got was their chiayi chicken rice. this was a popular and comforting Taiwanese food that originated in Chiayi city. A deceptively simple dish but it was quite bland. normally this dish would have some savory flavor coming from a special sauce made with chicken broth and rendered chicken fat. But this dish had nothing, just shredded chicken and zero taste. what happened to the shallot oil? maybe the cook forgot to add it on? Minced pork on rice was good as well as Dan Dan noodles the best dish by far was their traditional shaved ice. they got all the stuff I liked on it, especially grass jelly and boba. read more

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Dan Dan Noodles and Chicken rice are great, service is good, very crowded and takes awhile to get a seat especially if you're there during the weekend. Ambiance is not much to write home about, but the location is good and there's lots to do around York Blvd. read more