Best old school Taiwanese food I have been eating since when I was young. You need to try it. read more

Writing this review to set people's expectations so they know what they are getting: Don't go here if: - You need to sit down to eat (it's take out mainly, and yes, I wouldn't be surprised if those tables have not been cleaned since before the pandemic) - You need a clean, spiffy restaurant environment with large tv screens that show the menus. - You need polite, friendly service no matter where you go. - You don't get excited when you get a random great variety of food in your order. - You only have credit cards for payment (it's cash only) You should eat here (and will enjoy it) if: You want a solid 4 star Taiwanese mom and pop food experience. This place is great because is the kind of immigrant restaurant that literally has not changed since Mr. Lee emigrated from Taiwan to SoCal and opened it in 1984 (the only decorations are maps of the United States and Taiwan). It reminds me of my youth growing up here. The owner that's taking your order has been around forever and DGAF about what you think, including your opinions about chili sauce. You shouldn't go if you are expecting that (see above). But he and the cook said thank you in English and Mandarin when I left, so it's nicer than some places that I've been to. They sell a wide variety of traditional Taiwanese food snacks on the menu (I saw ba wan, oyster pancake, and chicken roll - aka ji Juan - on the menu), but I didn't try those. I'll update my review if I do try them. What I did order was their daily menu combo - just pick a main course and you get that along with two vegetable dishes. I picked fried chicken and it was freshly fried at that time. The two vegetables were Taiwanese squash and celery with tofu skin. I also got a cooked egg patty, a piece of tofu, a piece of stewed chicken thigh, and some stewed pork belly pieces. All tasted solid, better than what I could cook at home, but not the best ever. But it's exactly what I wanted, and I loved the variety (to those who were complaining about that, again, this is not your kind of place, see above). Based on the variety of food I got and the amount, it's a pretty decent value especially in our current economy. I definitely will return. read more

This is one of two places that I go to in the SGV for Chou Dofu. Stinky tofu. Went here for lunch today. The food is home cooking style. $15 for a mixed plate of the day. Prices are a bit high for the amount of food you get. The dishes are simple and basic No water or tea served here. You can buy bottled water and soda. Tables are dirty and sticky. Cash only. Don't think I'll be coming back read more

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My quick pick-me-up for fried stinky tofu. Taiwanese style. It's not greasy. The cabbage salad was my highlight. Just glad that they had my fix for fried stinky tofu. Service was fast and efficient. It was quiet. Plenty of parking in a shared lot. read more

Lee's Garden - Stinky Tofu - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

The food was very homey and simple. A mom and pops shop and the man was quick to help me order and quick with the food. You can sit or to go. It's but a humble shop next to the Banh Mi shop. Taiwanese comfort food. My stomach ate it all up. Wish I had chili sauce. Maybe I will come back read more

Lee's Garden - beef - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

I like Taiwanese food and was hoping this would be the spot finally hits the trifecta of Good Food Good service Clean Unfortunately this place has mediocre service, subpar food and cluttered dining area. Menu boards seem like an afterthought that never they never got around to making permanent. read more

The owners were super friendly and the food came out quickly. We ordered the sticky rice off the snack menu, and it was the perfect size for a quick craving! Cute mom and pop shop with cozy vibes. read more

Lee's Garden - Sticky Rice with pork and yam - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

What a gem! Lee's Garden has all the Taiwanese classics you love at a decent price. As many other reviews have noted, they are to-go only now. This joint is run by a sweet Taiwanese man that greets you with a big smile. Items you need to get are the Oyster Vermicelli and Pork Chop Rice. The dishes are packed with tons of flavor and cooked with such joy. The menu is MASSIVE, so there are a ton of dishes you could come back 5+ times to try. read more

Don't know what to eat? Don't worry! This place has got you covered. Very reasonable price and you get meat, veggies and rice. Very filing and homey feel. Sometimes when I'm too tired to cook or need a quick decent meal, this is my go to spot. read more

Lee's Garden - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

I have been coming here since I was a baby because this authentic mom and pops Taiwanese shop has been around for so many decades, still run by the same owner (he is still there on a daily basis and his name is Jack Lee) and still hits the spot for an affordable yummy Taiwanese lunch. About three decades later I go back and I show Jack a picture of my parents and he still remembers them even many years later after my dad has already been back in Taiwan, and Jack still looks exactly the same ! As for the food, I will still always love this place. My all time favorite is the minced pork rice which is what I almost always usually get just cause I love it so much. Sometimes I will venture out though if I'm in the mood for something like eggplant or pork chops and it is so so good. They also have great lunch specials. Today I got the Lunch special K which comes with fried chicken and braised pork and tofu and I loved the variety. However nothing will top my minced pork rice here :) I also always love picking up a banh mi Vietnamese sandwich while I'm at it from right next door too called Ba Le. Also cash only and there is no sit down or dine in but take out is still just as good and they have sodas and stuff in the fridge too if you want drinks :) Thank you Mr Jack Lee for dedicating and committing your life to your business and to our community for so many years which brings many of us so much joy and we appreciate you so much for it. Thank you for still keeping one of the restaurants around that make our hometown still feel like our hometown. We love you and your food forever ! read more

Lee's Garden - My favorite from here, the minced pork rice :) - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Overall experience was okay. Very fast service since the food is already premade the chicken was a little tough and it's $12 which was meh since kang kang is only $10 for 4 items and it's way tastier. You can't dine in, interior was dirty, and messy. Food was just hanging out. Probably wouldn't come here again. read more

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One of my favorite dishes is pork chop rice, and it's a quintessential Taiwanese bento meal. After Old Country Cafe closed, I've been on the hunt to find the best pork chop rice in the area, and this, my friends, is not it, sadly. It's fine, but the quality is...lacking. The meat tasted not so fresh when I had it, and the flavors were just very mid. I've given Lee's Garden a couple tries, each time with the hopes that the last was just a fluke, or a bad day. I'm not sure if they are ever open for sit down, because the time I've gone in, the chairs were up on the tables and there was no option to dine in. Cash only, parking in the lot. read more

I have been going here since the 90s - they were the first ones to offer Taiwanese turnip egg omelette, and other Taiwanese porridge and side dishes. A gem of a restaurant. read more

Has not changed the deep fry cooking oil, maybe for a long time ! The taste of food is changed and not as in the past. Thus restaurant's food should not call as Taiwanese food restaurant! read more

Look how incredibly THIN this so-called "pork chop" is!!! I ordered a pork chop, not pork skin, not pork jerky. I'm so disappointed. I'm craving some Taiwanese pork chop and you gave this sad food which cost me $12. I used to love your food so much. What happens now? Goodbye. I'm just really sad and disappointed that you choose to treat your customers dishonestly and disrespectfully :( read more

Lee's Garden - Supposedly a fried pork chop. - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Lee's Garden is an amazing restaurant that I highly recommend to anyone looking for delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine. From the moment you walk in, you instantly get the old style whole-in-the wall experience you get from other traditional Mom-and-pop restaurants. The menu is extensive and offers a wide range of options, from classic favorites to more unique and adventurous dishes. I highly recommend ordering from their Daily selection labeled from A - E - all of which were absolutely delicious. The quality of the food is outstanding, tastes just like the dinners my family would make. The portions are generous, so you'll definitely get your money's worth. Unfortunately this is a Mandarin/Cantonese family owned restaurant. So although the owners are friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to help you navigate the menu and make recommendations.... there is a language barrier. Overall, I can't say enough good things about Lee's Garden. It's a hidden gem in Alhambra and a must-visit for anyone who loves great Chinese food. The only downside is that the restaurant excepts ONLY CASH and has a always changing schedule. read more

Lee's Garden - Closed Sundays and Mondays - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

I've been coming to this humble place for more than 25 years. Each year the quality stays the same even though, sadly, their prices have gone way up. But honestly? This is my favorite Taiwanese restaurant in all of LA, especially with regard to their fried chicken over rice. May the family/owner live long and healthy so they can continue tantalizing our tastebuds with their talent. read more

This little hole in the wall is super delicious and worth a try!!! I always go next door to Ba Le for banh mi... As I was waiting for my large order for work, I thought to get myself a nice lunch.. It is a little intimidating since the menu on the wall is in chinese and you don't want to order the wrong things.. But thank God for YELP! Crispy Chicken: comes with rice, veggies, sour potatoes and egg.. they chicken was super super crispy... Wasn't that juicy but I mean, its fried.. Huge portion, it was enough to last me 2 meals Pork Intensine: Really good! I would eat this with some white rice and call it a day!! Cash only! read more

Lee's Garden - Pork Intensine - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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The combo plate is a surprise combination plate of what they have available. I saw it on the menu for $7 something and chose sausage as my meat option. When I opened the container I saw the two sausage and two types of veggies, rice and egg. Then surprise! Under the scrambled egg was a piece of chicken. They should call it the surprise combo plate haha. It was a nice surprise to get chicken but I think it was funny it was hidden under the scrambled egg. Perhaps that's why they charged $9.50 for it instead of what I saw on the menu. The stinky tofu plate is a hit or miss. Sometimes it's good and other times it tastes like just fried tofu. The man who helped us seemed inconvenienced by our coming in to order. My friend ordered first and then he sat down and opened his cell phone. I said, can I please order too? He looked at me and shut his phone loudly and stood up. It wasn't just me, my friend also thought he didn't seem too happy I asked to order. My combo plate was tasty. And like I said it was a nice surprise to find the piece of chicken hidden under the scrambled eggs. But her stinky tofu tasted just like fried tofu with a bit of the stinky tofu smell. It seemed like it didn't soak long enough. And the portion seemed a bit small for the $8.50 price. read more

Lee's Garden - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Daily combos pretty good deals. I got combo #K today, with Fried chicken, braised pork, tofu, scrambled eggs with onion. Bok Choy in a bed off rice. Parking in lot right in front of restaurant. Usually hardly any waiting. read more

Lee's Garden - Combo # K. Fried Chicken, braised pork, sautéed Tofu and fried tofu, scrambled egg with onion and Bok Choy served on bed of rice. $8.25 - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

Horrible service. Been coming here for over 10 years. Owner says he will return my money because I advised him to offer chili sauce like he used to. So disappointed in this place. For years I thought maybe he just having a bad day. He actually was never a pleasant person since day one, but no more excuses for you Mr. Lee. If I had chili sauce with my food the last 10 years at your venue why would you get upset if I asked for it? Then your excuse is that you are already retired. Why you still working then? Go home and retire if you tired of it. You lost my business for sure. Very disrespectful. read more

Coming here as a small child with my parents on their "mah jong" break since the 80s, this place has not changed a bit and I've come to truly appreciate authentic homemade "Taiwanese" food here in LA (an art form that has been lost through globalization and corporate franchising). The (orginal) owner has not changed his recipe, nor the quality of the food. Perhaps the only thing that has changed is the pricing via inflation, but the food is still considered reasonably cheap for what you get. The stinky tofu and pork chop rice is as close as "Taiwan" gets in LA. Miss those old "bento" days? Their lunch and dinner (order by A, B, or C, etc) sets will truly make you reminiscence the good ol days in Taiwan. Don't expect a fancy decor nor 5-star service, and bring cash--this place is simple. Lee's still looks like the way it did since the 80s; with the florescent lighting and wobbly tables--but if you know how to appreciate good Taiwanese food, this should not matter to you. So before you decide to waste your time and frustration going to the next "626 Night Market" in hopes of eating some authentic stinky tofu, come by Lee's first and save yourself the headaches. read more

I had high hopes when I saw all these raved reviews, but I was disappointed by the mediocrity of the foods I ordered. I should have trusted my gut feeling because the place looks dirty - it's like hole I'm the wall in a bad way! The fried pork chops are very paper thin and full of bones. Why aren't they crunchy at all? The stinky tofu was not crispy. read more

Although I've only been to Lee's Garden twice, it's my favorite place to get taiwanese bento boxes. Their sausage rice and braised pork rice bentos are surprisingly really good! The sausage rice comes with 2 taiwanese sausage links with a decent size piece of braised chicken, plus two sides of veggies and an egg! Super worth it for $10.88 (daily special). I've also noticed that depending on the type of bento you order, you get different type of veggies which I love! Even the style of egg is different. For instance, the sausage rice came with a fried egg and the braised pork rice came with a stewed boiled egg. I love the stewed boiled egg that they make because it tastes like a tea egg and it's really moist. Also, try their pork liver soup if you're a fan of that! Will be coming back to try their other bentos and snacks :) FYI, Lee's Garden is take out only read more

Underrated, hole in a wall mom and pop shop. This place serves your typical assortments of Taiwanese dishes. The flavor is reminiscence of mom and/or grandma's home cooking. Highly recommend getting the daily combo with any meat of your choice. The pork garlic sauce or fried chicken daily combo are both I'd recommend. The daily combo comes with rice, fried egg, meat of your choice, and two sides of stir fried vegetable. The oyster omelette is also a big hit and delish. The owner can be a bit cold and insensitive to customers but don't take it personal or the wrong way. The food more than makes up for it! read more

Tried this place for first time. Seems like simple comfort food. I was expecting this place to taste better but it did not. But it didn't taste bad either. Simple homemade comfort food at a affordable price I think why people come here. I got pork chop and rice. Another reviewer said it's the best place in 626, I strongly disagree with that. But its not bad either. read more

Lee's Garden - Pork chop and rice - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

I like coming here cuz it's comfort food. Tastes like home-cooked meals to me. I also like the 3 different sides that it comes with Daily Combo. So I usually ordered Daily Combo, which is box lunch (bento) that has one main protein (your choice & may vary) and comes with 2 kinds of veggies & an egg side dish. Typically, I'll get #S (sausage) or #F (fish) and it comes with a piece of chicken. It's a nice added bonus cuz I feel like I'm getting double protein. Price. Back in 2019, #S & #F was $8.22 before tax and now in Jan 2021, it's $8.62 before tax or to make it easy, it's $9.50 after tax. Recently, my bf ordered Beef Fried Noodle (Chow Mein) and we both liked it. Probably should venture out and try more stuff on the menu. Gotten the Radish (daikon) Pork Rib Soup & Simmered Bamboo Shoots.!They were not bad. Would reorder if I was feeling it again. There was one item that I've tried in the past that seemed like it was sitting in the fridge or freezer for some time. Other than that, it was fine/no other problem. Personally, I like supporting small, local businesses. However, it may not be worth making a trek for (wouldn't really recommend to make a trip if it's out of the way). It's a no-frills/hole in the wall type restaurant. read more

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It's not bad but it is not good. Very salty for my taste. Like a grandma's cooking. There is a piece of chicken in there when I ordered tofu. High price for a premade combo. The white rice is good and fluffy. Probably won''t be back. I went there to get food because next door Bale Sandwiches is closed. read more

Honestly, an okay spot, but I'll say that maybe I didn't get the correct items. Everyone talks about the lunch combos based on protein here, but I was in a soup mood and got the wonton noodles. Despite knowing that it's wheat noodles and pork wontons instead of the HK-style egg noodles and shrimp wontons, I still felt that the dish lacked flavor and noodles weren't bouncy and springy. I did steal a bite of my coworkers tomato egg and it was divine... rheres a certain umami to it that makes me think they add scallop or oyster sauce. Would come back for the lunch sets, not the noodles. read more

Yummy Taiwanese food , quick and easy service , love the daily specials , always my go to for some home cooked comfort food.

Lee's Garden is a mom-and-pop Taiwanese restaurant located in a tiny strip mall near the intersection of Valley Blvd & Atlantic Blvd. You place your order at the cashier counter first, grab a table, and wait for your food. Service is pretty much minimal and hot tea is self-service. The menu includes rotating daily combo specials (A = Pork, B = Beef, C = Chicken, D = Pork Feet, F = Fish, H = Pork w/ Garlic Sauce, J = Braised Tofu, K = Fried Chicken Braised Pork & Tofu, and S = Sausage), deli dishes like oyster omelets and stinky tofu, side dishes like simmered pork chitterlings / pork stomach, rice dishes, and noodles (squid / pork thick noodle, beef noodle soup, minced pork noodle, etc). Yes the menu is definitely a little bit difficult to read because few items are written in Chinese, but the owner speaks enough English and is more than happy to explain the menu. *** R4. Deep Fried Pork Chop Rice ($7.32): This dish didn't exactly stand out. Bamboo shoot wasn't flavorful and vegetable was underwhelming. Pork chop was somewhat decent, but not amazing either. (2/5) N4. Beef Stewed Noodle ($8.25): It was a pretty solid beef noodle soup. Noodle was chewy and broth was pretty flavorful. In my opinion I don't think it was the best beef noodle soup in the SGV (San Gabriel Valley), but it had all the essence of good beef noodle soup elements. (3.5/5) ** Food here were really a hit-and-miss. I feel like this is one of those restaurants that you have to go through trial and error before you find that one dish you really like. Personally I still prefer proven restaurants like SinBala Restaurant and Golden Leaf because they haven't fail me yet. Lee's Garden is a good place to try if you are looking for a home cooking Taiwanese meal and is willing to take a chance on what you order. read more

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To go only. Not bad. Pork chop rice Stinky tofu good. NRM and mince pork okay. Oyster thin noodle not that good. Chicken leg rice suppose to be good. Will try next time read more

If you want good old Taiwanese comfort food, look no further. Opened in 1984, not a thing has changed. Decor, green plastic chopsticks, and the owner aka cashier aka bus boy. I always choose the lunch item special with choices such as chicken, beef, pork, garlic pork, brisket, or fish as the primary choice. However, what I really like are the side dishes that fit perfectly in the tray compartments. They vary from tofu, bean cur strips, fried egg, stir fried veggies, or a marinated boiled egg. The servings are not huge so one will not be overstuffed, which I prefer, in order to maintain my lean cycling figure lol. Every time I lunch here, it brings me back in time to mom's table when I used to take her cooking for granted...those were the days. read more

Authentic Taiwanese food and fairly priced! Cash only though but there's a chase bank within walking distance so not a big issue

Can't recommend. First, it's no longer "the cheap place". Prices have been marked up recently. Pork chop rice plate is now $8+ ($9 with tax). Second, for the price, you get less/lower quality offering than other taiwanese places. On the side of my porkchop rice you get the egg, a piece of stewed tofu, and some veggie julienne mess. The worst part of the plate. That veggie mix screams, "I don't care, just eat it goddamnit!" It's chinese celery, carrots, bamboo shoots, pickled veggie heart, and cabbage leaves stir-fried. I know. Sounds like it would be great. Well, somehow, it tastes like crap. Portions are also small. The pork chop had more bone than I was use to. Third, the lady mean-mugs you the whole time. Maybe she was just in a bad mood, since she just got done telling someone off over the phone about which kind of bread to buy. read more

Lee's Garden - Looks like it all fell on the floor while bringng it to my table, and just swept it back onto the plate with a broom. - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

I got my order and went to the car, closed the door, and thought WTF IS THAT SMELL??? It was the STANKY TOFU! That's how you know it's legit. Then I proceeded to stuff these smelly fried cubes dipped in fermented chili paste and topped with pickled cabbage straight down my pie hole. Yum. 10/10 would recommend! read more

A rough around the edges neighborhood spot located around another rough around the edges neighborhood spot... Whether it's banh mi (Ba Le Sandwiches next door) or pork chop rice, Atlantic and Valley seems to be the nexus of all that is good in old, pre-Mainland Chinese Alhambra. Sometimes nostalgia is not enough. I've eaten at Lee's Garden a handful of times over the years and not much has changed. Same old menu written on white board, same old framed photos of Zion and the Grand Canyon, same old 老闆 and 老闆娘. Pork chop rice is still the same... simple, dependable, filling. But honestly, not too flavorful. For $10 I got a pork chop rice and a small bowl of soup. $10 for a homestyle meal... I can sense my mom reaching for a bamboo stick to beat me already. Sadly, with pork chop rice restaurants slowly disappearing, its slim pickings. In a pinch, not a bad option for lunch. But just like nostalgia itself, Lee's Garden has me longing for halcyon days where pork chop rice was on every block in SGV. Alas, not anymore. read more

Lee's Garden - Taiwanese Near Me - Alhambra, California

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The epitome of nostalgic Taiwanese comfort food. I've been coming to this area for years, but just never happened to try this place. This little mom and pop shop is nestled behind a bustling Starbucks drive thru and honestly reminds me so much of the quaint food stalls you find in the night markets of the motherland. The restaurant itself is small with only a handful of tables and the menu is literally written on the dry eraser boards which is constantly rotates. What's great as well, it's extremely affordable too. The food is simple, but so homey. I got the pork chop rice, lightly batter with a subtle sweet marinade. The stinky tofu is hands down in my top three places in SoCal. Right amount of pungent aromas with the right mix of chili and soy paste! Definitely recommend this spot for some traditional comfort food. read more

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This is a hole in the wall place--don't expect to come here and find a high end restaurant with fancy food. It's more homestyle cooking, which my boyfriend and I enjoy. When we went, the woman at the front taking orders was very friendly. Some people say they don't speak English, but the woman was able to communicate with us in English about the menu items. My boyfriend got the tomato egg soup, and I got the tofu combo. When he got the tomato egg soup, it was not overwhelmed by tomato, which he expected it to be like at other places. It was light and flavorful. It had both tofu and pork, which was a surprise. When I got my tofu combo, it was very cute and unexpected. I got a side of braised tofu in some chicken broth, tofu with some beef, rice, Chinese broccoli with a chicken cutlet, and eggs with onions. I felt spoiled. I don't eat meat, so I was surprised at all the added meat to the plate. But the woman at the front said she could add more veggies and tofu instead to replace the dishes including meat. She was very friendly and accommodating. We will be coming back soon. read more

Hello my Yelpies, Where do I even begin with this!!! If I can live here I would. Parking here can be a little difficult due to it being next to a coin laundry, but majority of the time it's not too difficult for me to find parking. I can say that I'm addicted to this place. What I love the most about this place is because of how authentic their food are. If you are looking for authentic Taiwanese food this is the place you go. I just wish I discovered this earlier in life so I could have more time to enjoy it. They have all different kind of Taiwanese dish. From beef noodle to stinky tofu to delicious rice plates. But my favorite will be their daily combo. I always get either A, B or C. And for $7.50 you can't ask for more. It comes with 3-4 side dishes which contains eggs, veggie and an extra something different everyday along with your favorite protein. I would suggest everyone to eat there because you get a side of soup along with your delicious meal. I've been coming here pretty much every single day because I hate thinking about what to eat. I am so happy that now I don't need to stress about what to eat. The owners are so friendly, I feel like I'm at home. Their food taste like what my mum used to cook and it just brings back the feeling of being home. I honestly can't ask for anything more. Overall, if I can give it a 10 stars I would! I can say I love this place and I will never stop loving it. read more