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What we got: 1. Pork belly bowl 9/10: a table favorite. Great flavors and good size 2. Spicy wontons 8.5/10: sauce was slightly vinegary which I like 3. Dan Dan noodle: 7/10: cold noodles a classic. We liked this but thought out of the dishes ordered we could've done without if we had to choose 4. HK French toast 10/10: a must try. Perfectly crispy and warm. Overall loved this place and can't wait to come back! The seating is shared seating so you just find a table once you order at the front
Had this place on my wishlist for a while and it did not disappoint! We ordered the chicken rice, pork belly rice, sesame noodles, and Hong Kong French toast. Everything was made really well. I especially loved the pork belly rice and the French toast. The flavoring was superb, and the French toast was so crispy but not overly sweet. The serving sizes aren't too big, so you can order almost everything on the menu to share. The service was also really kind and fast. The inside was really cute with all their decor, and they have a good amount of seating. The only con is that they only have street parking, and it can get a little rough in Koreatown. Would definitely come back!
Liu's is def at the top of my list of favorite places to eat! I tried the beef noodle soup this time, and it was also really good. At this point, I feel like everything on their menu is delicious, so you really can't go wrong with what you order. The prices are reasonable, and the food is flavorful and authentic. You order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table, which is convenient. The ambiance is cozy and lively and it's always busy!
I think we came around 10-15 minutes before opening on a weekday and was the second party in line. I'd say there were maybe 4-5 parties already waiting by the time the restaurant actually opened. I don't think it's necessary to line up early since the line moves pretty fast, especially on the weekday. The only thing I'd keep in mind is that there aren't many seats inside, so you might have to wait a bit after ordering. You order first at the front then bring a number to your table. The menu isn't very big so if you have more than 5-6 people in your party, you could probably do family style with everything on the menu. Since the menu isn't big, I assume they're constantly cooking each menu item so the food came out super quick after we ordered. The food itself is very comforting and my group and I agreed that the beef noodle soup was probably the best thing on the menu. The beef was tender and the soup was very flavorful. I don't think anything here will blow your mind but if you're looking for solid food that gives you a warm feeling, this is probably the right place. I'd also say things were also fairly priced.
Doubling down on this 5/5 star restaurant. Everyone that works here is so efficient and wonderful. They don't take orders for dine in unless there's a table ready for your party. I love that so much. Food is always a hit. Everything is an absolute must, so come prepared to eat and order the whole menu. Also, did you know you could get DoorDash cash back for Dine-In orders? I thought about ordering to-go on the DoorDash app after passing by and seeing a line out the door, but surprisingly, there's perks to dining in. Plates, water, and utensils are self serve. I love this place a lot. Wish they had convenient parking and I didn't need to drive into LA .
Really great Taiwanese food! We ordered one of everything on the menu and there wasn't a single dish that we didn't like. The braised pork belly rice, spicy wontons, and sesame cold noodles were our top favorites. For those a sweet tooth, the Hong Kong style french toast, deep fried and filled with lava custard, was decadent and delicious. Service was reasonable, though the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed at times. This was understandable, given how many people kept coming into the restaurant. Seating can be limited and lines can be a bit long at peak hours. However, once you order, the food arrives at your table impressively fast. The ambiance is quaint and comfortable.
This restaurant only offers a few items, but they're doing them all perfectly! I ordered Pork belly braised rice: simple, delicious and comforting. The pork belly was properly braised and had that signature Chinese five spice fragrance. Sitting on a bed of white rice every bite was consistent. Sesame cold noodles with chicken: The sesame sauce carried the dish. It was rich and nutty, balanced with red chili for real heat that built gradually instead of just blasting you upfront. Savory and spicy in the right proportions. It was my favorite. Hong Kong French toast: Had the fried, crunchy sweetness of a funnel cake, but the maple syrup and butter sent it over the moon. The center was filled with custard, making it the perfect dessert to finish the meal.
Came here for lunch and had the spicy wontons, braised pork belly rice, and Chiayi chicken rice. All the dishes were really good, but the Chiayi chicken was definitely my favorite. The restaurant has a cool modern look with concrete floors and a mix of marble and wood tables. You order at the cashier and then grab a seat in one of the two dining rooms, which are both open seating. The staff was nice, the food came out fast, and everything we ordered was really tasty. I'd definitely come back if I was in the area.
I absolutely love this place. Liu's Cafe is one of those places where they have the perfect blend of service level, quality food, ambiance, and price point. With a party of 4, you can basically order the entire food menu and still come out affordable. While the price point does mean that the portions are relatively small, the dishes are pleasantly filling! I particularly liked the sesame cold noodle, with chicken added. Don't skip out on the kaya jam toast too. I can't wait to come back again and try the rest of the menu.
Our annual visit to LA and possibly our last "annual" visit since my son will be graduating from college next year. Our main focus on this visit was food! We went to some of our usual favorites but we also tried a few new places that my son had discovered and recommended. Liu's Cafe was one of them. We went there for Sunday lunch and my son told us that we had to line up right when they opened. Luckily, we found a street parking spot on the same street so we parked and headed straight to Liu's Cafe. But there was already a long line waiting outside! They mostly have tables for two so a group of three like us had to wait a little longer. We probably waited about 30 minutes. Although we wanted to order everything on the menu, we settled on the Braised Pork Belly Rice, Beef Noodle Soup, and Hong Kong Style French Toast. I also ordered the Hong Kong Milk Tea. Everything tasted amazing! The portions were also perfect for lunch. The Hong Kong Style French Toast was especially interesting. It was filled with custard and deep-fried, then topped with brown sugar syrup and condensed milk. My son ordered it and of course, I had to take a bite. I loved it but I don't think I could eat the whole thing... It was very sweet and definitely felt like a calorie bomb! After placing our order, I noticed that so many people were ordering the Sesame Cold Noodle with Chili Crisp and I immediately regretted not ordering it! I was really hoping we'd be able to go back before leaving LA so I could try the Sesame Noodle but unfortunately, we ran out of time... (And then my son teased me by sending me a picture of the noodles after we got back home. He had gone back there with his friend!) Now Liu's Cafe is definitely on my "Must Go" list for our next visit to LA!
We came on a Thursday right at opening and was 2nd in line. I even got a street parking spot on the same block! This Taiwanese cafe is located in the middle of K-Town so you can definitely plan a day around this spot. The cafe has a minimalist, vintage charm with Chinese decor on the walls. The staff is friendly and you order your food at the counter right as you enter the cafe. Plates, silverware, cups, to-go boxes, and water are available for self-service so keep that in mind when you are calculating gratuity. But the kitchen staff and servers were very fast and our food came out so quickly. The food is definitely worth all of the hype. We really did like all of the dishes we ordered. Hong Kong Style French Toast - This is a must try! The bread has a crispy, sweet crust with a lava custard in the middle. It comes with brown sugar syrup. You have to try this toast with and without the syrup. So good! I don't normally order french toast (too much calories) but this was so worth it. Braised Pork Belly Rice - The pork belly is so well seasoned and is layered on top of a bowl of rice with pickled cucumber. Just mixed it all together. This savory dish is the perfect balance to the sweet french toast. Spicy Wontons - These pork wontons come in a spicy sauce with chili oil, sesame and peanuts. They were delicious but you can get good spicy wontons at a lot of LA restaurants these days. I definitely recommend coming here with a group and ordering a bunch of dishes to share. The prices are very reasonable so try as many dishes as you think you can eat!
Everything on the menu was divine and made my taste buds explode! We had the sesame cold noodles and chicken dish with a wonderful light peanut sauce. The braised pork belly fried rice served with shaved pickles as a garnish was delectable! The spicy wontons were spicy level 2. Excellent for sharing and topped it off with the Hong Kong style French toast, which is a must have, sweet and salty. This was the show stopper of the evening!!! Excellent. Good seating and convenient water station for customers. The music was loud and should be down a notch or two to allow easier conversation for patrons. Clean restroom, fast and friendly service. Street parking only. The lemon tea was quenching and tasted earthy, delicious. A definite repeat visit is in the future!
We came as a group of 6. This place isn't great for large groups tbh. You place your order before you can sit down, but since we had a large group, they didn't let us place our order until a table was close to opening up. There's also no virtual waitlist so you have to physically stand in a line outside. Would recommend coming in a smaller group! On the bright side, since we had so many people, we were able to try one of everything on the menu! Our favorites: -HK Style French Toast: this was my favorite item! I've had a lot of HK French toast and they did a great job frying the bread without making it too oily. Also had the right ratio of condensed milk. -Cold Sesame Noodles: refreshing on a hot day, large portion, good flavors! -Beef Noodle Soup: there wasn't anything particularly unique or special about their BNS, but they just executed very well! The broth was really flavorful and the meat super tender. I was not a huge fan of their rice dishes- the braised pork belly and the minced chicken. It was a little too watery for me. I ordered the HK Lemon Tea but they didn't have straws so it made it hard to squeeze the lemon and enjoy the drink.
8 days ago
I'd been hearing a handful of great things about this place, so I finally stopped by--and I can see why people enjoy it! Ordering was straightforward, and the staff were really helpful in explaining how everything works and pointing out some of their more popular dishes. I went with the pork belly and rice, and it ended up being a really satisfying meal. The ratio of meat to rice was just right, and the refreshing cucumbers added a nice crunch and freshness that balanced out the richness of the pork belly. I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to finish the whole plate, but somehow I cleared it! The interior has a cozy, nostalgic feel that almost reminded me of being at Grandma's house. It can get a little warm inside despite having AC, but it wasn't enough to take away from the experience. I also liked that water, utensils, and napkins are self-serve after you pay, which keeps everything simple and convenient. Overall, a delicious and comforting meal with helpful staff, generous portions, and a relaxed atmosphere. Definitely a spot I'd come back to when I'm craving something hearty and satisfying. read more
I've heard about this place for a while and finally got a chance to try it! It's a Michelin-awarded restaurant that's surprisingly affordable, and the whole place has such a cozy, homey feel. The food honestly reminded me of a mother's cooking after a long day -- simple, comforting, and satisfying. When I went, you order at the counter first and they give you a number card, then you can grab any available table. It can get busy at times, but I went right when they were starting to pick up, so it wasn't too crowded. Utensils, water, and napkins are all self-serve. I usually like ordering things I wouldn't normally make at home, so I went with the French toast since it was a little different from your typical French toast. It was crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and filled with custard. The syrup tasted almost like a lighter, more watery condensed milk, but it wasn't overly sweet or overpowering, which I really enjoyed. The pork belly over rice was probably my favorite. It was so comforting and reminded me of Vietnamese braised pork belly with eggs -- definitely the kind of dish that feels like home. I also tried the oolong iced tea. It was refreshing and good, although nothing too out of the ordinary. Overall, this is a great spot if you're looking for affordable Michelin-recognized food with a cozy, comforting feel. I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu! read more
What we got: 1. Pork belly bowl 9/10: a table favorite. Great flavors and good size 2. Spicy wontons 8.5/10: sauce was slightly vinegary which I like 3. Dan Dan noodle: 7/10: cold noodles a classic. We liked this but thought out of the dishes ordered we could've done without if we had to choose 4. HK French toast 10/10: a must try. Perfectly crispy and warm. Overall loved this place and can't wait to come back! The seating is shared seating so you just find a table once you order at the front read more
Had this place on my wishlist for a while and it did not disappoint! We ordered the chicken rice, pork belly rice, sesame noodles, and Hong Kong French toast. Everything was made really well. I especially loved the pork belly rice and the French toast. The flavoring was superb, and the French toast was so crispy but not overly sweet. The serving sizes aren't too big, so you can order almost everything on the menu to share. The service was also really kind and fast. The inside was really cute with all their decor, and they have a good amount of seating. The only con is that they only have street parking, and it can get a little rough in Koreatown. Would definitely come back! read more
Liu's is def at the top of my list of favorite places to eat! I tried the beef noodle soup this time, and it was also really good. At this point, I feel like everything on their menu is delicious, so you really can't go wrong with what you order. The prices are reasonable, and the food is flavorful and authentic. You order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table, which is convenient. The ambiance is cozy and lively and it's always busy! read more
I think we came around 10-15 minutes before opening on a weekday and was the second party in line. I'd say there were maybe 4-5 parties already waiting by the time the restaurant actually opened. I don't think it's necessary to line up early since the line moves pretty fast, especially on the weekday. The only thing I'd keep in mind is that there aren't many seats inside, so you might have to wait a bit after ordering. You order first at the front then bring a number to your table. The menu isn't very big so if you have more than 5-6 people in your party, you could probably do family style with everything on the menu. Since the menu isn't big, I assume they're constantly cooking each menu item so the food came out super quick after we ordered. The food itself is very comforting and my group and I agreed that the beef noodle soup was probably the best thing on the menu. The beef was tender and the soup was very flavorful. I don't think anything here will blow your mind but if you're looking for solid food that gives you a warm feeling, this is probably the right place. I'd also say things were also fairly priced. read more
Doubling down on this 5/5 star restaurant. Everyone that works here is so efficient and wonderful. They don't take orders for dine in unless there's a table ready for your party. I love that so much. Food is always a hit. Everything is an absolute must, so come prepared to eat and order the whole menu. Also, did you know you could get DoorDash cash back for Dine-In orders? I thought about ordering to-go on the DoorDash app after passing by and seeing a line out the door, but surprisingly, there's perks to dining in. Plates, water, and utensils are self serve. I love this place a lot. Wish they had convenient parking and I didn't need to drive into LA . read more
Really great Taiwanese food! We ordered one of everything on the menu and there wasn't a single dish that we didn't like. The braised pork belly rice, spicy wontons, and sesame cold noodles were our top favorites. For those a sweet tooth, the Hong Kong style french toast, deep fried and filled with lava custard, was decadent and delicious. Service was reasonable, though the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed at times. This was understandable, given how many people kept coming into the restaurant. Seating can be limited and lines can be a bit long at peak hours. However, once you order, the food arrives at your table impressively fast. The ambiance is quaint and comfortable. read more
This restaurant only offers a few items, but they're doing them all perfectly! I ordered Pork belly braised rice: simple, delicious and comforting. The pork belly was properly braised and had that signature Chinese five spice fragrance. Sitting on a bed of white rice every bite was consistent. Sesame cold noodles with chicken: The sesame sauce carried the dish. It was rich and nutty, balanced with red chili for real heat that built gradually instead of just blasting you upfront. Savory and spicy in the right proportions. It was my favorite. Hong Kong French toast: Had the fried, crunchy sweetness of a funnel cake, but the maple syrup and butter sent it over the moon. The center was filled with custard, making it the perfect dessert to finish the meal. read more
Came here for lunch and had the spicy wontons, braised pork belly rice, and Chiayi chicken rice. All the dishes were really good, but the Chiayi chicken was definitely my favorite. The restaurant has a cool modern look with concrete floors and a mix of marble and wood tables. You order at the cashier and then grab a seat in one of the two dining rooms, which are both open seating. The staff was nice, the food came out fast, and everything we ordered was really tasty. I'd definitely come back if I was in the area. read more
1 month ago
I absolutely love this place. Liu's Cafe is one of those places where they have the perfect blend of service level, quality food, ambiance, and price point. With a party of 4, you can basically order the entire food menu and still come out affordable. While the price point does mean that the portions are relatively small, the dishes are pleasantly filling! I particularly liked the sesame cold noodle, with chicken added. Don't skip out on the kaya jam toast too. I can't wait to come back again and try the rest of the menu. read more
Our annual visit to LA and possibly our last "annual" visit since my son will be graduating from college next year. Our main focus on this visit was food! We went to some of our usual favorites but we also tried a few new places that my son had discovered and recommended. Liu's Cafe was one of them. We went there for Sunday lunch and my son told us that we had to line up right when they opened. Luckily, we found a street parking spot on the same street so we parked and headed straight to Liu's Cafe. But there was already a long line waiting outside! They mostly have tables for two so a group of three like us had to wait a little longer. We probably waited about 30 minutes. Although we wanted to order everything on the menu, we settled on the Braised Pork Belly Rice, Beef Noodle Soup, and Hong Kong Style French Toast. I also ordered the Hong Kong Milk Tea. Everything tasted amazing! The portions were also perfect for lunch. The Hong Kong Style French Toast was especially interesting. It was filled with custard and deep-fried, then topped with brown sugar syrup and condensed milk. My son ordered it and of course, I had to take a bite. I loved it but I don't think I could eat the whole thing... It was very sweet and definitely felt like a calorie bomb! After placing our order, I noticed that so many people were ordering the Sesame Cold Noodle with Chili Crisp and I immediately regretted not ordering it! I was really hoping we'd be able to go back before leaving LA so I could try the Sesame Noodle but unfortunately, we ran out of time... (And then my son teased me by sending me a picture of the noodles after we got back home. He had gone back there with his friend!) Now Liu's Cafe is definitely on my "Must Go" list for our next visit to LA! read more
1 month ago
We came on a Thursday right at opening and was 2nd in line. I even got a street parking spot on the same block! This Taiwanese cafe is located in the middle of K-Town so you can definitely plan a day around this spot. The cafe has a minimalist, vintage charm with Chinese decor on the walls. The staff is friendly and you order your food at the counter right as you enter the cafe. Plates, silverware, cups, to-go boxes, and water are available for self-service so keep that in mind when you are calculating gratuity. But the kitchen staff and servers were very fast and our food came out so quickly. The food is definitely worth all of the hype. We really did like all of the dishes we ordered. Hong Kong Style French Toast - This is a must try! The bread has a crispy, sweet crust with a lava custard in the middle. It comes with brown sugar syrup. You have to try this toast with and without the syrup. So good! I don't normally order french toast (too much calories) but this was so worth it. Braised Pork Belly Rice - The pork belly is so well seasoned and is layered on top of a bowl of rice with pickled cucumber. Just mixed it all together. This savory dish is the perfect balance to the sweet french toast. Spicy Wontons - These pork wontons come in a spicy sauce with chili oil, sesame and peanuts. They were delicious but you can get good spicy wontons at a lot of LA restaurants these days. I definitely recommend coming here with a group and ordering a bunch of dishes to share. The prices are very reasonable so try as many dishes as you think you can eat! read more
1 month ago
Everything on the menu was divine and made my taste buds explode! We had the sesame cold noodles and chicken dish with a wonderful light peanut sauce. The braised pork belly fried rice served with shaved pickles as a garnish was delectable! The spicy wontons were spicy level 2. Excellent for sharing and topped it off with the Hong Kong style French toast, which is a must have, sweet and salty. This was the show stopper of the evening!!! Excellent. Good seating and convenient water station for customers. The music was loud and should be down a notch or two to allow easier conversation for patrons. Clean restroom, fast and friendly service. Street parking only. The lemon tea was quenching and tasted earthy, delicious. A definite repeat visit is in the future! read more
2 months ago
We came as a group of 6. This place isn't great for large groups tbh. You place your order before you can sit down, but since we had a large group, they didn't let us place our order until a table was close to opening up. There's also no virtual waitlist so you have to physically stand in a line outside. Would recommend coming in a smaller group! On the bright side, since we had so many people, we were able to try one of everything on the menu! Our favorites: -HK Style French Toast: this was my favorite item! I've had a lot of HK French toast and they did a great job frying the bread without making it too oily. Also had the right ratio of condensed milk. -Cold Sesame Noodles: refreshing on a hot day, large portion, good flavors! -Beef Noodle Soup: there wasn't anything particularly unique or special about their BNS, but they just executed very well! The broth was really flavorful and the meat super tender. I was not a huge fan of their rice dishes- the braised pork belly and the minced chicken. It was a little too watery for me. I ordered the HK Lemon Tea but they didn't have straws so it made it hard to squeeze the lemon and enjoy the drink. read more
18 days ago
Oh man this place was SO good. I mean you don't need to go to HK or Taiwan with this spot in LA. The HK toast, noodles, wontons, everything was so good. Parking is on the street and seemed like enough seating inside. You order first and then sit. read more
We ordered the Chiayi chicken rice ($9) and beef noodle soup ($13). My partner waited in line to order while I looked for a parking spot. Parking was difficult to find, so give yourself some extra time. By the time I reached my partner inside, the food had arrived, which was convenient. Drinks and utensils are self-serve, and there is a bathroom available. The inside has such cute, cozy, homey vibes, and the service was friendly and efficient. Overall, it's a good spot for a quick and affordable meal in Los Angeles. The food was tasty, but a little simple and not necessarily my favorite. I'd still come back to try some of their other dishes, especially the spicy wontons and Hong Kong-style French toast. I really loved the atmosphere and the quick service! read more
Saw this place on a YouTube channel and wanted to stop by to give it a try. We ordered several dishes to share, pork belly rice, chicken rice, pandan kaya toast and a coconut toast, wontons and some teas and the price was very good in LA and everything tasted great, nothing impressive but tasted good! If I happened to be in the area, I might stop by again but won't drive an hour for it. Parking could be a pain (typical la problem). Mostly self serve and the place is neat! read more
Liu's Cafe is Taiwanese spot in the heart of K-Town, which makes parking terribly difficult to find. There's a new spot that opened up in Westwood, which is much closer to me and I'll go there. For this location, order at the counter and find an open table, grab water and utensils in the back. For the food: Simple menu with affordable prices. Here are my recommended items: - Chiayi Chicken Rice - Braised Pork Belly - Hong Kong Milk Tea (hot) - Hong Kong Style French Toast - Best Dish read more
3 months ago
Make sure to line up before opening because the lines start forming quickly! Service was quick and efficient -- we placed our order first and then found a table ourselves. Everything is self-service, from grabbing your own utensils, plates/bowls, and water, which made the process feel smooth and easy. The food came out in less than 5 minutes! I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The space has a modern vibe while still feeling warm and inviting. The food gave me that comforting, home-cooked feeling while also bringing something familiar and nostalgic to the table. Definitely a great spot if you're looking for something casual, delicious, and welcoming! read more
I'm glad I finally got to try this place, especially with a small line! I would come back for the Hong Kong French toast and to try the noodle soup. you do have to order before you're seated, I wish there was a sign or a bigger sign for this. Large parties of 4+ might have to wait longer for seating Hong Kong style French toast : very fluffy, interior felt almost airy / croissant like. it is on the sweet side so I didn't drizzle the syrup on it. would recommend! sesame cold noodle with chili crisp : I would share this with someone, it's a bigger portion for me personally. your standard cold noodle dish, I probably wouldn't get this again if I'm visiting a second time. Hong Kong milk tea (hot) : this was what I needed with the French toast but this is super sweet, fair warning. parking : I like parking near the movie theater in the parking structure, it's $1 every 20 minutes and a quick walk to the restaurant read more
might just be the best meal I had my whole trip to Los Angeles! I loved the chicken rice and the beef rice so much it was so full of flavor! and the French toast was I've if the best ever! the Beef noodle was so tender and the peanut noodle was refreshing for the hot la weather. read more
3 months ago
Love all the dishes! Remind me of Hong Kong especially the toast is a must! Always has line but didn't wait that long read more
4 months ago
One of my best friends was visiting from Texas and she has been wanting to go and check this place out. We went on a Saturday night dinner time and there wasn't a wait. However as soon as we finished the line started forming out the door. Perfect timing for us. We were sad that they were sold out of the pork belly rice but they had everything else. We ordered the chicken rice, hong kong style french toast, spicy wontons, and beef noodle soup. The noodle soup was hearty and flavorful. The noodles were chewy and bouncy. The chicken rice was delicious! We had to order another one cause we loved it so much. The spicy wontons were good too but similar to other places. The highlight though.. the french toast. We wanted to save it for dessert and it was still crispy, perfectly sweet and hit the spot. The staff was super friendly and checked on us a few times. But it was the annoying way when they keep coming to you. (If you know what I mean) Definitely will be returning if I can with my family. read more
Don't be deceived by the "long" line. It goes by quick. I was waiting in line and didn't even have enough time to figure out what I wanted. We ended up ordering: - Chiayi Chicken Rice: delicious, would order again - Braised Pork Belly Rice: delicious, would order again - Hong Kong Style French Toast: I need to preface that I do not have a sweet tooth. My husband absolutely loved it. I thought it was okay/too sweet. I would not order it again but the husband continues to dream about it. The portion sizes might look small but the food is PACKED into the tiny bowl. Again, don't be deceived. I had enough to pack as a meal the next day. First come, first serve seating. Despite being a free for all with self service bowls/cups/utensils/etc, the staff did a good job checking in to see if we needed anything. read more
Decent place for a limited menu of well-priced quick eats. Came to see what the Michelin Bib Gourmand hype was about - turns out, not much. You order at the counter and then grab a number to sit at one of their tables, where water and utensils are self-serve (and since it's mostly self-serve, the automatic tip prompts start lower than other places). We tried both rice dishes - the pork belly rice dish was much more flavorful, while the chicken rice dish was a little dry. The ratio of rice to meat was high. I was surprised by how limited the menu was, and unfortunately they make their house spicy sauce with peanuts so it cannot accommodate a nut allergy. The decor is pretty and meant to evoke a sort of nostalgia. Overall not bad, but not really a place that I would seek out specifically. read more
I put off coming here for years because there's something about being from the SGV where you write off these types of restaurants as Instagram fads/only getting recognition because of it. But in all honesty Liu's Cafe is a reminder that this place shouldn't be frowned upon because Chinese restaurants are devalued. Liu's Cafe serves a limited menu of Taiwanese and Hong Kong staples with each dish tenderly presented. I made my friends meet up on a Friday morning before opening (around 10:40 hahaha) so we snagged seats easily. There's a handful of large tables for big groups, but most tables catered to small duos. Pricing isn't crazy, but for anyone from the SGV, you will find it a little steep since the portions are a little small. That being said, that doesn't diminish the value of the food here. We ordered: Kaya jam toast - tasty treat! I didn't taste much of the salted egg yolk, but it was unique for sure. Beef noodle soup - I don't eat beef, but my friend devoured it! She said it a wholesome, hearty balance of flavors, meat, and veg. Braised pork belly rice - I was super impressed at how flavorful it was without having to rely on being too fatty (nothing wrong with that in a pork belly dish, but I was super surprised as the depth of flavor it had). The pickled cucumber made each bite perfect. My main delta was there's a tad more rice than meat. Spicy wontons - the sauce is what stuck out and it is FRAGRANT. I could easily drink it or bathe in it. So delicious and crave-able! Hong Kong French toast - admittedly sweeter than any French toast I had in Hong Kong, but the textures of what you'd get in a breakfast place in HK are all there. If you're not a fan of desserts that are sweet (versus "not too sweet"), I'd pass on this. Otherwise the custard-like texture between bites can't be beat! Some of these reviews are likely from people who make the trek out here from the SGV/626 that often have a chip on their shoulder as to how the food here gets recognized by an international ranking system where their favorite mom and pop places are struggling. Liu's Cafe should be an invitation to remember that there should be more recognition of those types of restaurants and space for Liu's Cafe. The food isn't pretentious or pretends it does anything better than anywhere in the SGV, but instead it focuses on a small menu to perfectly execute each dish. Parking is a pain bc ktown lol, but I would gladly struggle through parking and a drive to come here again (I will avoid peak hours bc I hate waiting in line anywhere). I'll be back! read more
This review will be skewed to my personal experience due to my peanut allergy! (I mean aren't all reviews based on this lol!) The beef noodle soup was hearty, yet light. Tender pieces of meat reside in this bowl along with some chewy noodle that were perfect! Now, I LOVE sweet/sour/spicy wontons (similar to what you would find at DTF) but unfortunately, Liu's makes theirs with a peanut sauce. (I thought it was just a dry peanut topping!) so I was served with the wontons with just some chili oil. Now I did have leftover broth from the noodle soup and ended up pouring that over hoping it could fix what only the peanut sauce was made for. And it turned okay... I was hoping for a kick, a tang, a spin, a double take... something!!! But there was nothing. I make a similar cold noodle dish that I sometimes use almond butter or tahini (depending on what I have in my pantry) and wish I got to try Liu's version! (Obviously I did not order this) All in all, I'd come back for the beef noodle soup alone. Or maybe I'll try the other meat and rice dishes. But because of the items I typically would go for aren't Kim friendly, I will less likely be able to frequent here :( I got here a few minutes before 11AM and there was already a line! However it moved fast and by the time I got my seat and utensils, the food came out! read more
8/4/2026 My 2nd visit. My orders: - chiayi chicken rice: order it! Transported back to Chiayi, Taiwan where I tried this dish the first time. In Taiwan they use turkey instead of actual chicken. I couldn't believe such a simple dish could be so delicious! - cold sesame noodle + chicken (extra charge): order it! - spicy wonton: delicious! Order it! - braised pork belly rice: order it! I like how it's not as fatty as other places and also, to me who favors more sweet taste in dishes, tasted on point! - beef noodle soup: ORDER IT! Noodle texture is chewy and al dente. Beef is super tender and very tasty. the soup is super flavorful. - hongkong style French toast: MOST DEFINITELY ORDER IT! Nothing better than to close a yummy meal with an even yummier dessert. 3 stack of thinly sliced toasts were filled with sweet custard, battered and then deep fried, served with sliced chilled butter with sea salt sprinkled on top of the butter and also condensed milk on the side. I ordered it together with my meal but asked for it to be prepared after the meal so I can consume it at its best. The combination of the crispy batter, the soft, pillowy toast, the lightly sweet custard (don't worry--it isn't overly sweet), and the subtle touch of flaky sea salt on top created a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Every bite felt like a little dance in my mouth. Pro tip: If you're okay with spicy food, be sure to try their chili oil. It's incredibly flavorful without being overly spicy. I would definitely go back! read more
Came around 1:30 pm on a Friday and we were able to find street parking nearby. There was no wait and we ordered at the front and food was brought out quickly in about 5 mins. -Beef noodle soup (4/5): broth was tasty and flavorful, beef was tender, a good amount of noodles -Spicy wontons (3/5): decent portion, filling was thick and juicy, wasn't too spicy and more sweet read more
4 months ago
Heard good things about this spot! Luckily their was no wait on a Friday around 1:30PM. Found street parking nearby. We ordered at the front and the food was brought out to us within 5 minutes! Seating, utensils and water are self service Beef noodle soup (4/5): a good portion and the beef was tender, soup was rich and flavorful, noodles were bouncy. Wish there was more bok choy lol Spicy wontons (3/5): they were sweeter than I preferred. Filling was thick and juicy read more
Food is GREAT! and AFFORDABLE!! Especially if i'm introducing people to hong-kong and taiwanese food, this place is a place that's very approachable. It's like another variation of Pine&Crane and Joy (as in cheap eats) I came with a friend to try their dinner menu but it's highkey the same thing as the regular menu but with 1 added dish. Interior is also super cozy! read more
My friend and I came here for dinner, our first meal of the day on a Saturday. The restaurant is set up where you order first at the check-in counter, get a number, and seat yourself after paying. The automatic tip amounts on the checkout screen start at 6%! Never have I ever seen automatic tipping start in the single digits. Given it's a self-service café, I think this tipping model is completely reasonable. After we each ordered and paid separately, I set the table we chose with dinnerware and serving cutlery as the food all arrived in short order. I had chosen the braised beef noodle soup and Chiayi chicken and rice, and my friend ordered the cold sesame noodles and spicy wontons. She also added the Hong Kong style French toast later. While we liked everything, we agreed the braised beef noodle soup was the best item of the savory foods. My friend even said she would come here for lunch all the time if she lived nearby. The Hong Kong style French toast was my first, and I loved it. My friend, who's been eating it forever, said it was exceptionally good with the addition of egg custard in the center. Overall we both appreciated the smaller portion sizes, affordable prices, and efficient service. Even though we stayed quite a while, the staff didn't rush us to leave. This is the perfect place to come for a snack or full meal alone or with a small group. read more
5 months ago
The only thing I hate about this place is that it's so far away! We came here on a Friday around 2pm. No line, ordered right away, and food came in 10 min. We got the chicken rice, braised pork belly rice, Hong Kong milk tea, and Kaya toast. All were soooo good!! One thing we really loved besides the food was the decor-- the artwork and furniture made us feel like were back in Asia. read more
5 months ago
Always heard about Liu's cafe and wish I could have stopped by when they were still serving ice cream. Although, the food here was very delicious! I was lowkey having doubts bc I feel like nothing can really beat Chinese/Taiwanese food in the 626, but honestly it's a really nice fusion restaurant to have in ktown. It's a small cafe, expect to look only for street parking. I also liked the soft dimmed lighting they had in the restaurant, it made it feel even more cozier. We ordered a bunch of items to share, they unfortunately ran out of wontons that night boo. We ordered the sesame cold noodle, chicken rice bowl, hk style french toast, beef noodle soup, and the braised pork belly rice. Everything was quite delicious! I was well surprised how the beef noodle soup was also pretty good, the beef was very tender and soft. A lot of places i've been too had their beef usually pretty tough. Broth was also very nice and hearty. Chicken was very soft. The sesame cold noodle was my favorite! I just love sesame/peanut butter taste, so I just enjoyed this one a lot. The hk style french toast was also made very well, not too soggy, but very crispy and airy! Overall, everything was really good. I liked how you can just order at the cashier and seat yourself. Everything was pretty clean. Food also came out very quickly. It wasn't too busy despite coming during prime dinner time. read more
i totally understand why this place has such good reviews. the service was quick and amazing, the vibes were great. there was a line out the door but that's because there's really no space for so many people to stand and order inside. i'd say it took about 5 minutes for the food to come out, and it was delicious. read more
Liu's Cafe in Ktown is such a gem. This spot has affordable pricing, a gorgeous interior, attentive staff, and delicious bites. The menu here is quite small so I definitely recommend eating family style. This spot is also not very peanut allergy friendly! What we tried: chiayi chicken rice braised pork belly rice spicy wontons (sauce on the side) hong kong style french toast read more
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More info about Liu’s Cafe
3915 1/2 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Koreatown, Wilshire Center
Directions
(213) 264-8585
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https://www.liuscafe.com
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Ask the Community - Liu’s Cafe
Where can I find parking?
It's metered street parking or neighborhood parking. If you park in the neighborhood pay attention to signs.
Is it good for larger groups? (6-7)
I recall most the tables are small (2-3 people) and there's only one large table in the middle where they'd put multiple small parties. A large group may have to wait a long time. Your odds may be better if you're willing to split up.
When is the best time to go?
I think weekends is best right when opening or before noon
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32 reviews that are not currently recommended
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