GREAT place. Just…read morecame here to say, surprise standout is THE FISH. The pickled fish is really great. The salt and pepper fish is really great. I'd have never ordered these normally, so I just thought you should know! (Unforturnately, their chow mein is lesser than Panda Express as of 10.6.26, don't make yourself sad and order it).

Came with some friends one night and ordered Shrimp Chow Mein, Orange Chicken, Sizzling Black…read morePepper Beef, and Hot & Spicy Eggplant. Everything tasted pretty generic. Nothing really stood out here but nothing was bad at least. I've had plenty of Chinese restaurants in Chinese population dense areas such as Monterey Park, Alhambra, etc. and this doesn't hold up against them in terms of flavor. Service was okay and the ambiance was fine.

This time we are inside!…read more Order at counter first then you can be seated. We had a local gift card that they accepted. Food came quickly and great for sharing. We liked the pork belly rice quite flavorful. The beef noodles were a bit small and for one person. Parking gets crowded but there is another lot shared across the street.

Cute counter service style eatery in Pasadena! The branding feels very intentional to mimic…read moretraditional Chinese restaurants with a modern twist, from the lazy susan table to the white and blue porcelain looking bowls. We came in on a Thursday evening and there were few parties inside. There is a small lot on the side that is shared with several other businesses that was almost full when I arrived, so I imagine parking may be difficult on business days. The worker told me that the beef noodles are their most popular dish by a landslide, so we decided to order that alongside the pork belly over rice and wood ear mushroom salad. The beef noodles were chewy, flavorful, and the chili oil at each table brought the dish to another level. The pork belly was tender and balanced out well by the veggies. The wood ear mushroom, though smaller than I expected for the cost ($8), cut through the heavy dishes well and had a nice crunch.

We volunteered to do some Gardening at John Muir High School in Altadena and decided to grab lunch…read moreafter in Pasadena. We looked on Yelp and decided to go with Mama Lu's. I totally forgot about parking and the one way streets so I had to do a lap just to find a parking structure that was right across the street from the restaurant. When I arrived I was not expecting the restaurant to look as nice and clean as it did. I thought it was going to be a small hole-in-the-wall type of joint but it's actually a very nice restaurant. There was a lot of space and a lot of seating. Once we decided on on what we wanted we decided to do family style and ordered, shrimp and pork shumai, pork dumplings, spicy pork wontons and kung pao shrimp. I decided to go with the passion fruit tea with half sweetener but I probably should have went with 75%. It was still pretty good but could have been better. I loved the pork dumplings and the kung pao shrimp the best. The service was quick, fast and effective. Anytime we needed something, they were right there to provide, sauces, water and silverware when needed. They also start you out with peanuts and hot tea for the table and I thought that was cool. Overall, it was pretty good! I still have my favorite dumpling spots and I've definitely had better sumai but it wasn't bad. I would go back again but I would also check to see if there was something better if ever in the area. OOOO 4 out of 5 Afros

If you're looking for a family style meal, look no further. Mama Lu's is always a good idea and…read moreeach dish is always packed with flavor and well seasoned. I've been at the Tustin location, too and service has always been fast and friendly there but I know this one might be a bit on the busier side so you might have to flag down the servers more. Bustling and casual environment. I always come to Mama Lu's with my partner and his family and we always enjoy our meal. What we got: - Pork dumplings - a must - Spicy wontons - that chili sauce is addicting. I love how it's topped with peanuts - Pan fried pork buns - crunchy on the outside with delicious filling on the inside - Green onion pancake - pretty standard, could be a bit crispier - Seafood pan fried noodle - i love the fried noodles! the veggies go well with it too - Chicken with corn soup - light and hearty - Fish with seaweed (fish and chips) - lightly battered, one of my favorite menu items - French style beef tenderloin - another favorite menu item! each beef tenderloin bite was like tasting a bit of heaven. the mushrooms were a really great addition to this as well - Egg tofu topped with mushroom - i like this sauce more than the one on the seafood pan fried noodle - Yang chow fried rice - a good base to get so that you can eat it with all of the other food we got I have no complaints at all besides the parking situation and the long wait time, especially during lunch hour but it's not their fault the food is so good that they're busy! Hoping to come back soon.

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

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

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

Hubby wanted to get dim sum for new year and luckily we live close to Lunasia. Like most locations,…read morethe food is pretty consistent and the servers are pretty attentive. This location is pretty spacious and even has a second floor for dining. Though we were seated inside, a lot of people were coming in and out for take out. They have a QR code to scan the menu and send your order to the kitchen. Unfortunately, they forgot our order of shumai. We had already finished eating before it even came. The waitress was kind but apparently had to bring the receipt back because the staff was claiming we already received it.

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

Enter with Caution. It's gonna get spicy…read more To long to read - get the Mapo Tofu with Beef. I think it's a great dish, especially if you're new to Sichuan food. I had it on Medium spice, and I was sweating profusely. It doesn't come with rice, so be sure to order white rice on the side. The Sichuan Boiled Blackfish is delicious if you can share with a friend. Be warned --- also very spicy. The fish is so tender and I found myself sipping the addicting lava broth. It hurt so good. I would not order the Dan Dan Noodles or Diced Chicken with Spicy Chilies again. I felt like there wasn't enough chicken and the dan dan noodles had a weird musty flavor that I didn't resonate with. I prefer the Taiwanese version a little more. My last words, be careful with your spice tolerance. Leave your pride at the door and go a or two notch lower. I had stomach cramps afterwards. I would definitely go back again for the Mapo Tofu. The server found my little puddle of sweat adorable, and gave me napkins. Bless her heart.

Incredible taste... each dish was immaculate and did not fail to impress me and my friends! Not to…read moremention, the prices are very reasonable and portion sizes are large. The service was also amazing! It felt as though I was enjoying a nice meal at home. The dining area was recently renovated and is kept very clean. Comfortable goes without saying!

Smells like cigarettes in here today. Can't smell it outside and dudes got vapes sitting out on the…read morefront counter.

The original Panda Inn location. This place has seen a glow up or renovation since its inception,…read morebut this is the OG spot that eventually launched a huge brand. I was in the area visiting and saw that this place was really close by. I wanted to come here for dinner. I didn't have a reservation but was able to get seated at the bar right away. It's been a couple months and I'm sad that I forgot the name of the person who helped me since it was a couple of months ago, but I was pretty blown away at the level service given to me while sitting at the bar for dinner. Since this was my first time visiting, I kind of felt like I had to get the orange chicken for dinner. The flavor and recipe vary slightly from the commercial locations and its good amount of food for the price. I also started with the egg drop soup. The food hit the spot and it was delicious. And on the way out, they also gave me a chocolate covered fortune cookie, which was also tasty. Another thing that surprised me was just how nice the interior of the restaurant was. I know they renovated recently, but this is truly a nice restaurant. I think it would be great for groups. Also not only was the person that was helping me really kind and attentive, but it seemed like everyone here was just the friendliest people. They also had an awesome selection at the bar. I ended up getting some high-end bourbon with my meal. Can't say enough great things. Just very pleasantly surprised with the experience and food.

I want to go here every time I think of this place…read more Come alone (I just might), come as a pair, or come in a group. There's something for everyone. You'll always find a crowd of people waiting outside the grand entrance. You should have made a reservation. While you wait, browse the menu online or look with envy at the people eating in the outdoor patios. There's free parking with validation, so feel free to drive on over without pre-gaming with anxiety about street parking. Once you enter, you'll find extravagant decor, lots of tables, bar seating, a sushi counter, and private rooms. This is a HUGE building that could have been two stories. If they go through with another renovation, they should add upper-level patios IMO. The staff is friendly and helpful. They seem to enjoy working here as much as I enjoy mirin' the atmosphere and the drinks they make. Also, they have a cool machine at the bar that dries and wipes wine glasses. I look at it every time. You can see it in my video. We haven't even gotten to the food yet. Think about the food at Panda Express. Now throw that idea away because the food at Panda Inn is in another dimension. You thought crab rangoons were going to be your last meal? You'll find an array of meat dishes, veggie dishes, rice, noodles, cocktails, beer, and sushi too. Again, something for everyone. I haven't tried the sushi yet since it's a Chinese-inspired restaurant, but I am reminded that I must trust the Panda. There's something special about their fortune cookies, and I'll leave it to you to find out! Doubters WILL be converted once they try it. The Glendale location is just as good. You have no excuse anymore. So shut up and come here already so you can tell haters all about it next time they go "eww Panda is sooo Americanized" (yes and I like it)

Overall we enjoyed our meal and experience and would totally come back to try other dishes…read more Food - everything was fresh tasting. Lobster: we enjoyed the Colette special sauce, it was aromatic with the basil, good level of spice, and lobster meat was cooked perfect. Salt and pepper calamari: great crunch, wish it had a little more salt & pepper & garlic seasoning most pieces weren't coated, but the calamari texture had the perfect chew. Crispy vermicelli with beef: loved the crispy noodles and soft beef stir fry textures together, definitely ask for chili oil with this dish, it needs that extra umph of flavor for the noodles. Salted egg yolk pumpkin: I normally love this dish, only wished the outside was crispier, got soggy fast and with how thick these are cut you want the crispy exterior, but flavor was good. Only thing that made me feel a bit "eh" was the chipped plateware they have and continue to use. Service - wonderful! Everyone was so friendly and had nice customer service. They even helped recommend dishes and also share opinions on what we shouldn't order which I loved. Parking - free parking lot! There are a few spaces right in front of the restaurant. But around the side there's more parking as well.

Very good food and service I like the food there…read more They have a very good chef I send all my friends there too and they love it

Dans is so good I love it their beans and noodles are so good also the popcorn shrimp is my…read morefavorite appetizer.

Great food and exceptional hospitality by Eric! Very…read moreattentive and helpful. It was our first time but definitely will be back!