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    Tai He Ju

    4.8 (237 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Business Info

    TAI HE JU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Tai He Ju

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    Local find!  Hidden gem!  OMG run don't walk to get your (B5.) Cumin Beef Pan Fried Dumpling 10pcs
    Lily W.

    *** 2025 review #35 *** 恭喜你 gōng xǐ nǐ Congratulations! @tai._he._ju for making @yelpla Top 3 Best Dumpling Spots in the US & Canada! If you enjoy truly homemade cooking from scratch and are looking for that homey feeling... Tai He Ju is the place for you. A family affair in and out of the kitchen, a passion project founded by Chef Yang. The moment you step into the bright and inviting spacious dining room, you'd be warmly greeted with a generous bowl of complimentary Corn Egg drop soup. Be prepared for the Ultimate Dumplings experience! The menu is #dumplinglover dream come true: a delicious range of handmade from scratch dumplings with unique & creative fillings based on family secret recipes. You can order steamed, pan-fried or fried. Truly one of the best #localfinds #hiddengemofla I couldn't agree more with my trusted fellow Yelpers!

    Yelp Top 100 Places to Eat in 2025 &  Top 25 Dumpling Spots in the US & Canada (Oct 2025)
    Luke L.

    *** Credit cards accepted *** Tai He Ju is a mom-and-pop dumpling house located in El Monte and was ranked #27 in Top 100 Places to Eat in the US for 2025 ( https://www.yelp.com/article/top-100-us-restaurants-2025 ) and ranked #3 in Top 25 Dumpling Spots in the US & Canada ( https://www.yelp.com/collection/sNpzxO047EDOsPi-XZ2rzg/Top-25-Dumpling-Spots-in-the-US-Canada?sort_by=rank_order ). Dumplings, soy sauce, and chili sauce are all made from scratch. [Parking]: Easy and free parking within a strip mall. [Atmosphere]: Clean dining atmosphere as well as clean restroom. Not the most efficient service since the restaurant is family-owned, but the staff was friendly. [Menu]: The popular dumpling to order is beef with vermicelli fried dumplings. Other dumplings like Pan Fried Dumplings or Pork with Chive Dumplings are all secondary popular options. The owner provided complimentary egg drop soup. *** Pork with Chive Dumplings (12 pieces for $10.99): I thought fillings tasted alright, but one bite and I could tell dough was definitely handmade. Chives with Eggs Fried Dumplings (4 pieces for $5.99): Honestly these fried dumplings felt like Chinese version of empanadas. I actually like these fried dumplings - good crunchy texture and I also liked the fillings better. *** Solid dumpling house with no waiting line and above-average dumplings. Not sure I would recommend anyone to drive out of the way for this restaurant, but I can see myself occasionally stop by this place if I live near this area.

    Fried rice with corn
    Kit T.

    This place was subpar & lacked any dining atmosphere. It did not have any warmth ? The food was mediocre. Unfortunately the food we ordered did not have flavors. Presentation wise , it looked good. The rice did not have enough "WOK HAY". The dumplings were juicy but the dough wasn't silky. The pan fried ones had cumin which twisted the fun in eating it. The menu does not offer a lot of choices compared to Thumbling and Mr Dragon Noodle house. I am not sure if l missed something?

    Cross section
    Megan L.

    Local family run business with a simply dumpling-focused menu. + steamed beef with chive dumplings ($11.99 for 12): super thin skin, which was different. But didn't pop and held the filling and juice well! (8/10) + steamed pork with chive dumplings ($10.99 for 12): very similar tasting to beef and just as juicy (7.8/10) + fried beef cumin dumpling ($6.99 for 4): wow steaming hot, juicy and very be try cuminy yum (8/10) Also free corn egg drop soup, was ok

    Beef vermicelli deep fried dumpling
    Angela B.

    Pork steamed dumps here wowzaaaa $40some for 4 types of dumplings with 8 pieces leftover! Chive and egg fried dumpling 3/5 I normally love chive and egg, but their rendition wasn't my favorite. I felt the filling could have been more voluminous/flavorful, and there was a good amount of residual oil on the plate. The lattice skirt was more crisp than crunchy as well. Beef and vermicelli deep fried dumpling 4/5 The crust was more tender than flakey, but the filling was so juicy it splattered on the table as I bit into it. I really enjoyed the flavor of this one, but I wish the crust was flakier. Pork and chive steamed dumpling 5/5 Wow. This is probably my favorite dumpling outside of Tainan. From the thinner dumpling skin, to the inside meat mixture, this was amazing. One bite is all you need and you'll just keep eating. Beef and chive steamed dumpling 3/5 Not a huge fan of the flavor of this one. It felt like the beef didn't pair as well as opposed to the pork one, the flavor is also stronger with this one whereas the pork delicately married with the chive. Complimentary egg drop soup 3/5 A nice break from the dumps, but this was simple to eat with a dash of white pepper. Chili oil Was fine, it did elevate the dumps tho! Service I really enjoyed the service here. Very warm and truly a family affair! Thank you for sharing your recipes with us. The place is impeccably clean!

    Beef with Vermicelli Dumpling 4pc
    Hannah B.

    Relaxing comfort food! The food here tastes homemade and not overly salty. We ordered the Zha Jiang Noodle, Steamed Beef and Corn Dumplings, Pan-Fried Pork and Chives Dumplings, and Fried Beef Vermicelli Dumplings. My favorite was their Fried Beef Vermicelli Dumplings. The ratio between the meat filling and the fried dumpling skin was perfect. The skin also had a nice soft crispiness and chewiness. There is also some soup inside the dumpling which was delicious. Their steamed dumplings are good but standard. The Pan Fried dumplings were perfectly crisp but flavor wise was also standard but still good. I really like how their fried items aren't oily/greasy at all. The Zha Jiang Noodle was not bad but not amazing. I would recommend mixing it with their chili oil which is made in house. Overall, the food here is good and tastes homemade. The prices are pretty affordable with each dish ranging from $10-$12. The waitress was also really sweet and very attentive.

    Seaweed soup with dumplings
    Jacqueline C.

    Tldr yummy and homey place to eat delicious dumplings My one complaint with dumplings places in norcal is that either the boiled dumplings are good or the pan fried but almost never both in the same restaurant. This place has 3 different prep styles and they are all good. For the filling we tried beef with corn, pork and cabbage, cumin beef (only available fried iirc) and beef and chive. They were all so tasty! Sometimes chive dumplings can be too wet if they sit for a bit but you can tell these were really fresh. I wish I remembered to take a picture of the filling too so I can remember how full it was but I basically just ate everything. We got the fried rice at the end because the baby wanted it but it was also solid. The rice was tasty and it did the thing where the rice grains don't stick together. I would come back for it if I was craving fried rice and this was the closest place to me. This was also the second dumpling place I went in one day and I will definitely be coming back here when I come back to LA.

    Cumin Beef Fried Dumplings
    Jamie D.

    Reasons NOT to come here: -If you don't like good dumplings -If you don't like to support local establishments -If you prefer fancy ambiance over value and taste My parents live close by to this restaurant and I've seen it a few times on the corner of my eye driving to their place. Finally came here one night instead. This spot is in the same plaza as Ramen Ichiraku (a ramen spot that's been in the neighborhood for a while now). Walking in, the place is bright and clean but no-frills and while enough tables, sparsely decorated. You immediately get the vibe that this is a family-run business. Same person takes the order and brings it to you while you hear a young child crying in the back with the older sister telling mom to help. I know this can be off-putting for some people but things like this remind me why it's important to support our local mom-and-pop and the reality that we're all on the same boat toward the American Dream or at the least, to make enough to support our loved ones. Sorry, I'm diverging. Let me bring it back to the food. The dumps! They have steamed, pan-fried and fried. The menu is relatively simple and plenty at the same time with some cold dishes and also one of my favorite childhood comfort food - tomato eggs. We decided to order: -Beef Pan-fried Dumplings (potstickers) -Cumin Beef Fried Dumplings -Cold marinated beef -bowl of rice We were provided with complimentary egg drop corn soup and let me tell you, it wasn't a cup but a generous bowl of it. Who does this nowadays? We truly appreciated it and they even asked if we wanted more. Seriously! Service and hospitality is five stars and as for the food? Five stars too! We enjoyed the flavor of the dumplings and you can tell the dumpling skin is made in-house and everything tasted homemade. I prefer to eat boiled or steamed dumplings b/c they're healthier but I'm avtuakky glad we got what we go. It was worth every calorie! Will be coming back again and you should go if you haven't!

    Interior
    James L.

    This is a 4.5 but rounding up to 5. Tai He Ju has been here for around 2 years, and I just discovered them. It takes up one side of a small plaza, and the signs are visible enough to grab my attention. The inside is sparsely decorated, with tables placed far apart. There's no artwork on the walls except for some framed photos of the owner's friends and family, which I thought was a nice touch. The menu is fairly simple. It consists of mostly dumplings with a few rice and noodle dishes. What caught my attention was their cumin beef dried dumplings that look like empanadas. Since they're known for that, we ordered 3 different types prepared 3 different ways. 1. Pork vermicelli, steamed. These came out the quickest. Hit and nicely seasoned that I didn't even need any sauce. But I used hit oil anyways. 2. Beef vermicelli fried. It's like a leek pocket with a perfectly crisp shell. These are wrapped fresh to order, because of they're kept in the fridge or freezer,'it won't have that flaky entire when fried, according to the owner. 3. Cumin beef pan fried. Nice chewy skin with a hint of cumin. Not overpowering but the taste is there. This is a family run business, with members doing different tasks and helping out, plus the sound of a crying baby in the back that really made it feel like someone's home instead of a restaurant. The owner is very nice and came by to chat with us, and even gave my kid a drink. I really like the homely atmosphere, and if I were to critique it, is that it was too quiet in there. We felt like we shouldn't be loud, so some music would've been nice. Otherwise, it's a great place to get some fresh homemade dumplings.

    Pork and vermicelli potstickers $12
    Truman W.

    Pork and vermicelli potstickers $12 -more like gyozas, small but very juicy and delicious. Love the included chili sauce (homemade?) Shrimp fried rice $14 -pretty OK flavor with green peas, corn and carrot. Texture-wise it's somewhat soggy and oily. (I found lots of oil on the bottom). My gold benchmark for shrimp fried rice is still Sam Woo (Alhambra) and Din Tai Fung. Prices increased $3 since the last menu photos on Yelp, so I posted new menu prices. 4 stars for food, 5 stars for service, 3 stars for value. I wish them the best.

    Wayne Z.

    This is my second time back at THJ, and I feel I'm in a more unbiased position to give my honest thoughts and feedback on this mom & pop dumpling restaurant. And therefore my unbiased rating will still be 4 stars. 1 rating lower from 5 which is what I originally wanted to score this place based on first impressions. I think as a family unit, the aura and hospitality they give is undeniably top notch. You feel at home, you feel like your living in a small town of 3000, and the Smiths are running this local eatery and they've been your neighbors for ages. Maintaining a place like this is a labor of love, it's stressful, it's hard work, and to still have that level of energy and commitment showing on their faces with an empty restaurant, that's called passion. But just baseing a restaurant's score on staff likeability is not enough to justify a 5 star rating. You also have to factor in the taste of the food and this alone varies from one person to the next. Thus far on my two visits. I've tried their Beef Noodle Soup, Zhajiang Mian (*Chinese Jajangmyun), their Cumin Beef Empanada Style Fried Dumplings, their Beef with vermicelli pan fried gyoza style dumplings, and their Empanada Style Chives with Eggs Fried Dumplings. My verdict on the food is an overall rating of 3/5. Hear me out. The chives with eggs empanadas were awesome, they're your traditional breakfast style Chinese empanadas that you pair in the morning with some Soy Milk. I loved these and no doubt would order more and bring these on my truck every now and then. The pan fried gyoza with the beef vermicili is on par with the original pan fried gyozas at The Original Foo Foo Teis on 7th Ave. Full of juices, full of flavors, good skin texture not breaking, and had the right amount of burn and crispiness. But the filling I felt needed more cilantro and onions in there to balance the protein....msg too, throw some msg in there too for that Umami. 3/5 The chives and pork dumplings were pretty solid. I wouldn't rank them as the best I've had but I will tell you I finished the plate in under 5 minutes. Probably a 4/5 The Jajiang Noodles for me personally is not something that is tailored to my taste buds. I am more accustomed to say, Taiwanese style Zhajiang Noodles, Shandong style Zhajiang Noodles and Korean Style Zhajiang Noodles. So basically anywhere from a combination of sugars, black Bean Soy Paste, sauteed with Minced Mushrooms onions garlic and ground pork to ground pork seasoned with 5 spices powder simmered together with Sweet Black Bean Paste and small dosage of salted black Bean Paste. Anyways you get the picture, maybe it's because I'm a southerner Chinese, my taste buds gear towards a little bit of sweetness. But I personally found the Zhajiang Noodles here a little salty. This is probably the Henan province version. And therefore I felt overall even with the celery cubes and carrots in there, there wasn't anything to really bring the flavors into balance because of the heaviness of the black bean paste. Maybe add some squash, zucchini, more onions ....I don't know. But it's lacking the natural sweetness. 好了我還少廢話,but its unique in its own way, and I've never had this noodle with celery, so kudos to innovation. So my personal rating for this dish is going to be a 3/5. Maybe throw in some cilantro. Lastly the beef noodle soup. Again this is just personal preference, I'm used to Szechuan Style Beef noodle Soup. Taiwan style Beef Noodles Soup, and Lanzhou Style Beef Noodle Soup. I think these three dominate things category, because then if you move on to French..Beef Bourginon is a different thing in itself. Just wasn't my cup of tea. I prefer a soup base that is braised with natural beef bones, onions, maybe 1 or 2 Cinnamon cloves and 3 star anises, then some pepper and salt to seasoning. I think this formula is the simplest broth and any noodles with this base is a winner. Of course there were I feel hot pot soup herbs in the broth and so I felt a little overwhelmed by the complexity of the broth at THJ. And again my personal opinion. Despite the portions being Ginormous...think the hot pot beef slices don't pair well with this type of soup noodle. I don't know....you guys reading be the judge. So here I'm going to give a 3/5 So all in all the portions are epically huge, the family unit work with some impressive passion, and the food is overall something I can come back every now and then for if I want a fast quick turn key no frills meal at what I will honestly say is *Bargain Level* prices in this inflated economy. Yes you get huge portions and you get complimentary soup. Where do you find this combination of charity in Los Angeles, that's like the equivalent of Costco's Hot Dogs and a drink. Yeah anyone that hasn't come here needs to give this place a go. Support a local community business!

    Christina N.

    Was kinda sus initially since this place is so highly rated but yet when we went, the restaurant was completely empty and relatively new. But I'm glad yelp didnt lie! Pleasantly surprised by the dumplings here! Definitely go with the recommended ones. They are juicy and tender inside with excellent skin to filling ratio. I also like they they served us a giant bowl of soup for free as appetizer. Portions are generous! Will return again.

    Dave H.

    Gem of a dumpling house located in south El Monte. Super friendly mom and family serving handmade/homemade delicious dumplings. Steam, pan fried and deep fried. Plus fried rice and some noodle dishes. Cute kids too sometimes hanging out in the dining area while mom tends the tables and grandparents cook away. Perfect place for family with kids and great take out spot too. Homemade delish chili oil! Bring a jar home with ya!

    C5 Cumin Beef Fried Dumplings (8pcs) $9.99

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    Page 1 of 6

    Tai He Ju Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tai He Ju

    Do you have any gluten free dishes?

    Our fried rice is naturally gluten-free. We don’t use soy sauce in it — only rice, vegetables, eggs, and seasonings.… 

    Can I pay frozen dumplings with credit cards ? Add 3% fee?

    Hello! yes, you can pay with credit cards and they are is no add fee for use credit cards

    Do you sell frozen dumplings ? And what's the price?

    Yes! We do ! The pork’s one are$27 for 52 pieces. Beef one are $28 for 52 pieces. And please call us one day advance ❤️ so we can make the dumplings fresh for you

    Do you have anything that is vegetarian?

    Hello! Yes! We do have the chives with eggs dumplings,or fried rice or tomato with eggs over the rice

    View All 5 Questions

    B Nutritious

    B Nutritious

    4.4
    (363 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    First time at B Nutritious. The food was good, and made fresh to order. The wait time was about…read more10-15 minutes, but our smoothies (not pictured) were ready in less than 10. The staff was so friendly and sweet, answered our questions about ingredients and macros, and overall seemed very knowledgeable. Their parking lot was a little tricky but we easily found free street parking during the lunch hour.

    I was very curious about this place after reading my Yelp buddy Kevin M.'s review, so my wife and I…read moredecided to visit this restaurant. Located in a busy neighborhood of El Monte, CA, this restaurant was a pleasant surprise. Limited parking is available behind the restaurant, and street parking is an option if you can find a space. Upon entering, I immediately noticed how clean, well-organized, and modern everything looked. The electronic menu board is clearly and prominently displayed as you walk in. The menu is quite extensive, with options including wraps, salads, bowls, breakfast items, smoothies, and meal-prepped dishes with chicken, beef, salmon, tofu, and much more. I was impressed by the variety of choices and portions. My wife ordered an Asian chicken salad and garlic edamame, while I had a house salad with chicken and shrimp, plus a strawberry-banana smoothie and (2) protein donuts. Each dish was absolutely delicious. The lettuce in our salads was crunchy and fresh, the chicken and shrimp were flavorful and well-seasoned, the garlic edamame was tasty and cooked perfectly, and my banana and strawberry smoothie--let's just say I wish I had another one right now, as I loved it! If I may make a small suggestion: please chop the lettuce into smaller pieces, as the lettuce on both our plates contained large pieces that we had to cut ourselves. Despite this minor item, it was a positive dining experience, and we definitely plan to return soon to try other items on the menu.

    Photos
    The seating area
    The seating area
    B Nutritious
    Strawberry Banana smoothie was DELICIOUS

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    Strawberry Banana smoothie was DELICIOUS
    Star Leaf

    Star Leaf

    4.4
    (947 reviews)
    7.8 mi
    $$$
    Fine dining
    Full bar

    Justin, our server, really went above and beyond to help celebrate a birthday dinner. Would…read moredefinitely recommend.

    COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this establishment. Some of the staff wears a mask…read more All customers are not expected to wear a mask. It's optional now. The staff also wears gloves when handling food. There are some hand sanitizers available for customers to use. This place is available for take outs and has some indoor & outdoor seating available with limited capacity. They are not sanitizing in between customers. I mention these things in my reviews for the sake of protecting immunocompromised people like the elderly and people sick with cancer and other illnesses. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This establishment currently does not require proof of vaccination. While I was eating my food in this establishment several months ago, I asked if they had any special offers and they were offering some at the moment. They currently do have happy hour. They also do not allow pets in their establishment UNLESS it's a service animal. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is located behind the restaurant at a local medical building parking lot. It's $1 each 9 minutes with a max of $13. Or you can try to find street parking and walk on over. Food: I ordered a Lychee Martini, Saigon Summer, Mamasan's Shrimp Cake Skewers, Truffle Wok Seared Noodles with Scallop, Slow-Drip Vietnamese Coffee Flan, and Banyan Tree Ice Cream. Before I started ordering, I was immediately given some house made complimentary shrimp chips. I loved how light and airy it was. It also had an amazing crunch. It tasted just like shrimps hahaha. My lychee martini was a crisp, refreshing cocktail that perfectly balances floral sweetness with tart acidity. Order this! The Saigon summer is a spicy, tropical blend of tequila, lime leaf liqueur, agave, butterfly pea infused triplum, and a Thai chili infusion. Not really up my alley, but I'm glad I was able to try it out. I think I dislike anything spicy and super bitter in my drinks. It just tasted odd. Mamasan's shrimp cake skewers features crispy, deep-fried shrimp cakes flavored with kaffir lime and lemongrass. It is served with skewers, charred pineapple, and a sweet garlic chili dip. Definitely get this. It was so crunchy, massive, and mouthwatering. The charred pineapple provided a sour yet sweet taste that helped off set the savory seafood / fishy taste in your mouth. The truffle wok seared noodles with scallop is a dish that combines savory, smoky flavor with luxurious truffle and tender scallops, which bridges the gap between classic Asian stir-fry and Italian comfort food. As a massive sucker for Italian food and all things truffle, this dish was my favorite. The al dente handmade egg noodles were wok-tossed in a rich black truffle sauce with delicious mushrooms, fresh Brussels sprout leaves, and perfectly seared scallops. I loved that I could taste the black truffles. The truffles added a nice rich, earthy, and highly savory flavor with prominent notes roasted nuts. GET THIS DISH!!!!! The slow-drip Vietnamese coffee flan is a silky, rich egg custard infused with bold phin-drip coffee and sweetened condensed milk. It offers a perfect balance of bitter roasted coffee and sweet creamy custard. This dish was super smooth, creamy, and delicious. I loved that Star Leaf added their own twist to this dish by putting a caramel golden cage on top of this already phenomenal tasting dessert. The caramel golden cage gave this flan a nice crunch. This dish wasn't too sweet for me. As a hater of super sweet things, this flan was just right. The banyan tree ice cream was a great way to end the meal. Super refreshing! I got two scoops of Thai tea ice cream and one scoop of the coconut ice cream. Both flavors were fantastic and tasted very creamy. Not too sweet, which is how I like it. Staff: The staff here are very attentive, friendly, welcoming, and polite. Elysha waited on me when I went. She was very attentive, informative, and personable. They accept both cash and credit cards. There is no credit card minimum.

    Photos
    Star Leaf
    Star Leaf
    Saigon Summer  Rice Paper Rolls

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    Saigon Summer Rice Paper Rolls
    Mr Dragon Noodle House

    Mr Dragon Noodle House

    4.5
    (2.1k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    I've been here with my coworkers so many times now that I've lost count. It's one of those…read morerestaurants where we've never had a bad experience and the food and service are consistent. It's one of the default lunch spots for us when we can't decide where else to go and everyone likes their food. The one negative I can point out is the parking situation. It does fill up and sometimes difficult to find a parking spot during busy times. We just have to plan to have our lunches a little earlier and carpool from our office. And yes, the glass the teas come in are humongous.

    We called ahead to place a pickup order hoping to try their dumplings. Once we arrived, the service…read morewas extremely good for just coming to pick up food. They opened and closed the door for us which was a nice touch because it was busy inside. We ordered the pork ramen, pork buns, and pork soup dumplings. On to the food! Pork Ramen: 3/5 They give you a hefty amount of noodles and pork. They use a thin noodle here which pairs well with the broth. I truly do believe this was around average for ramen as the flavor in the broth was not as strong or savory. The highlight of the entire entree was definitely the pork, which was tender and flavorful. I probably would not order this again. Pork bun: 5/5 The pork buns were soft and fluffy, almost too good looking to eat. There was the right amount of soup and meat inside that made for a wonderful bite full of flavor. Not dry at all. Would recommend ordering this if you visit. Pork Dumplings: 5/5 The star of the show, the dumplings. They were soft and just like the buns, they had the right amount of soup + meat which made for a delicious bite every time. My toddler even ate some and she's usually super picky about meat. Overall, I'd definitely recommend coming here for the other noodles, the dumplings, and buns. You can skip on the ramen. I would 100% come back here to dine in. Quick note that parking gets full pretty quick here.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Beef pepper udon
    Beef pepper udon
    D1. House Special Beef Noodle Soup

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    D1. House Special Beef Noodle Soup
    WeChat Cafe

    WeChat Cafe

    3.5
    (407 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We had an amazing meal at The WeChat Cafe! If you're looking for authentic Hong Kong-style comfort…read morefood with generous portions and great prices, this is the place to go. Our favorites were the Char Siu Rice, Scallion Oil Chicken & Pork Chop Rice, and the Thai Basil Minced Pork Rice--all packed with flavor and perfect for satisfying any craving. The Beef Chow Fun had great wok hei, while the French Style Beef Cubes were tender and juicy. We also loved the Salt & Pepper Squid & Chicken Wings, the Crispy German Pork Knuckle, and the Peanut Butter French Toast, which was crispy on the outside, soft inside, and the perfect way to end the meal. The Iced Lemon Tea and Yuenyeung were refreshing and paired perfectly with the food. Friendly service, classic Hong Kong café vibes, delicious food, and excellent value for the money. We'll definitely be back and highly recommend The WeChat Cafe to anyone craving authentic Hong Kong-style cuisine!

    There's a special kind of old-school restaurant in the Chinese communities of Los Angeles--places…read morethat have been around long before the dining scene became as diverse as it is today, with a few signature dishes that keep people coming back for years. WeChat Cafe in El Monte is exactly that kind of place. Open for many years, it's a beloved spot for generations of immigrants and one of my favorite Hong Kong-style cafés in LA. Ever since I first moved here, it has been my comfort-food destination whenever I'm craving authentic Hong Kong flavors. From Hong Kong-style steaks and sizzling Western-Chinese fusion dishes to wok-fried noodles and rice, the portions are generous and the prices are incredibly reasonable. Recently, they introduced a selection of special-value rice plates, and after several visits with friends, I can honestly say the food still tastes just as good as I remembered--while the prices feel like they came from another era. Some standout dishes: Thai Basil Minced Pork Rice ($6.99) A milder version that suits Cantonese tastes perfectly. Packed with flavorful minced pork and incredibly satisfying with rice. Char Siu & Fried Egg Rice ($8.99) The char siu was surprisingly high quality despite the budget-friendly price. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a delicious honey-glazed flavor. A truly comforting dish. Scallion Oil Mixed Grill Platter ($14.99) WeChat Cafe is well known for its grilled pork chops, chicken chops, and steaks. The scallion oil adds a wonderful Hong Kong-style twist that makes this dish unforgettable. Slightly more expensive than the specials, but absolutely worth it. And of course, no visit is complete without their famous roasted pork knuckle. It remains just as impressive as ever--crispy, golden skin with juicy, flavorful meat inside. Honestly, it rivals some of the pork knuckles I've had in Germany. The menu is extensive and even includes traditional Hong Kong-style breakfast options. Despite being in Los Angeles, WeChat Cafe still captures the essence of a classic Hong Kong cha chaan teng: delicious food, generous portions, and amazing value. These days, $6.99 barely buys a trendy milk tea, yet here it can still get you a full meal. Restaurants like this are becoming rare. If you appreciate authentic Hong Kong comfort food and old-school hospitality, this is a place worth supporting and cherishing.

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    Dining room
    Dining room
    Satay Beef Skewer (6)
    Satay Beef Skewer (6)
    Indonesian Fried Rice

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    Indonesian Fried Rice
    Sage Bistro

    Sage Bistro

    4.4
    (499 reviews)
    5.4 mi
    $$$

    I thought this restaurant was going to be similar to a lot of the other Chinese "bistros" or…read more"cafes" around this 626 area, but this one is really a step above, with more personable staff, with a longtime manager/owner who cares about the food and the customers. We had the seafood pasta which was very tasty. The sauce has plenty of flavor and kick, and there is a lot of fresh seafood provided, including mussels and shrimp. Also had the lamb chops, which is one of their most popular dishes, and I can see why. The lamb was cooked perfectly, soft juicy, super easy to eat. I loved that there was chimichurri sauce provided on the side and it went well with everything, including the mashed potatoes and vegetables. This is definitely worth a revisit for any future special occasions!

    The food was above average. I could tell by the yelp photos that the chef might not be fully…read moreAmerican. Seeing the server and an Asian staff coming out from kitchen confirmed that the cooking wasn't fully American taste bud. But that is the reason why it hit me very well. Honestly, whether you have American or fusion or Asian taste bud, the taste quality is better than some average American restaurants. I tried the butter squash soup, lamp chop, and bow tie pasta with chicken. I was enjoying my soup and lamp chop a lot. The pasta was pleasant to me, but it wasn't exceptionally great compared to the lamp chop. My fiancé loved the pasta though, saying that the sauce wasn't overwhelming. It is not a cheap place to come for, but it is because the food and drinks (good white wine) have quality. The wait for the entrees was a little long, even though it wasn't that busy. I believe it was the chef spending time to make sure each dish was done well, unlike the busy restaurant where chefs only follow the restaurant's recipes to make it quick and easy. Lastly, the ambience was okay, but it was more an older fine dining/family owned style. It had some nostalgic vibe if you'd take it that way. Keep it up. I really hope it will be there forever long.

    Photos
    Clean kitchen..
    Clean kitchen..
    Smoked salmon bruschetta
    Smoked salmon bruschetta
    Duck breast

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    Duck breast
    Top One

    Top One

    4.1
    (60 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    Authentic Chinese cuisine, at last! This foodie spot is in a mall across from Raising Cane's, and…read morethey serve excellent, high quality foods at competitive prices! We love their Salt-Baked shredded chicken, which is well flavored and tossed with peanuts and scallions, with tender meat and properly rendered chicken skin, with the meat expertly separated and portioned. You don't find this kind of skilfully prepared chicken just anywhere. We got the special dinner package, which for $47.99, gives you a whole chicken, with choice of Hainan of the Salt-Baked chicken, Rice Noodle with select protein, seasonal veggies, 3 lemon teas (which are usually $4-5 at other restaurants), and another amazing delicacy, the Stone Pot rice, which we added $2 to get the eel rice, which is so plentiful and made with high quality rice, as well as not too much ginger, which means the eel is very fresh. The staff is very attentive and ready to help with things and keep the drinks full (yes, you can refill your lemon tea ). It's a nice Cafe setting and is nice and clean with windows facing the mall. Nice and bright and comfortable. This place also has many options for lunch, including HK BBQ items and other excellent foods. I am going to come here again really soon.

    Service was almost non-existent and the food was subpar…read more - Hainan chicken: The chicken was bland and so was the rice. My mom suspects they just mix oil into white rice. - BBQ pork and chicken plate: The BBQ pork wasn't good. And pretty sure the chicken is the same as the Hainan chicken dish. - beef rice roll: best of the 3 dishes we had. My lemon tea never made it to the table and I asked about it, I could hear the lady that's took my order say that we're not supposed to have a drink, even though she had asked me if I wanted hot tea or iced lemon tea. My mom's water made it to the table after asking 3 times for it. The price are OK but for the food taste and quality, I'd skip.

    Photos
    Top One
    Laksa chicken noodle soup
    Laksa chicken noodle soup
    Top One

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    Tai He Ju - chinese - Updated August 2026

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