I was craving pork chop rice the other day and couldn't think of where to go, but I remembered hearing that Why Thirsty had a solid pork chop, so I decided to give it a try. I've only had their drinks and popcorn chicken in the past, which were decent. I called in a pickup order and the food was ready in about ten minutes. As of 12/06/25, they currently do not offer dine in and are only doing takeout. I ordered the Railroad Pork Chop, which is the traditional Taiwanese style where the chop is marinated and grilled or pan seared instead of fried. It came with rice and two veggie sides, and everything tasted fresh. The pork chop was flavorful and tender, and the marinade went perfectly with the rice. Overall, a pretty solid meal and I would definitely come back for it again. Not many places still make the railroad style pork chop like this, so it's worth trying if you're a fan. read more

Why Thirsty - Railroad pork chops rice - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

We are obsessed with their fried pork chop plate. It comes with perfectly breaded pork chop and bright fresh veggies. If you aren't feeling pork chop, the popcorn chicken is beyonddddd. And also grab some sweet potato fries. The seasoning is unique and delightful-- tastes a little like sour plum. It is an absolute bummer they are closing in Feb but make sure to show them the love before then! read more

Why Thirsty - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Popcorn chicken has good flavor and it's very meaty! Service was good, they no longer have seating and saw a sign that they're closing down! It's definitely the location that makes it less appealing to stop by, but other than it's a shame they're closing bc my popcorn chicken tasted good! read more

Why Thirsty - Popcorn chicken - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this establishment. Some of the staff wears a mask. 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 no indoor & outdoor seating available with limited capacity. They are only doing To Go orders. They are not sanitizing in between customers. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This establishment currently does not require proof of vaccination. While I was grabbing my food from this establishment last month, I asked if they had any special offers and they weren't offering any at the moment. They currently don't 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 pretty big. They do share the lot with several other establishments. The lot doesn't really get busy, so you shouldn't have any problems with finding parking. I did notice that some spots are smaller than others. Food: I ordered a mild spicy popcorn chicken and minced bowl/ plate. The popcorn chicken was very flavorful, crunchy, tender, and juicy. Big portion for like $10. The Taiwanese seasoning mix brought me right back to the night markets to Taiwan. It's truly the 5 spice powder that hits the spot. The batter wasn't thick, so the chicken didn't taste very battery/ cakey. That's what I hate about some places that make popcorn chicken. It also wasn't too spicy for me. It was just right. I ordered the minced bowl, which is actually a plate. For like $12, it was actually pretty good and the portions was huge. The boiled / blanched cabbage and broccoli were soft, sweet, and tasty. I could taste the sesame oil on it. It wasn't salty. The sweet corn and diced juicy tomatoes combo was good too. The boiled tea egg was pretty delicious. You can actually taste the tea and soy sauce. The egg was nice and soft. And now, for the braised minced pork. The pork was very delicious and it just melted in my mouth. I love that there were some fatty pieces of pork too in the dish. It balanced out some of the pieces of pork, which had too much meat in it. Definitely a very savory and rich dish. Omg and the sauce from the braised minced pork drizzled over the rice was just so perfect! It made the rice extremely delectable. This is hands down one of my favorite Taiwanese dishes, and it was made perfectly. Staff: The staff here are very friendly, welcoming, and kind. They are closing this restaurant down in February 2026 due to rising rent and the landlord's unwillingness to upgrade the place. So sad. I'm seriously upset to see this place go. They accept both cash and credit cards. There is a $20 credit card minimum. read more

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Why thirsty has been around for a while. I really love their Taiwanese railroad pork chop rice! It's probably the best Ive had in LA. Most places make the fried type of pork chops. But I personally love this Railroad Pork chop because the spices are very flavorful. I haven't been here in a while and I just found out they only do take outs now! Which it's usually what I do, order take outs when I am in the area. I guess this is reduces their overhead costs! I just hope they will stay in Business! The pork chops had been consistently tasty and tender. The veggies and corn are good too! Wish they give more corn! The price are still reasonable given the good portion of food. Service is just phone orders and pick up now. Ambiance looks like when it was covid times. But it works as long as I get my favorite pork chop rice! read more

Why Thirsty - Railroad pork chop rice. - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Came here a while back. We got take out and the food just tasted alright - nothing really stood out. Average food. read more

Why Thirsty - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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The premium milk tea with four times pudding topping was great. Would like to try their other teas next time read more

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Went there in the middle of the afternoon on a Friday and no one was there. The employee was very friendly, but I was disappointed with the food. I ordered yan su ji, tian bu la, and cold appetizer tofu. The flavors were okay but the tian bu la was way overcooked. It was super dry and super hard. Now thinking back, I should have said something. It was unpleasant to eat, although I managed to eat it all. read more

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What's up: My coworker told me that this place has really good popcorn chicken. I actually pass by this place often and never noticed it. Time to try them out! Parking: Shared parking with the nearby businesses, but plenty of spots. Environment: Located between the Grocery Outlet and Bhanu Indian Cuisine and Market, this is a small little shop. There are a couple seating options inside. I placed an order online ahead of time and the food was ready when I arrived. What was ordered: - Popcorn Chicken with Lo Mein (popcorn chicken was tasty and not too salty, lo mein was good) Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. Food was good. The popcorn chicken was moist and they were generous in their portion size. Credit cards are accepted, but you would get a 4% discount if you pay by cash instead. read more

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First time here because it's nearby my boyfriend's house and we were hungry. Didn't know theres a Taiwanese food here. Small shop, but the food was good. Shoutout to Tracy as the server! Greeted us as we walked in and when we left. She took our order quick and food came out quick. Please tip them well! It's a small shop! read more

Why Thirsty - Popcorn Chicken with Rice Entree (No Vegetables) - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

It's a small hidden gem tucked in a plaza with a Thai and an Indian restaurant. Unfortunately it is hard to find on the street because it's not very well advertised with signs. The parking lot is shared with a supermarket too. So parking can be a challenge. Although my porkchop dish tasted very good ! read more

Why Thirsty - Pork chop with rice - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Small restaurant in the same plaza as Grocery Outlet with 6 tables. Came here around 12:15pm on Sunday and it was fairly business as we were trying to order our food. Only one girl working in the front so she's taking orders, packing to go orders and making all the drinks. Definitely have to be patient at this place. The server was friendly and efficient but there were many customers at once so our food took awhile. Many customers waited at least 20 minutes for just their drinks. As for the food, I got the railroad pork chop, popcorn chicken and lomein. Honestly, the railroad pork chop that everyone was raving about in the other reviews is not good (or maybe I came on a bad day?). It was soggy and bland. The Lo mein was garlicky which was good and the popcorn chicken was crispy but not enough to go out of my way for. Their jasmine green tea was good so maybe would come back here for that but that's it. read more

Why Thirsty - The Railroad Braised Porkchop, Lo Mein, Popcorn Chicken and Ginger Onion Chicken - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

This is one of my favorite places to get boba! Their Assam milk tea is a classic with an authentic tea flavor. It's a small store located in the same plaza as Grocery Outlet and other eateries. Super easy to place an order via Yelp online orders or call ahead to pick up. I got the popular braised pork chop rice to go and while it was good, it didn't impress me as much as the popcorn chicken did. What I liked: - Fast service - Authentic tasting milk tea - Popcorn chicken done right Parking is in a shared lot. Spaces can be kind of tight, and you may end up circling the lot. If you don't mind walking, you can park in the side street by the Habanero Mexican restaurant. read more

Why Thirsty - Sign outside - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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If you are craving delicious Chinese/Taiwanese flavors, Why Thirsty in Rosemead is a hidden gem that delivers big on taste! Their menu is packed with bold, comforting dishes that truly hit the spot. The Railroad Braised Pork Chop Rice is a must try and standout--tender, juicy pork chops braised to perfection, with a rich, savory sauce that soaks beautifully into the rice. The Sausage Fried Rice is another must-try, loaded with flavorful, slightly sweet Taiwanese sausage and just the right balance of wok-fried goodness. Make sure you request less oil if you prefer a lighter flavor. For savory snacks, the Fish Cake with Pepper is a pleasant surprise--crispy on the outside, tender inside, and seasoned beautifully with a touch of heat. The Popcorn Chicken and Sweet Potatoes Fries with Plum Powder is crispy, juicy, and has that addictive sweet-salty tang that keeps you reaching for more. And, their Beef Noodles is good but not as authentic, with tender beef, a rich, deeply flavored broth, and chewy, satisfying noodles. I hope they can provide more options for noodles other than thick noodles, it'd be great to have variety of noodle options: thin, round, and hand-pulled. The atmosphere is casual and small (we usually order take out), and the service is very friendly and attentive. Whether you are here for a quick bite or a full meal, Why Thirsty is a fantastic spot for a pretty good dining and takeout experience. Highly recommend! read more

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Best Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken and Sausage Fried Rice! It's been 6-7 years since I've last been here. I actually stopped coming as I had brought a friend (their first time here) and the server was so utterly rude that I didn't want to go back. I was sad, because I loved their food, but I couldn't disregard how badly they mistreated us. I also usually have a pretty high tolerance for bad service and don't make too much of a fuss about it. Time heals all wounds. I was in the area and decided to bring my wife. I ordered my previous favorites and some new dishes. Surprisingly, everything tasted the way I remembered it. This time I didn't encounter disrespectful servers. We ordered so much food, that we had a ton of leftovers that we brought to my parents and siblings. They all commented that the sausage fried rice was really good. Sometimes fried rice can be an afterthought, so that speaks volumes. The popcorn chicken here is also my favorite. I'm somewhat of a popcorn connoisseur and theirs is just perfect. All the flavors and seasonings are on point. There's plenty of crunch and chew. I make this at home, but I can't figure out how to replicate their recipe. Now this is just popcorn chicken, so don't expect a life changing dish. So many places just make mid or underwhelming popcorn chicken... I expect that I'll be back in the near future. read more

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Came here specifically for the popcorn chicken Overall for 9 bucks + tax the portion was pretty generous I wish it were a little crispier and juicier Does come with thai basil so you know it's authentic! 4/5 read more

I ordered take out from this restaurant and it was so good! The cold sesame noodles with shredded chicken was flavorful and the portion was good.the popcorn chicken was probably my favorite out of all the things I've ordered - big pieces and seasoning was substantial. The squid ball was okay.. it tasted like a fried mochi with the same seasoning from the popcorn chicken, so it wasn't what I was expecting. It was still good but too chewy for being called squid. The drinks were both good, it's what I would have expected. The service was great. The cashier was super kind and packaged everything up nicely. He recommended the top food choices and greeted me very well when I entered/left. There's plenty of seating if you wanted to dine in. The restaurant is located in a plaza so there's ample parking right outside. Overall, I would order from here again! read more

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I originally planned to visit the Indian restaurant next door, but I stumbled upon this place instead. At first glance, it looks like another boba shop, but don't be fooled--they serve food here, and it's very good. The menu may be small, but everything they offer is done exceptionally well. Being a big fan of Taiwanese food, I've been on the lookout for a spot since moving to the area, and I'm glad I found this one. Here's what we ordered: * Popcorn Chicken - I agree with other reviews that it was a little dry, but the flavor was spot on and instantly familiar. I do wish it had more basil and a bit more spice to elevate it. For me, it's a solid 3/5. * Fried Fish Filet with Dry Noodles - This was a showstopper. The fish was perfectly fried with a super thin, crispy exterior and a tender, juicy inside. I could seriously eat this every day if I could--just outstanding. * Stir-Fried Pork Tenderloin - Sorry, no picture here--my husband started eating before I could snap one! But this dish was very well-seasoned, with a clean and delicious flavor. I think I tasted a hint of Worcestershire sauce, which worked great in the stir-fry. It came with garlicky stir-fried cabbage and a generous portion overall. This place was a pleasant surprise, and I'll definitely be back for more! read more

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Amazing bento! I've been looking for good Taiwanese cuisine ever since I moved to California because I've really been craving hometown flavors -- all Taiwanese people will understand that feeling. So far, this is the best Taiwanese bento place I've found in Southern California. I strongly recommend it to anyone who's also craving for Taiwan bento or simply wants to give it a try. It's truly authentic and delicious. They are also running a promotion currently that you get a free drink after purchase, their drink is just ok though, but food is amazing! read more

We were craving for a drink due to the hot weather. We decided to try this place since they have to a good rating. Ordered the mango oolong and the peach oolong tea. Both of them were super sweet even with half sugar. Also, tasted like syrup water, not so much of the tea. However, I saw a note on the menu saying "no msg", so I'll come back to try their food. No need to worry about the parking, there's a parking lot in front of the restaurant. read more

Why Thirsty - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Feels like home cooking when we come here. Btw, the restaurant is open. Go support them.

This time I learned about the cash policy Popcorn chicken is really delicious and crunchy outside juicy moist inside. No wait on Thursday morning. Plenty of parking, WT is next to Grocery Outlet on Rosemead. read more

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Pork chop rice was 4/5. pretty standard, but good. The oolong milk tea was meh, so just come here for the pork chop rice :) read more

*3/3/23 UPDATE* Picked up a stewed pork chop bento today aka 'Railroad bento'. OMG it really hit the spot, leaving me hungry for more. I could probably eat this stuff 3x a week it's that good! The XX-Large pork chop is marinated in Chinese herbs and spices and stewed to perfection. The fried version is also excellent, not dry or overcooked. --- *Original Review* Current #1 Taiwanese pork chop bento in the 626. If you ever go to 99 Ranch Market and see their lunch boxes under a heat lamp, don't waste your money on those they're no bueno. Glad I checked out this new restaurant, will try their drinks next time. read more

Why Thirsty - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Good popcorn chicken, fish cake my daughters liked. We also had chciken basil which was good. I thought my tea needed more sweetness but it's probably better this way for my health. I didn't taste the rose in my tea but overall it was good and I'll be back read more

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Grabbed the Basil Chicken Rice Bento to go and was pleasantly surprised. Good portion, nice mix of items, and everything tasted pretty solid. It was a bit oily for me, but nothing too crazy. Loved that they didn't skimp on the veggies--more of those than rice, which I really liked! read more

Why Thirsty - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

I went today 7pm and they were closed there was a sign that said new hours and they close at eight. Does anybody know why I love this place not happy that is closed. read more

Tasty Taiwanese fare with good boba drinks. Love the railroad lo mein with original sauce or sesame sauce. Also get the Taiwanese sausage and braised bean curd. Love their stir fried Taiwanese cabbage too. They are fast with takeout or dine in. Good service. read more

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Decided to check out Why Thirsty while I was in the area and got their braised pork chop with rice (also called The Railroad ~$13) togo. There's a good amount of parking in the plaza and ordering for takeout was reasonably quick ~10min. Honestly, I was really surprised at the amount of food and how soft the braised pork chop was. The flavors of the braised pork seemed pretty traditional -- not overpowering but still tasty. When paired with the rest of the side dishes, which included corn & scrambled eggs, steamed cabbage & broccoli, and half a braised egg, the overall meal felt pretty well balanced (not going to put you in a food coma lol). Considering the large portions and decent price, I don't think you can go wrong going to Why Thirsty if you're in the area and craving Taiwanese food. read more

Why Thirsty - braised pork chop with rice (also called The Railroad) - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Authentic Taiwanese food! Definitely worth trying out if you're in the area! I thoroughly enjoyed the railroad braised pork chop, sizzling tenderloin and popcorn chicken! Super friendly customer service! Portions were big! Limited indoor dining space so be prepared to wait if it's busy or order take out! read more

Why Thirsty - Railroad braised pork chop - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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Another great spot I just found out in my area. Good pricing and food! I ordered fried fish lunch box and noodle dishes to go. One thing I like is they put the fried fish in another individual container so the fried fish stay crunchy, some restaurants put everything just in one box and fried stuff will become soft after awhile. I like boba but I'm a little bit wired that I like 0% sweetness for my drink because boba has sugar already. They said they don't recommend I do 0% sugar for my boba, but they can do that. However, I still feel my boba was super sweet, not sure if they made a mistake. I will definitely go back again but I will make sure they make my boba 0% sugar. read more

Why Thirsty - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

BE AWARE!! This restaurant is a scam. The menu for beef stew noodle is listed 15.99. We pay cash. The bill came out for beef stew is $16.94 with tax ( plus 4% discount ) We asked why subtotal for the noodle is 16.63 she said this is credit card price. Ii say we pay cash then she says you get 4% off then So 16.63- 0.64 (4%)= 15.99 i was so confused because I told her that the menu says 15.99 so 4% off would be be basing on 15.99. She said no because they're charging me 16.63 base off the credit card price. Anyways I'm not fighting with her for couple cents but I think it's business ethic, you shouldn't charging something different than what your menu price has. Oh In additions the beef stew is pretty tasty but very small portion. I don't know if I would go jack again. read more

This used to be my fav go to place, after covid it has gone down the drain, food is stale and tasteless 90% of the time, drinks are always diluted like water. Go somewhere else read more

Still good after all this time. I just want to note my new favorite item here: the popcorn chicken with plum seasoning. It's the perfect balance of slightly sweet, slightly sour, and savory. Not many places offer this but the ones that try, it's not quite as good. The main dish I order here changes but EVERY time I always add this on the side. read more

They have some great Taiwanese food. Their popcorn chicken & milk teas are a must try! Bring cash as it cheaper to using cards. The interior is simple yet cozy. Staff have always been friendly. I never ran into any issues with parking The other day I decided to experiment and got a Spicy Sesame Chicken to go. I hadn't seen it on the menu before so I decided to give it a shot. It was delicious! It wasn't spicy. Maybe it was the cilantro hitting my Mexican-American tastebuds but I loved everything about it - chicken, the sauce, cilantro, green onion, sesame seeds. I paired it with the Noodle Soup which really helped seal the deal. I am posting this review as I don't see any photos for this menu item. read more

Why Thirsty - Spicy Sesame Chicken - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Small Taiwanese restaurant/tea shop located next to grocery outlet and Bhanu Indian restaurant. There are only about seven small tables available so this is not a great place for larger groups. They are known for their fresh teas and Taiwanese food. Service is friendly and pretty quick, and they Chinese/Taiwanese music playing in the background. Food/Drinks: - Jasmine Green Tea: I stuck with a plain jasmine green tea with less ice and less sugar. I asked for the less bitter choice between the jasmine green tea and assam black tea, and the server told me the jasmine green tea is less bitter. But I still felt that it was bitter and wasn't a huge fan. I think next time I'll try the Assam black tea. - Popcorn chicken: My favorite item we tried. They make it with fresh basil and I really enjoyed eating the crispy basil leaves that came with the chicken. We got spicy level and wasn't that spicy. Came in a good sized portion to share. - Basil chicken with lo mein: they called this 3 cup chicken (3 杯雞) but it does not taste like that. If anything, it taste more like a chicken and ginger stirfry with lots of green onions and some basil. But I really enjoyed the lo mein, which is stirfried with a caramelized onion sauce. Slightly sweet and savory. - The Railroad pork: the pork chop is made with a garlic and ginger marinade. It is soft soft with a layer of breading, and we got it served over rice. I wasn't a fan of this, despite everyone's raving review, the race was a bit dry, and the pork chop is just standard to me. Comes with corn and veggies. Bringing takeout is easy because they serve you the food in the to go boxes already, so they just give you a lid and you're out the door. I think next time I might try the pork Katsu, braised pork, or beef noodle stew. read more

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This place has been my go to popcorn chicken and tea spot. The food prices are fair for the portions they provide. The service is amazing, the staff is friendly and accommodating. There are plenty of chairs and tables for everyone read more

Why Thirsty - Lemon black tea - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

Why Thirsty has been my go-to during the pandemic -- strategically, it has been en route to my errands for a quick bite. I really enjoy their popcorn chicken and have gotten it a few times this year. I do feel very thirsty afterwards though, but given the portion size, it is very filling and worth it. The fries are also well-seasoned with generous portions. They are always friendly and quick -- making my trips to Grocery Outlet that much more efficient and tasty. There is no minimum credit card charge now, as they have negotiated with their third party vendor to remove the charge. That's a bonus! read more

First time here referred by my friend , we order Popcorn Chicken , The Fried Porkchop and fried fish they are all so delicious ! Great portion of food , love the veggies and service was great from the young men ! Definitely will be back soon! read more

Why Thirsty - Fried Porkchop - Taiwanese Near Me - San Gabriel, California

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What a neighborhood gem. Generous portion and very reasonable price. I always get the railroad pork chop it's one of their most popular dishes highly recommend! read more