Seems like a family owned-operated Taiwanese spot located in a small strip mall in El Monte. I was on a beef noodle soup kick and this spot came up when searching for places. The service and vibe is warm and cozy. It was pretty empty when I first got there, but filled up pretty quickly as it was getting into prime dinner time. I was on my way home from work and stopped by this place. Not too far off the freeway. Of course I ordered the beef noodle soup (with the thick noodles). The beef and noodles were delicious. The broth was rich and tasty. Just a great, comforting bowl of beef noodle soup. It was exactly what I was looking for. It was a pretty big bowl so I wasn't able to order anything else, but definitely would be interested in trying some other items on the menu. Because it is in a strip mall, parking was plentiful, but it was a Friday night and the lot was pretty full.
Becky L.
Starting my next string of 100 reviews, Review#901: I was starving by the time I hit a second local mall today on Sunday Funday, May/19/24 supporting local biz. I recalled having visited 'Corner Beef Noodle House,' El Monte, CA., was when I was used to teaching preschools in Arcadia, CA. I had been here but some how I forgot to review then. Popcorn chicken rice wasn't my first choice, but they called me back and infomed me they ran out of Taiwanese Sausage rice. Lo and behold, Popcorn Chicken rice was just as juicy and delish. Staff was super friendly both times from on phone and in person. I enjoyed having Wall Art to read and see in the restroom!!!! More signs from the Universe for me. Service: 10/10 hands down, nailed to perfection. Food: 10/10. Given portion was large enough for 2 meals. Ambiance: 10/10. Extremely fitting wall art presented over half side of bathroom wall. Just what I needed to see. You had me at hello. Of course I'll be back! XoXo Becky
Rachel L.
my all-time favorite taiwanese beef noodle soup place. first off, they have limited hours (they're only open half days on the weekdays) - which is always a great sign since they have the funds to afford a flexible schedule. ambiance is solid, and service is quick. second, i've been coming to this restaurant for 6 years now, and i've never tasted beef noodle soup like this. their broth and portion size have both been very consistent. words cannot describe how delicious their masterpiece of a broth is: it's as though they've perfected a centuries-long family secret and i'm among the lucky few in southern california to be let in on it. it's not too thin, it's not too thick, and it's too delicious. too delicious to the point where i'm constantly comparing their broth to that of other restaurant's (where corner beef is always the winner). it's both a blessing and a curse i've been able to taste this magic, as the standard that it upholds is something that will follow me around for the rest of my life. i'm not sure if anything else will ever come close. get the regular noodles. they're deliciously firm and honestly a bit on the chewy side. they dance with the broth beautifully - im just now realizing that all roads lead back to the absolute perfection they call broth. don't get the cucumber appetizer though. it's $7, and i can honestly make it better at home myself. DO get the fried chicken with basil if you're a fan of chicken (it's not pictured, but trust me, i've had it). another thing to note is that they're closed for 45 days in summer 2024 - definitely make time in your schedule to treat yourself to this noodle soup masterpiece.
Doreen T.
The portion is huge but the food is not good here. We came due to the high Yelp reviews (what gives?) but we will stick to Why Thirsty in San Gabriel. The beef in the beef noodle soup was dry and chewy. The spice they used was really off and tasted gamey, it makes me feel like I was eating lamb not beef. Lamb is a big no no for me. We also shared the fried red pork rice plate. Half of the meat was pure fat so it was not edible at all. The only saving grace was the cucumber salad. Will not return.
Aaron W.
Look no further for comforting, authentic Taiwanese food. The beef noodle soup is fragrant and generous, and the fried red pork is decadent and heavenly. For two people, this is the perfect combination. It comes out around $21 a person which is reasonable for the high quality.
Luke L.
*** Credit cards still accepted, but customers can save 3% if they tell the staff they are paying by cash *** Recently I stopped by this restaurant for lunch and honestly I feel like the overall food quality has slightly regressed. [Parking]: Free private parking lot; finding a spot shouldn't be an issue. [Menu]: Their specialities remain the following four items: beef noodle soup, fried pork chop with rice, Taiwanese sausage, and popcorn chicken. Personally I would still recommend all items with the exception of Taiwanese sausage and I would also recommend getting half meat/half tendon for beef noodle soup. Customers can order either thin or wide noodle for beef noodle soup. *** Half Meat/Half Tendon Beef Stew (wide noodle, $18.53): Broth tasted on a slightly saltier side, but it was still within my tolerance level. Extremely generous portion on meat and tendon. Popcorn Chicken w/ Rice ($15.97): Popcorn chicken still had great crispy texture, but chicken pieces tasted slightly salty for me. *** While most dishes I had here still managed to hit the spot on the overall flavors, most dishes had too much salt and I have to downgrade from 5-star to 4-star (no extra bonus on service as it was pretty basic). P.S. - I personally prefer beef noodle soup from Xiang Ji Arcadia (more balanced flavors on broth) over beef noodle soup here.
Melissa R.
The Taiwanese mochi was so delicious. They even give you extra topping on the side. It says two pieces on the menu, but the portion is a good portion for two, maybe three people. I'm removing one star because they didn't allow me to use my card, only for purchase of $30 or more.
Yannes F.
I love the noddle and the rice plate. Is one of the best restaurants I've been to. Good
Marika P.
The beef noodle was good. Portion was a good amount. Just need a little more flavor or spice to it. I've had it better elsewhere. Staff were friendly.
Martin L.
Hands down my favorite beef noodle joint in the 626. Can't beat the meat to price ratio as they give you a hefty amount of protein. The broth is rich with flavors and the pickled veggies they give you enhances it. Service was always attentive and fast. Not waiting more than 5mins before your bowl of deliciousness arrives.
Omg their beef noodle soup and mocho (peanut and black sesame) are all you need to know.
JK L.
Have not been to many Taiwanese Restaurants. Came here with friends and we all agree the food is good. Came here on a Sunday after worship service. Was fortunate to get a table as within a few minutes the restaurant was crowded and a lined had formed outside. Recommend the Taiwanese Sausage and Rice, Bean Curd Skin, Cucumber Salad (was actually very Good), Pic Knuckles. The beef, tendon and tripe noodle soup was okay, have had better. Service was a bit slow, but acceptable given the crowd. Would definitely be back
Zoe T.
Happened to make our way towards El Monte for some beef noodle soup during the cold weekend, so we stopped by here~ It's quite a large restaurant space with ample seating and located in a strip mall plaza. Service is nice and quick, and they speak both English and Mandarin~ Definitely get the fried monascus pork (normally it's translated into English as fried red yeast rice pork which gives it the red color)--it's super crispy and fatty and pairs well with the sweet crunchy cucumber pickles that come with it. I would also recommend getting the mochi because it was warm, soft, and freshly covered with sweetened ground peanut and black sesame. My sister got passion fruit juice and said it was refreshing and not too sweet. The beef noodle soup is a more homestyle flavor--despite the dark color, it was not super heavy in spice/salt compared to other places but reminded me of the type of soup my mom would cook. They give you individually packaged chili oil and pickled mustard greens to add to your soup if you would like a bit more flavor (I liked adding the pickled mustard greens). The regular (aka thick) noodles were a bit too soft for my liking--they weren't super bouncy and chewy, but the beef was very well cooked (I think it's thick cut beef shank, which is very meaty and difficult to cook well). The portion size is big enough to eat for at least 2 meals, so you can jazz it up more at home with the leftovers for your second meal. We left very full and happy; will come again if we happen to be in the area~
Jenny N.
The beef noodle soup was good! But the popcorn chicken (spicy) was the sssstar it was so freaking juicy and big and unlike other places they actually make it spicy and oh my gosh I'm drooling thinking about it. Do it. Pop. Corn. Chicken!!!!!
Megan N.
Hands down THE BEST BEEF NOODLE STEW in the 626. As an avid beef noodle soup girl, I have gone around socal trying to find something that will always satisfy my craving, and this is for sure the spot. The soup is extremely flavorful and coats the noodles perfectly to make every bite a flavor bomb. They've perfected the balance of spices, and do not have that sour mala flavor that some other soups usually have when you get it spicy. The thick noodles are so chewy and delicious, everything is just well balanced and amazing. Also their mochi is the best way to finish off your meal with the nutty flavors.
Seems like a family owned-operated Taiwanese spot located in a small strip mall in El Monte. I was on a beef noodle soup kick and this spot came up when searching for places. The service and vibe is warm and cozy. It was pretty empty when I first got there, but filled up pretty quickly as it was getting into prime dinner time. I was on my way home from work and stopped by this place. Not too far off the freeway. Of course I ordered the beef noodle soup (with the thick noodles). The beef and noodles were delicious. The broth was rich and tasty. Just a great, comforting bowl of beef noodle soup. It was exactly what I was looking for. It was a pretty big bowl so I wasn't able to order anything else, but definitely would be interested in trying some other items on the menu. Because it is in a strip mall, parking was plentiful, but it was a Friday night and the lot was pretty full.
Starting my next string of 100 reviews, Review#901: I was starving by the time I hit a second local mall today on Sunday Funday, May/19/24 supporting local biz. I recalled having visited 'Corner Beef Noodle House,' El Monte, CA., was when I was used to teaching preschools in Arcadia, CA. I had been here but some how I forgot to review then. Popcorn chicken rice wasn't my first choice, but they called me back and infomed me they ran out of Taiwanese Sausage rice. Lo and behold, Popcorn Chicken rice was just as juicy and delish. Staff was super friendly both times from on phone and in person. I enjoyed having Wall Art to read and see in the restroom!!!! More signs from the Universe for me. Service: 10/10 hands down, nailed to perfection. Food: 10/10. Given portion was large enough for 2 meals. Ambiance: 10/10. Extremely fitting wall art presented over half side of bathroom wall. Just what I needed to see. You had me at hello. Of course I'll be back! XoXo Becky
my all-time favorite taiwanese beef noodle soup place. first off, they have limited hours (they're only open half days on the weekdays) - which is always a great sign since they have the funds to afford a flexible schedule. ambiance is solid, and service is quick. second, i've been coming to this restaurant for 6 years now, and i've never tasted beef noodle soup like this. their broth and portion size have both been very consistent. words cannot describe how delicious their masterpiece of a broth is: it's as though they've perfected a centuries-long family secret and i'm among the lucky few in southern california to be let in on it. it's not too thin, it's not too thick, and it's too delicious. too delicious to the point where i'm constantly comparing their broth to that of other restaurant's (where corner beef is always the winner). it's both a blessing and a curse i've been able to taste this magic, as the standard that it upholds is something that will follow me around for the rest of my life. i'm not sure if anything else will ever come close. get the regular noodles. they're deliciously firm and honestly a bit on the chewy side. they dance with the broth beautifully - im just now realizing that all roads lead back to the absolute perfection they call broth. don't get the cucumber appetizer though. it's $7, and i can honestly make it better at home myself. DO get the fried chicken with basil if you're a fan of chicken (it's not pictured, but trust me, i've had it). another thing to note is that they're closed for 45 days in summer 2024 - definitely make time in your schedule to treat yourself to this noodle soup masterpiece.
The portion is huge but the food is not good here. We came due to the high Yelp reviews (what gives?) but we will stick to Why Thirsty in San Gabriel. The beef in the beef noodle soup was dry and chewy. The spice they used was really off and tasted gamey, it makes me feel like I was eating lamb not beef. Lamb is a big no no for me. We also shared the fried red pork rice plate. Half of the meat was pure fat so it was not edible at all. The only saving grace was the cucumber salad. Will not return.
Look no further for comforting, authentic Taiwanese food. The beef noodle soup is fragrant and generous, and the fried red pork is decadent and heavenly. For two people, this is the perfect combination. It comes out around $21 a person which is reasonable for the high quality.
*** Credit cards still accepted, but customers can save 3% if they tell the staff they are paying by cash *** Recently I stopped by this restaurant for lunch and honestly I feel like the overall food quality has slightly regressed. [Parking]: Free private parking lot; finding a spot shouldn't be an issue. [Menu]: Their specialities remain the following four items: beef noodle soup, fried pork chop with rice, Taiwanese sausage, and popcorn chicken. Personally I would still recommend all items with the exception of Taiwanese sausage and I would also recommend getting half meat/half tendon for beef noodle soup. Customers can order either thin or wide noodle for beef noodle soup. *** Half Meat/Half Tendon Beef Stew (wide noodle, $18.53): Broth tasted on a slightly saltier side, but it was still within my tolerance level. Extremely generous portion on meat and tendon. Popcorn Chicken w/ Rice ($15.97): Popcorn chicken still had great crispy texture, but chicken pieces tasted slightly salty for me. *** While most dishes I had here still managed to hit the spot on the overall flavors, most dishes had too much salt and I have to downgrade from 5-star to 4-star (no extra bonus on service as it was pretty basic). P.S. - I personally prefer beef noodle soup from Xiang Ji Arcadia (more balanced flavors on broth) over beef noodle soup here.
The Taiwanese mochi was so delicious. They even give you extra topping on the side. It says two pieces on the menu, but the portion is a good portion for two, maybe three people. I'm removing one star because they didn't allow me to use my card, only for purchase of $30 or more.
I love the noddle and the rice plate. Is one of the best restaurants I've been to. Good
The beef noodle was good. Portion was a good amount. Just need a little more flavor or spice to it. I've had it better elsewhere. Staff were friendly.
Hands down my favorite beef noodle joint in the 626. Can't beat the meat to price ratio as they give you a hefty amount of protein. The broth is rich with flavors and the pickled veggies they give you enhances it. Service was always attentive and fast. Not waiting more than 5mins before your bowl of deliciousness arrives.
Restaurantji Recommends
Omg their beef noodle soup and mocho (peanut and black sesame) are all you need to know.
Have not been to many Taiwanese Restaurants. Came here with friends and we all agree the food is good. Came here on a Sunday after worship service. Was fortunate to get a table as within a few minutes the restaurant was crowded and a lined had formed outside. Recommend the Taiwanese Sausage and Rice, Bean Curd Skin, Cucumber Salad (was actually very Good), Pic Knuckles. The beef, tendon and tripe noodle soup was okay, have had better. Service was a bit slow, but acceptable given the crowd. Would definitely be back
Happened to make our way towards El Monte for some beef noodle soup during the cold weekend, so we stopped by here~ It's quite a large restaurant space with ample seating and located in a strip mall plaza. Service is nice and quick, and they speak both English and Mandarin~ Definitely get the fried monascus pork (normally it's translated into English as fried red yeast rice pork which gives it the red color)--it's super crispy and fatty and pairs well with the sweet crunchy cucumber pickles that come with it. I would also recommend getting the mochi because it was warm, soft, and freshly covered with sweetened ground peanut and black sesame. My sister got passion fruit juice and said it was refreshing and not too sweet. The beef noodle soup is a more homestyle flavor--despite the dark color, it was not super heavy in spice/salt compared to other places but reminded me of the type of soup my mom would cook. They give you individually packaged chili oil and pickled mustard greens to add to your soup if you would like a bit more flavor (I liked adding the pickled mustard greens). The regular (aka thick) noodles were a bit too soft for my liking--they weren't super bouncy and chewy, but the beef was very well cooked (I think it's thick cut beef shank, which is very meaty and difficult to cook well). The portion size is big enough to eat for at least 2 meals, so you can jazz it up more at home with the leftovers for your second meal. We left very full and happy; will come again if we happen to be in the area~
The beef noodle soup was good! But the popcorn chicken (spicy) was the sssstar it was so freaking juicy and big and unlike other places they actually make it spicy and oh my gosh I'm drooling thinking about it. Do it. Pop. Corn. Chicken!!!!!
Hands down THE BEST BEEF NOODLE STEW in the 626. As an avid beef noodle soup girl, I have gone around socal trying to find something that will always satisfy my craving, and this is for sure the spot. The soup is extremely flavorful and coats the noodles perfectly to make every bite a flavor bomb. They've perfected the balance of spices, and do not have that sour mala flavor that some other soups usually have when you get it spicy. The thick noodles are so chewy and delicious, everything is just well balanced and amazing. Also their mochi is the best way to finish off your meal with the nutty flavors.