The reviews are right. Best Chinese food hands down. Authentically delicious ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
melissa f.
Just had a meal at this restaurant. It was truly an unforgettable experience. I had so many dishes I've never had any where else. There was a lot of care put into each dish, and the flavors were so nuanced and delicate. We started with a chicken soup and goji berries. It was such a nice soup---very flavorful even though there didn't seem to be many ingredients in it. Then the braised duck came out...it was really exceptional. It was stuffed with sticky rice and chestnuts. An unexpected combination that really hit all the right notes! The pipa tofu was fried to perfection. The inside was pillow soft while the outside had the right amount of crunch. It wasn't oily at all. Also very soft was the many layered tofu was so soft and delicate. The fried milk rolls had a taste of honeydew and was so so good. So soft on the inside...not too sweet and very creamy. On top of the food being so so delicious was just the wonderful service. Really friendly and patient. Really one of the best Chinese restaurants I have ever been to. Thanks to my cousin Albert for inviting my family and me!
Kieron L.
Real good quality Chinese dishes, some are rare even back in my Asia home town nowadays. Highly recommend to try the ones that require ordering in advance, those are the ones that are harder to get anywhere else. Many of the dishes we tried were right on, both on the taste, textures and presentation. I'd highly recommend the Deep Fried Taro Tossed w/ Sugar 反沙芋 (a very rare traditional dish), Chicken Wings w/ Glutinous Rice 糯米釀雞翼, Chicken Skin Spread w/ Shrimp Paste 江南百花雞, and Minced Meat & Vegetables in Egg White Pancake w/ pumpkin soup 石榴球. We can tell the chef put his heart into the dishes. Family style friendly service. If this place is in a more well known location, I'm sure it would be very popular. Let's support such a good restaurant so we will continue to have good quality Cantonese food in LA!
Saul V.
Good fried rice every thing is good really recommend and very tasty and cozy nice waiters
Ralph L.
Just wanted to share my thoughts regarding the food if you're looking for a good place to eat Chinese food and consistency, Sam Chinese restaurant is the best I've eaten different meals there and all of them have been excellent and the price is fair. It's not a fancy place but if you want a good meal, you need to go there..
George C.
Chinese banquet food is what we call kung fu dishes, the term referring to labor and skill, they are increasingly rare due to their complexity and lack of younger talent in the industry but that is the kind of dishes being offered here at Sands. Chicken wings, de-boned and stuffed with a savory glutinous rice mixture and fried until the skin is crispy and the meat juicy; soft tofu, cut thin and evenly without breakage and dressed in a clear seafood sauce; fried rice with seafood, abalone sauce, dried shrimp, salted duck egg yolk, wrapped in a lotus leaf and steamed; a whole chicken de-boned, stuffed with minced shrimp paste, and deep fried until the top layer of chicken skin is crispy and the bottom shrimp paste is bouncy with hints of shaoxing wine, shallots, fish sauce; eight treasure duck, a whole braised duck stuffed with glutinous rice mixed with as the name implies, eight flavorful ingredients. Sands is not just a bastion of Chinese banquet cooking, it is also a local family business, the staff there are all family and provide very good service, they are working FoH, BoH, and even younger members are there both helping out with smaller tasks and doing their schoolwork. I cannot recommend Sands enough for a traditional Chinese banquet and highly recommend it and to invest in this family run business keeping a dwindling art form alive.
Yarom Limor
Awesome legit hk cuisine. I'd def
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Paul Ay
One of the best restaurants in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maggie L.
Terrible food, can't even cook green onion chicken and string beans right. How dare they call themselves 私房菜？
Tony S.
Introduction: I first heard about this establishment from my best friend who recommended I check this place out because to his understanding, this restaurant does various Chinese/Cantonese dishes that are not commonly seen anymore. After doing some research of my own, I was easily sold and decided to pay this establishment a visit with my best friend and another mutual friend of ours. Our experience for that night was unforgettable. Food: Chicken wings with glutinous rice: The chicken wings at Sands is the best chicken wings I've ever had; the outer skin of the wings has a light, delicate crunch while the interior of the wings is tender and moist. In addition, the wings are stuffed with glutinous rice, bits of shiitake mushroom, and preserved meat. When the tender chicken is eaten with the glutinous rice, mushroom, and preserved meat, the texture, and flavors are unforgettable. West Lake Beef Stew: I've had West Lake Beef Stew at a variety of eateries and they are more or less of similar quality. The West Lake Beef Stew at Sands is a class above in comparison to the conventional West Lake Beef Stew that is served at other restaurants. Here, the West Lake Beef Stew's broth is delicate, light, clean, smooth and inherently sweet with each spoonful. The beef is tender and without any minced joints [hard to find]. Although the stew is light in its texture and consistency, patron will feel a wholesome sense of fulfillment upon finishing the stew. Steamed Thousand Layer Tofu: First of all, I am not a tofu guy; I am okay with tofu but personally I'm not crazy about it. The Steamed Thousand Layer Tofu at Sands changed my understanding and appreciation for tofu by a significant margin. The knife work for this dish is exceptional in its degree of skill; each layer of tofu is sliced delicately thin in a uniform fashion. Upon eating the tofu, one will find the tofu's texture is unbelievably smooth: almost as smooth as that of fine silk. Eating the tofu with the shrimp and meat brings about a layered experience: one gets the seafood umami from the shrimp as well as the savoriness of the meat. Until I came to Sands, I did not know tofu can be this delicious. Lotus Leaf Rice: I've had Lotus Leaf Rice before at other locations and frankly it's one of my favorite dishes in terms of Cantonese cuisine. The Lotus Leaf Rice at Sands is well-made. Every spoonful is bursting with the layered flavors of the ingredients: carrots, scallop, egg, chicken etc. Having been steamed inside the lotus leaf, the rice is imbued with an inherent fragrance and warmth; as the patron's eating the rice, he is filled with a deep sense of satisfaction and satiation. Ambiance: Casual, small Mom and Pop shop, hole in the wall gem Service: The proprietor and staff are cordial, polite, and accommodating. Price: Reasonable Overall: When here I highly recommend getting the Chef's Specialty dishes because the dishes are labor-intensive and very hard to make. If one were to come to Sands and orders only the common every day entrees, then I am of the opinion the said patron(s) has wasted his trip to this restaurant.
They have a lot of authentic Cantonese dishes that you can not get them anywhere else. They have to pre-order at least a day a head. This place is a hidden gem.
A Frank
I stopped into this place on a whim, since I just happened to be in the area. Wow, did I hit the jackpot! This is the best Chinese food I have had in a long time. I had almost given up trying to find decent and affordable Chinese takeout food. I ordered the Orange Chicken box that came with chow mein, broccoli, and eggrolls, as well as the fried fish dish that I forget the name of right now and some steamed rice. But both were excellent and well worth the money. The rice was fluffy and cooked correctly. I live in Pasadena, which is a good 20 minutes away with no traffic, but I will definitely return whenever I am able.I've seen some negative reviews for this restaurant that were posted four and five years ago. I can say with confidence that that no longer applies. They probably got a new chef since then who is skilled at cooking Chinese cuisine, and cares that the patrons of this restaurant are satisfied.
Keo N.
An unexpected hidden gem in this far flung forlorned corner of the sgv. It is, in fact, not that far from San Gabriel. All but a few miles. The dishes offered are refreshing and not what you would typically find in a Cantonese restaurant. Of note is the braised stuffed duck. The lotus leaf rice is a little muted compared to the fried halibut or braised duck, so this dish should be served first. There are several dishes that are less heavily seasoned, so those should be served earlier, too. Perhaps this family owned establishment would be kind enough to serve in the ascending order of flavorfulness if you request them to do so. Lol. There are quite a few unique dishes that are worthy of further exploration.
Maryann A.
Food is made fresh to order so expect higher prices. Chow mein is $13 for the portion of a side. Shrimp fried rice is also almost $13. Employee was friendly but there was a language barrier when I was placing my order. Reduced stars for the extra long wait.
David Beddome
Love this place, best Kung Pao Chicken I have ever had!
The reviews are right. Best Chinese food hands down. Authentically delicious ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just had a meal at this restaurant. It was truly an unforgettable experience. I had so many dishes I've never had any where else. There was a lot of care put into each dish, and the flavors were so nuanced and delicate. We started with a chicken soup and goji berries. It was such a nice soup---very flavorful even though there didn't seem to be many ingredients in it. Then the braised duck came out...it was really exceptional. It was stuffed with sticky rice and chestnuts. An unexpected combination that really hit all the right notes! The pipa tofu was fried to perfection. The inside was pillow soft while the outside had the right amount of crunch. It wasn't oily at all. Also very soft was the many layered tofu was so soft and delicate. The fried milk rolls had a taste of honeydew and was so so good. So soft on the inside...not too sweet and very creamy. On top of the food being so so delicious was just the wonderful service. Really friendly and patient. Really one of the best Chinese restaurants I have ever been to. Thanks to my cousin Albert for inviting my family and me!
Real good quality Chinese dishes, some are rare even back in my Asia home town nowadays. Highly recommend to try the ones that require ordering in advance, those are the ones that are harder to get anywhere else. Many of the dishes we tried were right on, both on the taste, textures and presentation. I'd highly recommend the Deep Fried Taro Tossed w/ Sugar 反沙芋 (a very rare traditional dish), Chicken Wings w/ Glutinous Rice 糯米釀雞翼, Chicken Skin Spread w/ Shrimp Paste 江南百花雞, and Minced Meat & Vegetables in Egg White Pancake w/ pumpkin soup 石榴球. We can tell the chef put his heart into the dishes. Family style friendly service. If this place is in a more well known location, I'm sure it would be very popular. Let's support such a good restaurant so we will continue to have good quality Cantonese food in LA!
Good fried rice every thing is good really recommend and very tasty and cozy nice waiters
Just wanted to share my thoughts regarding the food if you're looking for a good place to eat Chinese food and consistency, Sam Chinese restaurant is the best I've eaten different meals there and all of them have been excellent and the price is fair. It's not a fancy place but if you want a good meal, you need to go there..
Chinese banquet food is what we call kung fu dishes, the term referring to labor and skill, they are increasingly rare due to their complexity and lack of younger talent in the industry but that is the kind of dishes being offered here at Sands. Chicken wings, de-boned and stuffed with a savory glutinous rice mixture and fried until the skin is crispy and the meat juicy; soft tofu, cut thin and evenly without breakage and dressed in a clear seafood sauce; fried rice with seafood, abalone sauce, dried shrimp, salted duck egg yolk, wrapped in a lotus leaf and steamed; a whole chicken de-boned, stuffed with minced shrimp paste, and deep fried until the top layer of chicken skin is crispy and the bottom shrimp paste is bouncy with hints of shaoxing wine, shallots, fish sauce; eight treasure duck, a whole braised duck stuffed with glutinous rice mixed with as the name implies, eight flavorful ingredients. Sands is not just a bastion of Chinese banquet cooking, it is also a local family business, the staff there are all family and provide very good service, they are working FoH, BoH, and even younger members are there both helping out with smaller tasks and doing their schoolwork. I cannot recommend Sands enough for a traditional Chinese banquet and highly recommend it and to invest in this family run business keeping a dwindling art form alive.
Awesome legit hk cuisine. I'd def
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
One of the best restaurants in the area!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrible food, can't even cook green onion chicken and string beans right. How dare they call themselves 私房菜？
Introduction: I first heard about this establishment from my best friend who recommended I check this place out because to his understanding, this restaurant does various Chinese/Cantonese dishes that are not commonly seen anymore. After doing some research of my own, I was easily sold and decided to pay this establishment a visit with my best friend and another mutual friend of ours. Our experience for that night was unforgettable. Food: Chicken wings with glutinous rice: The chicken wings at Sands is the best chicken wings I've ever had; the outer skin of the wings has a light, delicate crunch while the interior of the wings is tender and moist. In addition, the wings are stuffed with glutinous rice, bits of shiitake mushroom, and preserved meat. When the tender chicken is eaten with the glutinous rice, mushroom, and preserved meat, the texture, and flavors are unforgettable. West Lake Beef Stew: I've had West Lake Beef Stew at a variety of eateries and they are more or less of similar quality. The West Lake Beef Stew at Sands is a class above in comparison to the conventional West Lake Beef Stew that is served at other restaurants. Here, the West Lake Beef Stew's broth is delicate, light, clean, smooth and inherently sweet with each spoonful. The beef is tender and without any minced joints [hard to find]. Although the stew is light in its texture and consistency, patron will feel a wholesome sense of fulfillment upon finishing the stew. Steamed Thousand Layer Tofu: First of all, I am not a tofu guy; I am okay with tofu but personally I'm not crazy about it. The Steamed Thousand Layer Tofu at Sands changed my understanding and appreciation for tofu by a significant margin. The knife work for this dish is exceptional in its degree of skill; each layer of tofu is sliced delicately thin in a uniform fashion. Upon eating the tofu, one will find the tofu's texture is unbelievably smooth: almost as smooth as that of fine silk. Eating the tofu with the shrimp and meat brings about a layered experience: one gets the seafood umami from the shrimp as well as the savoriness of the meat. Until I came to Sands, I did not know tofu can be this delicious. Lotus Leaf Rice: I've had Lotus Leaf Rice before at other locations and frankly it's one of my favorite dishes in terms of Cantonese cuisine. The Lotus Leaf Rice at Sands is well-made. Every spoonful is bursting with the layered flavors of the ingredients: carrots, scallop, egg, chicken etc. Having been steamed inside the lotus leaf, the rice is imbued with an inherent fragrance and warmth; as the patron's eating the rice, he is filled with a deep sense of satisfaction and satiation. Ambiance: Casual, small Mom and Pop shop, hole in the wall gem Service: The proprietor and staff are cordial, polite, and accommodating. Price: Reasonable Overall: When here I highly recommend getting the Chef's Specialty dishes because the dishes are labor-intensive and very hard to make. If one were to come to Sands and orders only the common every day entrees, then I am of the opinion the said patron(s) has wasted his trip to this restaurant.
Restaurantji Recommends
They have a lot of authentic Cantonese dishes that you can not get them anywhere else. They have to pre-order at least a day a head. This place is a hidden gem.
I stopped into this place on a whim, since I just happened to be in the area. Wow, did I hit the jackpot! This is the best Chinese food I have had in a long time. I had almost given up trying to find decent and affordable Chinese takeout food. I ordered the Orange Chicken box that came with chow mein, broccoli, and eggrolls, as well as the fried fish dish that I forget the name of right now and some steamed rice. But both were excellent and well worth the money. The rice was fluffy and cooked correctly. I live in Pasadena, which is a good 20 minutes away with no traffic, but I will definitely return whenever I am able.I've seen some negative reviews for this restaurant that were posted four and five years ago. I can say with confidence that that no longer applies. They probably got a new chef since then who is skilled at cooking Chinese cuisine, and cares that the patrons of this restaurant are satisfied.
An unexpected hidden gem in this far flung forlorned corner of the sgv. It is, in fact, not that far from San Gabriel. All but a few miles. The dishes offered are refreshing and not what you would typically find in a Cantonese restaurant. Of note is the braised stuffed duck. The lotus leaf rice is a little muted compared to the fried halibut or braised duck, so this dish should be served first. There are several dishes that are less heavily seasoned, so those should be served earlier, too. Perhaps this family owned establishment would be kind enough to serve in the ascending order of flavorfulness if you request them to do so. Lol. There are quite a few unique dishes that are worthy of further exploration.
Food is made fresh to order so expect higher prices. Chow mein is $13 for the portion of a side. Shrimp fried rice is also almost $13. Employee was friendly but there was a language barrier when I was placing my order. Reduced stars for the extra long wait.
Love this place, best Kung Pao Chicken I have ever had!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5