Finally tried this new dumpling spot on second street. I had to call and check if they were safe for me due to my peanut allergy and luckily they were very accommodating and able to remove peanuts from any items that had the warning. I really appreciate them accommodating to the allergy since I have noticed a lot of places now don't want to take responsibility and just suggest you not eat there. I am so happy I got to try the food, as we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered and had leftovers since they were generous portions. Happy to have this new addition in Belmont shore!
Alisa L.
So glad we have this new addition to Long Beach! I've been to the Cerritos location and that one is a more casual vibe than the LB one. My boyfriend and I have been here plenty of times since it's opening! Our usual order consists of walnut shrimp, Lao Gan Ma noodles, BBQ pork buns, and garlic string beans. The soup dumplings, wontons and Dan Dan noodles are also delicious! I think I'm beginning to prefer Northern Cafe over Din Tai Fung. Food is delicious, service is great and prices are reasonable!
Leslie Y.
Long Beach is well known for being culturally diverse, and the food scene is no exception, but there's a glaring lack of good, authentic Chinese food. Sure, there are Chinese restaurants, but they either belong in the fast-food variety like Panda Express or the menu is catered to the western American palate. This was true until Northern Cafe arrived. Replacing the much beloved La Creperie Cafe, Northern Cafe finally brought authentic northern Chinese cuisine to Long Beach. I was hesitant to try it during soft opening because there were stories of partially cooked buns, but I have enough confidence to visit after several months of refinement. I was not disappointed. Their xiao long bao was delightful and traditional. The doughy skin wasn't as delicate as the ones at Din Tai Fung, but the filling rivaled the best of them. There's definitely enough hot soup within each bite that would satisfy the best of connoisseurs, and you would know to be careful not burning your mouth when eating one of them if you're experienced. The fried rice was also full of flavor and not too salty or greasy. I still yet to try their noodles, and this gives me the perfect excuse to return with my wife. Service was attentive, but it did take a while because it was later in the evening and there might be less staff compared to peak hours. The indoor dining area was spacious, and there's an outdoor patio when the weather is pleasant. Parking on 2nd Street is free after 7 pm. Otherwise Belmont Shore parking is as infamous as you know.
Allen Ryan L.
I've been craving a beef roll for some time and found this place from word of mouth. We ordered the Dan Dan, dumplings, beef roll, and shrimp fried noodles. The Dan Dan was so good. I'm actually craving it as I'm writing this review. We actually got the chili oil on the side so that our son could try some. I would recommend doing that to first try it without and then add the oil accordingly to your spice preference. The beef roll was huge! It was filled with a lot of veggies, which I didn't mind but it kind of overpowered everything else. The dumplings in chili oil are better than DTF. I said it and stand by it. We went in a Saturday during lunch time. The ambiance was nice. Open floor plan with plenty of seating, indoor and out.
Heather L.
The food is always fresh and delicious! This is one of my favorite spots for dumplings in Long Beach. I get the green beans, soup dumplings, and beef roll every time they are all consistently 10/10.
Ana F.
Lunch on Monday. Great food, lovely service, Mongolian beef was fabulous. Be sure to try the steamed buns with red beans
Mark Yan
Delicious food! Great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Soup Dumplings 8, Dan Dan Noodle
Doug G.
I've had good experiences here before, but last night to go order was a major disappointment. I've never had a kung pao chicken ... so sub par m. Seemed like it was all dark meat, odd flavor, and overwhelmed with peanuts. Fried rice and the tofu dish was fine, though not outstanding.
Outrigger P.
Thank our lucky stars that Northern Café has come to Long Beach! We are a Chinese food desert here... Anyway we used to be but northern café is so awesome, I am thrilled to have their delicious dumplings noodles and everything they make just minutes away! Very happy, definitely try this place, it's the bomb.
Khoi D.
Wait, time was fast. Interior was very clean and organized. Food was delicious, very comparable to other Chinese restaurants if not better.
Nice spot with good food but it was not spectacular..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Parysa H.
every time I come over here they're always very slow and the food takes twenty minutes to thirty minutes and I already ordered the food online employees never smile
Sierra Savela
Food was SO good. I dreamt about those dumplings that
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tiffany D.
My boyfriend and I came in here with our baby this Monday night for dinner around 7:30pm and were seated immediately. We got two beers, a crunchy roll, nabeyaki udon, and the eel rice bowl (I think it's called unuyu). Everything was delicious, decently priced, and brought out as soon as it was ready. Our server Gustavo was so personable, friendly, and welcoming (along with one of the other servers but I didn't catch her name). They both were engaged with our girl and I appreciated the room they offered for the stroller. Thank you Gustavo for helping us today, we will be back to try some other dishes!
Nick V.
This was our 4th time here and we keep coming back! We really enjoy the House Special Beef Noodle Soup and the sautéed string beans. We've tried a lot of their menu and everything has been delicious. So glad that 2nd street in Long Beach now has this kind of restaurant. Our server Sabrina was exceptional and very attentive while recommending some new dishes for us to try. We will be back again!
Finally tried this new dumpling spot on second street. I had to call and check if they were safe for me due to my peanut allergy and luckily they were very accommodating and able to remove peanuts from any items that had the warning. I really appreciate them accommodating to the allergy since I have noticed a lot of places now don't want to take responsibility and just suggest you not eat there. I am so happy I got to try the food, as we thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered and had leftovers since they were generous portions. Happy to have this new addition in Belmont shore!
So glad we have this new addition to Long Beach! I've been to the Cerritos location and that one is a more casual vibe than the LB one. My boyfriend and I have been here plenty of times since it's opening! Our usual order consists of walnut shrimp, Lao Gan Ma noodles, BBQ pork buns, and garlic string beans. The soup dumplings, wontons and Dan Dan noodles are also delicious! I think I'm beginning to prefer Northern Cafe over Din Tai Fung. Food is delicious, service is great and prices are reasonable!
Long Beach is well known for being culturally diverse, and the food scene is no exception, but there's a glaring lack of good, authentic Chinese food. Sure, there are Chinese restaurants, but they either belong in the fast-food variety like Panda Express or the menu is catered to the western American palate. This was true until Northern Cafe arrived. Replacing the much beloved La Creperie Cafe, Northern Cafe finally brought authentic northern Chinese cuisine to Long Beach. I was hesitant to try it during soft opening because there were stories of partially cooked buns, but I have enough confidence to visit after several months of refinement. I was not disappointed. Their xiao long bao was delightful and traditional. The doughy skin wasn't as delicate as the ones at Din Tai Fung, but the filling rivaled the best of them. There's definitely enough hot soup within each bite that would satisfy the best of connoisseurs, and you would know to be careful not burning your mouth when eating one of them if you're experienced. The fried rice was also full of flavor and not too salty or greasy. I still yet to try their noodles, and this gives me the perfect excuse to return with my wife. Service was attentive, but it did take a while because it was later in the evening and there might be less staff compared to peak hours. The indoor dining area was spacious, and there's an outdoor patio when the weather is pleasant. Parking on 2nd Street is free after 7 pm. Otherwise Belmont Shore parking is as infamous as you know.
I've been craving a beef roll for some time and found this place from word of mouth. We ordered the Dan Dan, dumplings, beef roll, and shrimp fried noodles. The Dan Dan was so good. I'm actually craving it as I'm writing this review. We actually got the chili oil on the side so that our son could try some. I would recommend doing that to first try it without and then add the oil accordingly to your spice preference. The beef roll was huge! It was filled with a lot of veggies, which I didn't mind but it kind of overpowered everything else. The dumplings in chili oil are better than DTF. I said it and stand by it. We went in a Saturday during lunch time. The ambiance was nice. Open floor plan with plenty of seating, indoor and out.
The food is always fresh and delicious! This is one of my favorite spots for dumplings in Long Beach. I get the green beans, soup dumplings, and beef roll every time they are all consistently 10/10.
Lunch on Monday. Great food, lovely service, Mongolian beef was fabulous. Be sure to try the steamed buns with red beans
Delicious food! Great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Soup Dumplings 8, Dan Dan Noodle
I've had good experiences here before, but last night to go order was a major disappointment. I've never had a kung pao chicken ... so sub par m. Seemed like it was all dark meat, odd flavor, and overwhelmed with peanuts. Fried rice and the tofu dish was fine, though not outstanding.
Thank our lucky stars that Northern Café has come to Long Beach! We are a Chinese food desert here... Anyway we used to be but northern café is so awesome, I am thrilled to have their delicious dumplings noodles and everything they make just minutes away! Very happy, definitely try this place, it's the bomb.
Wait, time was fast. Interior was very clean and organized. Food was delicious, very comparable to other Chinese restaurants if not better.
Restaurantji Recommends
Nice spot with good food but it was not spectacular..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
every time I come over here they're always very slow and the food takes twenty minutes to thirty minutes and I already ordered the food online employees never smile
Food was SO good. I dreamt about those dumplings that
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
My boyfriend and I came in here with our baby this Monday night for dinner around 7:30pm and were seated immediately. We got two beers, a crunchy roll, nabeyaki udon, and the eel rice bowl (I think it's called unuyu). Everything was delicious, decently priced, and brought out as soon as it was ready. Our server Gustavo was so personable, friendly, and welcoming (along with one of the other servers but I didn't catch her name). They both were engaged with our girl and I appreciated the room they offered for the stroller. Thank you Gustavo for helping us today, we will be back to try some other dishes!
This was our 4th time here and we keep coming back! We really enjoy the House Special Beef Noodle Soup and the sautéed string beans. We've tried a lot of their menu and everything has been delicious. So glad that 2nd street in Long Beach now has this kind of restaurant. Our server Sabrina was exceptional and very attentive while recommending some new dishes for us to try. We will be back again!