24 Best Chinese Restaurants in Pasadena

“Ricardo was my waiter and it was my first time here. This place is a gem, the food is prepared fresh and with authenticity. Some people say you can’t taste or smell MSG, but I have a sensitivity to it, and I can say this place DOESN’T use MSG! This was something I deeply appreciate, and I take food serious, I enjoy experiencing culture via food and the people who serve it. This restaurant wasn’t too busy Saturday afternoon, to my surprise, but it should be hustling and bustling! I didn’t let this detour me, I lean on hidden gems mostly when I dine out. If you are in the area and looking for something new, and unique, or you are spending the morning at the Huntington Library/Museum and Botanical Garden like I was, (a short 7 minute drive through historic Pasadena/San Marino) try this true Chinese restaurant. The parking is directly across the way, they have a patio, and it’s nestled amongst other charming stores and restaurants. On weekends the location hosts local creatives markets, and music. I had the following increíble, well balanced and savory dishes: pork and chicken dumplings, vegetables fried rice (was very different in a delightful way!), chicken soup, three cup chicken, beef and Chinese broccoli, and jasmine ice tea.“

“Very good food. Clean and fast service.“

“Everything was really lovely. Food was delicious and staff were very nice and welcoming. Only problem we had is that I made the reservation for a birthday, and the hostess mentioned that she saw the special day and would make sure to bring something out, but this never happened. It was a bummer that the hostess told us something would be coming and it never did.“

“Try The Indo Fried Rice… You will love it😀“

“The food was delicious, the service excellent, the establishment was clean, portions generous, and cost affordable. We ordered chow mein, fish with black bean sauce, and Mongolian beef. It's not Chinese fast food, it's a sit down restaurant. Surprised it wasn't crowded as the food is delicious. The location is a little non-descript but street parking was easy. I live in Gardena and although there are several Chinese restaurants, none are good. This was a lucky find as restaurant reviews in general tend to result in a bad choice.“

“Wooo! Love me some good Panda Express! I’ve visited this location several times and love their food! With the dodgers wins! I was able to score some cheap meals! My favorite is really the eggplant and tofu and of course the orange chicken.“

“Amazing food. I miss it so much every day. I used to get delivery to my house off Orange Grove and the owner would deliver himself and remember me.“

“Stopped here for a quick bite to eat in between classes. Ordered the braised pork belly rice bowl and spring rolls. The food was made to order and delicious; large portions of rice, meat, and veggies. The spring rolls were crispy and the veggies inside had great flavor. Definitely coming back again.“

“Dumpling Wei is the absolute best! I've literally worked through the menu and everything has been incredibly tasty! My favorites rank among the Garlic Eggplant, Mapo Tofu with Ground Pork, Pork Xiao Long Bao, Pork Wontons in Chili Oil, Sautéed Bok Choy, Cucumber Salad and so many others!!

💰 plan to spent $20/ person because there are so many options you will likely get 2 each

🚗 Parking is available but the lot is difficult to navigate for nervous drivers. Be prepared.

✨️Language barriers have never been an issue when ordering here!!! Dont hesitate to try a new/ different cuisine!! ✨️“

“The food here is exceptional. I’ve only had the fried rice, beef chicken, shrimp etc but it’s perfect, and I know because I eat this kind of food a lot and it’s noticeably better. You get a free egg roll and even soup if you want it. And after all that you’re getting a big discount per pound. This is one place where they might need to be told to raise the price to stay in business. It has a nice little at home feeling. It’s definitely flying under the radar so buy now before it’s too late! Oh yeah, and I remember asking for a second egg roll. On the house! They didn’t charge me, again.“

“This is a great place to eat. I haven't eaten there in a while. I recently I stopped through excellent food tasting, reasonable prices, and friendly customer service. This spot is grabbing. Go home. You can't eat there. There's also a great restaurant next door Louisiana fried Chicken“

“I would honestly recommend Y & J. I love this place. The food is always delicious. My favorite is the duck, beef with green beans and the noodles. I just miss the free delivery.“

“you're a fan of authentic Chongqing-style hotpot, this place is a must-visit. The broth is deeply flavorful — bold, spicy, and numbing in all the right ways. We ordered the beef tripe, sliced beef, and duck intestines, all cooked perfectly. Mountain House vibes but make it Sichuan“

“Egg Roll Express has the best food. They have been in the same location for at least 25 years. I order there often and have never been disappointed. GREAT FOOD EGG ROLL EXPRESS !“

“My family and I have dined here a couple of times. We used to go to the Woodland Hills location until they closed it. We love the food here. My favorites are the Slippery Shrimp, the 3 musketeers lo mein, the combination fried rice , the egg rolls, the Orange Chicken and a few other dishes. Love the Atmosphere. I drive here from the Antelope Valley...“

“However many characters this review allows me to write isn't enough to heap compliments upon this place. I've lived in Pasadena for about 4 years, and my last review was written a little over 3 years ago, and I've gone several times ever since. They're one of the best (if not the best) Chinese fast food places in the area. The portions can only be described by calling them massive, the food is delicious and always on point. Don't sleep on the BBQ Pork! It's incredibly underrated. Service is always fantastic, and the ambiance is great, the store is well-lit and kept clean at all times.“

“APRIL 2026 REVIEW:

I'm a regular at this location. Their new Dynamite - Sweet & Sour Chicken is well worth the drive. Service is always great, the store is always pristine and they're in a prime location (right on Lake Av) which helps a lot with ambiance and traffic into this store in general. I think all Panda Express locations I've been to are amazing in their own right, but this one stands out in particular for its commitment to excellence. 10/10

SEPT 2025 REVIEW:

I've been to this location several times since I've lived in Pasadena for the past 3 and a half years. The classic top-rated American Chinese fast food that they're well-known for can be found here. The portions are not as generous as some other hole-in-the-wall American Chinese fast food places but there is definitely quality to be found here. The limited-edition Hot Orange Chicken is a must have if you read this review and they still have it available. Beijing Beef is another go-to entree and we cannot forget about the Honey Sesame Chicken Breast or the Honey Walnut Shrimp. All of them highly recommend.“

“We really enjoyed eating here. I completely underestimated the portion sizes lol. The dishes were huge! We ordered spicy beef noodles, spicy wontons, chicken fried rice and watermelon juice. Everything was delicious. We will definitely come back. I am happy to have left overs for work tomorrow.“

“This was my second time coming here (the first time I came was on a whim and I was blown away!), and it did not disappoint. I’m honestly not sure why this place isn’t busier; the food is SO good!

I came here for lunch with my partner today. I ordered the spicy seafood crepe and he got the pork belly crepe. We also shared shrimp gyoza and he got a pork bun. Everything was so good, so worth it!!

I’ll admit, the first time I came I was a bit apprehensive about the crepe because I don’t love things that are overly eggy but the ratio is superb. It’s made to order and the staff are friendly!

Definitely recommend :)“

“I had the all white meat Hainan Chicken plate. Everything was absolutely delicious. I’m definitely coming back. I highly recommend this place.“

“Best Chinese food in Pasadena I love this place! My friend got a whole tray of fried rice, orange chicken, chow mein and bobafully loaded for $15! I had Mongolian beef and rice and I was really good! Next time I’m in Pasadena and Im hungry I’ll go here!“

“Incredible food, savory broth.“

“Food quality was excellent—ingredients tasted fresh, portions were consistent, and presentation was appealing. Cleanliness standards were clearly a priority, from the serving line to the dining area. This reflects strong team discipline and leadership.“

“Chicken was very good, will be back. Next time going to try the shrimp, I hear that is also very good.“