Soup near South El Monte

“Lunch rush is always busy since it's a popular place. Come before 11am and you'll beat the rush. Vietnamese food here is tasty and the price is not too bad. Parking can be a headache during peak hours. Restaurant being on Garvey doesn't make the trip to this place any easier, but it can be worth it.“

“When I first arrived to this restaurant, I didn’t see any other diners and was quite hesitant. But soon enough they proved my ‘pre-thoughts’ wrong.
Definitely one of the best Vietnamese home cooked meals at a restaurant in the area. The flavour is so authentic that can transport you back to the Southern of Vietnam (mien Tay) in a bite. We ordered the lunch set for family and cannot fault a thing. It came with canh chua, ca chien, goi tom thit, ca kho, bap cai chua. Flavour was mouth watering and all very good value for money. This is such a hidden gem. Highly recommend!“

“A barbecue restaurant worth recommending. It’s very delicious. The taste is superb. The oysters are big and cheap. The grilled fresh milk is also superb. There are also authentic grilled cold noodles and lamb skewers. It’s really worth a try.“

“We came here for lunch on a Sunday and waited for 45 mins before being seated. There were only two women working the front dining room and since service was slow, table turnovers were slow too. So expect a wait but the food was very good.

We like that they have pictures on their menus. We ordered the dan dan noodles, the chong qing noodles (my favorite), the pork chop noodle, youpo noodle, and xiao long bao. All were good and portions were large.

I do like the spicy mala flavors and that's in quite a lot of their dishes. Mild still has a kick to it, fyi.

The parking lot is too small for the restaurants in shopping area as is common in a lot of Asian areas. But there are plenty of free street parking around.“

“Although the restaurant is often crowded, the wait staff are usually responsive and able to attend to customers' needs.“

“Southern California has a LOT of great Mexican food but this place was next level. The carnitas burrito was had carnitas that was perfectly crispy and the flavor was great. The Birria del Rey plate was flavorful. The service was quick and friendly. The place had a great family vibe. Definitely going to make this a regular stop.“

“1st time trying Pho Waffle and Grill. It's a small place but as usual small places have the greatest of foods. I ordered the Salmon Bowl and also the Beef Pho to go. You can also pre-order or just drive on thru their drive thru. Will definitely come back again! Broth was perfect and so was the salmon. Oh and got cheese ragon as well.

1-3-26
If it's raining and you want some warm pho. This is the spot for you. Close to South Gate, Lynwood, Bell Gardens, Downey and Paramount. It has drive thru and a small mom and pop restaurant that should definitely be supported for the great food. Had Beef Pho and Shrimp Pho, with Creamy ragoons and Veggie Egg rolls topped off with Tai Tea. Yum!!! #TheSpot“

“😃I like the way they cook all family members working real Thai Food cook by Thai people“

“A solid spot for comforting Taiwanese food. I ordered their Fujian style fried vermicelli, beef noodle soup, and pan fried pork baos — everything was beyond flavorful. Even the noodle texture surprised me by being quite “QQ” (al dente in Chinese). Also, the servers were beyond kind, constantly bringing me hot water and napkins! Definitely recommend trying P P Pop!“

“Great experience and reasonable price“

“Need to make reservations, otherwise need to wait almost hour“

“This place deserves every bit of five stars. No matter what you order, the food is absolutely delicious. Every dish is flavorful, fresh, and clearly made with care.
What impressed me even more than the food was the service. The staff are incredibly attentive, friendly, and well-coordinated. Their teamwork and efficiency make the entire dining experience smooth and enjoyable. Everything arrived quickly, the restaurant was very clean, and the atmosphere felt welcoming.
Finding a place like this on a Sunday afternoon truly felt like a little moment of happiness. Great food, great service, and a great experience overall. I will definitely be coming back! ★★★★★“

“I enjoyed this place a lot. It was a little bit hard to find at first, as it is located above the supermarket. The server was very friendly, helping me to find a good vegetarian option. The cold sesame noodles were tasty and refreshing, and the price is not bad ($8.99). The dining area is spacious and comfortable.“

“每道菜餚皆是無可挑剔的精緻和美味“

“Tried Vege Valley Restaurant recently and honestly it was a good surprise. I’m not even strictly vegetarian but the food was really flavorful and fresh. Ordered noodles and a veggie dish both were well cooked and not too oily, which I liked.
The place is simple perfect for a relaxed meal. Service was quick and staff were polite. Pricing also feels reasonable for the portion size.
Only small issue was parking, took a bit of time to find a spot. But overall definitely worth visiting if you want healthy and tasty veg food.“

“The dumplings are so good!!“

“Delicious and nice place.“

“Nem Nướng Khánh Hoà is widely praised for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine and warm atmosphere. The restaurant’s specialty is nem nuong cuon, a dish of grilled pork meatballs wrapped in rice paper and served with fresh herbs and vegetables. The dish stands out for its flavorful, fresh grilled pork and the crunchy texture of the accompanying ingredients“

“Literally the warmest, kindest service I have EVER had. Unreal. And the food is soooo fresh and delicious. And we are serious food snobs, so we mean it. Come here immediately and feel the love!“

“Wanted to check this place out with my boyfriend. It was poppin on a Saturday night, which is a good sign. We got the house eggrolls, the Kobe syle beef pho and the Filet Mignon pho with the original noodle (you have an option for a fresh fatter noodle) Beyond delicious!!! The broth and meat was so flavorful
The service was very fast. I have a sensitive stomach so I probably should have avoided the egg rolls because I dont do well with certain oils and fried food but they were so freaking good. Definitely recommend this spot for amazing pho. The other dishes people were ordering that I was able to see looked really good too.“

“Literally the best Japanese Curry House in all of the United States. Doesn't cost a fortune, service is amazing, it's Japanese-American but you feel like you're getting the same service you would get in Japan and a kitchen staff are very attentive and communicative. I had no idea this was here literally my whole adult life and now I go weekly.“

“Me encanto este lugar todo muy rico y muy atentos buen servicio“

“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.“

“Our first time ever Trying the Vietnamese food! One word ; THE BEST!!“

“Wish i was living very close to this amazing place … as soon as I stepped in , i knew it will be more then great. It smelled like home food, not like a restaurant , i got lamb pancakes, oh god it was soooo good, juicy , flavorful, i even almost cried when realized only one left out of 4… only one bad thing about it, i want it MOOORREEE!!! :)“

“I ordered the pho soup and man I would this is the best pho I’ve had in America. Not gonna lie, the thai tea is amazing and that boba too.“

“**Authentic Shanghai flavors are surprisingly hard to find in Southern California, but this is one restaurant I keep coming back to. Since its days at Fullerton Plaza, it has built a loyal following, and even after relocating to Rowland Heights, the quality and flavors remain as good as ever.**

This visit was all about classic Shanghai dishes, and every one of them delivered.

The **pork soup dumplings (xiaolongbao)** are a must-order. Served piping hot, the wrappers are thin yet resilient enough to hold the rich broth inside. Take a small bite, sip the flavorful soup, then enjoy the tender pork filling—absolutely satisfying. The true test of a great xiaolongbao is the soup, and this place has maintained remarkable consistency for over a decade.

First-time visitors should not miss the restaurant’s signature **giant crab roe soup dumpling**. About the size of your palm, it makes quite an impression when it arrives at the table. A straw is provided so you can first savor the abundant crab-infused broth before enjoying the delicate wrapper and filling. Rich, savory, and interactive, it's both delicious and fun.

The **Yulan fried rice cake** is a classic Shanghai snack. Its glutinous rice exterior is fried to a beautiful golden crisp while remaining pleasantly chewy inside. Filled with juicy seasoned pork, it strikes a wonderful balance between sweet and savory flavors. The more you chew, the more its distinctive aroma unfolds—a nostalgic taste of old Shanghai.

The **Wuxi-style spare ribs** were another highlight. Slow-braised until incredibly tender, the meat falls off the bone with ease. The sweet-savory sauce fully penetrates the ribs, creating the signature Jiangnan flavor that keeps you reaching for another piece.

The **stuffed gluten puffs with pork** brought back childhood memories. The gluten absorbs the savory braising sauce, becoming soft and springy, while the hearty pork filling inside adds satisfying texture and flavor. Every bite feels comforting and familiar.

The **shepherd’s purse dumplings** have remained consistently excellent over the years. The shepherd’s purse is fragrant and fresh, paired with just the right amount of pork filling. Flavorful yet never greasy, it’s the kind of comforting homemade dish that never disappoints.

To finish, we ordered a bowl of **sweet rice wine soup with glutinous rice balls**. The fermented rice aroma is delicate and balanced, while the rice balls are soft and chewy without being overly sweet.

Keeping a restaurant open for more than a decade is no easy feat. What’s even more impressive is its commitment to preserving the familiar flavors of Shanghai all these years later. From soup dumplings to traditional Shanghainese specialties, from Yulan cakes to shepherd’s purse dumplings, every dish reflects genuine care and craftsmanship.

For many longtime customers, this restaurant is more than just a place to eat—it’s a taste of home and a connection to cherished memories. The address may have changed, but the Shanghai flavor that people have loved for over ten years remains exactly the same.“

“Thanks to my son in law we got to try a new spot. How Rowland Heights has changed since the 80’s. Just love the rich food scene. Be forewarned. Friday and Saturday nights the parking can be very challenging. Once seated service was quick. But here is how it works. You order your broth selection an some premium proteins online. The rest is pretty much self service from the various refrigerators. Seafood, beef tendon, beef with cilantro, gizzards, plenty of mushrooms, and veggies. You select what you want and take it back to your table and immerse in the broth. Feels very cafe style which I just enjoyed. Totally a find. I will be back.“

“Their Tan Tan Men Ramen are the best! I love how I have the opportunity to customize our ground meat choices (I.e. ground pork or ground chicken). Topped with nori, baby bok choy, bean sprouts, hard-boiled egg, and ground meat, the ramen have the perfect flavor. Their chicken karaage were the best too!“

“We had a great Mommy outing. The glass partitions made us feel safe.“

“The chicken curry with baguette was so flavorful rich, creamy, and comforting! Love that everything here tastes homemade.“

“Great Vietnamise food. Food it really delicious and the owner is very nice.“

“Wow! We’re usually very picky about what we eat, but this place exceeded our expectations. The ingredients were incredibly fresh, and every dish was full of flavor with just the right balance.

We loved it so much! The service was also excellent, the owner (I believe she was) was very attentive and friendly, which made the experience even better.“

“Jin Hai / Beijing Pie House has gotten better over the years. The lamb and leeek meat pies arrived nice and crispy with ample soup inside. The lamb flavor was subtle and clean with a satisfying smattering of yellow leek.

The three ingredient dumplings (leek, pork, shrimp) were supple and balanced. The thick looking wrappers were deceptively supple with a bit of bite and flavor of the fillings sang a song of freshness.

Glad we came back and will put this back in our rotation.“

“The staff are nice & the food is good.“

“Excellent food and friendly staff!!“

“This is a hidden gem in the city of San Marino. Hidden amongst the tall trees along Huntington, you’ll drive right past it if you’re not paying close attention! Nonetheless-this place is clean, fresh, and friendly. The food is solid and the Cantonese tastes are spot on. It is the type of comfort food that will keep you coming back.“

“Good food, casual, great location and convenient.“

“Love their tofu skin dish.
Love their noddles, so original
The crispy pork is out of this world
Unlimited source and commentary are wonderfully satisfying
Can't speak more, try it yourself. I guarantee you have never tasted crispy pork like what they have. GUARANTEE!!!!“

“I got their never ending pasta special starting at $15.99. It was really good. The first pasta you order will come in a large plate. And the refills will come in smaller plate.

You get unlimited pasta and soup and your choice of protein if you pay extra.

Overall, it was nice to try the different type of pasta they had. Take advantage of this deal for it's gone.“

“me gustó la sopa y los apps“

“Finally got our fix of yummy food🤤🤭“

“El personal super amable , las pupusas y el atol de elote delicioso !! Hemos ido varias veces y siempre son tan serviciales !! Muchas gracias 😊“

“Not bad for an all you can eat hot pot, but a few more food selection would be nice on top of what they have. $37 is a bit much for the amount they have. They have two tiers. Premium and Prime. Prime is $53. The soy sauce they use at the sauce station is more salty than the other soy sauces I've had. One of the staff, younger girl kept messing up with the soup base orders for our table and another table's. It wasn't even busy at that time. It's nice they do birthday discounts. Free drinks and ice cream so that's also a plus. Would be nice if they had strawberry ice cream instead of double cookies and cream rubs. They should add pork blood rice cakes. Parking in the back can be limited.“

“Excelente comida!!! Muy rico mi tapado gracias! También el aguas de maracuya me gusto mucho“

“Although the restaurant is often crowded, the wait staff are usually responsive and able to attend to customers' needs.“

“Esta muy sabrosa comida me encanto se las recomiendo k ballan y prueven esta deliciosa comida“

“I been coming here for a year now happy to see dine in is open again, amazing beef noodle soup and I yummy fruit tea. Very worth the price and family own business that has amazing customer service 10/10“

“Food was ok but the Portuguese Egg Tart, is worth repeat orders! Thats the menu item that I’m giving that extra star to rate froyo ✨ 💫 Will add this to my rotation of to-go for groups. Secret favorite… I typically pick up Porto’s Chicken Empanadas and Potato Balls with spicy beef but this is a great alternative depending on proximity or commute route 🏎️

Highly recommend you order in advance and do it through their preferred app, chowbus. I tried to call and also walked in but person working as a cook and handles the counter does not speak English.

I didn’t notice the QR codes placed on each table but fortunately had a nice English-speaking patron help me order. To streamline, I asked her to order the best sellers. The restaurant was completely out of cha siu so here’s what I ended up with:

Claypot with sausage and cured meat.
Claypot with Chicken, mushrooms, and spare ribs.
Two variations of the chicken soup with ginseng and emperors herbs.
And of course, a box of Portuguese Egg Tarts.

In terms of atmosphere, they went for a traditional interior design… see photos below.“

“Today Is My Wife's Birthday And For The VERY First Time Olive Garden In Downey Was At Its Best! EVERYTHING Was Perfect! I Sure Hope It Stays This Way, The Time Over And Over! Thank You For Making Her Birthday Lunch/Dinner GREAT! ❤️“