50 Best Chinese Restaurants near South Pasadena

“The best Chinese food I had in a long long time. We have been with six, sharing different dishes - a blast. Share the soup! Highly recommended.Thanks for reading my comment. Now, if you are curious enough about my "rating scheme", here's "the moment of truth. I am a music photographer who has traveled the world with the world's greatest musical talents (Michael Jackson, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, and Rammstein, to name a few) for almost 40 years. When being asked "Where do you live" I tended to ask "in hotels". At my peak, I "shot" 250 shows a year. Will say: been there, saw and tasted it, and a lot, as I may say, and much to the dismay of my doctor who is in my back to lose a few pounds. Quite a few, as I may add, which is why my wife and I walk ten thousand steps per day, where- and whenever we can - and explore a lot of new exciting places - places you may oversee when just driving by. While I love to share my experience with others, I am sometimes shocked at how people use their "power of the word" to down-rate amazing places because of minor incidents (in my all-time favorite​ restaurant Le Petit Four on Sunset Plaza the owner was even called a racist as he refused to toast the (free) bread in his packed restaurant - they simply do not offer toasted bread, as no French​ place does, as I may add). Or I just read "Chicken piccata so over-salted I hope the dog enjoys the leftovers tomorrow, I brought home most of the dish." Did they speak to their service? How could the restaurant learn that something was wrong when patrons even have their leftovers​ boxed to take home? As a dog owner,​ I want to take the writer and shake him or her really bad and say "You give over-salted food to your dog? Anyone with a bit of brain understands this is a horrible idea...​ I hope you agree.So If I had a say on this portal, I would offer just to see the ratings of my friends. So I would see what the ratings were by like-minded people. Sadly, I have no say. I try not to compare apples with oranges. A place like this does not correspond to "The Ritz". At first,​ I assume that a restaurant is clean, they do not greet you with a gun - and they deliver whatever they promise. I do not give stars for things that are expected. In my rating scheme, three or more stars are awarded if they actually exceed my expectations. Four, if I am sure I will come back. To achieve five stars, I must be willing to take a detour of thirty minutes or more to go again. Thank you for reading this.“

“Delicious desserts, drinks, and food at this smaller yet mighty location of Phoenix! The mixed fruit drink is still amazing and the best thing ever. We got spicy salt chicken wings, chow fun, beef noodle soup, green beans, and a spicy szechuan dumpling dish. All were great, my favorites were the chow fun and chicken wings.

Parking: Same plaza as Ace, starbucks, and other shops“

“For the longest time, I had been passing this spot although never went inside. I told myself I would return when craving some Americanized Chinese food.

Well, today my chance arrived. I came in to get chow mein and orange chicken for lunch. I felt like I needed veggies, so I got those.

The veggies were just boiled vegetables in oil. Nothing special. In fact, they tasted kind of bland. But they did the trick anyway, and I got full when I ate them before everything else.

Prior to actually dining here, I'd heard that the orange chicken can be too sweet. It was, although when compared with others I'd had I didn't think so. Seemed on par.

Chow mein was really light... I don't know what they put in it. I am a noodle person. Therefore, I enjoyed this. I got the feeling that the Chinese food they serve is a lot healthier and lighter than other competitors.

I'd come back when craving Americanized Chinese in the area.“

“Visited Golden China Restaurant 祥園 at 1115 Fair Oaks Ave in South Pasadena after a friend’s recommendation, and wow, what a gem! This spot has been around for 40 years, so you know they’ve got their flavors dialed in. Tried their Salt and Pepper Chicken, and let me tell you—it’s crispy, perfectly seasoned, and just hits all the right notes. Great value for the portion size too! If you’re into hearty soups, the Wonton Soup is packed with flavor and filling. Definitely a solid choice when you’re craving authentic Chinese food without breaking the bank. Check it out!“

“Stopped through this Panda on our way home and as I made my way in line I noticed that the string bean chicken I was hoping to get was running low. Instead of giving me a scoop of what was left in the bottom of the pan, they asked me if I wanted to wait for the new batch and offered me AND my husband a free drink while we waited. Top tier Panda!! And the food was fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥“

“Delicious & authentic Cantonese and Vietnamese cuisine! Everything was so fresh and well prepared. Service was spectacular!“

“The food here was delicious, especially the noodles and cold dishes. Everything was fresh and flavorful. The service was friendly and efficient, though it could be a little more attentive at times. The atmosphere was very nice and comfortable, perfect for enjoying a relaxed meal. Overall, a great dining experience—I would definitely come back again.“

“Great Dim Sum spot for classic dim sum food and not too long on wait for a table.“

“Delicious and unique food from a region of China we hadn’t experienced before. The owner and staff are friendly and thoughtful. They accommodated our large group and made us feel really at home. The Miao sour soup fish fillets and velvet mushroom dry pot, as well as the pork with clamshell buns, were particularly outstanding.“

“The best place in Dtla! Ask for Hiro, he was super amazing and kept our drinks full!“

“Had lunch at Jade Wok near Chinatown and honestly, it hit the spot. The standout for me was definitely the sweet and savory spareribs. They’re sticky, flavorful, and perfectly tender with just a bit of chew. Exactly how you want Chinese-style spareribs to be. The glaze is rich and garlicky with a nice hint of sweetness, and the green onions and sesame seeds on top gave it a nice little pop.

We also got the stir-fried greens, which were super simple but fresh and cooked just right. A little crunch, a little tenderness + great as a balance to the heavier dishes.

And the braised tofu with minced pork came in a deep, savory sauce that soaked into the tofu beautifully. The tofu was fried just enough to give it some texture on the outside while staying soft inside. Super comforting.

It’s not a fancy spot, but the food comes out hot, portions are generous, and everything tastes like it was cooked with care. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area and want that classic Chinese comfort food vibe.“

“A WONDERFUL RESTAURANT - THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS , THE PORTION SIZE WAS LARGE AND THE WOMAN SERVER WAS VERY KIND AND PLEASANT - AN EXTRA PLUS INEXPENSIVE PARKING WAS ADJACENT TO THE GOLDEN TREE . LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING BACK AGAIN .“

“Ate dine in at this little hole-in-the-wall joint on a recent visit to LA. Close (street) parking was a miracle, but theres also parking (and bathrooms) across the street at the El Super. Portions for a Boil Bag were generous, one corn, potato, rice and a few broccoli were included. All amenities were provided: table paper, bibs, sanitizer, bucket, gloves, scissors for crab legs. Cajun garlic butter seasoning was delicious, not too spicy for the kids. Speaking of kids, seafood boil keep kids remarkably entertained! This place deserves all the good reviews. Our only (small) complaint is the distance to a bathroom, but it's a small price to pay for a delicious meal.“

“Very good food . Clean establishment. Great customer service and reasonable prices.“

“So good!!! Amazing. Love the food. The bok choy pot stickers OOOF! The best. 💜💜💜👑👑👑🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽💞💞💞💝💝👨‍❤️‍👨🧡“

“There was such a long wait here on a Sunday night, but it was totally worth it. Little Skewer is my favorite place to get skewers. Once you step inside, you’ll understand why it takes forever to get a table - you won’t want to leave! The atmosphere of the restaurant seems specifically curated to create the perfect environment for eating and drinking. Beers were BOGO. Chinese wines were served in tea pots and dainty little saucers. Beneath the tavern lights, a lounge singer sweetly serenades the diners through the huge karaoke machine at the front of the store.

Service is mostly done yourself through an iPad. You place your own order through the system and workers bring the food out to you.

Meats such as beef and lamb skewers are ordered in batches of 10 and will most likely make up the bulk of your skewers, but there are many other types of additional skewers to choose from. An unexpected favorite for me was the king oyster mushroom skewers. I don’t even like mushrooms, but these king oyster mushrooms were irresistible. Biting into the springy flesh was so satisfying. The spicy, vibrant flavors and juiciness made my mouth water and crave more. The scallops, served in their shells with glass noodles, garlic, scallions, and chili paste, were addictive enough to pound back like shots. I also really liked the chicken skin skewers because the crispiness provided a nice contrast to the other dishes. And I liked the pineapple sausage so much that I ordered two.

I would totally recommend Little Skewer for dinner, catching up with friends, and a good time.“

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

“We came across this restaurant on our way to a Dodger game. It was DELICIOUS, food tasted fresh, service was top notch. We ordered walnut shrimp, garlic wings, and the spicy wontons. We are definitely coming back every time we come to the game or around L.A area“

“🍜 Chinatown’s Comfort Corner – A Humbling Noodle Experience at Kim Chuy

Kim Chuy is an unassuming treasure that overdelivers on flavor, warmth, and tradition. It’s the kind of local gem that makes you feel welcome the moment you walk in—generous servings, authentic Chinese comfort food, and a no-frills vibe that feels just like home.

We started with the wonton egg noodle soup and a side of fried leeks. The soup? Not just good—it was built for noodle lovers. The broth was rich, the noodles perfectly textured, and the flavors so soothing that conversation at the table paused. It was a quiet appreciation of something humble and deeply satisfying, a true noodle moment that lifts your mood without saying a word.

We also ordered the broccoli beef chow mein, and I wish we’d snapped a photo before we dove in. The vegetables were crisp, fresh, and infused with garlic and savory chow mein notes. It’s not your typical fast-food-style dish—this is home-style, family cooking done right. Every bite reminded me of meals made with care, meant to be enjoyed and remembered.

Kim Chuy even offers pre-made leeks you can take home and cook—perfect for sharing, and trust me, they’ll go fast. Whether you’re a lifelong local or exploring Chinatown for the first time, Kim Chuy is a soul-satisfying stop that brings joy to noodle enthusiasts and food lovers alike.“

“Absolutely the best new restaurant inLos Angeles. Wonderful staff. Gorgeous facility indoors and patio. Exquisite and unique delicious food.“

“The food was absolutely amazing! It was a flavor bomb explosion in your mouth and nothing else mattered. The restaurant is small and comfortable and lunch was affordable. I live in Los Angeles and will never buy Sichuan Cuisine here again. OMG, delicious.“

“everything is delicious and fresh 😋“

“Food is delicious! If you like spicy can try it. If not, you can order one for non-spicy. Many different choices!“

“A real gem of a place among a lot of average Chinese restaurants in this area. The Peking duck itself is done in a style that seems authentic to Beijing, though it may not suit everyone's tastes especially those with a canto preference. Majority of the banquet restaurants in SGV have a Cantonese slant to Peking duck dishes (lotus buns, sweeter hoisin sauce, slightly more caramelized skins) but I'm not trying to draw too much of a comparison here as its just fundamentally different.

Duck House was fantastic in terms of flavor and preparation of the duck. The skin was super crispy, the meat tasted fairly lean yet succulent, and the sauce/condiments paired very well. Delicious, and upscale, though I would say for one duck and only 10 pancakes, it was nearly $100 and I don't think it was so outstanding to warrant that price. We added 5 lotus buns and 5 add'l pancakes which bumped it to $110. It did however feed 3 adults and 2 young kids fully, so about $20 pp is pretty decent for fancy duck.“

“Wow- pure fire here - best house hot sauce ever- mix between a Mexican salsa n Tabasco 🔥🔥 very tasty- well the other bestest item were the beef noodles!! Thick noodles!! 🫶🏻“

“Amazing refresh after it was remodeled. Loved the addition of sushi to the menu. The service was excellent and the food equally so. We had a little bit of everything. Definitely do the shrimp and lobster wontons, the hamachi tacos, and the panda beef. YUM! Additional parking in the lot was easy and convenient-validation for 3 hours was a bonus.“

“This is the place to go if you love hot pot. Good quality food, tasty, and flavorful broth. Good service and friendly staff.“

“Hands down, one of the best Chinese restaurants in the SGV. My favorite dishes are the cat ear shaped noodle soup and pork meatballs, as well as the wife’s special noodles, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! Highly recommend for anybody in the surrounding area to try“

“Omg!!!! This has got to be the best Chinese food in China Town. I love Chinese food. I have tried many Chinese restaurants. But the food here is is fresh and so tastee delicious. Everything cooked to perfection and well seasoned.
It looks empty. But don't let it scare you. Come on in and savor the best food in LA.“

“The place has a cozy, vintage charm, perfect for relaxing with friends over a few drinks and some freshly grilled skewers. Every skewer was perfectly seasoned and cooked — smoky, juicy, and full of flavor. The staff were friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. A must-visit spot if you love good food and a great atmosphere!“

“Highly recommend the beef noodle soup! The meat was extremely tender and the broth was light and flavorful. The fried dumplings with beef and vermicelli were also equally delicious. Great that they provide complimentary egg drop soup. Excited to come back and try different dumpling flavors!“

“It's still the best restaurant for me and my family. Can't believe every time I eat their food, feel the same as the first time, when your first and last bite are equal of tasteful, you know you're hitting the right spot.

Thanks to this family for giving me the pleasure of being a diner at this place.“

“omg they have biang biang mian here. lol it was so good that I came here 3 times in 3 days, once for both lunch and dinner hahahah. do you know how hard it is to find xian biang biang noodles??? the chew and flavor of the noodles, and sauce are incredible. Get #33 with the 3 toppings and make sure you mix well. server was so friendly too“

“I like this place. $13.99 per pound of food. You get to choose all your toppings. I recommend going heavy on the meats and light on the carbohydrates. That’ll be the best bang for the buck. They also have frog meat if that’s your lingo. I tried their beef bone broth and I like it a lot. I’d come back again.

**UPDATE**
Just a heads up. If you can’t eat mild this place won’t be for you. They can’t alter the broth. The only option is the tomato broth which is no spicy.“

“Very good food. Clean and fast service.“

“The best Vietnamese Style Lobster and seafood! Always a long queue to be seated. Get here early for best parking and best seating.“

“Known for Hainan chicken rice, and it lives up to the hype without feeling “scene-y.” The garlic chili sauce is addicting. Seating is tight, so be ready to wait a few minutes. Staff is efficient and kind. Still feels like a neighborhood staple“

“Great food, location and service“

“I Couldn't find a solid review to help me order but its so close to home i took a chance. Saw a Bulgogi beef on the menu which is a familiar Dish to me so i quickly ordered That and decided to sit down. A couple of minutes later, and i have a Nice Healthy bowl of Rice Topped with a heap of BEEF! It was delicious! Thank YOU!“

“I recently had a gathering with my friends, and we decided to try out a new local Chinese restaurant. The biggest impression this place left on us was how incredibly budget-friendly it is!

What truly sets this restaurant apart is their $9.99 Special Deal, which is available all day long, from Monday through Sunday! The special pricing runs for the entire week. This spot is worth checking out!“

“Despite the very long wait, me and my family thought the food was very good and I loved how some meals came with sets and desserts. The atmosphere looked fairly new and nice and despite the lack of service, I thought the workers were pretty nice. We should come back one day.“

“Long Xing Ji is a beloved Jiangnan-style Chinese restaurant that recently relocated from Fullerton Plaza to Baldwin Park. Weekend waits are common, but the food is worth it. Highlights include juicy crab roe soup dumplings, classic xiaolongbao, crispy red bean pancakes, and flavorful stir-fried dishes with real wok hei. Consistently satisfying and hard to miss.“

“每道菜餚皆是無可挑剔的精緻和美味“

“I googled "best Chinese in LA" and then this popped up as the #1 place. So we drove - and had a very good meal. However, if you expect the classic Chinese dishes, you will be disappointed. This is Shezuan, "a different animal". So no rice, no sweet-and-sour-this-and-that. So be prepared for very spicy Szechuan food. Noodles. No rice. Try the dumplings, they were delicious. We ordered mild (1 out of 5 spice degrees) and we were burning inside (we had two separate orders of dumplings - but spice grade 1. There is no consistency, so be careful). So if spicy is what you are "in" for, you'll love it. The ambiance is sort of authentic ;-) - the sign on how to use the toilet (outside the restaurant in the alley) says more than words. But then, it was $100 all-in for the four of us only. My advice: I could barely understand the service language. Better check the menu before you go. As we were first-timers, I wanted to share three starters and three mains among the four of us and leave it up to the waitress to make us explore - she did not understand. I asked if they served beer. The answer was "noodles or dumplings". :-)“

“Good atmosphere with great lightning. Such a nice chill place to eat Chinese food near USC!
Ordered the shrimp fried noodle, which was good in flavor— downside is that the dish was overpriced and a bit underwhelming appearance-wise. Also ordered the QuaiLin noodle, which was spicy at the right level— delicious!“

“Had dinner here with a large group. We were VERY well attended to. Our server, Frank, took exceptionally great care of us. The presentation of the food was amazing, from the seafood, to the various meats, to the Peking Duck. Great experience, definitely recommend.“

“Best food, place, service and owners. Anne Ericsson“

“First time every eating in a restaurant on a styrafoam plate, but it didn't take away from my meal. Tried out their noodles with beef and I found it to be quite tasty with the sauce. Small simple little place, tempted to return for their breakfast and evening specials“

“This place is just amazing i would go here as a kid and 20 years later I returned everything was still amazing it doesn’t get any better the food and atmosphere is authentic and the prices you just can’t beat you get your moneys worth and you’ll walk out without regrets don’t let the chain link fence places by the city discourage you it’s easy access just walk in the place is cash only so bring cash if not there’s a atm down the block at a check cash place“

“Braised beef noodle soup with all the veg. Normal noodles and spicy. Imma gonna order that next visit. I ordered the above except medium spice level. See below.“