Bib Gourmand$$Chinese, Dim Sum
The parking lot is likely full, and you may have to wait for a seat, especially on weekends, but this Cantonese parlor in Rosemead is more than capable of handling its crowds. Open since 2017, the restaurant earned its success without the familiar dim sum carts and through plates big and small that arrive freshly prepared, carefully seasoned and appropriately hot. Golden-brown skewers of sugarcane shrimp, plump orbs of pork siu mai and fluffy steamed buns filled with char siu all delight. Best of all may be the rice noodle rolls flecked with barbecue pork.
Bib Gourmand$$Chinese, Sichuan
Some Sichuan kitchens temper their heat levels depending on what they think the customer can handle. Not this one. This long-standing veteran has never been one to hold anyone’s hand and their widespread success has not at all cooled their approach. Expect nothing less than the full-throttle Sichuan experience where tongue-numbing, lip-tingling dishes arrive coated in heavy spices, garnished with sliced chilis and, often, doused in fire-engine red chili oil. Toothpick lamb, intensely aromatic with cumin and chilies, remains the house signature, but the crispy-crusted beef is a formidable rival
Bib Gourmand$$Malaysian
Is there ever not a wait at this friendly Malaysian café? Chef Kenji Tang clearly knows his audience, and day or night the line to get in can be as dense as the takeout tickets that pile up on the front counter. Tang fills a welcome niche with a succinct menu of Malaysian staples in a neighborhood better known for its Chinese restaurants. The Hainanese chicken is the default order for good reason: gently poached, tender and served cold with a trio of sauces and a dome of seasoned rice. Chicken curry shows an ability to layer finely tuned spices and is best paired with hot, flaky roti canai, wh
Bib Gourmand$$Chinese, Dim Sum
Few kitchens can prepare a noodle roll quite like this local Alhambra favorite. Rice wrappers filled with gently cooked lobster and finished with a subtly sweet soy sauce arrive on a platter set with the lobster shell itself for a presentation that draws attention from all corners. Indeed, this kitchen puts a fine edge on the area’s dim sum scene. There is not a single cart roaming this elegant dining room, which in turn is managed by a team of fast and friendly servers who will ensure that you never leave less than stuffed. Traditionalists will want to end with a rich egg tart, but for a more
TripAdvisor review sample · 4.2/5 · 80 reviews
Lunasia Dim Sum House offers a modern take on traditional dim sum across several locations. Reviewers frequently praise the high food quality, particularly shrimp-based dishes and creative options, noting a vast menu and convenient digital ordering. However, criticisms highlight inconsistent service, including slow pacing and occasional rudeness. Value is a mixed bag; while portions are generous, prices are considered high relative to competitors, leading to concerns about cost-effectiveness. The atmosphere is trendy but can feel rushed during peak times. Overall, it delivers excellent cuisine for those willing to pay a premium, though diners should expect potential service delays.
Ideal for diners seeking high-quality creative dim sum with a flexible budget, best visited during off-peak hours.
Bib Gourmand$$Chinese, Sichuan
Long hailed as one of the top tables in the area, this Sichuan stalwart is settling into its new home just two miles away from its previous address in Alhambra. All of the usual hits are still in play—tea-smoked duck, big mouth ginger frog, mapo tofu—and the kitchen is still armed with its usual scarlet-red numbing oils and fiery, chopped chilis. One recent highlight was a cauldron of fish and rattan pepper boiled in a thrillingly complex broth rippling with numbing, spicy tones. A private room will serve large parties particularly well. All to say, the airy space, with its big windows and bri