Flavors of the East Part 1: Exploring Authentic Chinese Cuisine in Los Angeles
前言｜Introduction
自從我從芝加哥搬到洛杉磯後，深深感受到這個城市是美食天堂。特別是在洛杉磯的626地區，東方美食的選擇多到令人眼花繚亂。但也因此常常陷入選擇困難。因此，我決定透過這個系列文章，好好介紹我在洛杉磯地區所探訪過的東方美食。
After relocating from Chicago to Los Angeles, I've come to realize that this city is truly a culinary paradise. Particularly in the 626 area of Los Angeles, there are so many Asian cuisine options that it can be both exciting and overwhelming to choose from. That's why I've decided to share my journey of exploring the diverse and delicious Eastern culinary scene in Los Angeles through this series of articles.
認識當地人口中的626區域－聖蓋博谷區｜
Getting to Know the 626 Area of Los Angeles- San Gabriel Valley
當地人將洛杉磯東部的聖蓋博谷區稱為"626區域"，因其區域內的電話區域碼為626。這個地區以其多元化的東方美食而聞名。該地區包括的城市有：
The area of San Gabriel Valley, located in the eastern part of Los Angeles, is commonly referred to by locals as the "626 area" due to its telephone area code prefix being 626. This region is renowned for its diverse range of Asian cuisines. The cities included in the 626 area are:
阿罕布拉（Alhambra）
阿卡迪亞（Arcadia）
羅蘭崗（Rowland Heights）
西科維納（West Covina）
蒙特雷帕克（Monterey Park）
鑽石吧（Diamond Bar）
杜阿爾特（Duarte）
埃尔蒙特（El Monte）
南埃尔蒙特（South El Monte）
蒙特貝洛（Montebello）
帕薩迪納（Pasadena）
哈仙達崗（Hacienda Heights）
聖蓋博（San Gabriel）
科維納（Covina）
蒙羅維亞（Monrovia）
這些城市共同組成了洛杉磯地區的"626區域"。
Together, these cities form the "626 area" of the Los Angeles region.
洛杉磯值得再訪的亞洲餐廳｜
Introduction to Asian Restaurants in Los Angeles (Places Worth Revisiting)
敦煌的蘭州拉麵 - Exploring Lanzhou Noodles at Dun Huang
蘭州拉麵是一種源自中國甘肅省蘭州市的特色麵食，屬於西北菜（大致包括甘肅、寧夏、青海、新疆等地方風味），也是「中國十大麵條」之一。最早的蘭州牛肉麵館是成立於清朝初年的「月陽樓」，當時只給上層社會人士提供服務。正宗的蘭州拉麵有「一清（湯清）、二白（蘿蔔白）、三紅（辣椒油紅）、四綠（香菜蒜苗綠）、五黃（麵條黃亮）」此五大特點，並使用煮羊肝、牛肝的湯來煮麵以提升其風味。
此外，蘭州拉麵對麵條的分類非常講究。大致可以分為圓形、扁形和異形三類。圓形麵條是最常見的圓柱形，可以進一步細分為毛細、細、二細、三細和二柱子等。扁形麵條是由圓柱形的麵條用手掌壓扁，然後再進行拉製而成。扁形麵條有韭葉、薄寬、寬和大寬等多種類型。至於異形麵條，目前在美國還較少見，但無法歸類於前兩類的麵條都歸入此類。因此，在點蘭州拉麵時，店家會詢問客人對麵條粗細的喜好。
講到蘭州拉麵，我非常推薦位於羅蘭崗的敦煌。它們不僅僅只有提供蘭州拉麵，也有很多其他東北菜可選擇，例如肉夾饃和羊肉串等。
#SingatureLanzhouBeefNoodles #DunHuang
Lanzhou noodles originate from Lanzhou City in Gansu Province, China, representing a distinct type of noodle-based dish. This culinary specialty is part of Northwestern cuisine, which encompasses flavors from provinces like Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Notably, Lanzhou noodles are recognized as one of the "Top Ten Chinese Noodles". The earliest Lanzhou beef noodle shop dates back to the early Qing Dynasty, initially catering exclusively to the upper class.
Authentic Lanzhou noodles are characterized by five key attributes, summarized as "First Clear (clear broth), Second White (white radish), Third Red (red chili oil), Fourth Green (green cilantro and garlic chives), and Fifth Yellow (bright yellow noodles)". These noodles are prepared in a soup infused with flavors from boiled lamb liver and beef liver, adding richness to the dish.
The classification of noodles in Lanzhou beef noodles is intricate and intriguing. Noodles are generally classified into three main types: round, flat, and irregular. Round noodles, the most common, come in variations like fine, thin, extra-thin, super-thin, and extra-cylindrical. Flat noodles are created by flattening cylindrical noodles with the palm and stretching them out, available in types such as leek leaf (similar in size to the width of a leek leaf), thin and wide, wide, and extra wide. Irregular noodles, less common in the United States, encompass those that do not fit into the previous categories. Therefore, when ordering Lanzhou noodles, customers are often asked about their preferred noodle thickness.
When it comes to Lanzhou noodles, I highly recommend Dunhuang in Rowland Heights. They not only offer authentic Lanzhou noodles but also have a variety of other Northeastern dishes to choose from, such as pork buns and lamb skewers.
Dun Huang 敦煌
#SignatureDunHuangColdNoodles #DunHuang
首先，我強烈推薦品嘗敦煌的傳統蘭州拉麵。這道料理以牛肉片、蘿蔔和香菜為主要配料，搭配頂級牛肉湯，並淋上他們特製的辣椒油調味。麵條口感彈牙，湯底濃郁卻不油膩。辣中帶甜，口味中和得很好，絕對值得一試。
除此之外，我也推薦他們的招牌敦煌涼麵。主料包括雞肉、豆芽、黃瓜，淋上花生醬和辣椒醬調製而成。這道涼麵口感清爽，麵條也同樣非常有彈性。如果當天不想喝湯的話，這款乾麵也是個不錯的選擇。
如果想點小菜的話，非常推薦它們家的口水雞。雖然它們也有肉夾饃和羊肉串等，但我個人覺得這兩種相較於他們其他菜而言並沒有那麼驚艷。
First of all, I highly recommend trying Dun Huang's Signature Lanzhou Beef Noodles. This dish features tender beef slices, radish, and cilantro, served in a flavorful beef broth and garnished with their special chili oil. The noodles have a satisfying chewiness, and the broth is rich without being greasy. With a perfect balance of spiciness and sweetness, it's definitely worth a try.
Additionally, I suggest trying their signature Dun Huang cold noodles. Prepared with chicken, bean sprouts, and cucumber, and coated in a delicious blend of peanut sauce and chili sauce, these cold noodles are both refreshing and packed with flavor. The noodles themselves are very elastic, making this dry noodle option a great choice if you're not in the mood for soup noodles.
If you're in the mood for appetizers, I highly recommend trying their Spicy Chicken (known as "Mouthwatering Chicken" on their menu). While they also offer options like meat buns and lamb skewers, both of which are well-known Northwestern cuisine, I personally find these dishes not as impressive compared to their other dishes.
滋味小麵的成都雜醬麵 - Exploring Sichuan-style Noodles in MIAN
除了蘭州拉麵，四川擔擔麵也是中國十大名麵條之一。擔擔麵是一道源自於中國四川省自貢市的傳統麵食，屬於川菜系。其名字源自於四川方言中的“擔擔”兩字，意為“擔子”。因為擔擔麵起初是挑夫背著擔子，在街頭叫賣的一種小吃。
當提及川菜麵食，自然就少不了於2023年榮獲米其林美食指南 Bib Gourmand 的這間餐廳—滋味小麵。這間主要由其成都雜醬麵而聞名，其麵條配上豆瓣醬和肉醬製作而成。個人覺得這間的麵食整體口感偏油膩，如果本身喜好清淡飲食，可能會比較不習慣。
Apart from Lanzhou noodles, Sichuan Dan Dan noodles are also one of the top ten famous noodles in China. Dan Dan noodles are a traditional noodle dish originating from Zigong City in Sichuan Province, China, belonging to the Sichuan cuisine. Its name originates from the Sichuan dialect, where "Dan Dan" means "carrying pole," as it was originally sold by vendors carrying a pole on the streets.
When it comes to Sichuan noodle dishes, one cannot miss the restaurant that received the Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2023 - "MIAN". This restaurant is mainly known for its Chengdu Zajiang Noodles, which are made with noodles topped with bean paste and minced meat sauce. Personally, I find the overall taste of the noodles in this restaurant a bit greasy, so if you prefer lighter cuisine, you may find it a bit heavy for your taste.
MIAN 滋味小麵
#SourSoupBeefNoodles #Mian
目前我主要試過了他們家的成都雜醬麵、酸湯肥牛麵和川味肥腸麵。雖然他們以成都雜醬麵聞名，但我個人覺得整體口感比較厚重，吃久了容易讓人感到膩。不過，麵本身的口感仍然十分有嚼勁。如果本身不太喜歡肉末醬，我更推薦他們的酸湯肥牛麵。這款口味吃起來更加清爽，不容易讓人感到膩口。至於川味肥腸麵，我覺得僅此一試而已。除了麵食本身，我也推薦他們的小麵冷拼，和麵食一起吃有助於解膩。
So far, I've tried their Chengdu Zajiang Noodles, Sour Soup Beef Noodles, and (Sichuan-Style) Piquant Intestines Noodles. Although they are renowned for their Chengdu Zajiang Noodles, I personally find the overall taste a bit heavy, which can become a bit overwhelming after a while. However, the texture of the noodles is chewy and enjoyable. If you're not a big fan of minced meat sauce, I would recommend their Sour Soup Beef Noodles instead. This flavor profile is more refreshing and less likely to become overwhelming.As for the Spicy Intestines Noodles, I think trying them once is plenty. In addition to the noodles themselves, I also recommend their cold appetizer combo. Having them alongside the noodles can balance out the flavors and prevent palate fatigue.
月老儿油炸串串 - Exploring Fried Skewers in YYDS Fried Strings
除了麵食，"炸串”也是一種中國流行的街邊美食。它是一種由各種食材串在竹籤或金屬籤上，然後油炸至金黃酥脆的小吃。通常會配上各種調料或醬料食用。食材普遍包含各種肉類（如羊肉、牛肉、雞肉、豬肉）、海鮮（如蝦、魷魚、魚丸）以及蔬菜（如土豆、茄子、辣椒、洋蔥）等。炸串的口感和一般常見的烤串不同，外皮更酥脆，內部更多汁。如果有興趣嘗試，可以試試看這間位於Rosemead的月老儿油炸串串。
Besides noodles, "zhà chuàn" (Fried skewers) are another popular street food in China. They consist of various ingredients skewered onto bamboo or metal sticks, then deep-fried until golden and crispy, and topped with seasonings or sauces. Typically, these ingredients include a variety of meats (e.g., lamb, beef, chicken, pork), seafood (e.g., shrimp, squid, fish balls), and vegetables (e.g., potatoes, eggplant, peppers, onions). The texture of deep-fried skewers differs from the commonly encountered grilled skewers; the exterior is crispier, while the interior is juicier. If you're interested in trying, I recommend checking out "YYDS Fried Strings" in Rosemead.
月老儿油炸串串
YYDS Fried Strings
8526 Valley Blvd Ste 112 Rosemead, CA 91770
Mon-Sat 5pm-2am | Sun 5pm-12:30am
#FriedSkewers #YYDSFriedStrings
如果在店內用餐，可以使用手機掃描二維碼點餐，非常方便。我當時看到挺多人點它們家的小龍蝦，可惜當時用餐人數不多，我僅僅只有試了他們的炸串。如果有機會再訪，我挺想試試看到底是有什麼樣的魅力讓每桌客人都點它。除了常見的牛肉跟羊肉串，我個人非常推薦他們的土豆炸串，我跟朋友每人各吃了4支。油炸程度簡直完美，好吃到欲罷不能。另外，這個餐廳營業時間還挺晚的，非常適合跟朋友晚上聚會小酌的時候來。
If you dine in, simply scan the QR code on your table to place orders. I noticed many customers ordered their crayfish (known as “mini lobster” in Chinese), but unfortunately, with a small group, I only had the chance to try their fried skewers. If I get the opportunity to revisit, I'd love to try their crayfish. Apart from the usual beef and lamb skewers, I highly recommend their potato deep-fried skewers - my friends and I each had four. They were perfectly fried and irresistibly delicious. In addition, the restaurant stays open until late, so it is an ideal spot for late-night gatherings with friends over drinks.
莫姐桂林米粉 - Exploring Guilin rice noodles in Mojie Guilin Mifen
如果有人問我在米飯和麵食之間做出選擇，我估計會毫不猶豫地選擇米飯。但米粉對我來說卻非常難以定義，雖然我並不是特別愛麵食，但卻特別喜歡米粉的口感。說到米粉，我特別喜歡桂林米粉。桂林米粉是中國桂林的特色小吃，聽說當地人經常以此為早餐。特別的是，桂林米粉的食材可以根據個人喜好添加，基本上會在前台擺放出來。
洛杉磯我目前吃過＂莫姐桂林米粉＂，這間店的米粉和湯主要是分開給的。聽說傳統的吃法是乾拌，我覺得這還挺特別的。雖然我當時第一次吃的時候直接傻傻地把湯放進去。
If someone asked me to choose between rice and noodles, I'd totally go for rice without thinking twice. But rice noodles? They're a bit of a mystery to me. Even though I'm not big on noodles in general, I have to admit that I love the texture of rice noodles. And when it comes to rice noodles, I've got a soft spot for Guilin rice noodles, which is a traditional snack from Guilin, China. I've heard locals usually have them for breakfast. What's cool is that you can totally customize the ingredients to your liking, usually right there at the front counter.
So far, I have tried "Mo Jie Guilin Rice Noodles" in Los Angeles. The unique thing about this place is that the rice noodles and soup are served separately. I have heard the traditional way to eat them is dry mixed. I find this method quite intriguing. Although the first time I tried it, I made the mistake of pouring the soup directly onto the noodles.
莫姐桂林米粉
Mojie Guilin Mifen
1220s S Golden W Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Mon-Sun 11 AM–8 PM
#Guilinricenoodles #Mojie
唯一需要注意的是他們只接受現金，所以建議在前往之前確保攜帶足夠的現金。當我第一次發現這家店時，除了對他們的米粉感到驚艷外，他們的價格也讓我印象深刻。在美國這麼長時間，我第一次吃到一間店只收11至12美元／碗麵。
如果你重來沒試過桂琳米線，我推薦他們的招牌原味。如果你跟我一樣喜歡吃肥腸的話，我推薦你試試肥腸米線。但須要注意的是，肥腸比原味更辣。
The only thing to note is that they only accept cash, so it's advisable to ensure you have enough cash on hand before going. When I first discovered this place, besides being impressed by their rice noodles, their prices also left a deep impression on me. After being in the United States for so long, it was the first time I encountered a restaurant where a bowl of noodles cost only $11 to $12.
If you've never tried Guilin rice noodles before, I recommend their signature original flavor. If you're like me and enjoy eating fatty intestines, I suggest you try the fatty intestine rice noodles. However, please note that the fatty intestines are spicier than the original flavor.
結語｜Conclusions
如果有任何推薦的亞洲餐廳，歡迎在下面留言告訴我。南加州的選擇實在太多了，我常常看評論看得眼花繚亂。也發現亞洲餐廳普遍在Google評論上的評分較低，但在中國社群裡卻很受歡迎。我知道餐廳的好壞有時取決於個人口味，但希望這些小分享能幫助你在旅途中做出選擇。
If you have any Asian restaurant recommendations, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. There are so many options in Southern California that it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the reviews. I've also noticed that while Asian restaurants tend to have lower ratings on Google Reviews, they're often well-loved within the Chinese community. I understand that the quality of a restaurant can sometimes be subjective, but I hope these suggestions can still assist you in deciding where to dine during your travels.
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