A Local Chef’s Guide to Eating in the San Gabriel Valley
What to eat, drink, and do in this vibrant region in Los Angeles county.
Celine Linarte
Sunset’s Insider Guide series highlights seasonal diversions and secret travel tips from local experts. Follow along as we learn where to eat, drink, stay, and shop.
Photo by Jennifer Chong
Meet the Insider: Chris Yang, chef-owner of Yang’s Kitchen
Yang’s Kitchen, located in the heart of Alhambra, has been an evolving staple in the SGV food scene, but one thing has always remained certain: Chef-owner Chris Yang and his team have always turned out playful, modern, and totally crave-worthy cooking that nods to the area’s vibrant Chinese American community, which is one of the largest in the West.
EAT
Celine Linarte
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There’s no shortage of great food in the San Gabriel Valley, where food crawls are a great way to get a taste of it all. “Golden Leaf is an authentic and homey mom-and-pop Taiwanese restaurant,” known for its beef noodle soup and minced pork belly bowl. Dolan’s has “tasty Uighur food, including delicious hand-pulled noodles.”
DRINK
Courtesy of © The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
For excellent coffee, stop by Mandarin Coffee Stand, “a new coffee shop in a super-cute retro-style arcade in Pasadena” before heading to the Huntington Library, which is always “a great daytime activity tucked in the heart of San Marino” surrounded by “beautiful gardens and interesting artwork.”
SHOP
Karen Marie Co.
Head to Meat & Essentials, “a new butcher shop in San Marino dedicated to sustainably and ethically raised meats. They also serve tasty coffee and sandwiches throughout the day.” Another must-visit is Good Luck Wine Shop, “a winery and wine shop tucked away in East Pasadena. They have lots of interesting selections, including natural wine.”
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