East Meets West: China Poblano

Chef Jose Andres marries Chinese with Mexican at China Poblano at The Cosmopolitan.

Aguas frescas are $4.88 each. Highway robbery! The steep prices for seemingly simple food are a recurrent theme at China Poblano. Thankfully, the food is fairly tasty, so the sting is somewhat lessened.

Fresh tortilla chips and housemade chipotle salsa ($4).


Fresh tortillas and guacamole ($15).


Tacos (one per order) (yes, just one -- WTF):
(1) Pescado Frito: fried fish, salsa Mexicana ($5.50).
(2) Viva China: beef tendon, Kumamoto oyster, scallions, Sichuan peppercorn sauce ($5.50).
(3) Pancita al Pastor: slow-cooked pork belly, pineapple ($5.50).
(4) Lengua: beef tongue, salsa pasilla ($4).
(5) Cochinita: Yucatan-style barbecued pork, marinated onions ($4.50).

Lamb Potstickers Stuck on You, vegetables, crispy lace ($11.88).


Rou Jia Mo Street Sandwich, red braised pork. ($8.88)

Shrimp Mojo -- shrimp, sweet black garlic, roasted poblano peppers ($16).


Like Water for Chocolate -- fried quail, dragon fruit, rose petals, chestnut, dragon fruit sauce ($15).

The Unruly Monk -- hand-cut noodles, wild wood ear mushrooms, poached egg, spicy sauce ($16.88).

My favorites were the potstickers, street sandwich, and fried quail. Skip the noodles. I recommend coming with a group, so you can get a bunch of things to share. The food won't totally wow you, but you'll have a good time at China Poblano.

Hot Fried Buns: Kingburg Kitchen

I like Kingburg Kitchen (715 W. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel) because it serves non-pork dumplings -- including chicken, beef, fish, and vegetables -- so I don't need to exclude my Muslim and vegetarian friends from my dumpling devouring.

Kingburg Kitchen is often a back-up destination when Luscious Dumplings or Michelle's Pancake is closed.


But there is one very good reason for you to come, even if the other two places are open. Everything is tasty, but one item is the real draw for me.

Green onion fried pancake -- cong you bing ($2.95).


Spicy beef noodle soup -- niu rou mian ($7.00).

Chicken, leek, and Chinese cabbage fried dumplings -- guo tie ($7.50).


Pork and leek boiled dumplings -- shui jiao ($6.00).


Complimentary spiced bean curd (because we waited awhile for our next dish).


Cabbage and pork fried buns -- sheng jian bao ($6.50).

The sheng jian bao here are excellent. Golden-brown on the top and bottom, perfectly crunchy, piping hot, juicy, slightly fluffy, and not overly doughy like some other versions.

Good things come to those who wait.

Surpisingly Decent: Bao Dim Sum House

Brother Monkey moved to the Hollywood Hills, so when Mama Monkey and her husband came to visit the new house, we all headed to Bao Dim Sum House on Beverly Boulevard because it was much closer than the San Gabriel Valley.

Our gamble paid off. Even though Bao Dim Sum House is far more expensive than anything you'll find in the SGV, it sufficiently satisfied our craving. Even Mama Monkey and Stepdad Monkey agreed. I knew, despite its location, it was the real deal when I overheard Chinese being shouted in the kitchen.

Spare ribs in black bean sauce with taro ($5.50).


Sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf ($4.95).

Pork and shrimp shumai ($5.25).


Baked BBQ pork bun ($4.95).


Baby bok choy with garlic ($6.75).

Crispy scallion pancake ($4.25).

Crystal shrimp dumpling ($4.95).


Shrimp-stuffed tofu ($4.95).

Juicy pork dumpling ($4.95).


Tofu skin roll with shrimp ($5.50).


Poached Chinese broccoli ($6.75).

Shrimp-stuffed bell pepper ($4.95).

Crispy seafood noodles ($8.75).


Crispy calamari with salt and pepper ($6.75).

Radish cake with Chinese sausage ($4.75).

Is Bao Dim Sum House better than our tried-and-true SGV haunts like Sea Harbour and Elite? Of course not. But it's an enjoyable Hollywood substitute as long as you turn a blind eye to the higher bill.

Accessible Real Chinese: Newport Tan Cang Seafood

Newport Tan Cang Seafood is one of our favorite restaurants in San Gabriel. That's saying a lot, considering how much good food is in the area.

Mr. Monkey's father loves this place, and our niece and nephew always enjoy looking at all the live seafood in the tanks.

Beef loc lac French style ($12.95).

This is one of Newport's specialties and a must-get.

Clams with black bean sauce ($11.95).

My husband's family loves all clams at Newport.

Clams with spicy hot sauce ($11.95).

See? They really love the clams. We always get clams.

Newport Special Lobster (seasonal price).


This is another must-order item here. Must.

Deep fried tofu ($9.95).

One of my go-to dishes here. Always good.

Ong choy ($9.95).

My favorite green vegetable.

Fried noodles with chicken ($7.95).

The only thing that Little Monkey Niece will eat.

The above dishes are frequent orders for us. That being said, I have yet to eat anything bad at Newport.

Chinese broccoli with dried fish ($16.95).


Abalone with black mushroom (seasonal price).


Deep fried soft shell crab ($17.95).


Braided crab meat and fish maw soup ($18.95).



Whole fish (seasonal price).


Steamed fish (seasonal price).


Yang chow fried rice ($7.95).


Kung pao chicken ($10.95).


Peking style pork chop ($10.95).


Sauteed pea sprout ($9.95).


Shrimp salad Vietnamese style ($10.95).

Newport Tan Cang Seafood never fails to satisfy. For those who are fearful of the San Gabriel Valley (i.e., scared to be the only non-Asians in the restaurant), fear not! I always see persons of non-Asian descent at Newport Tan Cang Seafood. The menu is in pretty decent English and even has some photos in it.

For those who question the authenticity of places frequented by non-Asians, fear not! This place is legit!