The San Gabriel Valley is, by nearly every measure, the greatest concentration of Asian dining in the United States. Within a 15-mile stretch from Pasadena to Rowland Heights, the 626 area code holds hundreds of restaurants spanning Cantonese, Sichuan, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Mexican cuisines. This is not a "best of" list built on hype. Every restaurant below has been verified as open and operating in 2026, with addresses, price ranges, and the specific dish worth ordering first.
Dim Sum
The SGV is the dim sum capital of America. Weekend mornings mean crowded parking lots, Chinese-language newspapers, and carts loaded with steaming har gow, siu mai, and cheung fun. These five spots represent the best of the tradition.
Address: 3939 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770
Price: $$$ ($30-50/person)
City: Rosemead
Phone: (626) 288-3939
Must-Try: Steamed shrimp dumplings (har gow) and baked barbecue pork buns. The har gow here features translucent wrappers with plump, snappy shrimp filling.
Address: 404 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Price: $$ ($15-30/person)
City: Monterey Park
Phone: (626) 282-2323
Must-Try: Flag down the cart for sticky rice in lotus leaf and egg custard tarts. NBC is one of the last great push-cart dim sum halls with white tablecloths and lazy Susans.
Address: 755 W Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Price: $$ ($15-30/person)
City: Monterey Park
Phone: (626) 282-3318
Must-Try: Crispy roast pork belly and multilayered flaky egg tarts. One of the last push-cart spots where you can point and eat without a menu.
Address: 827 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $ ($8-15/person)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 284-8898
Must-Try: Chiu chow dumplings stuffed with garlic chives. This family-run strip-mall gem has the best price-to-quality ratio for dim sum anywhere in the SGV.
Address: 400 S Baldwin Ave, Ste M5, Arcadia, CA 91007
Price: $$ ($20-35/person)
City: Arcadia (Westfield Santa Anita)
Phone: (626) 574-7068
Must-Try: Xiao long bao (soup dumplings). The Arcadia location was the first U.S. outpost of this globally renowned Taiwanese chain. Expect a wait on weekends.
Noodles & Dumplings
From hand-pulled biang biang noodles to Taiwanese beef noodle soup, the SGV's noodle scene rivals anything in Asia. These restaurants prove that a $12 bowl of noodles can be a life-changing meal.
Address: 301 W Valley Blvd, Ste 114, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $ ($10-18/person)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 693-6888
Must-Try: Dan dan noodles with house-made chili oil. The noodles are made fresh in-house, and the numbing mala spice level is adjustable. A no-frills spot that delivers on flavor.
Address: 828 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803
Price: $$ ($15-28/person)
City: Alhambra
Phone: (626) 588-2284
Must-Try: Boiled fish with green pepper sauce. The restaurant that popularized Sichuan food in LA. The toothpick lamb and mung bean jelly noodles are also standouts.
Address: 9148 Las Tunas Dr, Temple City, CA 91780
Price: $ ($8-15/person)
City: Temple City
Phone: (626) 291-2295
Must-Try: Spicy beef noodle soup. Open only for lunch (11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, closed Mondays), this tiny Taiwanese legend draws long lines for its rich, slow-simmered broth.
Address: 846 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755
Price: $ ($8-15/person)
City: Monterey Park
Phone: (626) 288-3818
Must-Try: Pan-fried pork and chive meat pies. Golden and crispy on the outside, steaming and juicy inside. The dumplings and scallion pancakes are excellent backups.
Address: 919 W Duarte Rd, Monrovia, CA 91016
Price: $ ($10-18/person)
City: Monrovia
Phone: (626) 256-0800
Must-Try: Pork xiao long bao and pan-fried pork buns. A Michelin Guide-recognized dumpling specialist with handmade wrappers and rich, savory fillings.
Love the Food? Live Near It.
Alhambra and San Gabriel sit at the heart of the SGV dining scene. Browse homes within walking distance of Valley Boulevard's best restaurants.
Hot Pot
There is no better communal dining experience than hot pot, and the SGV has options ranging from upscale tableside service to casual all-you-can-eat. Bring friends, clear your schedule, and prepare to sweat.
Address: 400 S Baldwin Ave, Ste 2015, Arcadia, CA 91007
Price: $$$ ($40-60/person)
City: Arcadia (Westfield Santa Anita)
Phone: (626) 724-5665
Must-Try: Tomato broth base with hand-pulled noodles made tableside by their "noodle dancer." The most modern hot pot experience in the SGV, with iPad ordering and complimentary nail services during your wait.
Address: 153 W Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755
Price: $$ ($15-22/person)
City: Monterey Park
Phone: (626) 288-9876
Must-Try: House special lamb hot pot with Sichuan mala broth. Individual-pot style with fusion broths including Thai tom yum, Japanese miso, and Korean soybean paste. A Taiwanese import with seven LA-area locations.
Address: 227 W Valley Blvd, Ste 168, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $$ ($20-35/person)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 282-3878
Must-Try: Pork bone broth (half-and-half with spicy). Regulars call it the best hot pot broth in the SGV. The herbal, non-spicy side is loaded with goji berries and jujubes for a subtle sweetness.
Address: 65 N Raymond Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801
Price: $$ ($22-35/person)
City: Alhambra
Phone: (626) 872-8880
Must-Try: All-you-can-eat shabu shabu with premium sliced beef. Servers deliver platters of meat as needed, and diners pick their own veggies, seafood, noodles, and sauces from buffet-style bays.
Vietnamese
The SGV's Vietnamese dining scene is anchored along Garvey Avenue in Rosemead and El Monte, plus a stretch of Las Tunas Drive in San Gabriel. Expect hearty bowls of pho, crispy spring rolls, and bold vermicelli dishes.
Address: 815 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $ ($10-18/person)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 308-0803
Must-Try: Pho dac biet (special combination pho) and imperial rolls. The most famous Vietnamese restaurant in the SGV with consistently long lines. Arrive early on weekends.
Address: 980 E Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $ ($10-18/person)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 287-3158
Must-Try: Rare beef pho and grilled pork vermicelli. Locals call it the pho standard against which all other SGV bowls are measured. Clear, fragrant broth with perfectly sliced rare beef.
Address: 518 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $$$ ($30-60/person)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 289-5998
Must-Try: House special lobster with garlic and butter sauce (the "Newport Special"). A Michelin Guide pick, this restaurant bridges Chinese and Vietnamese flavors through stunning live-tank seafood preparations.
Monterey Park: Where Dim Sum Meets Daily Life
One of the most walkable dining cities in the SGV. Live steps from NBC Seafood, Beijing Pie House, and Boiling Point.
Japanese
Arcadia and Rosemead anchor the SGV's Japanese dining scene, with ramen shops, izakayas, and omakase counters clustered around the Westfield Santa Anita area and along Valley Boulevard.
Address: 400 S Baldwin Ave, Ste D2, Arcadia, CA 91007
Price: $$ ($15-22/person)
City: Arcadia (Westfield Santa Anita)
Phone: (626) 538-6900
Must-Try: Original King butao ramen with rich tonkotsu broth. This Fukuoka-born chain lets you customize everything: noodle firmness, richness level, garlic intensity, and spice. One of the best ramen bowls in the SGV.
Address: 8450 E Valley Blvd, Ste 103, Rosemead, CA 91770
Price: $$ ($13-20/person)
City: Rosemead
Phone: (626) 280-1888
Must-Try: Hakata ramen with extra chashu. Ultra-thin noodles in a creamy pork broth with customizable toppings, noodle texture, and soup oil content. The SGV go-to for late-night ramen.
Address: 33 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia, CA 91006
Price: $$ ($20-35/person)
City: Arcadia
Phone: (626) 321-6658
Must-Try: Cheese yakitori with brie on grilled baguette drizzled with honey. A tiny izakaya with a big menu of yakitori skewers, creative small plates, and Japanese whiskey.
Address: 4 N 1st Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006
Price: $$$$ ($80-150/person)
City: Arcadia
Phone: (626) 294-0776
Must-Try: Chef's omakase course. An intimate, high-end sushi counter where the chef selects the freshest fish of the day. Reservations recommended. The SGV's best splurge for sushi lovers.
Arcadia: Top Schools, Top Dining
Arcadia pairs some of the highest-rated public schools in California with direct access to Westfield Santa Anita's dining district, including Din Tai Fung, Haidilao, and Ramen Nagi.
Korean
While Koreatown gets most of the press, the SGV has its own thriving Korean food scene, especially around Temple City and San Gabriel. These spots are worth the trip from anywhere in LA County.
Address: 5405 Rosemead Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $$ ($25-40/person)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 286-8837
Must-Try: All-you-can-eat premium marinated short ribs (galbi). One of the most popular AYCE Korean BBQ spots in the SGV with consistently high meat quality and generous banchan spreads.
Address: 5700 Rosemead Blvd, Ste 100, Temple City, CA 91781
Price: $$$ ($35-55/person)
City: Temple City
Phone: (213) 799-6328
Must-Try: Corn cheese and thick-cut pork belly (samgyeopsal). Staff grill the meat for you at your table, ensuring perfect doneness. Celebrity chef Kang Hodong's chain delivers a premium BBQ experience.
Address: 143 N Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Price: $$ ($15-25/person)
City: Monterey Park
Phone: (323) 302-7392
Must-Try: Ox bone soup (seolleongtang) and budae jjigae (army stew). Known for rich, milky bone broth simmered for hours. A hearty, warming meal on cooler SGV evenings.
Address: 550 N Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Price: $ ($12-18/person)
City: Monterey Park
Phone: (626) 282-9292
Must-Try: Seafood soon tofu jjigae (soft tofu stew). Served bubbling hot in a stone pot with a side of rice. Simple, satisfying, and deeply flavorful. One of the best value Korean meals in the SGV.
Thai
Pasadena leads the SGV's Thai dining scene, with restaurants ranging from upscale sit-down to vibrant street-food style. These three spots cover the full spectrum of Thai flavors.
Address: 498 S Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Price: $$ ($15-28/person)
City: Pasadena
Phone: (626) 578-9814
Must-Try: President BBQ duck and roasted duck curry. Consistently voted the best Thai food in the San Gabriel Valley by local publications. The lunch specials are an excellent value.
Address: 1218 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
Price: $$ ($14-25/person)
City: Pasadena
Phone: (626) 792-2999
Must-Try: Pad see ew and mango sticky rice. A Caltech-adjacent favorite with fresh ingredients, generous portions, and a colorful atmosphere. One of the best Thai takeout spots near Old Town Pasadena.
Address: 340 E Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91801
Price: $$ ($12-22/person)
City: Alhambra
Phone: (626) 282-8891
Must-Try: Green curry with chicken and Thai iced tea. Located on Atlantic Blvd, Thai Paradise is praised for its authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and reasonable prices.
Mexican
Mexican food is woven into the SGV's identity as deeply as any Asian cuisine. From sit-down family restaurants with decades of history to late-night taco trucks, these picks reflect the full range.
Address: 655 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Price: $$ ($15-28/person)
City: Pasadena
Phone: (626) 398-6909
Must-Try: Carnitas plate and fresh guacamole. A multi-location SGV institution with sit-down service, full bar, and generous portions. Also in Arcadia (625 E Live Oak Ave) and Duarte.
Address: 350 N Rosemead Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Price: $ ($8-15/person)
City: Pasadena
Phone: (626) 351-6616
Must-Try: Breakfast burritos and enchiladas with tamarind salsa. A no-frills neighborhood favorite that delivers authentic Mexican flavors at prices that feel like 2015.
Address: 1614 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Price: $ ($6-14/person)
City: Arcadia
Phone: (626) 445-4505
Must-Try: Giant handmade tacos on Taco Tuesday ($2 each). From the same team behind Guisados, Colonia serves fresh, handmade tacos with carefully braised meats and bold salsas.
Address: Fair Oaks Ave & Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
Price: $ ($5-12/person)
City: Pasadena
Hours: Until 1 AM weekdays, 3 AM weekends
Must-Try: Lengua and carne asada tacos. A beloved Pasadena late-night institution parked near Old Town. Some of the most affordable and authentic street tacos you will find anywhere in the SGV.
Pasadena: Culture, Food, and Curb Appeal
From Old Town's walkable dining to the Rose Bowl and Caltech, Pasadena is one of the most sought-after cities in the SGV. Explore available homes.
Indian
Indian food in the SGV spans quick-counter dhabas, award-winning sit-down restaurants, and grocery-store gems. Pasadena and San Gabriel anchor this scene with options covering Northern and Southern Indian cuisines.
Address: 39 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Price: $$ ($14-25/person)
City: Pasadena (Old Town)
Phone: (626) 440-0309
Must-Try: Chicken tikka masala and garlic naan. Voted Best Indian Restaurant by San Gabriel Valley residents in Pasadena Weekly's annual awards for over 15 consecutive years. The menu spans every region of India.
Address: 7246 Rosemead Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91775
Price: $ ($10-18/person)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 291-2101
Must-Try: Lamb vindaloo and tandoori chicken thali plate. A family-run grocery store with a hidden counter in the back that cranks out some of the most authentic Indian food in the SGV. Fiery, smoky, and deeply flavorful.
Address: 1051 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91106
Price: $$ ($12-22/person)
City: Pasadena
Phone: (626) 844-2880
Must-Try: Butter chicken and samosa chaat. Known for Bollywood-themed decor and bold, flavorful North Indian dishes. A fun, casual atmosphere with a full bar and cocktail menu.
Boba & Tea
With one of the largest Taiwanese-American communities in the United States, the SGV is ground zero for premium boba tea. These shops go far beyond basic milk tea, offering artisan-brewed loose-leaf teas and creative toppings.
Address: 301 W Valley Blvd, Ste 116, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $ ($6-9/drink)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 766-1512
Must-Try: Signature oolong milk tea with boba. A Taiwanese global chain that earned the equivalent of a three-Michelin-star rating from the International Taste Institute. The first U.S. shop opened right here in San Gabriel. Also in Alhambra and Arcadia.
Address: 140 W Valley Blvd, Ste 105, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $ ($6-9/drink)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 282-5678
Must-Try: Special Boba Milk Tea with brown sugar boba. Founded in 2015 with over 700 locations worldwide, BenGong's uses organic teas rooted in Chinese tradition with a modern twist. The traditional Chinese decor adds to the experience.
Address: 400 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Price: $ ($5-8/drink)
City: Arcadia (Westfield Santa Anita)
Also in: San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Alhambra
Must-Try: Cheese foam green tea and strawberry jasmine. Multiple SGV locations make Sunright one of the most accessible boba options in the 626. Hand-crafted with premium loose-leaf tea and house-made ingredients.
Bakeries
SGV bakeries bridge East and West, offering everything from Hong Kong-style egg tarts and pineapple buns to Taiwanese sea salt coffee and freshly baked European-style bread. These three are worth a special trip.
Address: 150 W Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $ ($5-15/visit)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 280-2515
Must-Try: Traditional mooncakes and Chinese bridal cakes. A legendary Hong Kong bakery chain famous for its handmade pastries and festival specialties. Fresh bread baked three times daily with a self-serve modern bakery system. Closed Tuesdays.
Address: 300 W Main St, Ste 100, Alhambra, CA 91801
Price: $ ($5-12/visit)
City: Alhambra (also 56 E Duarte Rd, Arcadia)
Phone: (626) 537-8585
Must-Try: Sea salt coffee and marble taro bread. A Taiwanese bakery chain that draws long lines for its combination of freshly baked bread, rich pastries, and specialty coffee drinks. The sea salt coffee has a cult following across the SGV.
Address: 301 W Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Price: $ ($5-15/visit)
City: San Gabriel
Phone: (626) 286-1238
Must-Try: Strawberry whipped cream cake and almond cookies. A family-owned Chinese-American bakery institution known for its signature layered cakes with fresh strawberries and light whipped cream. A staple for birthday celebrations throughout the SGV.
Ready to Call the 626 Home?
Whether you are relocating for the food, the schools, or the community, the San Gabriel Valley has a neighborhood for every budget and lifestyle. Let a local agent guide you.
Pro Tips for Eating in the SGV
Go on weekdays. The most popular dim sum spots and noodle houses draw 30 to 60 minute waits on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Tuesday through Thursday lunch is the sweet spot for short waits and full menus.
Bring cash. Several of the best restaurants on this list, particularly the smaller noodle shops and bakeries, are cash-only or have minimum card purchase amounts. An ATM run before dinner saves hassle.
Drive Valley Boulevard. Start at Atlantic Boulevard in Monterey Park and drive east on Valley to San Gabriel. Within three miles, you will pass over 200 restaurants. This is the most restaurant-dense corridor in the American West.
Explore Las Tunas Drive. The stretch of Las Tunas through San Gabriel holds Golden Deli, Saigon Eden, Newport Seafood, Hong Kong Dim Sum House, and MIAN, all within a one-mile radius. Park once and walk.
Do not skip the strip malls. Some of the best food in the SGV lives inside nondescript strip-mall storefronts. Judge restaurants by the line outside, not the signage.
Use Google Maps reviews in Chinese. Many SGV restaurants have far more reviews in Chinese than in English. Translate the Chinese reviews for a more accurate picture of what regulars order and recommend.
