| Los Angeles County is home to over 400,000 | | | | serves arguably the cheapest Dim Sum you can find |
| Chinese-Americans. Undoubtedly, it has one of the | | | | anywhere in the entire Los Angeles. The quality may |
| largest ethnic Chinese populations outside of China. | | | | not be quite what you will get in higher end restaurants, |
| Many are first generation immigrants from China or | | | | but it is extraordinary value for the money. A small |
| are children of immigrant Chinese parents. In areas with | | | | plate of four pieces of Siu Mai, a small meat and |
| a high population density of ethnic Chinese, one can | | | | shrimp dumpling, costs just 99 cents. |
| find many skilled chefs and restaurateurs working in | | | | Shanghai Restaurant (San Gabriel)* - As the name of |
| and running restaurants that serve good, authentic | | | | the restaurant indicates, this place serves |
| Chinese food, just like how they are being served in | | | | Shanghainese cuisine, a type of Chinese cuisine that is |
| China. The prices are usually very affordable too. | | | | fast gaining international recognition. The food is |
| Most of these restaurants are located in five main | | | | flavorful and rich. During lunch time, the restaurant |
| areas: the official Chinatown in downtown Los | | | | offers an special value lunch menu with over 20 |
| Angeles, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Alhambra and | | | | entree dishes from $5 - $8 each. If you like fish, the |
| Rowland Heights. Except for Chinatown, all areas are | | | | fried yellow croaker with seaweed is highly |
| in the San Gabriel Valley. All 5 areas are within the | | | | recommended. Visit with a group of friends and enjoy |
| confines of Los Angeles County, California. | | | | a scrumptious family style meal consisting of a variety |
| To give you an idea about good cheap Chinese | | | | of dishes. |
| restaurants that you will find in the above areas, | | | | These are just three examples of restaurants serving |
| consider these three popular restaurants where you | | | | good, inexpensive Chinese food. If you visit the five |
| can enjoy good food at bargain prices: | | | | main areas listed at the beginning of this article, you will |
| Kang Kang Food Court (2 branches: Monterey Park, | | | | be able to find similar gems as well. There are several |
| Alhambra)* - Despite the name, this is not a food court | | | | upscale restaurants offering lunch specials or late night |
| with multiple food vendors, but a self-service | | | | specials, making it very affordable to get a good meal |
| restaurant. Once you walk into the restaurant, you will | | | | in a pleasing atmosphere. |
| find over 15 varieties of delicious entrees and hot and | | | | One last tip - bring some cash with you. Most of these |
| cold side dishes displayed behind the counter. Pick out | | | | places will accept cash only, no credit or debit cards. A |
| any 3 items, steamed rice and soup and your check is | | | | number will accept credit cards but with minimum |
| less than $5. The dining area features two big plasma | | | | charge requirements of $10 to $20. The good news is |
| TV screens that will show popular sporting events like | | | | that you will be able to enjoy a satisfying meal on the |
| NBA basketball games, World Cup soccer or the | | | | cheap. |
| Olympics when in season. | | | | *The prices and locations are accurate at the time of |
| Yum Cha Cafe (3 branches: Alhambra, San Gabriel, | | | | this article's writing in September 2009. For updated |
| Chinatown)* - The place specializes in Dim Sum, a part | | | | information, please contact the restaurants directly |
| of Cantonese cuisine that includes many small dishes | | | | before you visit. |
| like little dumplings, buns and pastries. Yum Cha Cafe | | | | |