Lunasia

Rejoice! I finally got to knock Lunasia off my must-try list. And I couldn't have picked better partners-in-crime: Wandering Chopsticks, SinoSoul and his lovely wife, and Charles. Boy, did we do some dimsum damage! Preface: everything was seriously good (notes have been provided for particularly memorable dishes).


Pork dumplings


Shrimp har gow


Pork siumai: one of the best items. I was too stuffed to enjoy them properly at the time of the meal, but they were incredibly good even as leftovers later that night.


Fried taro (couldn't find this item on the menu, so SinoSoul just asked our server), beef chow fun and turnip cake.


BBQ pork bun: they tasted as perfect as they look.


Spareribs in black bean sauce


Rice noodle of sorts. We ordered the shrimp, but what arrived involved shrimp egg rolls and it was damn good.


Panfried potstickers


Chicken feet: while I wouldn't be able to polish off an order by my lonesome, I'm glad that I made the plunge. Tasted mostly like chicken skin to me.


Sesame balls: these were fantastic. I kept marveling at just how good they were.


Egg custard: good and loved the "charred" top, but the sesame balls stole the show for me in the desserts department.

Lunasia was one big blur that came out to $16 per person (including tip). I was giddy walking away with such a low bill. Dimsum is such a major bargain, though, that Lunasia's prices are considered high compared to their competitors (granted the quality is better here).

Big thanks to Wandering Chopsticks and SinoSoul for being my dimsum guides! I enjoyed our meal immensely and hope to break carbs with you guys soon again!

Lunasia
500 West Main St.
Suite A
Alhambra, CA 91801
626-308-3222

Sam Woo BBQ and Tapioca Express

I don't get to Alhambra or its surrounding deliciously Chinese areas on a regular basis. Therefore, my working knowledge of the best spots for roast pork or soup dumplings is a big mess of names from local blogs to Jonathan Gold anywhere from two years ago to last week.

When I recently felt a roast duck craving coming on, I was overwhelmed by the immense possibilites (read: impatient and unmotivated). So, I asked Kung Food Panda for his expert opinion and that's how I ended up at Sam Woo BBQ with a beatific smile last Sunday (thanks Danny!). Before I embarked, I found Wandering Chopsticks' post, which was helpful particularly in the noodle department as revealed below:


Roast duck plate: the skin was not crispy, but I didn't care. I was too busy losing my mind eating roast duck for the first time in months! It was just the right portion for us. And to think, my original inclination was to order the half duck.


Deep fried fish fillet with sweet and sour sauce: big portion! And sweet and sour sauce that didn't look Simpsons hued. Not amazing, but then again, I wasn't expecting the quality of the fish to blow my mind here.


Shrimp crispy chow mein: I love pan-fried crispy noodles and their version was pretty good. I think they have a BBQ pork one, which I've got my eye on for next time!

Then we stopped by Tapioca Express for some boba.


Charles had a strawberry "icy." Only for those with a severe artificial flavored sweet tooth.


I had a Thai tea milk tea. Refreshing perfection.

And that is how I like to do Sundays.

Sam Woo BBQ
514 W. Valley Boulevard
Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 281-0038

Tapioca Express
228 W. Valley Blvd, #105
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 289-9735