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The 626 Edit: A Native’s Guide to the Best SGV Eats
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items Forget the tourist traps - this is how we actually eat in the 626. I’ve spent my life scouting the best flavors the San Gabriel Valley has to offer. This list is a mix of the 'old school' classics I grew up on and the fresh, new discoveries I'm curre...
Map
Sections
5
Quick & Casual
Good vibes
Special occasions
Boba, Coffee, Matcha
Dessert
Quick & Casual
Delicious, fast, and budget-friendly
Amazing little Italian sandwich shop. The salad mix they put on their sandwiches is addicting! Highly recommend the California Mafia if you’re a lover of garlic bread!
Pulciano's Deli & Cafe
This is kind of a if-you-know kind of place. Their classic banh mi is amazing with the crunchy bread. Get it in the long baguette instead of round!
Hue Thai Bakery & Deli
The best crispy pork banh mi in the area!
BANH MI HOA PHAT - Updated March 2026
Simple and delicious soup and dry noodle bowls! Their other dishes are great as well. I love the rice noodle wonton soup.
KIM KY NOODLE HOUSE - Updated March 2026
Another italian sandwich staple. I love how it’s also a market with special Italian goods.
Claro's Italian Markets, Inc.: Traditional Italian Market
Nothing beats a bowl of comforting sweet potato porridge on a cold day. This place serves traditional Chinese sides to pair with the porridge (rice is also available). Lunch deal is great!
Lu's Garden
Tucked in a corner of a food court, lies this local favorite serving up heart bowls of wonton noodle soup!
Harlam's Kitchen 蝦林小廚
Is it the best Vietnamese food in the area? No, but it's decent and affordable with daily deals. Some of my favorites are the banh cuon (meat filled rice paper rolls) and bo kho (beef stew).
Banh Mi Che Cali
Delicious tortas! Favorites are the Argentine Chorizo and Abogada. The sandwiches come with chile that ties everything together. Don't sleep on the empanadas as well!
Tito's Market
One of the best Indian food in the SGV! I love their thali lunch meal sets. It comes with a protein, entree, a couple sides, and dessert. Also vegetarian friendly!
Bhanu Indian Cuisine & Market
Portions are huge and the food is delicious. One order of chili cheese fries can easily feed 2-3. Get the pastrami dip and an order of fries w/ chili on the side.
The Hat
A little different than your traditional torta, but just as delicious. All their bread is baked in-house and food is always fresh. Every sandwich comes with a small side. I recommend the California, al pastor, and mojito. For sides, the mac salad is ...
Cook's Tortas
You smell the grilled meats the moment you step through the door. Food is always consistent and filling. Love their hummus and shirazi salad.
Pop’s Fresh Mediterranean
Delicious Mediterranean bowls! You can have your bowl with either rice, salad, or both. I love getting it with rice, chicken, grilled vegetables, and creamy chipotle sauce. Tip: ask for extra sauce!
Chop Chop Chicken
Good vibes
Sit down restaurants w/ good vibes. Perfect for a quick lunch or casual dinner.
A local favorite that always seems to be crowded, but so worth the wait. Portions are big and price is fair. Been going here since before I can remember and haven’t been disappointed in anything. You can’t go wrong with their broken rice, bun rieu, o...
Com Tam Kieu - Vietnamese
Tasty and colorful food plates. Really love the chicken wrap for a healthier lunch.
The Chicken Koop
A slice of Hawaii right in the SGV! Must try to macademia nut pancakes. A small is enough to feed 2-3 people when ordered with another entree.
Aloha Food Factory
A must-try for lovers of spicy food! I've never been disappointed in anything here, but I highly recommend the Chengdu Zajiang Noodles.
MIAN
Traditional hong kong cafe. I mainly come here for their grilled plates w/ pasta. Choose your protein, pasta or rice, and sauce (I always go for black pepper). Portions are huge and can be eaten the next day.
Baccali Cafe & Rotisserie
Delicious Hakata style ramen. Their broth is nice and rich. Small and cozy place with friendly staff.
Shin-Sen-Gumi Restaurant
Everything here is always on point. I love how you can adjust the saltiness and amount of oil in your ramen. Order a side of karaage as well!
Ramen Nagi
Cute little brunch spot that serves breakfast food and sandwiches.
Popping Yolk Cafe
From the comfortable decor to the delicious bread, this restaurant is a local staple. One entree can easily feed 2 when eating with the unlimited bread. Love the pink bowtie pasta!
Di Pilla's Italian Restaurant
Really decent HK cafe with big portions. Perfect for family gatherings!
E.A.T Bistro 飛雲
My absolute favorite Korean tofu soup spot! I've been to many and none can compare. Their banchan are delicious and plentiful. You can have a nice meal by just ordering a tofu soup and having rice with all the sides (no entree needed). My favorites a...
A Ri Rang Tofu House
So good! I don't have Malaysian food often, but when I do, this is it. Order the kaya toast w/ butter and roti canai. You won't regret it!
Ipoh Kopitiam
Better than decent dumpling house that, in my opinion, has even better non-dumpling dishes. Definitely get the pork soup dumplings, but don't sleep on the egg tofu with mushrooms, Shanghai stir fried noodles, and spicy wontons!
Mama Lu's Dumpling House
This place is popular for good reason. Get the shrimp fried rice, shanghai rice cakes, fried pork buns, and spicy wontons. You will love life and have leftovers for days.
MR DRAGON NOODLE HOUSE
There's a Pasadena location too! Really nice deal for the lunch buffet. Pizza crust is always crispy and consistent. A little pricier than your average chain, but worth it for the quality.
Mountain Mike's Pizza
Favorite Malatang place! Ingredients are fresh and there's a wide variety of soup bases to choose from. My favorite is their #1 spicy broth. I also love that they open late!
Big Way Hot Pot (Monterey Park)
A little hole in the wall for crispy banh xeo, which are Vietnamese crepes stuffed with meat, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Break it up and eat it in a bowl with veggies and fish sauce or rolled with rice paper.
Banh Xeo Quan
Ramen with super rich broth. It's on the pricer end, but food is always consistent and sure to please. It's also one of the only ramen places that serve Shoyu ramen in the area. Add a little of their pepper paste to your broth to spice it up a little...
HiroNori Craft Ramen
The BEST nem cuongs in the area (I'll even argue better than OC). I've had so many different nems and none compare! All their other dishes are also delicious.
Summer Rolls - Temple City
Special occasions
A little fancier for those special days. Whether it’s for a birthday, anniversary, or family outing, these spots are sure to please!
You really can't go wrong with Din Tai Fung. The food is always consistent and service is friendly. Highly recommend any of the soup dumplings, spicy wontons, and stir fried string breans. If it's your first time, try the chocolate soup dumplings wit...
Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐
Really good American/Southern bbq. Vibes are great, decent portions, and delicious food. Love the creamed corn.
Gus's BBQ
Delicious American bbq. Huge portions and friendly staff. Everything can be shared. I fell in love with honey mustard at this place. Recommend ordering the pretzel as an appetizer and a salad to help cut through all the meat.
Craft by Smoke and Fire
Traditional banquet Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. The set meals are the way to go here! Always choose the Vietnamese sweet and sour soup when going with the meal. They also have a good lunch menu with deals.
Boston Lobster Seafood Restaurant
Same style of food as Boston Lobster. Love the crab and set meals!
Newport Seafood Restaurant
Pricey, but always consistent. The soup bases are delicious and ingredients are high quality. Really great place for hot pot beginners since everyone has their own individual pot. I love the spicy pork bone soup!
Haidilao Hot Pot Arcadia
What better way to celebrate a special occasion than at a Brazilian steakhouse? All you can eat meat and salad bar is an absolute dream! Their lunch deal is pretty great as well.
Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
Excellent a la carte kbbq with friendly service. Staff cooks so you can sit back and relax. Meat quality is always top notch.
Baekjeong Temple City
Boba, Coffee, Matcha
Drinks are always consistent and high quality, but on the sweeter side. However, their food is amazing. Definitely grab a popcorn chicken along with your drink!
Bopomofo Cafe
This place has the best Jasmine Milk Tea in the area! If it's your first time, get that and fall in love.
Molly Tea 425 W Valley Blvd, #101 San Gabriel, CA 91776
Truly award winning for a reason. Try their Champion milk tea if it's your first time, but all the drinks I've had haven't disappoint.
Premium Organic Tea - OOO Tea USA
The King's oolong milk tea is the reason why this spot is on this list. Super flavorful and fragrant!
Guiji - 龜記
All their drinks are consistently delicious. I've never been disappointed. Love the AvoMango Dew.
3CAT Handcrafted Beverage (三喵）
Classic, strong, teas. Their black teas are especially delicious.
Chun Yang Tea - San Gabriel
South Asian inspired boba drinks that are always consistent. The sea salt cream Jasmine and mung bean are my favorite!
7 Leaves Cafe Alhambra
Really nice not too sweet drinks. I love their blueberry matcha!
Cha Redefine
I come here specifically for their Cassia black tea w/ mousse. I don't know what they put in their mousse, but it's addicting.
CHICHA San Chen - San Gabriel
Strong and creamy thai tea from a brand straight from Thailand!
ChaTraMue - The Original Thai Tea
Great Vietnamese coffee and matcha drinks. Friendly staff!
Da Vien Coffee
Drink quality is comparable to 3Cat. However, no place beats their tea jelly topping!
ici Tea Drinks
A super cute and slightly hidden coffee house with consistently good drinks!
Leaflet Coffee House
A place with delicious baked goods and unique drinks!
Re:Bakesic Coffee & Bakery
A coffee house with Korean inspired drinks and baked goods! The Smokin Spaniard is a favorite!
Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab
Dessert
Fantastic traditional Vietnamese desserts!
Che Hien Khanh
A more modern take on traditional Vietnamese desserts. Love the special tofu!
Bake & Che
Technically not a dessert, but I'm just going to say one thing: almond croissant.
Artisanal Goods by CAR
Not too sweet soft serve with unique flavors. Come support this family owned business!
626 Ice Cream
Old school ice cream parlor with delicious flavors and friendly staff!
Fosselman's Ice Cream Co.
Delicious not too sweet Japanese style cream puffs!
Browned
Soft hand wrapped mochi available in a variety of fillings.
Nuo Mochi - Monterey Park
Delicious crispy taiyakis and soft serve!
With love,
Ice cream shop with unique flavors. I really like the jasmine milk tea flavor! However, it does run a little sweet.
Afters Ice Cream