I've heard great stories about Yang's Kitchen over the past several months but never had an opportunity to try it out until today. Prior to heading out, I wanted to check out their menu and luckily enough, they have the Yelp Waitlist option. I put my name down on their waiting list around 10:30am at home, got to the restaurant at 11:00am and got seated 15 minutes later. Honestly I'm glad they had this option or else the wait would've been longer than I wanted.
Here are the things we tried:
"Steak" and Eggs : comes with hash brown, greens, green sauce, and ranch. I opted for the Grass-fed steak and scrambled eggs for my plate. The steak was nice and juicy, the green sauce on the steak gave it the extra punch it needed for a nice blend in flavor. The scrambled egg itself was wet and I love it when scrambled eggs don't come out all dried out.
Breakfast Plate: opted for Peads & Barnetts Bacon Slide and scrambled eggs. The bacon slice was huge with a tad too much of fat on it. However, it was still delicious and extraordinary. What was said about the scrambled eggs earlier applies to this plate as well.
Salmon Hash: this appetizer was recommended by the server so we gave it a shot. This dish is made with salmon belly & roe, Meyer lemon Creme Fraiche, and herbs, served on top of a perfected hash brown. Salmon belly gives this dish the extra flavor it needed since salmon belly is the fattiest part. The lemon creme was infused inside the hash brown so when you took a bite, it gave it a nice zesty taste.
The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars was because everything tasted too salty for us. Not sure why the greens on our plates were salty too but didn't want to ask to have the meals remade so we tried to mask it with black pepper; no luck. Despite the dishes being too salty for us, we still enjoyed it and would definitely come back in the future to try out other dishes, but more for their hash brown. You have no idea how long I've been yearning and searching for a breakfast spot to have crispy hash browns; literally means the world to me. The best place I had hash browns were in SF but that restaurant changed their menu. At long last, Yang's Kitchen has perfected the crispy hash brown because it was my ultimately my favorite thing.
If this is your first time trying Yang's Kitchen, you'll be in a for a shock since it is quite pricey. However, the premium price everyone is paying is for locally sourced, sustainable and organic ingredients. Even on one of their boards by their register, they have zero footprint. If the price doesn't turn you away, I strongly recommend coming here for breakfast/brunch with a group since you're able to try most of the things on the...
Read moreI finally had a chance to visit Yang's Kitchen in Alhambra after seeing so many positive Yelp reviews. This restaurant, spearheaded by the talented team of Chris Yang and Maggie Ho, along with the seasoned chef Joseph Marcos, promises a contemporary take on comfort food. With Chef Marcos's impressive culinary background, which includes stints at renowned establishments like Pizzeria Mozza, Campanile, Ciudad, and Sona, I had high expectations, and I'm happy to say that Yang's Kitchen did not disappoint.
Upon entering the restaurant, it's evident that the team has put a lot of thought into the ambiance. The former Mosaic Lizard Theatre has been transformed into a modern, inviting space that strikes the perfect balance between casual and stylish. It's a setting that sets the stage for an enjoyable dining experience.
My visit was for brunch, prompted by the rave reviews I had seen on Yelp. We started with the sesame cold noodle, Yang's unique take on the popular Taiwanese dish. The noodles were perfectly cooked and paired with shredded carrots and cucumbers, creating a refreshing and delightful dish. The flavors were spot on, capturing the essence of Taiwanese comfort food. It was a promising start to our meal.
For our main courses, we opted for the breakfast set featuring scrambled eggs and hanger steak. The scrambled eggs were a revelation—light, fluffy, and bursting with flavor. It was evident that Yang's Kitchen takes pride in using high-quality ingredients, and it showed in every bite. The hanger steak was cooked to perfection, boasting tenderness and a rich, savory taste that left a lasting impression.
Throughout our meal, the service was both friendly and efficient. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, and they were more than willing to accommodate our requests. It added to the overall positive experience.
While it's true that the prices at Yang's Kitchen lean toward the higher side, it's clear that this is a restaurant that values the freshness and quality of its ingredients. The commitment to providing a memorable dining experience is evident in every aspect of the meal.
In conclusion, Yang's Kitchen in Alhambra is a hidden gem that deserves the praise it has garnered on Yelp and beyond. The team's dedication to delivering exceptional comfort food shines through in every dish. Whether you're craving Taiwanese classics or innovative twists on familiar favorites, this restaurant has something to offer. I can't wait to return and explore more of Yang's...
Read moreI want to share a disappointing experience I had at Yang's Kitchen that has left me quite frustrated. I had been looking forward to enjoying their delicious stew, a dish I had relished on several occasions in the past. However, when I placed my to-go order, I was met with the letdown that they no longer had the stew available. The staff suggested I try the Arroz Caldo instead, which is essentially rice with broth. Wanting to keep my spirits up, I decided to give it a shot and paired it with the Scallion Hiramasa as well.
After a 20-minute wait, I was filled with anticipation as I picked up my food, only to discover halfway home that some items were missing from my order. This sudden realization was incredibly frustrating, especially since I had a meeting to attend shortly. With a sigh, I turned around and made my way back to the restaurant to rectify the situation.
When I approached the counter to explain the oversight, the gentleman at the register asked me to fetch the bag for him to inspect what was missing. This request was particularly irksome, as the nearest parking available was a block away and I was already pressed for time. Rather than adding more stress to my day, I decided it wasn’t worth the hassle to argue further. I just chalked it up as a loss and headed home, already feeling deflated.
Now, let’s talk about the Arroz Caldo itself. When I finally sat down to eat, I was greeted with what can only be described as a lackluster meal. There were only three minuscule pieces of chicken perched atop a bed of soggy, overly salty rice. To be frank, my experience with this dish was disappointing, and I would rate it a meager 1 out of 5. The restaurant, I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me, and I couldn’t help but think that I wouldn’t recommend Yang's Kitchen to anyone. It’s clear to me that their staff could benefit from some retraining to improve their customer service; a friendlier and more attentive approach could make a...
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