Formosan Restaurant — Restaurant in Artesia

First & Foremost..........Formosan.

While waiting in line for the Grand Opening of Daiso Japan Artesia, I shot the breeze w/ a cute Taiwanese women & asked her which were her favorite eateries in the area. She recommended Formosan. Hey, if a Taiwanese recommends the Taiwanese food at Formosan, then I'm game.

My buddy Stephen treated me to dinner after I helped him move some of his fruit trees from his parent's place in Mission Viejo. I made the call for Formosa & I finally made it to this nearby restaurant after all these years.

Entrees come with -

Soup & Salad - The salad is boring iceberg lettuce w/ thousand island dressing. The soup is white cream corn soup. I'm not fond of iceberg lettuce as a salad, but I was so hungry that it actually seemed edible. The white cream corn soup was thick & a nice reprieve, even in the hot weather

Garlic bread - Crunchy, crispy, garlicky. Tasted great w/ garlic in every bite.

Sauteed short rib - Holy cow! Look at the size of this beast! I had the choice of mushroom sauce, black pepper sauce or a mixture. Then, I had the choice of white rice or spaghetti. Meat was cooked to preference. Medium-rare, baby! Tender, juicy & oh so delicious. The black pepper sauce provided quite a kick. I had the chili sambal at the ready to spice things up, but didn't need it. The carrots & peas, accompanied w/ runny egg added to the richness of this dish. Definite winner.

Seating is limited. The restaurant is more of a no-frills hole in the wall. Nothing flashy or fancy. Also offered on the menu are various flavored teas & shaved snow.

Service was sufficient. I think I saw the server fall asleep at a nearby table. Hey, it was pretty hot today. I was falling asleep driving back from Mission Viejo ;p

Overall, Formosan, you are a local gem & I can't wait to come back & try your other culinary delights. It's too bad that you don't have your cuttlefish appetizers anymore, as I was game to have them, but I enjoyed every bite of my sauteed short rib, cooked to perfection.

I'll be back.

Highly...

One dish you simply cannot miss is the iconic teppanyaki, a hearty concoction that embodies the essence of Taiwanese comfort food. Tender beef simmered to perfection in a rich, flavorful broth—it's pure bliss in a bowl.But the culinary delights don't stop there. Explore a diverse selection of specialties, from sizzling hotpots to succulent grilled fish, each dish bursting with freshness and depth of flavor.Vegetarians and vegans will also find plenty to love on the menu, with an array of plant-based options that celebrate Taiwan's bountiful produce.And let's not forget dessert! Indulge your sweet tooth with traditional treats like pineapple cakes or creamy taro pudding, the perfect finale to your Taiwanese feast.Complementing the exquisite fare is impeccable service, with attentive staff who are passionate about sharing their love for...

Incredibly tender with a great presentation sizzling steak. Pick any appetizer to share and the portions are just right to leave room for dessert later.

The wonton chili crisp is smothered with this great chili oil that has a great balance between sweet and spicy. Don't let the color intimidate you.

The oyster pancake is a generous helping of egg, veg, and oysters. Worth the wait since it seemingly is built fresh to order.

Not quite looking to gate keep this place but it has such limited seating and I enjoy being able to walk in and talk to the owner.

If you're looking for some great authentic Taiwanese food and polite hospitality...