Yang Chow

For nearly five decades, Yang Chow has been drawing crowds to Chinatown’s Broadway strip, creating the kind of weekend lines that have become part of the neighborhood’s fabric. This isn’t just another Chinese restaurant—it’s a time capsule where the 1970s-era carpet and upholstered booths transport you to an era when American Chinese cuisine was at its peak, and photos of celebrity guests line the walls as testaments to its enduring appeal.

The star of the show here is undoubtedly the slippery shrimp, a dish so iconic that the staff proudly sports t-shirts urging you to order it. These crispy morsels bathed in a tangy, peppery sauce achieve an almost magical balance of sweet, sour, and spicy that’s kept diners coming back for generations. Pair it with the namesake Yang Chow fried rice—perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of egg and a light sheen of oil—and you’ve got the foundation of an unforgettable meal.

Beyond the greatest hits, the menu rewards exploration. The baby bok choy with Chinese mushrooms arrives glistening like it just emerged from a spa treatment, while the moo shu pork comes pre-rolled into generous burrito-sized portions that trade DIY fun for perfectly balanced bites. And don’t overlook the surprisingly solid cocktail program—a mai tai or lychee martini makes the perfect companion while you wait for those golden-orange shrimp to arrive.

Whether you’re planning a family feast, catching up with a big group of friends, or simply grabbing some of LA’s most reliable takeout, Yang Chow delivers exactly what it promises. This is comfort food with history, served in a space that reminds you why some restaurants become institutions.