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san gabriel

Boiling Seafood Wok

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Boiling Seafood Wok

My brother introduced me to Boiling Seafood Wok. Funny that I've never seen this here. I've been to this tiny plaza to buy donuts. Then again, there are tons of hole in the restaurants just like this all over 626. At this point, I recommend you just checking it out without reviewing on Yelp. Most of the reviews are biased anyways. And honestly, it's the places you least expect to be great that comes out on top. My only recommendation is to always bring cash.

Complimentary soup during lunch

This is the boiling Chilean sea bass pot. This was supposed to be spicy, but I found it far from it. If anything, there's a strong dose of white pepper. This was simple, but comforting. You will find bean sprouts, cabbage, tomatoes, pickled cabbage, and leaf celery (aka chinese celery). You can add noodles to this, but I love soaking this into my rice. The pot comes with a butane stove. You can also order this in a larger size as well with the addition of adding more seafood if you want to pay extra.

Chinese green mustard. I wasn't a fan of this growing up because of the slight bitterness this had. I've definitely grown to love this vegetable. In fact, I started to love greens that contained more fiber. This isn't something I would order if I see pea tips or ong choy on the menu, but since we ordered a few fatty dishes that day it felt suited for the occasion. 

Steamed chicken is a staple of Chinese cuisine. I don't know what about it makes it for me, but I always like to order steamed chicken. This is served bone-in with a soy-ginger-onion oil. Growing up, this appeared on the table a lot with the usual bowls of rice.

Braised pork belly is something I naturally gravitate towards. It takes a lot of time to perfect this dish. I've had this inconsistently prepared where parts would be dry why certain edges would melt. This was pretty good. I definitely recommend this if you're a pork belly lover like me. This is like the Chinese version of pork kakuni. A dish from heaven for all the rice lovers as well.

Fried large pork intestines. Ok. I get it. Looks gross, because it does. And it takes the right people to share this with. It's not something I get to order. Normally, I am the only one that wants this, so it's not ideal to order this. Luckily, the company I was amongst enabled me to order this. A good fried pork intestine will be cleaned out from any... impurities.. that may still linger within the linings. Should be boiled ahead in a light seasoned broth to tenderize the meat. Must be fried golden and crispy. From time to time, the intestines may be stuffed with green onions. This helps reduce the gamey flavor, but I grew up eating this so I don't mind it. This and some beer is the perfect late night grub.

Life is short, try new things.

7940 Garvey Ave Ste 108 Rosemead, CA 91770

 

 

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Big Catch Seafood - Downtown Alhambra

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Big Catch Seafood - Downtown Alhambra

 

Do you guys remember how Downtown Alhambra used to be like? It was nothing. Besides the Edwards Renaissance or Johnny Rockets, and ok from time to time Diner on Main, there was pretty much nothing to go there for. In a huge leap of a decade, it's evolved into this whole beast of, perhaps, gentrification. 

There are so many new restaurants on Main street it's become the new location to hang out and mingle. Big Catch just opened their doors the past week and boy does this change up the scene. Downtown Alhambra now has an innovative restaurant that doesn't just serve great food, but also provides an amazing ambience for date nights, hang out with friends, celebratory dinners, and just a great destination to wow your families in town.

Below are a few, but not limited, of the different dishes I got to try.

Fried Oysters

Fried Oysters

Truffle Salmon Roll 

Truffle Salmon Roll 

Crap Dip

Crap Dip

Oysters : Around 7 oysters to pick from.

Oysters : Around 7 oysters to pick from.

Hokkaido Scallop

Uni Pasta

Uni Pasta

Tomahawk Rib Chop - USDA Prime.

Tomahawk Rib Chop - USDA Prime.

Hickory Smoked Salmon

Hickory Smoked Salmon

Vanilla Creme Brulee

Vanilla Creme Brulee

 

2 S Garfield Ave Ste 100 Alhambra, CA 91801

**Recommend to make reservations.

 

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Flavor Garden - Alhambra CA

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Flavor Garden - Alhambra CA

If you are familiar with dumpling and noodle houses, you should be prepared to come with a few people. An order of dumplings is normally 8-10 and fairly sizeable per dish. My brother recommended this place to us and thought we should go together. I don't mind because he knows what kind of food/dishes I like and will order accordingly to what's good.

Cash Only. 1269 E Valley Blvd Alhambra, CA 91801

Spicy Pork Stomach

Tender pork stomach in a spicy Sichuan numbing oil. This is something I love to order at a place like this. Extremely tender. Goes great with beer. I also love ordering pig ears as well, but it's always a treat with stomach is served. I know this may sound weird to some people, but this is the kind of food I grew up eating.

Dan Dan Mian

Seasame sauce noodles with some ground pork and preserved veggies.

Pan Fried Buns

So good and so much in an order.

Leek, Pork and Shrimp Dumplings

These are stuffed with delicious ingredients, but what we love the most about dumplings is when they have leeks. Made myself a side of vinegar and spicy oil mixture to dip this in.

Meat Pie

They serve awesome meat pies made with the stuffing of your choice. These are stuffed with pork and leeks. The sizes of these meat pies are large than they appear. There were 4 of us and we had to grab a few to go boxes.

 

Cash Only.

1269 E Valley Blvd Alhambra, CA 91801

 

 

 

 

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Rose City Pizza - Rosemead

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Rose City Pizza - Rosemead

Small Business Saturday is today, 11/28. This is a huge day to acknowledge many small businesses out there. The underdogs that are hidden behind large businesses gets to shine, today. Rose City Pizza is located close to me, and I love the vibe that I get when I walk in. No bullshit. No fluff. They are who they say they are and do what they do best. Make a pretty damn good pizza. I've been here a couple of times, and I can really speak that the owners of this place are humble, and hard working (I've never spoken to them, but I can tell just by how they work). This is a joint you will want to come just to show support. So what better way, to share Small Business Saturday, than at a local joint that serves the local community.

Without further ado, it's time for some good pies.

I really wanted pizza fries, tots, anything fried. But I need to calm down a bit since I've been devouring my face in fried greasy foods all thanks to Thanksgiving and Black Friday. I really thought I was going to order their Deluxe. But... Stromboli. Was literally sitting there, with my name, patiently waiting for my arrival like my flight just landed. I couldn't keep my eyes off the sesame crusted dough.

Stromboli

There is a problem when your food is sexier than you. But I did kind of feel sex(ier) eating this. The sauce, is everything that I would want minus the spicy kick. Which is fine because I doused tons of red chili flakes anyways. But the sauce had a strong, beautiful, garlic presence. I love garlic. So when I say I can taste the garlic, I ain't playing around. And if you don't love garlic, then we really have a problem here. I don't want to have to question our friendship... The stromboli is stuffed with gooey stretchy mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and italian sausage. The dough was VERY crispy outside and soft on the inside. The sesame seeds really made the dough pop, and I probably wouldn't have paid attention to it if it wasn't on top. Very delicious.

the Aloha

John ordered the Aloha. Hawaiian pizza is not something that I normally order. But oh my bacon gods has landed. Bacon in Hawaiian pizzas is NOW imperative. And you know what? If you think about the sauce and the pineapple, it's sweet and usually one noted (does that sentence even make sense) but with the salty bacon, it really transformed a classic into something totally different. Simple. But DUH why didn't I think of this?

Make sure to get your foot in whenever you are around. There is a Target and Starbucks. Target was our first destination for Lactaid pills (yes, I know), followed by Rose City Pizza, and then Starbucks for a pick-me-up. I am genius.

 3588 ROSEMEAD BLVD. ROSEMEAD, CA 91770 (626) 280-8885

Cheers,

Daisy

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Jazz Cat Shabu

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Jazz Cat Shabu

I've been going to Jazz Cat ever since they opened their first location in Alhambra, when it used to be next to Noodle World on Valley. They closed that location a few years ago, to open a larger location in San Gabriel. Now, they have a few more locations spread out. I do wish, that they kept the original style of when they first opened in Alhambra. The presentation was different from the tradition hot pot we are used to, it was actually pretty. And, they served this seafood/pork paste in a bamboo tube. Now, it's just a simple plate of protein with the veggies.

I've gotten sick this week, and have been trying to recover, but this weather has been kicking my ass. Los Angeles is finally cold, and here goes everyone complaining now that they missed the sun. Are you kidding me? It was like yesterday when the whole population of Los Angeles were crying for summer to be over. And now it is. So get used to the it. The cold mornings where getting out of bed is like traveling through a blizzard storm. Those runny nose days and green snots.

Luckily, I am not that sick. I am smart enough to force myself to drink fluids all day. Even though I had wine, rum and beer (don't ask), I am still somewhat well rested enough to get through the day. John was nice enough to suggest eating out so I didn't have to cook. But picking a place is always the hardest part. Why is that? No it's not a girl thing. If I had a choice, it will be buffets, burgers, tacos and fried chicken. I have the worst, biggest appetite you will ever meet. And it's scary.

But, Jazz Cat is a place I ALWAYS want to eat at. Raw marbled meat, cooked gently in hot seasoned broth, dipped in Satay sauce, and then eaten with a big hunk of rice. We always order the same thing.

Jazz Cat House Broth (Non Spicy)

You get the option of ordering it regular, or the "T-rex" version which has more meat, but less vegetables. MORE meat all the way. I didn't order this spicy because I really love the flavors of the soup. If I wanted something spicy I would probably try their other soup bases, and they have a lot to pick from.

Beef

I've had many hot pot places all over SGV. And there isn't any place I would rather eat at than Jazz Cat. The meats are extremely tender and delicious. It's not all you can eat, but I don't really care for a place like that when I get full from this. For a little under $14 before tax and tip, you can get good quality beef with a delicious soup base. John cooks his eggs over-easy while I like my eggs to be soft boiled.

What I do first: Throw in all my vegetables. I like my veggies extra cooked in the sauce as it also releases flavor into the soup. Once the soup starts to boil, grab your beef, give it a quick swish, dip it in your satay sauce, and eat it with the rice. I can't even begin to tell you how happy it makes me to have good hot pot. Screw fat kid eats cake, it's fat kid eats rice. My body felt extremely soothed, warm, and ready to sleep which was much needed.

Oh and guess what? The service here is always amazing. Unless you are just a total douche bag, then no. But every time we come, the servers are always coming by and checking if everything was okay and if we needed anything. Like, if we needed anything? Who asks that in SGV? not a living soul. It's more like, don't bother me unless you want a refill or your bill. Not here, service gets 100% from me.

rice

I just can't give up rice. Ever. I think I might die, like, really. I have a large potato sack worth of Jasmine rice because I just love eating it with my dishes. The whole experience just wouldn't be the same. There's a phrase I grew up with called "Pah fan" which literally mean dig rice. So when we eat rice, we would pah fan, because we are literally digging the rice into our mouths. Funny huh? That explains why I eat a lot of rice since my parents would always tell us that.

If my brother David sees this post, he would be pissed that we didn't invite him... BUT with that said, I am totally down to come back again!

See you soon Jazz Cat.

121 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

Happy swishy swooshy.

Daisy

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