Must-Try Local Eats in San Gabriel (And Where the Locals Really Go)
If you know San Gabriel, you know it’s a food town at heart. This isn’t the place for overhyped, influencer-packed restaurants, it’s where generations of families have come for dim sum Sundays, late-night noodle runs, and flaky, just-right Chinese pastries that disappear before they even make it out of the bakery box.
I’ve lived in and around San Gabriel long enough to know where the regulars go, the kind of spots that don’t always make the glossy lists, but are always busy on a Tuesday night because the food is that good.
So here’s a local’s guide to San Gabriel’s must-try eats, the places we actually go, recommend to friends, and sometimes hesitate to share (because we selfishly want to keep them to ourselves).
1. Savoy Kitchen
📍 Valley Blvd
Let’s just start with the classic. This tiny, no-frills spot is famous for its Hainan chicken rice, and rightfully so. It’s the dish that brings people in, but the rest of the menu (curry noodles, baked spaghetti, iced lemon tea) keeps them coming back. There’s usually a wait but it’s worth it!
Pro tip: Bring cash, and come early. Seating is tight, but the food is fast.
2. 101 Noodle Express
📍 Valley Blvd
You’re here for the beef roll. Just trust me. It’s flaky, crispy, tender, savory; everything you want in one bite. This place is beloved for its Northern Chinese comfort food, and the portions are generous.
What locals order: beef rolls + handmade noodles + dumplings for the table.
3. Yung Ho Tou Chiang
📍 San Gabriel Blvd
A go-to for Taiwanese breakfast. Soy milk (hot or cold), savory crullers, rice rolls, and salty soy milk with pickled veg, all the nostalgic favorites, served early and fast. It’s casual and unfussy, and that’s part of the charm.
Come with an open mind and an empty stomach. You’ll leave happy and full.
4. Chengdu Taste
📍 Valley Blvd
This is where you go when you want something bold, spicy, and unforgettable. The boiled fish with green peppercorn is famous, and the spice level is no joke but the depth of flavor is what keeps people loyal.
Ideal for groups who can handle heat. You’ll want to share everything.
5. Kee Wah Bakery
📍 Focus Plaza
It’s technically a chain, but locals still swear by it for mooncakes, egg tarts, wife cakes, and pineapple buns. If you’re heading to a dinner party or need a last-minute gift, their box sets are beautifully packaged and never feel like an afterthought.
Sweet spot: walk in, grab a few pastries, and enjoy them while strolling Focus Plaza.
6. Newport Seafood
📍 Las Tunas Dr (just outside core SG)
If you’re celebrating something or want to impress a visiting relative, Newport is the move. Their house lobster (done in a ginger-scallion-Chinese-Vietnamese fusion style) is legendary.
It’s not cheap, but it is memorable.
7. Bánh Mì My-Tho
📍 Valley Blvd
A tiny shop with a big following. Bánh mì here are packed, flavorful, and affordable; no fuss, no frills. It’s the kind of place where you see grandparents, teens, and office workers all picking up sandwiches before heading out.
Get extra pickled carrots. You’ll thank yourself later.
A Few Local Favorites to Round Things Out:
Tasty Noodle House – classic comfort food, well-executed
Simba Sizzling House – newer spot with fun Hong Kong–style dishes
Boiling Point – if you’re craving personal hot pot in a casual setting
Tea Station – one of the original boba cafés around here (nostalgic vibes, strong tea)
Final Thoughts
San Gabriel doesn’t shout, it doesn’t have to. The food speaks for itself. Whether you’re grabbing pastries for your parents, picking up noodle soup on a rainy day, or finally getting around to trying that spot your neighbor keeps mentioning, eating here is part of what makes this community feel like home.
And if you're ever stuck deciding between the ten noodle shops on a single block? Go where the older aunties are lining up, they always know best.
Have a favorite not on the list? Send it my way, I’m always hungry for local recommendations.