Chengdu Taste

"Alhambra’s Chengdu Taste is far from some diamond in the rough. In a region known for having some of the best Chinese restaurants in the country, Chengdu Taste is a household name. This casual family-run Sichuan spot is less in the business of searing off your tastebuds and more using tingly peppercorns and smoky chiles to pump up incredible dishes like cumin-rubbed toothpick lamb, cold sliced beef in a garlicky chili oil, and velvet-soft boiled fish in a green chili broth that, ignoring what we said earlier, will probably sear off a few taste buds. And for frigid nights that dip below 65ºF, the same owners serve tongue-numbing bowls of Sichuan noodles at Mian, with locations in San Gabriel, Cerritos, and West Adams." - sylvio martins, brant cox, garrett snyder

"Chengdu Taste isn’t just an Alhambra staple, it’s a restaurant every Angeleno needs to visit at least once. The menu consists mostly of staples from China’s Sichuan province, which means you should be prepared for lots of spice and lots of flavor. Mix in spicier dishes (mung bean jelly noodles, boiled fish) with the less spicy ones (dan dan noodles, couple’s beef) for the most balanced experience. They also run a swift takeout service—ideal for family meals at home or when lunch keeps getting interrupted by your boss asking you to “come back ASAP.” " - brant cox, sylvio martins

"After running a successful restaurant in China and working at Panda Restaurant Group in Los Angeles, Tony Xu opened Alhambra’s Chengdu Taste in 2013. Angelenos quickly took notice of the restaurant’s fiery Sichuan cooking. One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is the diced rabbit with “younger sister’s secret recipe.” Other must-try dishes include the Sichuan-style mung bean jelly noodles with chile sauce, mapo tofu, and toothpick lamb with cumin. There’s an additional location in Rowland Heights for those who reside further east." - Kristie Hang

"Some Sichuan kitchens temper their heat levels depending on what they think the customer can handle. Not this one. This long-standing veteran has never been one to hold anyone’s hand and their widespread success has not at all cooled their approach. Expect nothing less than the full-throttle Sichuan experience where tongue-numbing, lip-tingling dishes arrive coated in heavy spices, garnished with sliced chilis and, often, doused in fire-engine red chili oil. Toothpick lamb is the house signature, but the crispy-crusted beef is a formidable rival. Fish with mom’s preserved chili sauce is unapologetically sinus-clearing. Even vegetables like the arden lettuce are a powerhouse of stir-fried garlic excellence. Swing by for lunch to avoid the lines." - Michelin Inspector

"Our Favorite Dishes: Dan Dan Noodles, Couple’s Sliced Beef, Mung Bean Jelly Noodles, Toothpick Lamb Chengdu Taste isn’t just an SGV mainstay, it’s a restaurant every Angeleno needs to go to at least once. The menu is comprised mostly of staples from the Szechuan province of China, which means you should come prepared for a lot of spice and a lot of flavor. Mix the spicier dishes (mung bean jelly noodles, boiled fish) with the less-spicy ones (dan dan noodles, couple’s beef) for the best overall experience. Cash only." - jess basser sanders, amy clark, brant cox, brett keating