Lunasia Dim Sum House

"What To Order: Jumbo Siu Mai, Spinach Dumpling, Egg Custard Tart Few places have done more to spread the dim sum gospel across LA than Lunasia, which in addition to its original location in Alhambra, now has branches in Pasadena, Torrance, and Cerritos. Unlike other dim sum restaurants that might switch over to a broader Cantonese menu once brunchtime is over, Lunasia commits to all dim sum, all the time. And that focus pays off. You’ll find a mix of traditional dim sum and splashier items decorated with squid ink or dabs of caviar, but in general everything on Lunasia’s 100-plus item menu ranges from solid to impressive, including their glorious, signature softball-sized siu mai. The Alhambra flagship, which is basically a giant luxury dining hall at bottom of a big apartment complex, has the best food and longest waits, but if there’s another branch closer to you, it’s probably your best bet for a classic dim sum experience." - garrett snyder, brant cox, fiona chandra, sylvio martins

"There is no shortage of great dim sum in the San Gabriel Valley, but Lunasia is our absolute favorite place to get it. This sprawling institution has excellent food across the board, but it’s best to concentrate on their jumbo pork siu-mai, spinach shrimp dumplings, and green beans with pork. Lunasia is also great because it’s one of the few spots that serves dim sum all day through dinner. That way you can sleep in and head over without worrying about a mid-afternoon closing time." - brant cox, sylvio martins

"Maybe you're meeting friends for a Monday lunch, but don't want the pressure of deal-making talent agents sitting next to you. Good news—there's always Lunasia. The all-day dim sum spot in Alhambra is an SGV staple and serves some of our favorite pork siu-mai dumplings in town. The gigantic dining room feels more like a banquet hall than a restaurant and is filled with massive round tables where groups can share deep-fried shrimp rolls in peace." - sylvio martins, brant cox, kat hong, nikko duren

"Few kitchens can prepare a noodle roll quite like this local Alhambra favorite. Rice wrappers filled with gently cooked lobster meat and finished with a subtly sweet soy sauce arrive on a platter set with the lobster shell itself for a presentation that draws attention from all corners. Indeed, this kitchen puts a fine edge on the area’s dim sum scene. There is not a single cart roaming this elegant dining room, which in turn is managed by a team of fast and friendly servers who will ensure that you never leave less than stuffed. Traditionalists will want to end with a rich egg tart, but for a more soothing finale, order the minced pork congee infused with soy, green onions and wonton chips. The restaurant also runs a second location in Pasadena." - Michelin Inspector

"Our Favorite Dishes: Jumbo Pork Siu-Mai, Spinach Shrimp Dumpling, Green Beans With Pork, Jumbo Shrimp Har-Gow Lunasia is the best dim sum we’ve had in Los Angeles - the kind you try once and wake up every weekend afterwards craving. As with many of the popular SGV dim sum spots, wait times are aggressive every day of the week, but at least at Lunasia, you have all day to eat it. If you time your arrival between the morning and lunch rush just right, you should be able to get in quickly." - jess basser sanders, amy clark, brant cox, brett keating