Jiayuan Dumpling House

Canadian Dumpling Specialist Tries Northeastern Chinese Food in LA Next | Eater LA

"A recently opened outpost of a highly rated Lethbridge dumpling shop, this family-run spot from founders Emily Sang and daughter Linda Shi sits in a strip mall on Pacific Coast Highway just steps from the ocean. The bright interior is decorated with Chinese calligraphy and artwork and offers a small number of new tables for dine-in or takeout. The menu showcases handmade Northeastern (Heilongjiang-style) dumplings—doughier, generously filled versions including pork with napa cabbage, shrimp and chicken, and beef with daikon and carrot—many of them fried to a plush, crisp finish; Sang also makes a vinegary soy sauce specifically for dumplings. Other highlights include house-special stir-fried noodles and fried rice with chicken, shrimp, beef and vegetables; a Northeastern-style tossed salad with greens, mushrooms, carrots, onions and roasted walnuts dressed in sesame oil and seasoning; thinly sliced fried eggplant stuffed with a coin-sized portion of ground chicken served with sweet‑sour or dumpling sauce; and a crunchy sweet-and-sour pork topped with ginger and cilantro. More familiar dishes such as Mongolian beef, kung pao chicken, and poached fish in hot chile sauce round out the menu, while wonton and noodle soups are listed as coming soon once additional kitchen equipment is obtained. Service is currently family-run with Linda likely handling much of the front-of-house until more staff are hired; hours are Tuesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 4–8 p.m., with takeout and dine-in available." - Matthew Kang