A Modern Plant-Based Chinese Restaurant and Tea Lounge Opens in Echo Park | Eater LA

"Opened by a husband-and-wife team who relocated from Miami, this Echo Park restaurant debuted in June 2025 in the former Cosa Buona space and serves modern takes on Chinese classics with a strong seasonal and plant-forward emphasis. The kitchen makes all vegan proteins, doughs, and dim sum in-house, and the menu ranges from wok-fried items like zha zhang mian noodles with fried bean sauce and kung pao tofu to cold plates such as smashed cucumber and spicy tofu; dim sum and small plates include pan-fried shiitake dumplings, seitan salt-and-pepper “wings,” baby carrots with black sesame and mint, and an L.A.-influenced elote puff with taro, sweet corn, cashew, cilantro, and lime. A curated tea program centers on Gong Fu Cha ceremonies using teas sourced exclusively from an Arcadia-based supplier, priced at $24 per person or $20 for a pot (options include jade green oolong and jasmine); wines, beers, and nonalcoholic beverages are locally sourced. The interior was reworked to expose bare brick, remove booths, and add a tea room with communal seating, with a main dining room seating 48, a tea lounge for 24, plus a private dining area; service is Tue–Sun 5–10 p.m., with weekend brunch planned." - Mona Holmes