Yule Show
Google
New review:
I wrote a review for this restaurant about two and a half years ago. At that time I gave it 3 stars. This time I give it 4. Just like I mentioned in my review for Lameizi, that one is average, but Chunlahao is a little beyond average.
It was at Chunlahao that I first learned about the so-called square bamboo shoot (方竹筍), and I liked it. But this time they were out of it, which was a pity.
Another interesting thing happened when we ordered a plate of marinated beef. It looked fancy, arranged in a green and red Tai Chi shape, very beautiful. But when I tried to put it into the pot, I realized the plate only had the decoration but no beef. We told the waiters and they also found it funny. They replaced the plate for us.
The restaurant was much brighter than the last time I visited, maybe because they changed the lights. We also had more people with us this time. I guess that is why I felt like giving a higher score. It must have been the better atmosphere.
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Old review:
If the average little expensive hot-pot restaurant in Shanghai and Chongqing ranks 8 out of 10, no hot pot in Los Angeles is worth 5. I had tried at least 4 hot-pot restaurants in Los Angeles, excluded Shabu-Shabu, they were all expensive and small portions, less fresh compared with the hot-pot in Shanghai and Chongqing.
I'd prefer Shancheng Lameizi, Rowland Heights, to Chun La Hao in Temple City. Let's talk about the details.
The quality of Balk Beef Tripe, which is one of the most important things in hot-pot, Chun La Hao 7 pcs for $17.99 and Shancheng Lameizi for $18.98. Almost same? But they are not. Shancheng Lameizi's tripe is more elegant, it darker, larger, thicker, and tenderer. Much better!
The beef, Chun La Hao is better, neater, and better looking.
The dipping sauce and free snack table, Shancheng Lameizi is at least twice more options as Chun La Hao. The only special of Chun La Hao is they provide individual canned sesame oil.
Chun La Hao has a very special one, which literally means Square Bamboo Shots(方筍), which are dried bamboo shots socked in the water to hydrate it. This one is very tasty and chewy, it's not on the menu, ask the waiters.
The soup base, Chun La Hao is much lighter than Shancheng Lameizi but it's too light to have a Sichuan flavor. I am not a salt/spicy fan, but I still feel Chun La Hao is too light. Someone said you can drink the soup base in Chun La Hao directly but not in Shancheng Lameizi, that's true. But I guess firstly a hot pot is for the flavor to attach to the things you dipping into, not for the soup to drink directly, am I right?
For the renovation, Chun La Hao is more interesting than Shancheng Lameizi. It has several statues in copper color showing the normal life in Chongqing/Sichuan. Also has some old things from China which can call your memory back.
To the end, sorry for Chun La Hao, I can only give you 3 stars but the Shancheng Lameizi can get 4.
(Same review as in Shancheng Lameizi, Rowland Heights, CA)