Joyce M.
Yelp
Do not pass up the chance to eat here - hidden in a tiny strip mall in Hacienda Heights is this is teeny gem of a restaurant serving authentic Taiwanese food. Yes the ownership changed about a year ago but the back staff are the same.
Do not come here for a fancy date. It's literally five tables in a small space surrounded by large freezers filled with frozen dumplings and noodles. Unless of course you are trying to impress someone like me who loves loves loves finding mom-and-pop shops specializing in authentic, tasty, and unique dishes!
You come up to the glass cases to feast your eyes on the freshly made cold dishes of the day - my favorites were the crisp lotus roots, pleasantly bitter lightly garlicky bitter melon, crunchy marinated black wood ear, seasoned tofu strips in mild chili oil, tofu skin with snow peas, or any of the smoked "tapas" - sliced chicken gizzard, chili oil tripe, smoked shredded intestines, shredded pork with bamboo and snow cabbage, sliced marinated beef cuts...literally pick any of them and it will be refreshing, light, healthy and delicious. I loved the vegetable cold dishes the most, save your protein choices from the main menu because they are so delicious and well prepared. The smoked cold dishes are nice but they all taste about the same, just the texture is different depending on the protein source.
Outstanding dishes I have had here:
#Beef noodle soup (紅燒牛肉麵)- I liked mine spicy, and I requested half beef, half beef tendon. Both were *perfectly* marinated, tender, juicy, toothsome, as were the noodles (I prefer the thin noodles). The best part of this amazing meal is the shredded pickled cabbage - sweet and sour, make sure to add a big gob of it to the soup before enjoying! Do not eat this without the cabbage, it literally is the best. Just like in Taiwan!
#Braised pork rice - I had this both ways (large chunks of braised pork belly, vs ground pork) and both were delicious. For those foodies (you know who you are) choose the chunks, you'll thank me later!
#Kung Pao Chicken - OK this is a Sichuan dish and got added to the menu when the ownership changed hands, but it is best I've had! they use roasted peanuts and it is a winner! Ask for a bit more spice if you can tolerate it! Enjoy with the jasmine rice
#Snow Ear Red Date brown rock sugar drink/dessert - this is literally made perfectly each time, a bit on the sweet side so I like to bring it home and dilute with water so you can enjoy the moisturizing and soothing effects (hello gorgeous skin) during the summer and fall months
#Tea - the jasmine tea they serve here with every meal is high quality with a gorgeous mouthfeel thanks to the tannins and beautifully fragrant, not the watered down D-grade stuff they typically serve at most large chinese restaurants to save money. I literally would come back just to hang out for the tea.
There are lots of other dishes I'd love to try, including cumin beef, other braised dishes, but start with the above time-tested classic comfort dishes and enjoy working your way through the menu!