Jade Rabbit
Restaurant · Santa Monica
2301 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Highlights
Fast-casual Chinese American serving creative combo plates
2301 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404 Get directions
Fast-casual Chinese American serving creative combo plates
2301 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404 Get directions
"A forthcoming Santa Monica fast-casual Chinese American restaurant run by chef Bryant Ng and his wife, Kim Luu-Ng, built around an affordable, approachable model with a well-stocked steam table buffet and meal prices ranging from $12 to $20. Ng emphasizes accessibility: “We wanted to make sure that we had something that, from a price point perspective, was very approachable,” and adds, “We don’t come from generational wealth. We don’t come from privilege. We wanted a restaurant that was accessible to everyday people like ourselves, especially right now.” The kitchen does not skimp on creativity or ingredients: a beef-and-broccoli riff takes cues from Chinese Peruvian lomo saltado — “A smattering of beef, broccoli, tomatoes, onions, and fried potatoes gets wok-fired in a savory green bird’s eye chile sauce” — and Ng calls the dish, “It’s an ode to our brethren’s diaspora culture in Peru. A celebration of all the diaspora together in one dish. What could be more American than that?” A kale salad combines kale, cabbage, scallions, quinoa, and roasted cashews with a cashew dressing and the menu notes that while it “may look like it came from a California-Mediterranean spread, dishes like this show how Chinese American cuisine keeps evolving.” The overall format and price point are intended to meet diners where they are while expanding the definition of Chinese American fare beyond familiar fast-casual comparisons." - Cathy Chaplin
"A fast-casual Chinese American concept from Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng in Santa Monica that draws on family recipes and Hong Kong–style cafes and Cantonese barbecue of the 1980s–90s; meals are served as combination plates with two sides, two vegetables, and a main such as beef and broccoli, honey walnut shrimp, and an orange mango chicken that nods to sweet-and-tangy Korean fried chicken." - Matthew Kang
"A fast-casual Chinese American restaurant inspired by Hong Kong-style cafes and Cantonese barbecue." - Rebecca Roland
"A new fast-casual Chinese American restaurant offering delicious and higher quality food that is accessible in terms of price point, approachability, convenience, and speed. It aims to combine the genuineness and love found in home cooking with the care of fine dining." - Rebecca Roland
"Jade Rabbit is a fast-casual Chinese American restaurant by chef Bryant Ng and his wife, Kim Luu-Ng. It features a 3,400-square-foot space seating 50 diners, offering combo meals with creative dishes like orange mango chicken and scallion-cheese toast. The restaurant aims to provide high-quality, accessible food that combines home cooking genuineness with fine dining care." - Cathy Chaplin
