Tigawok Mini Bowls - Sawtelle
Chinese restaurant · Sawtelle ·
Robot-cooked Chinese fast-casual with customizable bowls
Robot-cooked Chinese fast-casual with customizable bowls
"Verdict: This fast-casual Chinese spot is a hungry college student’s dream. For less than $20, load up on mini bowls of dishes cooked in automated woks. If Panda Express served food that was more traditional Chinese than Chinese American, it might look like this fast-casual spot on Sawtelle, which blew up on social media for cooking its dishes with self-tumbling “robot” woks. The more obvious reason for Tigawok’s popularity, though, is the big portions of good food for cheap. A tray loaded with mini bowls of stewed wagyu with rice, black bean pepper pork, orange peel chicken, sauteed shredded potatoes, and stir-fried tomato-egg costs around $20, plus they offer sides of chili paste and pickled radishes for free. Everything is well-seasoned, the long lines move quickly, and you’ll have enough food for lunch the next day. What’s not to like?" - sylvio martins, brant cox, nicolas zhou, cathy park
"If Panda Express served food that was more traditional Chinese than Chinese American, it might look like this fast-casual spot on Sawtelle, which cooks its dishes with self-tumbling "robot" woks. The more obvious reason for Tigawok’s popularity, though, is their big portions of good food for cheap. A tray loaded with mini bowls of stewed wagyu with rice, black bean pepper pork, orange peel chicken, sauteed shredded potatoes, and stir-fried tomato-egg costs around $20, plus housemade chili paste and pickled radishes are free. Everything tastes fresh and well-seasoned, the long lines move quickly, and you’ll probably have enough food for the next day's lunch." - brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore, cathy park
"Verdict: This fast-casual Chinese spot is a hungry college student’s dream. For less than $20, load up on mini bowls of dishes cooked in automated woks. If Panda Express served food that was more traditional Chinese than Chinese American, it might look like this fast-casual spot on Sawtelle, which blew up on social media for cooking its dishes with self-tumbling “robot” woks. The more obvious reason for Tigawok’s popularity, though, is the big portions of good food for cheap. A tray loaded with mini bowls of stewed wagyu with rice, black bean pepper pork, orange peel chicken, sauteed shredded potatoes, and stir-fried tomato-egg costs around $20, plus they offer sides of chili paste and pickled radishes for free. Everything is well-seasoned, the long lines move quickly, and you’ll have enough food for lunch the next day. What’s not to like?" - sylvio martins, brant cox, nicolas zhou
"A Sawtelle Japantown lunch spot with a somewhat confusing setup at first—each item is sold individually rather than in combo plates—but staff are quick to explain how it works. One reviewer assembled a bowl of steamed rice, chow mein, and three entrees: orange peel chicken, garlic eggplant and green beans, and wagyu-topped mapo tofu. The wok-fired items are cooked in automated machines, which reduces costs and maintains consistency. The orange peel chicken differs from the Panda Express version with a more complex citrus flavor and a crispier exterior; the mapo tofu is solid, enriched by ground wagyu. Everything was “cooked to perfection,” and the total bill with a drink came out to $21. The reviewer added, “I genuinely think it can be an expansion-worthy restaurant across Southern California.” — Matthew Kang, lead editor" - Eater Staff
"Tigawok’s Chinese fast food rivals dishes found in the San Gabriel Valley and Panda Express at more affordable prices. The food is prepared by automated robots capable of stir-frying, stewing, boiling, and simmering with heat control up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. These machines can also add up to 16 types of seasoning per dish and test the temperature before serving. Afterward, they wash and sanitize the equipment in under 30 seconds, helping to reduce the cost of labor. Entrees cost around $4 each, with a wide variety that changes regularly. The menu includes seasonal options alongside staples like mapo tofu, pork belly with peppers, orange chicken, Hunan spicy beef, chicken with Thai basil, and kung pao chicken." - Kristie Hang
