When Mei Lin took home the grand prize on Bravo’s Top Chef 2015, no one was prouder than her mentor, Michael Voltaggio, of LA’s Ink—where Mei cut her culinary teeth. Within six months, Mei had become sous chef—with some tough Voltaggio love—and a lot of hard work.
Born in China, Mei was whisked away as a baby child into the very different, auto-manufacturing community of Dearborn, Michigan. Here, her family opened a Chinese restaurant where Mei learned her away around the kitchen. And though her time in Michigan was formidable, she credits a stint at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago Vegas, and the invaluable time at ink with mentor Michael, for her Top Chef status.
Mei’s impressive blending of Chinese comfort food with learned Mexican flavors enabled her to seal the deal on Top Chef, like her congee garnished with Mexican carnitas, hot sauce, peanuts and egg yolk. But the title-snagging dish was a strawberry-lime curd with toasted yogurt, milk crumble, bee pollen and yogurt-lime ice. According to judge Tom Colicchio, it was “the best dessert I’ve ever had on Top Chef, period."
And now, more than just the show’s judges will get the chance to try the 28-year-old’s award-winning eats. “Currently working on opening a restaurant in LA with Asian influences ... But more info as of yet:),” writes, with emoji included, Mei in an email when we ask about the restaurant opening rumors. An interview with Eater LA hints that Mei, using her show winnings, will open a casual congee and noodle shop with a fine dining casual spot later.
While we anxiously await debut restaurant, Mei Lin, one of Zagat's 2015 30 Under 30, took us to the far East—Eastern Los Angeles that is, to her favorite Chinese food spots:
101 Noodle Express
Alhambra, $
Mei Lin: Order the Beef Roll. I’m always willing to travel for great food, and this beef roll is a perfect example of that. A Chinese "burrito" if you will, filled with tender beef, cilantro, hoisin sauce. Perfection in my book. OR The Pork & Sour Vegetable Noodle Soup (with Hand Torn Noodles). One of the other reasons why I come to 101 is for these noodles. All the noodles are made In house, but the pork & slivers of garlic, with the sour mustard combination are my favorite.
The Beef Roll at 101 Noodle Express. Image courtesy of @maggieeats
Newport Seafood
San Gabriel, $$
ML: Order the House Lobster. I grew up eating this dish and I'm so glad I can come to a restaurant and have it be spot on with the one I ate growing up. So well done and simply delicious.
The House Lobster at Newport Seafood. Image courtesy of @ktrichardson12
Lunasia Dim Sum House
Alhambra, $$
ML: Order The Pork with Thousand Year Old Egg Congee. This is my favorite breakfast dish of all time. Add a bit of soy and white pepper and you're all set.
Congee (bottom right) at Lunasia. Image courtesy of @diamondbardentalgroup
Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant
Rosemead, $$
ML: Order the baked BBQ pork buns. These amazing morsels are so good—one is just not enough!
Baked BBQ pork buns at Sea Harbour. Image courtesy of @gilty_pleasures
Sam Woo Barbeque
Rosemead, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Van Nuys $
ML: Order the roasted pork (Siu Yook). The Flavors of xiao shing, 5 spice, & white pepper go so well together. Get a plate of this with some steamed rice and some stir fried baby bok choy and you'll be a happy camper.
Roast pork at Sam Woo BBQ. Image courtesy of @pepotd
Belinda Gosbee is an Aussie writer, actress and coffee snob based in Los Angeles. Follow her jaunts on twitter @belindagosbee or instagram @gos22
