Try resisting the urge to dive face-first into FoodiexBun’s
Instagram. Janet Jen started the page three years ago to maintain sanity while chugging through grad school. Today, she shares the mouth-watering eats of our dreams with a dedicated SoCal following.
Her vivid shots are the result of maximizing natural light, which emphasizes the true colors of the food. Venturing out to restaurants with a flock of friends is another one of her trade secrets—that way she gets more dishes and more hand models. Hey Janet, can we come next time?
We’re here to talk Chinese food, though. And even if Jen may not have used the specific words ‘Chinese food expert’ to describe herself, consider this her official crowning. Here are Jen's favorite Chinese spots around Los Angeles:
Duck House
Monterey Park, $$
Janet Jen: This is a Michelin-recommended restaurant and it’s a good place to come with big groups. This is my favorite place to get Peking duck!
ixlb Dimsum Eats
Hollywood, $
JJ: A good place for a quick dim sum meal! The family has been doing dim sum for three generations in NYC. The chef is a retired dad who moved to LA to be closer to his daughter, and decided to open a small dim sum shop just for fun!
Feng Mao Lamb Kebab
Koreatown, $$
JJ: If you’re into lamb kebab this is the place to be. Their kebabs are flavored with spicy cumin seasoning and it’s addicting.
Mama Lu's Dumpling House
Monterrey Park, $
JJ: If you come to Mama Lu's, you'll see soup dumplings on every table. The rest of the menu is really good too and it's affordable. You can feed your whole family without your wallet suffering too much!
ROC Sawtelle
Sawtelle, $$
JJ: Beef roll, xiao long bao, spicy wontons… all the classic Chinese foods are right here!
Green Zone
San Gabriel, $$
JJ: I love their Hainan chicken!
P P Pop
Monterey Park, $
JJ: This is where I go when I’m craving noodles!
HaiDiLao Hotpot
Arcadia, $$$
JJ: Jonathan Gold called this place the “Ferrari of Chinese hotpot” and he wasn’t exaggerating. Everything at this place is very fancy—service, interior and, of course, their food!
Din Tai Fung
Multiple, $$
JJ: This place is my ultimate favorite! This was my favorite restaurant when I was a child and I was so excited when they opened locations in LA! I can eat those xiao long bao basket after basket!