6 Best Chinese Restaurants Around Los Angeles Ranked By Michelin

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Lunar New Year is here, so celebrate the Year of the Dragon with some ferociously good Chinese food.

When it comes to international cuisines, Angelenos have an embarrassment of riches, which may be why the region's world-class Chinese restaurants are sometimes overshadowed. When it comes to Chinese gourmet, just head east. The San Gabriel Valley dominates the Michelin Guide's list of best Chinese Restaurants around Los Angeles County, and for good reason. It's home to bustling Chinese-American enclaves known for eateries with authentic cuisine from specific regions of China.

"Located a stone's throw from East Los Angeles, this is the spot for tucking into heaping bowls of noodles, steamers of xiaolongbao, fragrant whole steamed fish, and plate after plate of dumplings," the Michelin Guide notes.

Mian

301 W. Valley Blvd., Ste. 114, 91776 San Gabriel, $

"The menu here is dedicated to noodle soups and a smattering of appetizers, but trust us when we say there is beauty in that restraint. Prepare to dig in to these sinus-clearing broths filled with endless tangles of noodles," according to the Guide's reviewers. " The zing of peppercorn and the one-two punch of ma la enhance every dish. Sichuan cold noodles hit the mouth with a sweet heat, while the ziwei beef featuring a red broth flecked with those same peppercorns and chili flakes has a sweet-and-sour bitterness that is positively addictive."

Sichuan Impression

235 W. Main St., 91801 Alhambra, $$

"It's no wonder that crowds are the norm here at peak hour, as meals have been known to render palates smitten, thanks to the likes of fiery oils, funky offal and numbing chilies. Yet there is restraint, with ingredients enhanced by a none-too-over smoky heat," according to the Michelin Guide. "From the menu's creative lingo to a host of familiar items, few will have tasted such bold and perfectly calibrated flavors."

Bistro Na’s

9055 Las Tunas Dr., Ste. 105, 91780 Temple City, $$

"Neatly trimmed and gently seared New Zealand lamb chops arrive with lightly fried onions for a divine coupling, and may warrant an order of the perfectly fluffy shrimp fried rice with egg and bonito. Donning a joyous demeanor and buzzing with an appealing mix of diners, this elegant statesman in Temple City certainly feels like a special-occasion destination," reviewers noted.

LaoXi Noodle House

600 Live Oak Ave., 91006 Arcadia, $

"The beauty of dining at this eight-table noodle house is that you don’t have to guess what they’re good at—the menu is brief, and everything you really need to know is in the name," according to Michelin. "The kitchen focuses entirely on slinging noodles inspired by the cuisine of China’s famed Shanxi Province, so start with a chilled bowl of these gelatinous strands slathered with sesame-peanut sauce and the tingling heat of house-made chili oil, then move on to the slender “wife special” noodles, with their springy, toothsome texture mixing with bits of crisped pork belly and fermented soy sauce."

Luscious Dumplings

919 W. Duarte Rd., 91016 Monrovia, $

"The menu here is concise, with half of the items dedicated to the eponymous specialty. Indeed this narrow hot spot has been a city-wide favorite since it opened in 2001, and continues to draw lines so long that servers leave a sign-in sheet outside. The secret to their success?"

According to the Michelin Guide, it's discipline.

"While many spots make dumplings ahead of time and freeze them, this kitchen starts fresh every morning. It’s best to begin slow with a tray of boiled pork and celery jiaozi—the wrapping smooth to the touch and boasting just the right amount of bite. Anything pan-fried, though, is the main draw. From juicy pork to fresh chives, these little parcels of goodness have few equals."

Chifa

4374 Eagle Rock Blvd., 90041 Los Angeles $$

"'Chifa' is a term referring to a delicious mashup of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine," according to the Michelin Guide. "The succinct menu pulls from family recipes and childhood memories to pack in flavor at every turn. Start easy with Japanese sea bream soaking in an orange and lime sauce, before moving on to char siu, starring pork cheek finished on a wood-fire grill—it's the stuff of barbecue dreams."

Click here to see the Michelin Guide's recommendations for the best eateries near you.