Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cha Cafe

    4.1 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Order Cha Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Cha Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    CHA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    More like Cha Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Cha Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Linh N.

    Wow. Definitely a hidden gem. I discovered this place with the SGV passport and it was SOOO worth it. We got the Cha cheesesteak fries and oh my god it was HUGE. I'd definitely recommend sharing because i was so full and barely finished half I live the service. The girl that serve us was so nice! The store was empty at the beginning but it picked up a lot after lunch. I'd come back!

    Games, menus, and a water station
    Lily C.

    Cha Cafe has quickly risen to the top of my list for favorite spots. It's located in a quiet strip mall, and is probably 1 of 2 places that can get busy - the other one being a brunch place. It's super unassuming - from the outside, you could not tell how cute/clean it is on the inside. Service is top notch here, and they have games and plenty of seating each time I've come. You order at the front and pay, and then take a seat. They have such a large variety of things - from drinks and baked goods to rice bowls or cheese steak fries. The last time we came, we got the cheese streak fries, a grilled chicken bowl, and a strawberry matcha latte. All were top notch! What was really cute too, was that the chef or server noticed we had our toddler and actually came out to warn us that the sauce might be a bit spicy with the chicken. We told him oh it's probably fine he can just eat around it, and he came out with a small bowl of rice so that we could separate out the chicken and our toddler could eat it! They completely won me over with that extra touch. They're open early (like 9am for a non brunch place) and the few times I've come in the morning for a drink, it's been pretty empty - so I really hope it was a fluke and they get plenty of business in other hours. I have also come around 7pm and seen most of the seats filled with people either working or eating/hanging out. Their baked goods are also really good (I think they are made there, but not certain!). Bonus: they have a large connect 4 outside that my toddler loves to play with and there should be plenty of parking in the small plaza, especially later in the day.

    Debbie W.

    This place is like a Mexican and Asian fusion place. The plates were large and very filling and we ended up taking everything to-go because we couldn't finish anything. We even got an order on the house. Thank you! There is also water at the counter. We ordered: Beef Wang bowl - was so good and flavorful. Highly recommend Cheesesteak Fries - if you like fries and steak, highly recommend Angus Cheese Burger - not bad if you're just feeling like a burger, but nothing amazing or special Spam Scrambled Fries - just ok, the other dishes were way more tasty Overall the beef at this place was so good. I would recommend any dish with beef. This place is located in a small plaza so parking could get tricky during rush hour. We arrived during an odd time of day and so there was plenty of parking for us. The interior is cozy with lots of booths and the space offers a selection of board games to play while you waited. We discovered a new board game while we were waiting too which was a plus. Our food did not take long to come out either. Tip: please respect the board games. Many of the games had ripped instructions or the box was falling apart which is just so sad. Thankfully it looked like most still had all pieces to be playable.

    Beef Wang
    MJ M.

    I saw the heaps of reviews and to be honest when I pulled up to the plaza, it was very unassuming and I was a little skeptical... I will never judge a book again by its cover. Ambiance alone inside is reminiscent of hanging out at boba shops growing up in the SGV: bright interior, booths and board games, Pokemon and Shrek playing on the TV such a nice vibe to chill with some friends and chat. Most shops nowadays are grab and go so this felt very nostalgic for me. Now for the real hitters: I still am unable to understand how they can serve this food at this price. Beef Wang (16.48) is one of their signature dishes. It sounds really simple on paper, stir fried meat, mushroom, and egg. That's it. I am still wondering how they were able to get such a flavorful bowl from a simple dish and on a perfectly cooked bed of way too much rice so you can enjoy leftovers at home. Super Sea Nachos (35): Our party of 5 ordered our own bowls and shared this thinning it was going to be a simple appetizer. The avocado alone we joked shoulda been 35 . An assembly of tuna, shrimp, imitation crab, with wonton nachos was the perfect fresh accompaniment with the rice bowl. They do not skimp at all on the nachos or seafood and no doubt I'd share another tray with friends another day. They are not the most extravagant dishes, but honestly the quality, comfort, ambience, and value makes this one of my favorite sit down experiences recently.

    Entrance seen from parking lot.
    James L.

    It's been years since my initial visit, and driven by many times since then. Recently, I decided to give them another try and I'm glad I did. Orders are placed at the counter and it's brought out to your table. Everything else is self service, like water, napkins, utensils, and even to go boxes for your leftovers. They're famous Chicken Wang, Pyng Bowl, shrimp cilantro wrap and Birria Ramen were all good in their own ways. You could definitely taste the fusion flavors. With the exception of the shrimp & cilantro wrap, the other foods are a bit on the heavier side, but very satisfying. I chose chicken for the Pyng Bowl. It comes with two eggs and rice, my kind of savory breakfast. We also tried their pastries, and it pairs well with coffee. Their blueberry lemon scone is also good, with a bite of tartness in the first bite. They share a small parking lot with other businesses in this tiny strip mall. The few times we came here we didn't have problems finding a space. I find Cha Café to be a good spot to try unique fusion flavors, and I will be back again.

    Fries
    Tiffany L.

    Cute hole in the wall. Asian fusion food. Easy parking but can be limited. You order at the counter first and they'll bring the food to you. Pretty fast service on a Monday 2pm Tried the beef wang bowl - pretty good with lots of meat and rice. I think for the portion size it's a bit expensive but that's the economy nowadays. I would get this again. Also tried the beef fries, which were fresh and hot. Nice add on to the rice if you're feeling unhealthy. Strawberry matcha drink - a tad sweet for my liking but overall I liked it and would prob get again

    Julie T.

    I recently visited Cha Cafe and ordered the banana smoothie and cheesesteak fries. The cheesesteak fries were definitely the highlight of my visit. Thwy were satisfying and cooked perfectly. I would order them again. The banana smoothie was okay, but it was a little more watery than I expected. I was hoping for a thicker, creamier texture. Even so, it was still refreshing. Overall, I enjoyed my visit and would come back, especially for the cheesesteak fries. The food was good, and it was a nice place to grab a quick bite.

    Chicken Wang. 2 extra sauce containers given for free without asking, but I didn't actually need them.
    Sabrina L.

    I feel like everything these days is probably pricier than we'd like, and for comfort food, I'd have expected I'd be able to get a meal for less, but I do gotta say, the flavor's pretty good for a corner store at this small corner plaza. I got the "chicken wang", which is a stir fry of chicken pieces, sliced mushrooms, and sliced scrambled egg mixed with a spicy mayo sauce (which they have an extra 2 containers of; did not need cuz there was plenty of flavor & saltiness already) over rice and topped with some chopped green onions. If I were to be more precise, I'd give a 3.5 cuz of the prices, but figured I'd round up.

    Restroom
    Hanna Y.

    I came here for dinner with my friend. I wanted to introduce this place because it has been a gem for many years. The ladies at the front were nice. They even have games if people want talks entertainment while they eat. Def a nice hangout spot. We got the cheese steak fries and beef want bowl. Both were excellent and hit the spot. I think my favorite surprise though was going to the restroom and seeing that they have pads!!!

    Cha Cheese Steak Fries + cha sauces.
    Kevin M.

    It had been awhile since I had gone to Cha Cafe. Recently, we came by for a dinner to get some grub. The hours are extended now to 9pm I think. Before they used to close pretty early around 5pm. Cha Cafe has been around for a long time and I remember when they used to be in West Covina. The location is in El Monte and in a very small complex with little parking. Cha Cafe has plenty of tables inside for seating. They offer board games and card games to entertain yourselves with others. We were greeted when we came in. While taking orders with the cashier, it felt like a very robotic type of interaction with little to no energy or enthusiasm. We ordered a few items to share and my wife also redeemed the Cheesesteak Fries from the SGV passport. What I do commend Cha Cafe for is the quality of flavors in their food. It was all very delicious! Shout out to the chefs cooking up the dishes. The shrimp skewers were delicious. The Cha Cheesesteak Fries were ridiculously flavorful. The Kalbi Beef Ssam was tasted fresh and was loaded with beef in every bite. Overall, Cha Cafe's food was still as delicious as I remember. Plenty of delicious food is offered here and I'd come back if we find ourselves in this area again. ( ^_^)b

    Pyng Rice Box (chicken) and strawberry matcha iced
    Francisco M.

    The cafe is within a small plaza with enough parking. It's really cute inside with a decent amount of indoor seating and few outside seating. It's a chill vibe that's great for casual hangouts. They even have some table top games! You'll order upfront then seat and the food will be dropped off. The staff are really nice, friendly, and accommodating. The food arrived at a good time. I got the pyng rice box with chicken. It was pretty good. The eggs was the right amount of runny. The chicken had a good flavor and moist enough. The rice is rice, nothing bad. The strawberry matcha is really good. The matcha flavor itself wasn't diluted and you get a good amount of strawberry sweetness with each sip. I'd return to try out more of their menu!

    Loco Moco
    Cassidy I.

    We visited Cha Cafe again right as they opened. They do need to update their hours, the times listed on the door don't quite match what's on their website. When we arrived, the staff were still setting up. The woman working that morning let us know the cook hadn't arrived yet, which wasn't an issue at all since we weren't in a rush. They were very pleasant and apologetic and even gave us a freebie for the inconvenience, which I really appreciated. The loco moco was super savory and delicious! The price was great as well, and we even had leftovers.

    Cha Cheese Steak Fries
    Caes F.

    Influenced to buy the SGV Passport, further influenced to redeem the cha steak fries. The fries were extremely flavorful and bold, although light on protein. The onions were thick which I didn't mind. The fries were a little over cooked but together it was definitely punch of flavor. The beef wang, had all the elements of a great combination: egg, mushroom, meat! The protein was just a little light but the rice was extremely tasty. Overall, not a bad meal but if they can fix the protein to rice/fries ratio, I think you would have a winner.

    Outside

    See all

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ian C.
    124
    54
    17

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mike T.

    Mike T.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leisa T.
    50
    243
    44

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mike T.

    Mike T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 36
    Thanks 0
    Love this 35
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris C.
    3185
    812
    18782

    13 years ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 0
    Love this 20
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff K.
    1505
    1684
    5567

    10 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Keysin C.
    169
    65
    46

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Monica L.
    2772
    1877
    1797

    11 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Richard L.
    2246
    1236
    7228

    14 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brenda K.
    173
    15
    63

    14 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim S.
    166
    51
    60

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Mike T.

    Mike T.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Tried out the their beef skewers and the elite ribs. Great flavor on both. I will definitely be coming back. Service was amazing as well.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Zahira M.
    413
    79
    211

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Binh T.
    408
    698
    2085

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Eva C.
    346
    197
    1194

    15 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy P.
    1887
    1612
    2503

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 8 of 32

    Cha Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Cha Cafe

    Can we please bring back the ramen burger?

    The Ramen Burger was trending years ago. It was losing its popularity. We had to make the decision to discontinue it and we added the Birria Ramen. We hope that you can stop by to enjoy this savory soup.

    When you will open up for dinner?

    We are open for dinner now. We have updated our hours and will add more hours when we can. Hope to see you soon

    I love their food but when will they get baby chairs?

    Good question. I need to order some

    This place is listed today as having outdoor seating. Is it still available? If it is, is it covered or heated? How many people can sit there? / April 8, 2023

    Hello. Yes we have 3 table outside for your enjoyment. It’s a lovely weekend. Hope to see you soon

    Do you still serve your ninja fries?

    Hello. We stopped serving the Ninja Fries. We added our New “Chalote Corn Ribs”

    Miss you guys! Do you still remain closed during this time? Thanks for the quick responses!

    Miss you as well. We just reopened. We have new temporary hours. Monday - Saturday 11am to 5pm for take out only.… Read more

    Is this place open during quarantine? been trying to call for the past 2 weeks to order.

    Hi thank you for reaching out. We are still Temporarily closed. We plan to open beginning of June with the addition online ordering and curbside pickup for your convenience. Hopefully we’ll see you then. Thanks again for your patronage.… Read more

    What's their Wifi password?

    ilovechacafe

    View All 11 Questions

    B Nutritious

    B Nutritious

    4.4
    (362 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I was very curious about this place after reading my Yelp buddy Kevin M.'s review, so my wife and I…read moredecided to visit this restaurant. Located in a busy neighborhood of El Monte, CA, this restaurant was a pleasant surprise. Limited parking is available behind the restaurant, and street parking is an option if you can find a space. Upon entering, I immediately noticed how clean, well-organized, and modern everything looked. The electronic menu board is clearly and prominently displayed as you walk in. The menu is quite extensive, with options including wraps, salads, bowls, breakfast items, smoothies, and meal-prepped dishes with chicken, beef, salmon, tofu, and much more. I was impressed by the variety of choices and portions. My wife ordered an Asian chicken salad and garlic edamame, while I had a house salad with chicken and shrimp, plus a strawberry-banana smoothie and (2) protein donuts. Each dish was absolutely delicious. The lettuce in our salads was crunchy and fresh, the chicken and shrimp were flavorful and well-seasoned, the garlic edamame was tasty and cooked perfectly, and my banana and strawberry smoothie--let's just say I wish I had another one right now, as I loved it! If I may make a small suggestion: please chop the lettuce into smaller pieces, as the lettuce on both our plates contained large pieces that we had to cut ourselves. Despite this minor item, it was a positive dining experience, and we definitely plan to return soon to try other items on the menu.

    Came by for lunch. Street parking was available. This place is very clean. There was a line, but…read morethe line moved quickly. I ordered sesame chicken with sweet potato. The chicken was pretty dry, and the sweet potato has a lot of root in it. The food gave me a very "healthy" feeling that it was not oily. They also do meal prep, which is good for people who are too busy to cook. A lot of options are available.

    Photos
    The seating area
    The seating area
    B Nutritious
    Strawberry Banana smoothie was DELICIOUS

    See all

    Strawberry Banana smoothie was DELICIOUS
    Star Leaf

    Star Leaf

    4.4
    (941 reviews)
    6.6 mi
    $$$
    Fine dining
    Full bar

    This was my first time dining at this restaurant with my family, and I was pleasantly surprised by…read morehow exquisite and delicious the dishes were--and, most importantly, the prices were quite affordable. I will definitely be coming back here again.

    COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this establishment. Some of the staff wears a mask…read more All customers are not expected to wear a mask. It's optional now. The staff also wears gloves when handling food. There are some hand sanitizers available for customers to use. This place is available for take outs and has some indoor & outdoor seating available with limited capacity. They are not sanitizing in between customers. I mention these things in my reviews for the sake of protecting immunocompromised people like the elderly and people sick with cancer and other illnesses. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This establishment currently does not require proof of vaccination. While I was eating my food in this establishment several months ago, I asked if they had any special offers and they were offering some at the moment. They currently do have happy hour. They also do not allow pets in their establishment UNLESS it's a service animal. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is located behind the restaurant at a local medical building parking lot. It's $1 each 9 minutes with a max of $13. Or you can try to find street parking and walk on over. Food: I ordered a Lychee Martini, Saigon Summer, Mamasan's Shrimp Cake Skewers, Truffle Wok Seared Noodles with Scallop, Slow-Drip Vietnamese Coffee Flan, and Banyan Tree Ice Cream. Before I started ordering, I was immediately given some house made complimentary shrimp chips. I loved how light and airy it was. It also had an amazing crunch. It tasted just like shrimps hahaha. My lychee martini was a crisp, refreshing cocktail that perfectly balances floral sweetness with tart acidity. Order this! The Saigon summer is a spicy, tropical blend of tequila, lime leaf liqueur, agave, butterfly pea infused triplum, and a Thai chili infusion. Not really up my alley, but I'm glad I was able to try it out. I think I dislike anything spicy and super bitter in my drinks. It just tasted odd. Mamasan's shrimp cake skewers features crispy, deep-fried shrimp cakes flavored with kaffir lime and lemongrass. It is served with skewers, charred pineapple, and a sweet garlic chili dip. Definitely get this. It was so crunchy, massive, and mouthwatering. The charred pineapple provided a sour yet sweet taste that helped off set the savory seafood / fishy taste in your mouth. The truffle wok seared noodles with scallop is a dish that combines savory, smoky flavor with luxurious truffle and tender scallops, which bridges the gap between classic Asian stir-fry and Italian comfort food. As a massive sucker for Italian food and all things truffle, this dish was my favorite. The al dente handmade egg noodles were wok-tossed in a rich black truffle sauce with delicious mushrooms, fresh Brussels sprout leaves, and perfectly seared scallops. I loved that I could taste the black truffles. The truffles added a nice rich, earthy, and highly savory flavor with prominent notes roasted nuts. GET THIS DISH!!!!! The slow-drip Vietnamese coffee flan is a silky, rich egg custard infused with bold phin-drip coffee and sweetened condensed milk. It offers a perfect balance of bitter roasted coffee and sweet creamy custard. This dish was super smooth, creamy, and delicious. I loved that Star Leaf added their own twist to this dish by putting a caramel golden cage on top of this already phenomenal tasting dessert. The caramel golden cage gave this flan a nice crunch. This dish wasn't too sweet for me. As a hater of super sweet things, this flan was just right. The banyan tree ice cream was a great way to end the meal. Super refreshing! I got two scoops of Thai tea ice cream and one scoop of the coconut ice cream. Both flavors were fantastic and tasted very creamy. Not too sweet, which is how I like it. Staff: The staff here are very attentive, friendly, welcoming, and polite. Elysha waited on me when I went. She was very attentive, informative, and personable. They accept both cash and credit cards. There is no credit card minimum.

    Photos
    Star Leaf
    Star Leaf
    Saigon Summer  Rice Paper Rolls

    See all

    Saigon Summer Rice Paper Rolls
    Mr Dragon Noodle House

    Mr Dragon Noodle House

    4.5
    (2.1k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    I had a wonderful meal at Mr Dragon Noodle House. It's located in a plaza surrounded by other…read morerestaurants and stores, and there's plenty of parking spaces in the lot. The popcorn chicken is a must - the portion was huge and the mild flavor was top notch. The beef noodle soup was also solid. It came with a generous amount of noodles and big chunks of flavorful beef. Lastly, the regular soup dumplings pass exceptionally well with the ginger, vinegar, soy sauce condiment. Service was quick, friendly, and attentive. Atmosphere inside was hip and vibey. Overall, this is a great restaurant and I'd highly recommend others to try their dishes.

    This was my first visit to Mr. Dragon Noodle House…read more I stopped by for dinner on a Saturday night, and one thing became obvious almost immediately... This place is busy. The dining room was absolutely packed. Every table was full, people were waiting near the entrance for seats, and the energy inside was loud and lively. If you're looking for a bustling restaurant with lots of activity, you'll enjoy it. Personally... I'm more of a quiet-corner kind of diner. Unfortunately, I didn't find my usual quiet corner this time, but I managed to find a corner, and that was good enough. The restaurant has a modern Asian-inspired interior with black brick accents, warm wood furniture, hanging pendant lights, and a striking red geometric ceiling. It feels contemporary and spacious, although with a full dining room, it quickly becomes energetic and noisy. As soon as I walked in, a waiter handed me a menu along with an order slip to fill out while I waited for a table. It was efficient, but it also made the service feel less personal than I usually prefer. Once seated, everything moved very quickly. Considering how busy they were, I understand why, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being rushed through my meal. Now onto the food. Hot Tea ($2.00) Simple, warm, and exactly what I wanted on a busy evening. Xiao Long Bao (8) ($13.00) The dumplings arrived steaming hot filled with juicy pork and flavorful broth. They were the highlight of my meal. Spicy Beef Ramen ($16.00) Large chunks of beef sat in a rich, vibrant red broth alongside ramen noodles, vegetables, and a hard-boiled egg. The beef, however, was not as tender as it looked. Unfortunately, the broth was simply too spicy for my liking. The spice overwhelmed many of the other flavors, making it difficult for me to fully enjoy the dish. Subtotal: $31.00 Tax: $3.02 Total: $41.02, including tax and a $7.00 tip. Overall, the food was decent. The soup dumplings were the one dish that I enjoyed.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Beef pepper udon
    Beef pepper udon
    D1. House Special Beef Noodle Soup

    See all

    D1. House Special Beef Noodle Soup
    WeChat Cafe

    WeChat Cafe

    3.5
    (404 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    There's a special kind of old-school restaurant in the Chinese communities of Los Angeles--places…read morethat have been around long before the dining scene became as diverse as it is today, with a few signature dishes that keep people coming back for years. WeChat Cafe in El Monte is exactly that kind of place. Open for many years, it's a beloved spot for generations of immigrants and one of my favorite Hong Kong-style cafés in LA. Ever since I first moved here, it has been my comfort-food destination whenever I'm craving authentic Hong Kong flavors. From Hong Kong-style steaks and sizzling Western-Chinese fusion dishes to wok-fried noodles and rice, the portions are generous and the prices are incredibly reasonable. Recently, they introduced a selection of special-value rice plates, and after several visits with friends, I can honestly say the food still tastes just as good as I remembered--while the prices feel like they came from another era. Some standout dishes: Thai Basil Minced Pork Rice ($6.99) A milder version that suits Cantonese tastes perfectly. Packed with flavorful minced pork and incredibly satisfying with rice. Char Siu & Fried Egg Rice ($8.99) The char siu was surprisingly high quality despite the budget-friendly price. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, with a delicious honey-glazed flavor. A truly comforting dish. Scallion Oil Mixed Grill Platter ($14.99) WeChat Cafe is well known for its grilled pork chops, chicken chops, and steaks. The scallion oil adds a wonderful Hong Kong-style twist that makes this dish unforgettable. Slightly more expensive than the specials, but absolutely worth it. And of course, no visit is complete without their famous roasted pork knuckle. It remains just as impressive as ever--crispy, golden skin with juicy, flavorful meat inside. Honestly, it rivals some of the pork knuckles I've had in Germany. The menu is extensive and even includes traditional Hong Kong-style breakfast options. Despite being in Los Angeles, WeChat Cafe still captures the essence of a classic Hong Kong cha chaan teng: delicious food, generous portions, and amazing value. These days, $6.99 barely buys a trendy milk tea, yet here it can still get you a full meal. Restaurants like this are becoming rare. If you appreciate authentic Hong Kong comfort food and old-school hospitality, this is a place worth supporting and cherishing.

    I've been eating here more often recently because I've been busy moving, and by the time I finish…read morefor the day it's usually pretty late. One of the reasons I keep coming back is that they're open until 1am, which is a lifesaver when most places around the area are already closed. They mainly serve Cantonese cafe style food, and so far I've tried quite a few items including the pork chop and chicken steak with scallion oil, salt and pepper chicken wings, scrambled egg and beef rice, scrambled egg beef chow fun, beef stew noodles, curry dishes, bitter melon with beef, German pork knuckle, and of course the lemon tea. Overall, the food is pretty decent. The chicken wings are good, and I really enjoy the scrambled egg beef chow fun. The chicken steak is another favorite with crispy skin and juicy meat. I was also pleasantly surprised by the German pork knuckle. The only complaint I have is that some menu items seem to sell out fairly often. We went twice in a row looking for the same dish and it was unavailable both times. Other than that, everything we've had has been solid. It feels more like a local neighborhood spot than a trendy destination, but sometimes those are the places you end up returning to the most. I'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Satay Beef Skewer (6)
    Satay Beef Skewer (6)
    Indonesian Fried Rice

    See all

    Indonesian Fried Rice
    Sage Bistro

    Sage Bistro

    4.4
    (498 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$$

    I have been wanting to come here since moving to the area 4 years ago for college, and graduating…read moreseemed like the perfect occasion, as my aunts wanted to treat me to a celebratory meal on June 10th. Delightfully understated atmosphere with unique tiles throughout the decor, and we loved that we could hear each other talk and enjoy each other's company. Our server was amazing, she was so knowledgeable while being personable and extremely funny. I assume she's the cook's wife based on the other reviews - I arrived a little after my aunts, so I didn't get a full introduction since they had already secured a table and had ordered some drinks while looking over the menu. I had my eye on 3 different meat dishes - the Roasted Duck Breast, the New Zealand Lamb, and the Angus Beef Ribeye Steak - and my aunts also had each picked 1 of those, so we went family style, and it did not disappoint!! The chef knows how to cook each type of meat to perfection, and the searing pans are doing exactly what they need to be doing! The Roast Duck Breast was AMAZING as cooked to the recommended medium, with delicious crispy skin. The Angus Beef Ribeye Steak at medium rare was as tasty as it was gorgeous! And the New Zealand Lamb was PERFECTION, down to the bone. We also got the gourmet macaroni and cheese as an add-on side, since all the meals come with mashed potatoes and various veggies, and I was in heaven! As someone who used to work at the Disney Parks and frequented the steakhouses and other fine dining both here and in Orlando, Sage Bistro is giving Disney a run for its money when it comes to high-quality meat dishes! The prices reflect both the cut of the meats and the skill of preparation, with it averaging to about $50 each across the 3 of us, which is pretty reasonable for top-tier quality! The only thing I had to be careful about was that many of the dishes have mushrooms, and my throat gets itchy if I eat most mushrooms, so I had to avoid those dishes. During our meal, when I mentioned it to our server for future visits, she was great at noting which dishes could completely be modified to have no mushrooms while also being realistic about acknowledging the dishes that cannot be, which sadly includes the Braised Short Rib that sounds out of this world. But I can have the Beef Rib Soup, so I definitely want to try that next because I WILL BE BACK!!! They also offer takeaway, and were very generous in giving us each a coupon card to use for ordering through their website.

    The food was above average. I could tell by the yelp photos that the chef might not be fully…read moreAmerican. Seeing the server and an Asian staff coming out from kitchen confirmed that the cooking wasn't fully American taste bud. But that is the reason why it hit me very well. Honestly, whether you have American or fusion or Asian taste bud, the taste quality is better than some average American restaurants. I tried the butter squash soup, lamp chop, and bow tie pasta with chicken. I was enjoying my soup and lamp chop a lot. The pasta was pleasant to me, but it wasn't exceptionally great compared to the lamp chop. My fiancé loved the pasta though, saying that the sauce wasn't overwhelming. It is not a cheap place to come for, but it is because the food and drinks (good white wine) have quality. The wait for the entrees was a little long, even though it wasn't that busy. I believe it was the chef spending time to make sure each dish was done well, unlike the busy restaurant where chefs only follow the restaurant's recipes to make it quick and easy. Lastly, the ambience was okay, but it was more an older fine dining/family owned style. It had some nostalgic vibe if you'd take it that way. Keep it up. I really hope it will be there forever long.

    Photos
    Clean kitchen..
    Clean kitchen..
    Smoked salmon bruschetta
    Smoked salmon bruschetta
    Duck breast

    See all

    Duck breast

    Cha Cafe - coffee - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...