dan modern chinese absolutely blew us away. We started with the green onion pancake and the pickled cucumber, and both were phenomenal. The pancake was crispy, flaky, and packed with flavor, while the cucumbers were refreshing, bright, and the perfect way to kick off the meal. Not to compare, but a certain DTF can kick rocks compared to this place. My mom ordered the steamed pork and shrimp dumplings, and they disappeared quickly. Delicate wrappers, juicy filling, and exactly what you want from a great dumpling. I ordered the Mapo Tofu and the Dan Dan Noodles, and both were outstanding. Mapo tofu is my favorite Chinese dish, so I'm always hopeful but picky when ordering it. This version exceeded every expectation. The seasoning was incredible: deep, complex, and savory. Easily among the most flavorful preparations I've ever had. Every bite had layers of flavor that kept me going back for more. The Dan Dan Noodles were equally memorable. They had a pleasantly creamy texture that balanced beautifully with a lingering spicy finish. Rich without being heavy, spicy without overpowering the dish, just incredibly well executed. My dad ordered the sesame noodles with pork and the egg fried rice. The sesame noodles had a wonderful balance of flavors: spicy but delicately seasoned, allowing each ingredient to shine without overwhelming heat. The egg fried rice was the perfect complement and exactly what great fried rice should be. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and packed with flavor. It was brought out as it was cooked so everything was the perfect temperature. Between the incredible food, generous portions, and Sawtelle location, dan modern has officially earned a spot on our must-visit list whenever we're in Los Angeles. read more

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Dan Modern Chinese on Sawtelle has seriously stepped up. Compared to before, the food quality is now on a completely different level -- everything tastes more refined, balanced, and genuinely delicious. The Xiao Long Bao is especially impressive. Honestly, it's good enough to be compared with Din Tai Fung, with rich soup, delicate wrappers, and perfectly seasoned filling. And unlike many popular spots, the prices here still feel surprisingly reasonable. The atmosphere is modern, clean, and comfortable without trying too hard, making it great for both casual dinners and small gatherings. On top of that, the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, which makes the whole experience even better. This place has become one of the best Chinese dining spots on Sawtelle. Definitely recommended. read more

We frequently djne in the restaurant and also order delivery quite often. 99.9% of the time, the food and service is impeccable. One of our favorite Chinese restaurants in LA. They just always get it right and the quality of the food is phenomenal. Tonight we ordered delivery and they got the order wrong. I spoke to Shantala the GM of the Sawtelle location and not only did they remake the item but she personally delivered it to our home. Doesn't get any better than this! read more

Was quite good...and the staff was accommodating and friendly. Will definitely visit again at my next conference read more

dan modern chinese - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Was in Los Angeles to see my godson and decided to check this place out. It reminded me a twist of Din Tai Fung. Ordered a few things to try a bit of everything: vegetable dan mein, chicken soup, chicken, pork, pork & crab xiao long bao, and pork bao bun. Overall, their food was pretty good although the soup dumplings broke easily whenever I picked one up and the consistency wasn't that great. Would still recommend this place primarily for their vegetable dan mein, chicken soup, and pork bao bun. read more

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What a wonderful adventure we had at Dan's. Restaurant is comfortably casual. The food was absolutely delicious, the service excellent making for a terrific special lunch. Every dish we ordered had spot on flavors. Parking can be tricky. Street parking close to Dan's is limited, be prepared for neighborhood metered parking. read more

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The service was good! I did like the casual ambiance as well... but the food didn't really wow me. It's not a bad place, the food is good enough that if you want some Chinese food, you won't be disappointed. We had the XLB dumplings, pretty decent. 4/5 The oxtail soup was a little too salty for me. 3/5 The crispy pancake was 2/5. I guess I was kind of expecting a thinner, but lightly fried version of it. Again, it's not bad, I wouldn't write it off. Maybe just come for the dumplings. read more

One of many restaurants along Sawtelle but if you're looking for truly authentic Chinese food, I would pass unfortunately. **Service: 5/5 great service, our server was very accommodating of our relatively large party with two kids -- we couldn't make a reservation but were seated right away and provided two high chairs for the kiddos. She also split the bill up for each individual so that we could all pay separately. Quick to fill our water and to clear dishes as well! **Ambience: 4/5 classic clean modern interior, was relatively quiet when we first got there but quickly became a full house and relatively loud, but music was kept at low ambient volume (interestingly was EDM which was an interesting choice for the establishment..) **Food: 3/5 fell short. The Dan Dan noodles did not have noticeable mala/spicy flavor (definitely modified for the western palate) and noodles were a bit overcooked and squishy in texture. Steamed pork dumplings were cold, skin was thick, pork meat was okay but didn't taste fresh. Beef rolls were probably the best thing out of the three items but the meat tastes a bit overly sweetened even without the hoisin. **Pricing: okay, on par with other LA food prices. $41 dollars total for three items including tip Overall, this is convenient if you're just looking for some Chinese food out in the Sawtelle area but if you're looking for truly authentic Chinese food I'd look elsewhere. read more

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Heard good things about this place and decided to stop by on a Monday evening for dinner. We got there around 7 PM, and there were a few tables available both inside and outside. We opted to sit inside because it was a little chilly out (although I did see a few heaters set up). We got a few things to share - half an order of the green beans, pork and shrimp XLB, popcorn chicken, beef rolls, pork chop, and dan mien short rib noodles. For two people who hadn't eaten all day, it felt like a good amount of food, although portion sizes seemed a little small for the price point. The food was just OK - nothing really stood out or amazed me. The noodles were pretty salty, but the beef rolls were good (with or without the dipping sauce). In total, the bill was just about $87) without tip). This feels like a pretty no-frills spot. I wouldn't say it's the best food I've had, especially compared to the options in Sawtelle. It's a good spot if you're in the area and want some small bites to share! read more

dan modern chinese - Pork chop, beef rolls, popcorn chicken - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Okay, new dimsum place! I got the dan dan noodles (without pork), pork xia long bao, and chicken chili oil dumplings. Dan dan noodles were too peanut-y for me, but they were good and I don't see them at too many places, so a nice option, but I probably wouldnt get them again. The Dan Mein noodles looked good but we didnt try them. The XLB was the star of the show. There was soo much soup, the dumplings seemed very fresh. The chili oil dumplings were great too. Service was fast and good, they checked in a few times. Ambiance was chill, quick food spot. read more

We came on a Sunday night and had no trouble getting a spot. Sawtelle is always busy though so Saturday nights are probably crazy. We shared the pork dumplings with chili oil, Dan Dan noodles, and black pepper beef. The dumplings were definitely the best of all. Everything else was fine, but nothing special. The portions were also pretty small, so order a couple dishes if you're hungry and planning to share. read more

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Nice Shanghainese restaurant! Food is pretty good considering there are no Chinese chefs or staff. Slightly overpriced but I guess that's just sawtelle pricing! read more

Big shout out to Isaac! My wife and I came in undecided but he helped us figure the perfect meal out. He was attentive, friendly, and all around good vibes. 10/10 would recommend. Always a good choice to come here. read more

Had a great time at dans! It was a busy evening in Sawtelle but we were able to find parking pretty easily. They sat us down right away and we ordered a bunch of different dishes. We ate them so quickly that not all were pictured. They bring out the dishes once they are ready and don't wait for them all to be done which was great so we could start trying them even quicker. Some favorites include the beef noodles, Dan Dan noodles, veggie dumplings pan fried (the sauce that came with these was so good). We also got chicken xlb and veggie fried rice which were both very tasty. The food was amazing, the staff were so nice and they even had a section open where you could watch them make the noodles and dumplings right there! read more

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Come here for some soup dumplings, beef roll, pancake and noodles. The short rib dan mein is soo tasty! The meat is always cooked perfectly. You won't regret it! read more

We've been wanting to try out this restaurant for a while and had a wonderful time! We went on a Saturday around 7:30 PM and there were a good amount of open seats (both indoor and outdoor) but the indoor seating filled up quickly during our time. The restaurant is on Sawtelle so parking can be tricky but usually not difficult to find a spot if you don't mind walking a few minutes. The staff were very kind! The food was very good! I particularly enjoyed the dan short rib noodle and soup dumplings!! Everything was very flavorful. However I did think the three cup chicken and pan fried dumplings were noticeably salty. The rice definitely helped but even then was quite salty. I enjoyed my meal and time here and recommend folks trying the noodles at least once! But I probably won't be coming regularly read more

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Love a good mapo tofu! Was very flavorful and has the perfect amount of spice. The dan mein with chicken was perfect as well. Can't wait to try more dishes! read more

dan modern chinese - Chicken dan mein - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Food here is yummy! Not necessarily the most authentic as it definitely is modern but I love the chewy movies! Service is quick and friendly read more

dan modern chinese - Chicken Dan mein String beans - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My first visit here was wonderful. The short rib dan mein was the favorite of the night. The short ribs were cooked to perfection and paired so well with the hand pulled noodles and addictive sauce. The pork soup dumplings were also impressive--I've never seen soup dumplings actually filled with so much broth. The pan fried pork dumplings were also tasty and fried to perfection. I'd highly recommend this spot in Sawtelle for anyone looking for a delicious spot for lunch or dinner! read more

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We were walking by Sawtelle and saw this restaurant popping, so we decided to try it out. Quality Chinese food and so many yummy options. We loved it so much that we've ordered takeout twice already since we came here. Lots to choose from, so I recommend the following items: - Dan short rib: best noodles I've ever had! The sauce is perfect, and the short rib is savory, making this the perfect combo! This entree is a must! - Green beans: well cooked and flavorful touch with garlic. I was a bit skeptical at first but after trying them, they became one of my favorites. All of their dumplings are amazing. The only item I did not enjoy was the popcorn chicken. I don't think I'd order this again. The staff is friendly and service is fast. There's plenty of space. The right side is mainly for takeout orders, so if you're planning to sit down, be sure to enter on the left side entrance. read more

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After performing a "surgical strike" pre-Christmas shopping trip at the Westfield Century City Shopping Mall, our stomachs growled for bowls of steaming hot Asian noodle soup and dumplings, AKA street food. I hesitated to suggest Din Tai Fung in the mall because we ate at that Taiwan-based restaurant in Las Vegas last week. However, as I pulled out my handy Yelp app to search for the nearest restaurant serving Taiwanese food outside the shopping mall, "dan modern Chinese" popped up as one of my bookmarks which appeared in Eater LA's November 2024 list of Best Chinese Restaurants in Los Angeles. Although dan modern Chinese is a local chain restaurant with several locations in Los Angeles, its Little Osaka location was the closest to us. In unison, we exclaimed, "Let's Go!" My brother-in-law jokingly asked me to turn on my "Parking 'Aumakua" as we drove down busy Sawtelle Boulevard when I serendipitously spotted an open metered parking space on Mississippi Avenue and guided my brother-in-law to make a quick left turn to the open space. We walked a few hundred feet around the corner restaurant on Sawtelle Boulevard, Tsujita LA, which was bustling and had a line out the door. We quickly found the dan modern Chinese eatery next door. After peeking into their glass-enclosed kitchen, we watched several cooks roll out house-made dumpling wrappers and cut fresh noodles before entering their bright woods and modern, furnished dining room. A cheery server escorted us to a table set with eating utensils and menus and brought us glasses of water before giving menu item descriptions. After noticing that dan modern Chinese features housemade dumpling wrappers and noodles, we understood the menu did not feature traditional Sichuan spicy dan dan mian 擔擔麪 with minced pork. However, this restaurant offers both noodle soups and dry-style soups. We entered the restaurant after peering into the glass-enclosed kitchen, where we watched the cooks rolling our housemade dumpling wrappers and cutting noodles. I watched one cook stir-frying food in a wok before entering the modern furnished dining room and bright wood. At the time, we were the only Asians in the restaurant for at least 15 minutes before the restaurant began filling with other hungry customers. I spotted my husband's favorite appetizer menu item, Popcorn Chicken ($11.25), which is extra crispy, marinated, and juicy boneless golden fried bite-sized chicken pieces. We usually see this popular Taiwanese street food served with fried basil leaves and seasoned with spicy chili. However, dan modern serves its menu item with a spicy aioli and garnishes of toasted garlic, scallions, and cilantro. Then, our eyes were averted to their Shanghainese soup dumplings or xiaolongbao 小籠包 and handmade dumplings or jiaozi 餃子 with preparation choices of steamed (zhēngjiǎo), pan-fried (jiānjiǎo), or boiled (shuǐjiǎo and served in pool of chili oil). We ordered the pork and shrimp filled dumplings prepared by pan-frying, also known as pot stickers, and boiled served with chili oil. Of course, because we also came here for noodles, we ordered the short rib dan mein made with Shanghainese thick housemade wheat flour noodles or cumian 粗麵 which are similar to Japanese udon. The thick garlicky sweet soy sauce-based sauce coated the noodles and there were plentiful amounts of shiitake mushrooms, snow pea leaves. The beef short rib meat was fork-tender and also generously portioned in this noodle dish. We completed our meal with a bowl of beef oxtail noodle soup. The beef was melt-in-your mouth tender and its dark thin broth had essences of star anise or five-spice powder. The soup noodles were thinner and almost spaghetti-like. The bowl size was deceiving because we thought we wouldn't have enough to share among the three of us but we were wrong! We also enjoyed the tender-cooked vegetable garnishes and slightly spicy chopped preserved vegetable that was served on the side. Our only knock against this dish was we felt the soup could have been served more heat hot. $17.25 We'd gladly return to dan modern Chinese for their chewy noodles and medium textured dumpling wrappers. The Shanghainese, Taiwanese, and Cantonese flavors and textures were authentic but we did detect slight Westernized and other Asian twists read more

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The service was incredible, our waiter, Jin, was truly a gem. So kind, efficient, and friendly. Food was delicious. I recommend!

Came here for date night. It's definitely a great ambiance for a date or an intimate catch up with friends. The dishes are very similar to DTF but marginally cheaper and so delicious. They took our order and the food was served very quickly. Where the restaurant fell off was they really really really lagged on getting us the bill (15+ min) where our table and the one next to us were just waiting to pay. At the same time, there was only one server to 10 tables so patience is key however management might consider stepping in to support staff to take care of checks if necessary. read more

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We came here for dinner (party of 3) and did family-style, which ended up being really affordable (around ~$17 per person) and absolutely worth it. We started with the pickled cucumbers, which came out right away. They were super refreshing, crisp, cold, and crunchy with just a little spicy kick that made them extra addictive. Next came the pork xiao long bao (soup dumplings), which were delicious. They weren't scalding hot like some places serve them, but at the perfect temperature to eat in one bite without losing the soup inside, so good! For noodles, we tried both the Dan Dan Noodles with pork and the Dan Mian Chicken. The Dan Dan Noodles were my favorite! It was mildly spicy, peanut-buttery, with skinny noodles that carried the flavor really well. The Dan Mian Chicken was also very tasty, with thicker noodles and mushrooms that added a nice umami flavor. Both dishes had great depth and balance, so it really just depends on your preference. Service was quick and attentive. Everything came out smoothly and in a good order, and the staff was polite. The ambience is casual but comfortable, perfect for sharing plates with friends or family. Overall, 10/10. Great flavors, fast service, reasonable prices. I'd definitely come back! read more

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I was hoping to find a new go to for Chinese. The reviews made me feel like this was a safe bet but it may be one of the worst meals I've ever eaten. First of all the sodium is so high that I feel like I just drank the Seven Seas. I ordered the scallion pancakes (maybe better in but by the time they were delivered they were cold, dry and meh) I ordered the 3 cup chicken that was grey and tasted like more salt. The fried rice (subbed brown rice and added broccoli ) was bland and also salty. The chicken potstickers were less than average. this all cost $90 to deliver and such a waste of money. I can barely write this because my face is so bloated from the salt I can barely see (only half joking) would never order from here again. read more

I spent $90 on a delivery last night. The short rib noodles were not fresh. The noodles were hard, broccoli was limp... vet disappointed. No sauces were in the bag... soy sauce and chili sauce. I ordered extra noodles. I did not receive the extra noodles. And overall very disappointed and will not order here again. I'll never dine there either. I would give zero star review but have to put something. read more

Service was terrible. No one seemed to care from the moment I sat down. I wasn't offered a drink, and no one ever came to take my order. After waiting with no attention at all, I ended up just walking out. Completely ignored the entire time--very disappointing experience. read more

XLB decent, not amazing Dandan noodles good but small portion Mapo tofu good Popcorn chicken w spicy mayo good read more

dan modern chinese - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

One of my favorite places to order delivery from! The food is always tasty and fresh tasting. Some of my favorite dishes are the chicken xiao long bao, short rib dan mein, beef roll and scallion pancake read more

This place is insanely good!! I originally went to just get some pork dumplings (which were amazing) and ended up eating a lot of other good stuff too. Their veggie dumplings and noodles are sooooooo gooooood!!! All the staff were really nice and friendly. The only annoying thing is the outside seating is awkward because everyone waiting to be seated is just standing next to you staring. It's not the restaurant's fault but feels kind of weird during a meal. Definitely returning here. read more

I live around the corner, so I've tried all of the restaurants in Sawtelle at this point, and I would say this place has one of the more unique dishes, particularly the crab Mapo tofu. I'm a huge Mapo tofu fan and I was pleasantly surprised at how well crab worked with a flavor profile. I also loved their spicy beef noodle soup. it's not that spicy so I would get that over the non-spicy if you could because I do think that for the same price you get bok choy as well as a side of pickled greens that were delicious. I thought the spicy broth tasted a lot better than the non-spicy version as well, which was more simple I would say. Service was overall decent, but we did come in a busy time. They also have windows into the kitchen so that you can watch the cooks as you wait, similar to the original locations of Din Tai Fung. Prices were a bit steep, but nothing outrageous. read more

dan modern chinese - Spicy beef noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Definitely a highly-acclaimed Chinese restaurant on the west side. We came on Sunday night and the two of us were able to get seated right away. We ordered a variety of items on the menu. PORK XLB -- I appreciated the thin skin but thought the filling could be a little bit more juicy. DTF wins but still a good order! BEEF ROLL -- very tasty and has the perfect balance of salty and sweet with the hoisin. A win in my book. MAPO TOFU WITH PORK -- does not come with rice so you'll have to order it on the side. I think it's decent but the flavor is more on the lighter side. I think there's better things on the menu. SHORT RIB DAN MEIN -- this is star of the show! The noodles here are sooo chewy and delicious. It's not as thick as udon but it's reminiscent to udon in terms of texture. The short rib is so tender and cooked to perfection. The sauce is a bit salty but not overpowering in my opinion. Overall, yes a solid Chinese restaurant for the deprived West LA Community. It's definitely more "modern" as the name states and not traditional by any means. read more

I saw a movie at 3rd St. Promenade with some friends, and afterwards, we decided to get some Chinese food. We ended up choosing this spot to see what all the fuss was about. From the get-go, we noticed the menu is heavily skewed towards vegetarian options, with only a few meat dishes scattered about. I decided to try the chicken dan mein, which is their version of chicken chow mein, albeit with noodles that looked like they might be auditioning for a role in a thick pasta commercial. When the food arrived, it was the culinary equivalent of a 'meh' emoji. The chicken dan mein was fine--if by "fine" you mean it was as memorable as a random Tuesday. The noodles were indeed thicker, which I suppose could be a plus if you're into that sort of thing, but the flavor was about as exciting as a conference call. The service was also on the 'blah' side of average. Our server was around, and they did the job, but it felt like their heart wasn't entirely in it. Not that I blame them; it's tough to be enthusiastic about food that doesn't quite hit the mark. The ambiance? It was what you'd expect from a standard LA eatery--polished but lacking any real personality. It was as though someone took all the typical LA restaurant clichés, rolled them into one, and called it a day. Nothing about it made me think, "Wow, I want to come back here just to soak up this atmosphere." Now, let's talk parking. Or rather, let's talk about the elusive quest for parking. Since the restaurant is on a street with zero available parking spots, finding a place to leave your car felt like competing in an Olympic sport. We had to circle around and settle for a spot several blocks away, keeping a hawk-like eye on the street signs to avoid the dreaded parking ticket. All things considered, this place didn't offer anything remarkable enough to make me want to return. It was like a forgettable first date--fine in theory but lacking the spark to make it memorable. read more

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All the food I've tried from here has been really good! Personally, I like getting the dumplings and the green beans, but I think it's hard to go wrong. The food can be a little pricey, but it's always good quality. The service here is also good! I've ordered at the restaurant and for takeout, and both have been easy experiences. Only thing lacking for is the atmosphere inside. It's a little sterile and dull, but generally clean. read more

I love this place. Food: consistently delicious. Service: we always get friendly servers and the food comes out quick. Ambiance: beautifully casual. read more

I have to say for the price and the quality of food it's not really worth it. Service was fine but food feels like it's gone downhill.

The food was delicious! Service was very quick and ambiance was nice. We ordered the 3 cup chicken, crab fried rice, soup dumpling, and chicken and shishito peppers. The food came out within 10 minutes! Our family was visiting LA and was craving Chinese food and it really hit the spot. The only thing I noticed was that the portion sizes are small for the price however I think the overall quality of the food was great. read more

dan modern chinese - shrimp shishito - Chinese Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I always go to this place for good Chinese food. I always get the garlic green beans, popcorn chicken, chicken fried rice, and shrimp Dan noodles. It's all amazing. The interior is nice and the staff is usually really helpful. The only thing I didn't like was the cucumber salad which was disappointing. But they refunded it since I didn't eat it and there was no issue. You'll love it here! read more

highly recommend the green beans and the noodles. i love that they have outdoor and indoor seating. a must visit if you live in sawtelle! read more

This is one of the tastiest and comfiest restaurants on Sawtelle! We especially love their dim sum and steamed veggie side dishes. On one of our visits there was an incident but the management handled it compassionately and decisively, so they've kept us as proud customers! read more