Mao&#x27;s Kitchen

They have some of the best hot and sour soup on the west side for eight bucks. This rivals hot and…read moresour soup in Monterey Park/Chinatown also their seafood soup for nine bucks it's in the same category. Lots of shrimp and veggies. If you have a group, you should also get the potstickers, shumai and steamed dumplings. Each under six dollars. The large three item combo for $12 will feed for two days. Everybody has their favorite, but mine is the spicy fish with tofu,ribs and kung pow chicken. Their fried chicken is also amazing.

Don't expect much for ambiance as this is a Chinese family-owned hole in the wall in a somewhat…read moresketchy 7-11 eleven strip mall, but the food and service is actually pretty good. This place has the popular gas station Krispy Krunchy Fried Chicken next to the hot Chinese food display. You can get a quick combo from the choices in the window like Panda Express. We tried the Orange Chicken and Beef Broccoli combo bowls and I thought it was pretty tasty. I liked how for your side dish you can choose fried rice, chow mein OR Singapore rice noodles which is what I chose. If you don't want something from the window, you can order à la carte off the menu and they'll make it fresh. Those items that are made to order obviously cost more than the combos. The prices are very reasonable and I look forward to going back to order à later carte items for take out. Other than the somewhat shady parking lot out front, the only other downside is that if the items in the window have been sitting too long, they see out and aren't fresh.

Menu and food options!

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Moon House Chinese Cuisine

4.0(1.5k reviews)

4.4 mi•West Los Angeles

I came here witha group and had the chance to try a variety of dishes. While the restaurant…read morestructure and design is on the older side, the food was still of quality and well-prepared. One of their most memorable dishes was a soup topped with a large, breakable, crispy rice cracker. It was served tableside, and the cracker slowly softening into the broth added a nice texture. It was a unique touch that made the meal stand out! This was a great spot for family-style dining for plenty of dishes to share.

Maybe we caught them on a bad night, but this was well beyond disappointing, especially for how…read moreungodly expensive they are. I'm embarrassed how much we spent on this. The shrimp fried rice was super dry, the only thing that had flavor was the shrimp. I was worried that the orange chicken was listed as hot. It was not hot at all, it BARELY had any flavor. Finally the beef and broccoli was the absolute worst thing we ordered. The sauce was, for a better word, watery. The beef had no flavor, broccoli was fine..yipee. At least the fortune cookies were good. Psssht. I wish I had looked at the reviews more carefully. When a place gets several five stars in the same day or for several days in a row it definitely is a red flag for fake reviews, and now that I am looking through the reviews for this place, lots of red flags.

Inside.

Lobster and Shrimp Chow Mein

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Interior

dan modern chinese

4.2(611 reviews)

3.2 mi•Playa Vista

My favorite Chinese spot! Everything we ordered was incredibly flavorful and delicious. The mapo…read moretofu had the perfect amount of spice, the soup dumplings were excellent, and the green beans and three-cup chicken were both standouts. Great food, great service, and a great location. Everything tasted fresh and full of flavor. Definitely a place I'll keep coming back to. Highly recommend!

My fiancé randomly wanted Chinese food. He calls me the "Oracle" because I have really good luck…read morewith finding awesome food and Dan did not disappoint! It was our first time in and we were pleasantly surprised. Tip: park in the Whole Foods/public parking lot and validate at Whole Foods self checkout Services: 5 The staff is super friendly, attentive, and will answer any questions you may have. Food: 5 We had the 3 cup chicken and it was soooo good. And I don't even like chicken very much. We also had the pork & shrimp dumplings in chili oil. FIRE! Atmosphere: 4 Now, the decor and atmosphere are amazing! Beautiful artwork and all. It's just too damn hot in there. They tried to prop the doors open but idk if their AC isn't working or isn't strong enough but I was literally sweating while eating.

Interior

Spicy wonton

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Popcorn chicken

Wacky Wok

3.1(442 reviews)

1.1 mi•Venice

Yum! The chicken soup and tempura shrimp and NY egg roll are delicious. Our first time here and…read morewe'll be back for more.

Been a few years since tasted Wacky Wok.... HORRIBLE...!!…read more Years ago it was good but now... I couldn't eat it ... I tried but, I threw it in the trash . Never again....!! Live and learn....

Signage

Wacky Wok - Indulge in the perfect crispy bite with our Cheese Wontons! Golden-fried wonton wrappers are filled with creamy, melted cheese for a delight

Indulge in the perfect crispy bite with our Cheese Wontons! Golden-fried wonton wrappers are filled with creamy, melted cheese for a delight

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Savor the delicate flavor of our Shrimp Dumplings (虾仁饺子)! Made with plump, fresh shrimp wrapped in a translucent, silky skin, each bite is a

Little Fatty

4.0(1.5k reviews)

2.6 mi•Mar Vista

It's kind of hilarious that I've actually mistaken this place for another place. I had to double…read moretake to make sure it was the right one because I remembered it being somewhere else. But I was glad I came to this place. Love the atmosphere. It was energetic, a bit loud, and has a cooled retro night bar with neon signs. The alcohol display behind the bar was a spectacular view/design. It's high, making it looking pretty against the dim backdrop. We ordered four dishes, Dan Dan Mian, sichuan eggplant, chili wonton, and duck bao. The Dan Dan was unique. I didn't expect it to be spicy like all the other ones I've tried. But it was amazing! All of them were! Reservations are strongly recommended since it gets filled up pretty easily. Lastly, I want to give our waiter, Peter, a huge shoutout for being so attentive and engaging. He was on top of it! Great energy and very friendly.

This review is based just on picking up a to go dessert order…read more We ordered the sesame balls and mango sticky rice. Loved the sesame balls and would 100% order them again. The sticky rice was just okay but it surprisingly was lacking in flavor so doubt I'd opt to try it again. Still want to try out their fit and for a dine in experience!

Sparkling Rose in celebration of my anniversary.

Cucumbers

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Yum! Loved this dessert.

Super Dumpling

4.7(687 reviews)

4.4 mi

The food was great, the restaurant was incredible, our food came quickly, and the restaurant was…read morevery clean. Win's service was amazing! Thank you.

AMAZING SERVICE! The staff were incredible, specially Win…read more The food was simply delicious. Thank you so much Win, see you soon.

Dining Room

Beef Mapo Tofu

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Garlic veggies

Dong Ting Noodle

4.2(242 reviews)

4.0 mi•Sawtelle

This is a pretty good place to eat in the Japanese centric area of Sawtelle…read more The chicken (fried chicken) is excellent and a good portion. I also tried the noodle soup, which was good. Parking can be easy on the weekdays if you park in the adjacent neighborhood residential streets (watch for parking restriction signs to avoid getting any tickets). The downside to this place in my opinion is the automated "APP" ordering system using a QR reader menu and online ordering. I'd say it would be more personal to have a human being take orders and engage with customers who may have questions and create a friendly vibe. The staff were helpful and friendly, so that wasn't the problem, it's the lack of opportunity for engagement that I think would make this place a bit more warm and fuzzy feeling in atmosphere.

Dongting Noodle is located in the Sawtelle area. My boyfriend and I were looking for a light lunch…read morespot in the area and this seemed to be a good option. We actually didn't expect too much at a glance, but we were pleasantly surprised by our experience here. We were welcomed in and told we could sit anywhere we want. There was plenty of tables. The atmosphere was casual and laid back. The staff here are super nice and friendly. When another family come in, I saw how the workers went to grab a high chair and ran to reconfigure the table to give the family more space. It was a genuine and proactive display of customer service and care. They had physical menus, but you can scan the QR code at the table to order on your phones. My boyfriend and I shared a Beef Noodle Soup Combo ($19.99) and a Juicy Pork Dumplings ($9.99). This was a great deal because the beef noodle soup combo came with a snack in which we opted for the Wood Ear Mushroom and a drink in which we opted for the Arctic Orange Soda. The food was prepared quickly. The beef noodle soup combo came out first, and the dumplings came later on. It was quick AND TASTY. Wow! We try a lot of beef noodle soup but this beef is soft flavorful and tender. The portion of the wood ear mushroom was generous. The juicy pork dumplings had a thick skin compared to other xiao long bao places we've been to but the inside is tasty and balanced. A pleasant discovery that exceeded our expectations. It was friendly, affordable, quick, and delicious. What more can you ask for these days??

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Exterior

Chinatown Express & Louisiana Fried Chicken

3.7(84 reviews)

0.9 mi•Venice

Try the spicy chicken and the fried chicken. Getting both in the same location is pricelessread more

My daughter and I came across this place because it shares the same name as the Chinatown Express…read moreback home in Altadena. Unlike the Altadena setup where Chinatown Express and Louisiana Fried Chicken are separate joints, here they're combined in one spot. Expecting the same food quality we get in the 'Dena, we were pretty disappointed. Ultimately, it wasn't a good value for what we paid. The food was mid--honestly, Panda Express is better (and gives you two entrees with a base), and you can definitely find better orange chicken in the freezer aisle at Trader Joe's. I got the 1-item combo with Orange Chicken over fried rice and chow mein, which was possibly the worst American-Chinese food I've eaten. The fried rice was dry, and the dishes lacked flavor and seasoning, though the portion sizes were decent. My daughter got an orange chicken bowl over fried rice and felt the same way. She didn't finish much of her food. Very casual and a bit dingy inside, with a small dining area featuring basic tables and bar-style seating. There's a parking lot out front that feels a little shady--not necessarily dangerous, but definitely a place where you want to keep your head on a swivel. The service was the one bright spot. It was fast, as you'd expect for this type of spot, and the staff was surprisingly nice and friendly.

Chinatown Express & Louisiana Fried Chicken

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Veggie Chow Mein, fried rice and Orange Chicken

dan modern chinese

4.1(352 reviews)

2.3 mi

Great spot right in the heart of Santa Monica. The space is bright, open, and welcoming, and we…read morewere seated quickly. I'd definitely come back. The vegetables were excellent--the bok choy and green beans were my favorites. The dumplings with the chili oil sauce were the standout dish, so definitely order those. The noodles were also really good. Overall, great food, great vibes, and friendly service. A solid spot if you're in the area.

Pretty much everything was way too salty, especially the three cup chicken and mapo tofu, which…read morealso had this odd starchy texture. Rice was undercooked, and the pork crab soup dumpling had a nice thin skin but the meat inside was tough. The oxtail beef noodle soup was at least edible and probably the best of the main dishes.... Surprisingly the fried vegetable dumplings were the best thing we ordered. Service was attentive and spacious.

Inside

Pork and shrimp pan fried handmade dumplings

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Tigawok

4.4(647 reviews)

3.9 mi•Sawtelle

Food are all ready to serve so its really fast to receive food, good service and clean environment,…read morefood was descent, recommend

Excellent customer service. Constantly adding new items. They let you try lots of samples.read more

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Inside. There is a lot to choose from.

Steamed soup dumplings

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The Orange Peel Chicken beats Panda Express' version, hands-down.

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Sy S.

Elite 14

439

304

450

3 years ago

Ah, Mao's Kitchen in Venice, a truly delightful dining experience. As Confucius once said, "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." And the journey through Mao's Kitchen is one that should be savored slowly, allowing for the full breadth of flavors to be appreciated. The decor of the restaurant is simple and unassuming, but it is the food that truly shines. Mao's Kitchen serves traditional Chinese dishes with a modern twist, and each dish is prepared with care and precision. As Confucius once said, "The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home," and the attention to detail in the dishes at Mao's Kitchen is a testament to the integrity of the restaurant's chefs. One particularly standout dish is the fried rice, with just the right amount of flavor. The spring rolls are also a must-try, with delicate and flavorful filling wrapped in a perfectly crispy wrapper. As Confucius once said, "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance," and it is clear that the chefs at Mao's Kitchen possess a great deal of knowledge and skill when it comes to the art of Chinese cuisine. The service at Mao's Kitchen is also top-notch, with attentive and friendly staff who are happy to provide recommendations and answer any questions. As Confucius once said, "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart," and it is clear that the staff at Mao's Kitchen truly embody this philosophy. In conclusion, if you are in Venice and looking for a restaurant that embodies the principles of traditional Chinese cuisine while also embracing innovation and creativity, look no further than Mao's Kitchen. As Confucius once said, "It does not matter how tall you are, but how well you stand tall," and Mao's Kitchen stands tall as a true gem in Venice's dining scene. read more

Michael L.

6 years ago

First off, the food is exceptional. Me and my business partner order lunch here at least once a week and I've never had a bad taste or upset at the portion at all. They offer a lunch special and it's incredibly affordable and filling, especially for Venice. It hits all the right spots. Every time I call in and talk to anyone there the service is great and it's ready in 15. The reason this isn't a 5 star review is that there's this one dude who works here who is incredibly rude. He gives me a genuinely bad vibe. He always tells me there's no lunch special whatever day he's working and when we ask him why he'll say something like "idk man, it's just not what we do today" "there's too much going on" or "I just got here man, I can't offer it" He's front of house, so I know it's not because he cooks in the back. He also generally tells us he doesn't take card whatever day he's working. When we ask anyone else who works there, especially all the women (I don't know them by name) and they always seem surprised we ask if they do a lunch special, because it's literally on their menu, signage and website. When we follow up to see if they can take card they also always sound surprised we'd ask- I work in casual retail and am not a super upscale person, but like I am genuinely surprised this dude is always so rude and unable to offer what they advertise. If we had anyone -coworker or employee- at anyplace I've ever worked at be so rude it wouldn't generally be acceptable. Again, I'm not high maintenance and love the food, but man this guy sucks at representing this place. read more

John L.

20 years ago

I really wanted to like this place. It was conveniently walkable and they have that cute communist theme that's very late 90's cool. But no matter how, when or why I showed up at this place, Mao's did everything in their power to try and keep me from coming back. First, there was the two hour delivery of soggy, cold Chinese; then there was the 25 minute pick-up that somehow turned into an hour. Couple that with the mind boggling inept servers who seem to float around in some strange stupor. Though, to their credit, I did seem to rouse one when she oh so kindly suggested that my 12% tip should really kinda be more like 20%. And let's be honest, the food is pretty average, not even close to being worth the hassle. But still, irrationally, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, I would keep crawling back. I felt like I was supposed to like this place, everyone says it's so cool! But suffer any indignity? No! I've been liberated! I've broken free from the masses! It helped that this past July the Health Officer for the County of Los Angeles shut them down, for the second time(!), for violating safety code "11 40 30 Vermin." That was when I realized they don't really care what the locals think. There's going to be a steady stream of first-time tourists, who think they're too rad for sidewalk cafe, that continually fill this place up. So, to butcher the only Mao quote I can remember: "Blind deference to a restaurant is poison." Bonus points if you can spot the "B" grade clumsily hidden behind a plant! read more

Lloyd D.

19 years ago

When I eat in: Nice waiters. Relatively fast. No real work involved for them at this establishment, but more often than not they give the extra effort. When I order for delivery: Here is my typical workflow when I order (HAPPENED TO ME 1min ago, and happens EVERY TIME) 1) I call. . .I'm put on hold by a gentleman. 2 minutes pass. . .nothing. 2) I call again. SOMEONE ELSE (Spanish/Mexican accent) answers. Asks me to hold for 30 secs. NOTHING happens for 5 mins. 3) I call again. A girl answers. Hangs up on me after she says 'please hold'. doesn't even say the name of the restaurant. 4) I call again. Different girl answers (Fourth person I've talked to now). Asks if she can put me on hold and before I can say anything I'm in limbo. 4 mins pass. 5) I call again. Same girl as last time answers. READY TO TAKE MY ORDER. Weird. No hold time now? Takes my order, asks me to speak up because its so loud in the background at the restaurant. Takes my directions, my credit card number barely says thank you and hangs up. Instantly. About 12-14 minutes to PLACE an order. And now I don't know MY TOTAL, THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT WILL TAKE TO GET HERE, and hell if I call back to ask for extra sauce for the lettuce wraps. I WILL NEVER ORDER OUT FROM HERE AGAIN. I suggest you don't do the same. Eat in. Come early or really late. read more

Erron O.

17 years ago

Man, I was totally fucking bummed. Hitler's Kitchen was closed so I decided to go to this other "mass murderer's" restaurant. One word: disappointment. Not even ONE inkling of the 40 Million killed under the regime. Also, the "Starving Peasant Soup" didn't actually taste anything like what starving peasants taste like. (by the way, if you are actually a Chinese communist they have a strict "No Soup For You!" policy) Here are some examples of other "murderer" themed dining establishments: (not in order of death toll) 1. Pol Pot's Melting Pot 2. Idi Amin's "Come on In!" chain of restaurants 3. Benito's Pizza Palace 4. The Manson Family's Cozy Nook Cafe (they specialize in Sharon Tatertots, instead of home fries, as well as the EXCELLENT "Spahn Ranch Dressing") 5. Hussein's House of Hummus. 6. Castro's Chicken and Waffles (they give you a ration card when you enter...beware there is no toilet paper in the restrooms) 7. Stalin's Pantry (you only can order ONE bakery item...and you may not even get that) 8. Dahmer's Diner (he only killed 17 and the name would be more revolting than Mao's for some reason) 9. Gacy's Place. The quote on the signage said "boys only". Thought that was kinda weird. 10. Pinochet's Pancake House. Their "Junta Hotcakes" are the bomb! read more

Brian Z.

2 years ago

Mao's Kitchen has been around at this Venice Beach spot for 25 years. This restaurant is doing things differently from many and, in my opinion, better. In the old days, when there were no direct nor Sunday flights between Australia and New York, I used to lay over a day or two in Los Angeles, where I ran into the Mao's Kitchen. I think I have been there a dozen times. Nowadays, I find that Andy Warhol and the native period posters greeting from the wall, the dishes as freshly prepared, and the menu becoming more witty. Its garden salads are seasonal, cost $2, and use special sesame based dressing. (That salad worths a meal.) Hot Sour Soup is delicious and contains no meat whatsoever. Entree dishes (in Mao's Hometown style) come with the options for fish, pork, chicken, beef, or lamb - Chairman Mao's favorite was the fish but my the beef, along with the stir fried seasonal vegetables - which never disappoint. I would also recommend its fried rice - if you eat with others or if you plan to box the left overs; Mao's portion is quite large. I don't go there often enough so I don't know of any waiters. I felt the waiters are helpful but not professional. Its location and its foods make up for the mediocre services. read more

Indigo B.

11 years ago

THE WORST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD !!!!! Please do not waste your money here, THERE ARE RATS !!!!RUDE EMPLOYEES !!! TERRIBLE FOOD !!! I ordered an appetizer , the waitress (hispanic, short hair ) , did not check on me at all during my meal . She comes over 30 mins later and sits the check on my table . She did not ask if I wanted to order anything (which i did ) , she did not ask if i enjoyed the food (i did NOT ) . After she came to pick up my check ( 30 additional minutes, I had to quickly put in my MEAL before she ran off to serve another table , and ignore me once again ).... for 2 spring rolls, i waited another 20 minutes. To make my experience even WORSE , the waitress SCREAMS as a rat runs around the place and she hides on the side covering her mouth, This my friends was the worst experience of my life dining in. I honestly did not want to tip her a dime, but I work in service and I know it is not easy ,so i could not do what i Felt she deserved. This place is terrible, after multiple times of TERRIBLE food and very bad service with ZERO accommodation. I AM DONE!!!!!! sadly I live in this neighborhood and will spread the word that this place needs to be shut down read more

Daina P.

13 years ago

Oh Mao.. Mao Mao Maoo.. I don't normally eat Chinese food. I find it to be too greasy and salty, but there's something about this place that I'm in love with. It think it's the mushrooms, or the coconut milk sauce, or maybe it's the stir fry. Maybe it's the brown rice. Or maybe I just love how strange it is. The Chinese Communism posters on the wall are inspired and I always feel like I'm visiting a fun place when I arrive. Here's the things I recommend. Appetizer: Beijing Spring Roll.. Only a dollar, how can you lose? Steamed Dumpling: Mushroom and Bok Choi filling.. wow. So good! Soup: Spinach and mushroom.. also so good! Bok Choy over Cow Fun: With Smoked Tofu and Cashew. Oh my. So good. However the one dish that makes my body tingle is the Coconut Curry. I get it with the cashews. I've been known to order an extra order of this when I go there for lunch so I can have some for breakfast the next day. I'm glad I run and do yoga or I'd not fit in my pants! read more

Dirk A.

17 years ago

I love what they have. I love the people who work there but I am giving 1 star. We order for lunch from Mao's all the time and they never made a mistake before...until the other day. They gave us something else instead of what we ordered. We called them right away and they told us the right one would be coming right away. We decided to wait. 1 hour later and no show. We called them. The lady at Mao's kept telling us that it's on the way admitting it was her mistake. Not bad attitude but we were starving. Since our place is close to Mao's, we decided to wait longer. In almost 2 hours we decided to call and go ahead eat the food. It turns out that they were too busy dealing with other customers, our order was put aside and the item hadn't even left yet. I don't want to name names but the lady had a strong European accent. I'd rather get food from a lady with heavy Chinese accent who can deliver food properly. read more

Eno M.

17 years ago

what a blast! this food is awesome, cheap and by far the most delicious chinese food i've ever had. this past friday, i ordered a bunch of appetizers with some friends (including the $1 spring roll, which was like a small deep-fried salad in a wonton.) i'd also like to recommend the shrimp and spinach roll for $2 and the dumplings with smoked tofu and mushroom. as for the service, our waiter was busy, but efficient. if you, like some of the other reviewers, come to a restaurant expecting your server to dote on you, you should probably see a therapist and order takeout. my water glass was never empty and the food was fast. this was my experience every time i've been there, including last friday when they were packed. one of the best restaurants on the westside. but don't take my word for it, grab a six pack from around the corner and see for yourself! read more

Wendy G.

18 years ago

Their strength is their prices and yummy yummy food and their weakness is their service. My boyfriend and I have been there 3 times in the last 2 months. The first time we went our server was polite and quick on his toes. The second time our server was bitchy and rubbed us both the wrong way, perhaps it was her time of the month. The third time we went involved a wait that was longer than we would have liked, but our server was friendly and you could tell she was trying to do the best she could with the crowd that was there. All in all it's been a good experience. The portions are gargantuan and whatever you order is sure to please. Check out Mao's if you're in Venice and don't forget to bring in your own bottle of wine. read more

Luigi R.

15 years ago

Mao's Kitchen in a few words, is incredible food at a great price! Venice beach, amidst bikinis, surfers, & the weird tourist walking around with socks n' sandals, is the greatest place in LA to relax on weekends..... there's so much to see & very few places to truly get a good meal, but right at the entrance into VENICE beach, Mao's Kitchen is every local's hot spot. My favorite is the orange chicken with brown rice.. steamed potstickers rock, & the shrimp rolls are awesome! Food is so fresh & service can be a tad inpersonable, but who cares, I'm here for the food. If the waitresses smile at you, let me know.... haven't seen one yet. LOL! PLEASE try their lunch menu! Wow! Lots of food, delicious at a great price! read more

Danny H.

10 years ago

The food is horrible! The dishes were greasy and made with not so fresh ingredients. One star for the service. Bad Chinese food overall. Strangely, the place is named after Mao, Tse Tung, the founder of Communist China who was responsible for the genocide of 30-60 million people. There is nothing "Americanized" about a restaurant that commemorates the Cultural Revolution, one of the darkest chapters in China's modern history. Why would anyone name their restaurant after a mass murderer? Well, many of the wealthy mainland Chinese today are connected to the "Communist Party." Please do not support this establishment that celebrates the life of a disgusting man. read more

A P.

7 years ago

I'm not going to lie... the food is not legit. This whole "Mao" thing has got to be a marketing angle cuz the food is westernized sweet, slightly spicy brown sauce. I had Mao's Hometown - which is supposed to be a dry-fried melange of leeks, smoked ham, dried tofu, wood ear fungus... instead it was fried tofu, dried tofu, yellow onions, wood ear swimming (literally sauced to death) in brown sauce. Now if the food is a 2, why the 3? Well, I love the space, I love that it feels real and raw. And service was relatively swift and it's somewhat affordable. So I rounded up to 3. Would I got again? probably not with all the other options around Venice. read more

Alex W.

9 years ago

Did you know this restaurant is named after Mao Tse-Tung (China's 20th Century Communist Dictator)? This restaurant features pictures of Mao and Chinese Communist Propaganda artwork on it's walls. Did you know that under Mao's rule over 50 million innocent Chinese men women and children were murdered/starved to death because of his brutal policies? Mao killed even more people than Hitler. Would you eat at a German restaurant called "Hitler's Kitchen"? Would you eat at a Southern Food restaurant called "KKK Kitchen"? Then why would you eat at a Chinese restaurant called Mao's Kitchen? Does this sound appetizing to you? read more

Stanislav P.

7 months ago

Absolutely loved this place! The food at Mao's Kitchen is bursting with flavor and clearly made with care and fresh ingredients. Every dish we tried was perfectly balanced, beautifully presented, and incredibly satisfying. The service was just as impressive -- friendly, attentive, and fast without feeling rushed. You can really tell that the team cares about their guests and takes pride in what they do. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it a great spot for both a casual meal and a special night out. We'll definitely be coming back and recommending Mao's Kitchen to friends. A real gem! read more

Braiden T.

11 years ago

I've been ordering delivery from Mao's for many years. Tonight they left out a part of my order and refused to redeliver it even though I live only a few blocks away. The lady who took my order told me that since they have a delivery minimum of $15, they couldn't redeliver even though my order was already over $38. What the heck? I paid cash so I couldn't get a refund, only credit. I asked to speak to a manager, but I was told that he, the manager/owner named Jake, was too busy to speak with me. I've spent thousands of dollars with Mao's over the years, but tonight they lost me as a customer. read more

Buddy T.

10 years ago

Service was incredibly poor. When my friend walked up to the server to ask a. Question about a dish before ordering. The lady walked away when she was in mid sentence. The lady was also talking down to us when we placed our order with any questions we had. The food quality was also poor. More specifically it was a variation of pandas express. I understood why the service may have been poor when the bill came and you saw they automatically add a 20% gratuity for a table of two. I will never come back here again and I would recommend you stay away well. read more

Ben C.

3 years ago

Why is this place named after Mao, a guy who starved to death over 30 million of his own people? The "kitschy" name of this place: Mao's Kitchen is like calling it Hitler's Schnitzel buffet, or Stalin's Borscht Gulag. Do a little homework and don't name your restaurant after one of history's largest mass murderers. The food is meh, it used to be pretty good 10 years ago. Its gone downhill. I'm really surprised this place is still around with the title of the worst named restaurant in the LA area. read more

Sinjini D.

1 year ago

An extraordinary authentic Chinese gem in Venice Beach, LA! While dishes took slightly longer to arrive - a testament to everything being made from scratch - the service remained impeccable. The chefs' signature hand-folded dumplings and wontons are absolutely to die for, with portions generous enough to share. The revolutionary-era ambiance perfectly complements the culinary artistry, creating a truly immersive dining experience. Every meticulously crafted detail elevates this from meal to masterpiece! read more

Mao's Kitchen - chinese - Updated September 2026

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3.7

(561 reviews)

I could kick myself for not taking pictures. Although they don't do the food justice when they're…read morein to go containers. I picked up lunch today for myself and my assistant. I haven't been here in a few years. Although I always recommended to people when they're asking for Chinese food suggestions. This is heavy on the Szechuan influence and that's why I love it. I'm not a huge huge fan of Chinese food mostly because I feel like it is kind of bland in many restaurants. Not here! Hu's tastes like you are at your best friend's house and the whole family is cooking together and making the most amazing Szechuan food and decided to share with you. The ingredients are always fresh... right down to their salads. The lettuce is always fresh and crispy. You can taste the dressings is homemade. I can't go without getting their spicy wontons. It's never enough. I always want more. Today my assistant ordered orange shrimp. She asked if I wanted to try and I hesitated because I am not a fan of orange chicken. I've never tried it here.... But every other place I've tried it the consistency always kind of grosses me out and I'm not into so much sweetness in my food. Reluctantly, I tasted her orange shrimp. It was FANTASTIC! The shrimp edges were crisped just perfectly... I swear it didn't taste like there was sugar in it at all. Maybe honey? I don't know it was just the perfect combination of a little teeny bit of spice, shrimp, seasoning ... light on the orange. It was just perfect. I can't wait to go back. This place looks like a little dive and I hope that doesn't detour anyone. If you're in the area, I promise you you will love this food!! If you're looking for Chinese/Szechuan do yourself a favor and try the spicy wontons! Don't forget to try the orange shrimp! Oh also their fried rice is to die for!!'

Hu's Szechwan Restaurant has been a staple for my wife and me for over 30 years. We used to live…read morejust a block away, and even though we no longer live nearby, this is still the only place we go when we want authentic, delicious Chinese food. The service is always prompt, and the food never disappoints--consistently flavorful and satisfying. Truly a classic spot that has stood the test of time!

Chef Ming's Kitchen

3.5

(255 reviews)

I was craving orange chicken and started looking around online I saw that Chef Ming's had some good…read morereviews so I decided to give it a chance. I ordered the dinner special that came with egg fried rice, and lo mein. I was not disappointed. The orange chicken was delicious. The fried rice was just right and the lo mein was very tasty. The price point was very reasonable and they give you a ton of food. I will definitely try this place again since I want to try the other items. It is hard to find good Chinese food and I was very satisfied with the quality and taste of these items very yummy. I would recommend you give it a shot.

Lunch special for 2 items comes out to $13 something. Today I got steamed rice, string beans…read morechicken, and orange chicken. For my free side I got a vegetable egg roll. All items were delicious. Service was fast. Inside the restaurant is clean. Great local place.

Golden Scoop

4.2

(84 reviews)

Siamese Garden

3.6

(507 reviews)

One of the most amazing Hidden gyms atmosphere is very relaxing. The food is 11 out of 10 for the…read moreprice. It is really a great value and a great taste. Very great service. Joseph, is a great server, very polite very accommodating and knows what service is all about. I recommend you go out and give it a try It's not fancy, but it's very friendly

Best Khao Soi I've had in the states. They also have many other dishes that are very good to great…read more Nice outdoor setting. I have to give them 4 stars because of service. While the server was very friendly they were understaffed and service is slooow. I tend to like to eat fast and finish my meals quickly, so that is partly a me problem, but my brother also feels the same way. I would love to bump this up to five stars if they were able to increase their service staff just a little. Also, they are very cheap with napkins.

Tahntawan Thai Kitchen

3.6

(333 reviews)

Came here late night craving some delicious thai food. I was very excited to try this place out…read morebecause when I looked at their menu, I saw they had authentic type dishes that you could find locally in Thailand. Pad Thai 5/5 - This is exactly what authentic Pad Thai tastes like and I was not disappointed at all. I really enjoyed this. Chicken Satay 5/5 - Obviously can't go wrong with chicken skewers, but the amount they give you and the size of it definitely made it worth it. The peanut sauce and veggies on the side also elevated the dish. Spicy Beef Salad 3/5 - I was a little disappointed with this one because the beef was very chewy and hard to eat. Other than that, the flavors, the amount of beef, and the spice was perfect. I would've liked it if the beef was a bit more tender to eat.

Less than one star absolutely nasty. Please do not go…read morehere... I looked into the kitchen and it was so dirty from the door going to the outside. I can't even believe I ate food from this place --gross and nasty.

Mandarin

3.4

(293 reviews)

This place, which is located in our old Santa Monica neighborhood in a strip mall, I happen to…read moreread an outstanding review about their food by someone on the Nextdoor app. Now, I remember I ate their food 2 plus years ago and to be honest, I rarely read anybody's review of any Restaurant on that application, but it caught my eye and I read it and I thought you know what I gotta try this place again!! Well, my husband picked up a late lunch for us from there today! Well, in a word " scrumptiousness" and then some. Mu shu pork with pancakes that didn't fall apart! Oh my! Shrimp in lobster sauce soooo good! Onion pancakes were crispy and perfect with a delicious sauce for dipping! Cucumber sononomo that hit the spot ( I love cucumber salads )... And garlic string beans that tasted like the kind I used to get in New York City and then at Typhoon at the Santa Monica Airport restaurant which was my favorite until they closed down in 2016...still in mourning bc it was the BEST! So, I will be picking up food from here as our special weekend lunch treat, until I have eaten all they have to offer on their menu ( within Asian food wheelhouse). ;))) Small parking lot but plenty of street parking! Local westside businesses are my jam! Highly recommended for sure And the reason why I didn't take any pictures is because we ate everything up as he took it out of the bags!!!! Just sooo good!

I liked this place very much - Good food and good service until early March 2026…read more This place has been closed since early March 2026. There is a notice on the door that it was closed by Public Health for not having a license. The recording on the phone indicates that it was closed for remodeling, but there has been no visible signs of activity since the place closed in early March. I really liked the place until it closed. I look forward to it reopening, if that is in the cards. I gave it only one star because I had to rate it, and there is nothing to rate at the present. Yelp should have a 'not applicable' box to check.

Star Of Siam on Lincoln

3.9

(365 reviews)

The food is awesome! We love these guys. Always super consistent. The ambiance is super chill as…read morewell! Make sure to get the jerky!

Star of Siam is so great. We love all of their authentic Thai dishes. We have eaten there several…read moretimes and the food is consistent and always great. You can order things spicy or tell them to calm it down. They have great service. The staff is kind and you will like them. They are fast and get your order right the first time. The place is so cute and comfortable so we always try to eat there instead of take away. We love all their food. Their Crying Tiger is14 oz of marinated Angus rib eye steak served with steam vegetables and Thai spicy dipping sauce. I order a mild dipping sauce. Their BBQ pork and egg noodle soup has great wontons. It comes with BBQ pork, chicken wonton(3), Egg Noodles, bok choy, bean sprout in clear broth. It is one of my favorite soups there. But they are all good. Their rice and any chicken or shrimp dish is also great.

House of Thai Taste

3.8

(573 reviews)

10/10 we got the crab fried rice, chow meng, and coconut shrimp(my fave) and the Tom Kay sea food…read moresooo, so worth it! Mat was so amazing and such a sweet server.

The waitress was super rude! I asked for a napkin and she…read moresaid "I already gave you one". And the whole time she didn't smile. Then she closed the blinds to rush us while we were eating, looking at us, between her and the Chef! We just moved two blocks away from this restaurant and we're planning to go a lot because we love Thai food, but with this terrible customer service, we will just eat a lot at a different Thai restaurant in our Venice area! They lost a permanent customer family!

Wirin Thai Restaurant

3.9

(617 reviews)