Road Trip: Food Cabin - Rosemead (Los Angeles), CA

What's in a name? Alot really, but in this case? What kind of cuisine would a restaurant called "Food Cabin" serve? When I first mentioned this place to the Missus, She guffawed out loud, obviously picturing a combination "Northwoods Inn" (home of the dirty snow) meets Denny's kind of place. She gave me a look that said, "you're running out of new places to eat, aren't you?" Honestly, the name Food Cabin just doesn't really inspire you to run out to the car and visit, does it?

Yes, Food Cabin just doesn't seem to get much respect; even the Restaurant's signage plays second fiddle to "The Best Car Wash" (now that's a name!!!):

 

As with many restaurants in the SGV, the Chinese name, has nothing to do with the English name. In this case the literal translation of the Chinese characters is something along the lines of "Dragon, Dragon, Good Food" or something like that; not a cabin reference to be found.

Food Cabin, the Restaurant, is located on the quiet end of Valley Boulevard, in, well, something that looks a lot like the manager's office of one of those cookie-cutter apartment complexes, converted into a restaurant. Having said that, I don't think the name Food Cookie-Cutter-Apartment-Manager's-Office is particularly inspiring at all either.

 

The interior is kind of apartment like; the Missus and I were trying to determine which "room" we were being seated in. The place was empty except for one table when we arrived at noon on a Saturday!

The menu is large, and quite varied, with mostly Northern Chinese style favorites. There are a number of specials, posted on the ubiquitous colored paper on the walls. One of the specials is a "buy 1 beer, get one free" deal.

The woman who seated us, looked very smart in her glasses, was very nice, and friendly. Not your typical SGV server. She started us off with some pickles, good, but on the salty side, and asked us twice if we wanted more.

We started off with the "Thousand Layer Meat Flat Bread" - aka "Pork Pancake" on the menu ($5).

 

This was nice, not greasy, as many versions of this dish is. The texture was good, crisp crust, a bit chewy in the interior. Not much meat to be had, but that is pretty much how the home made versions of this is. With a bit of the salty-pickly spicy broadbean paste, this was quite good.

But what I'd really come for were the Shengjian Bao(10 for $6.45), a "Bao" that is fried-steamed.

 

  The Missus told me of a stand right across the street from Her High-School in Qingdao, that made Shengjian Bao. Which would inevitably end up being Her "snack" on most days. Shengjian Bao, is a semi-leavened bun, stuffed with meat, that is of a Shanghainese origin. Being both fired and steamed means that when done right, you'll get the best of both worlds.

The Missus and I were both surprised when 10 rather large Bao arrived at the table. Glistening with oil, I expected these to be heavy and greasy. Boy was I wrong, these were very light, and I enjoyed the contrast in textures. A crisp bottom, the rest of the Bao was nice and bready. To be sure, the bottom could have been a bit more crisp, but I really enjoyed the texture.

 

The filling was pork, with coarsely chopped squash for added texture. Moist and light, it could have perhaps been a bit more savory, but the provided soy-vinegar-cilantro dipping sauce was the perfect match. The nice Server even provided a small container of sauce for the left over Bao we took home!

The Missus, suffering from XLB withdrawals, ordered the Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Juicy Pork Dumplings - $6):

 

I wasn't too impressed with this version, I thought the wrappers on the hard side, and the bottoms of the XLB were hard. There wasn't very much soup, and the filling was much too sweet, and left me with an odd, almost camphor like aftertaste. The Missus, on the other hand, ate 7 of the 10 XLB. Even though I wanted no part of it after eating the first one, She made me eat the last 2 since XLB doesn't keep and reheat real well.

We requested a few containers for our leftovers, and our check. ($18.88 - a bargain!) And the Server told the Missus in Mandarin to wait because She shouldn't miss the free dessert. Which turned out to be a sweet rice porridge....no big deal, but very nice service:

 

As you can tell, we enjoyed this meal. It wasn't perfect, but it sure hit the spot. We found the service to be very nice, and the pace much more laid-back than other restaurants in the area. This place started to fill up as we left, with several groups of older folks.

So next time someone asks you if you'd like to grab a bite at a "Food Cabin" don't hesitate. It might be worth your while!

Food Cabin
9510 Valley Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770

Why the leftovers you may ask? Well, you know why...... another meal was in store during this roadtrip!

Comments

[Carol]

OMGosh, I haven't had Shengjian Bao since I was little! My grandmother made them for me (and XLB). She was the Queen of Bao, in my eyes. Unfortunately, I didn't inherit her talents for bao making. That sweet porridge looks interesting in color. I always preferred savory ones but my Mom was a huge fan of it.

[Jeff C]

Kirk, this looks like a place I'd be eating at everyday if I lived around the corner, but since I don't, it will be a place to stop by on my next trip to SGV/Rowland HTS. The shengjian bao looks very similar to the jian bao I had when I was in Taiwan. I'm so glad that there are more northern style Chinese places opening up, get to really eat what my grandfather had when he was growing up.

[Dennis]

Wow Shengjian Bao!! Thanks Kirk. I know what you mean about the bottoms of these. The ones I had at Shanghai were right at the verge of being burnt (but not). Was a perfect meal on cold days with red chapped cheeks..

[foodhoe]

hmmm, another introduction to a previously unknown food that sounds delicious (not the xlb)...

[Keahi Pelayo]

I was just in LA and this looks like an ono place.
Aloha,
Keahi

[GF/moowiesqrd]

Holy cow, Kirk, that place brings back so many memories. Not in its current incarnation, but when I was a kid, it was a Vietnamese restaurant. The family that ran it lived above it. We used to go ALL of the time until it closed down. I haven't been there since I was about 12 or so... talk about coincidences. I remember everything right down to that car wash. Glad to hear about the shengjian bao... I'm going to have to take the parental units there the next time I'm home.

[kat]

glad this place was better than its name :)

[Kirk]

Hi Carol - Not a big fan of sweet rice porridge either....

Hi Jeffrey - Heck, I'd be eating here pretty often if it was in my neck of the woods as well!

Hi Dennis - I've got my eye on another place that makes SJB..... maybe in a month or two!

Hi FH - Pretty good stuff overall!

Hi Keahi - I hope you had a great time. Lot's of good Chinese eats in LA.....

Hi GF - No kidding! That's too funny. By all means check it out.....

Hi Kat - That it was.......

[Passionate Eater]

I wish I knew how to read in Chinese. Maybe the sign could be read as the Best Car Wash AND Food Cabin? And I love that the Missus suffers from XLB withdrawals--I suffer from Mmm-Yoso!! withdrawals!

[Kirk]

Hi PE - He-he-he.... Who should get top billing??? The cabin or the car wash! Welcome back from your Honeymoon!

[Chubbypanda]

The literal name is more like Dragon Dragon Beautiful Food, which those Shengjian Bao seem to live up to. It's rare that my mouth actually waters when reading food blogs, but it happened this time.

[Kirk]

Hi Cp - The SJB were pretty good... though I've got my eye on another place to check out.

[Leann Benting]

I love this place too.

You should be a food lover to appreciate anything. I used to travel a lot when i was younger and eat mostly Chinese whenever i visit Asia.

http://www.bizymoms.com/rosemead/index.php

Good blog too, feature it the Rosemead community