A Dinner at Giang Nan in Monterey Park: Road Trip

This post isn't about a Kirk Road Trip or one by Cathy. This post is about a meal Ed (from Yuma) and Tina had on a road trip exploring a little of the culture and cuisines in the LA area.

Tina and I were staying in Montebello, just south of Monterey Park. Saturday night was going to be our last dinner in the area. Of course, we would eat Chinese food, but Tina insisted “no seafood.” We were looking for something reasonable, no frills, no stress. Thanks to some posts by Kirk, we decided to try a Shanghai style dinner at Giang Nan – if we could find the small restaurant at the backend of a small anonymous strip mall at 306 N. Garfield. Luckily for us, it was all lit up for the holidays:

We were fairly early, so there were few other customers in the small restaurant when we arrived, and the place was not full even later when we left:

The restaurant seemed clean and nicely if sparingly decorated. The service was also friendly and knowledgeable – our young female waitperson was very helpful and pleasant. The menu was extensive and offered us a lot of choices, so we found some dishes we knew we wanted, but we just guessed about others.

We began with chicken in wine sauce ($4.95):

This cold chicken appetizer tasted fresh and clean with a light background flavor of the wine sauce. Very enjoyable.

The duck in supreme sauce ($5.95) was also pleasant. The thick sauce had a pronounced 5 spice flavor and complemented the chilled leg and thigh of roast duck. Sweet spice and savory flavors matching the cool rich duck flesh:

We felt we got lucky with our order of shredded pork and bamboo shoots ($5.95). Really enjoyed the textures of the pork, bamboo shoots, and green onions. The dish was lightly sauced so that each ingredient was present and accounted for. Of course, I am a huge fan of bamboo shoots since I just love their earthy woodsy flavor and unique texture, but it is hard to imagine anyone not relishing this dish:

We wanted a purely vegetable dish and braised green beans and shredded potato sounded different and interesting:

The dish arrived at our table still steaming hot. The green beans were perfectly cooked and the sauce, dark as it looked, was not too salty or overwhelming. Only the potato strips, which tasted too soft, like they came from a package of frozen french fries, were somewhat disappointing. Still they provided a bland and soft contrast to the crispier green flavored beans.

Our helpful waitperson had suggested that we have some rice with the meal, and when I asked her to recommend a particular rice dish, she eagerly pointed to the salted pork and vegetable rice ($5.95):

Her recommendation was spot on. In some ways, this was the most impressive thing we tasted all evening. The greens, the slightly salty pork belly chunks, and the hot, almost creamy rice were well balanced and the layered flavors of the dish all worked together. We thanked her a couple of different times for the recommendation.

The last item to arrive was an order of pork xiao long bao ($4.95):

These were really good. Although a couple of them had lost some soup, every one was wonderfully juicy:

The pork flavors of the dumplings were excellent, and the wrappers neither too thick nor too tough. We also appreciated their somewhat small size. Once they cooled just a little bit, they were perfect one-bite treats. It seemed odd to receive them at the end of the meal, but we had no trouble gobbling them all up. Just like a desert, I guess.

Not only was this a very reasonably priced dinner,:

but we received so much food that it was also our Sunday brunch as well, and we still felt bad throwing some leftovers away. Giang Nan is certainly not a fancy restaurant, but we will happily return for rustic Shanghai cuisine the next time we are in the area.

Giang Nan, 306 N Garfield Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91754, (626) 573-3421; Open 11 am - 3pm, and 5pm - 10 pm daily

Comments

[Candice]

Hi Ed! Kirk and I were just talking about this place and wondering if it was still open.

[Ed (from Yuma)]

I think I read somewhere that the ownership had changed. Certainly we didn't experience rude waiters or even a sticky tabletop. I'm certainly no expert, but we generally liked the food and enjoyed the meal.

[Faye]

Oh wow the prices on all those items are pretty cheap! And the portion size looks generous too. I love bamboo too - I can't believe that dish was only $5.95. The fried rice looks amazing as well. Looks like there's parking so I'm going to try this place next time I'm in LA.

[nhbilly]

The price alone is a winner winner if it disappoint a little. But everything you ordered looks delicious.

[caninecologne]

Hello Ed and Happy New Year to you and your wife! :)

What a great find - something to try when my family does a food road trip to the SGV.

[Ed (from Yuma)]

Yes, cc and billy, it was worth a visit. The hard part for us, Faye, was finding the strip mall as there is no signage on Garfield. We must have gone by 3 times looking for where it might be. And Happy New Year to one and all!!

[janfrederick]

Oooh. The price stings a bit. We recently paid a LOT more for lower quality. Then again, when you factor in the cost of the drive...

[Ed (from Yuma)]

jan, we drove all the way from Yuma - but we had several other meals and went to LACMA, MOCA, and the Huntington. This was our least expensive meal in LA.

[sue]

HI Ed-toodie jane from CH here. Coming to Yuma for a week or so, anything new and exciting? saw your post about the taco spots. May have to stop for lunch in Monterey Park. Is it anywhere near the 10? will be coming from Santa Barbara area if you have any must-stop-for's.

[Ed (from Yuma)]

Good to here from you Sue. I'll be in touch.