✦ Local Guide · Chinatown

🍔 Casual Dining Restaurants in Chinatown

The best laid-back spots for an easy, no-fuss meal in Chinatown — curated from over 200 LA restaurants.

4 picks

The best casual restaurants in Chinatown are the ones that don't ask you to dress up or plan ahead — just show up hungry. These 4 picks are neighborhood spots worth knowing: consistently good food, fair prices, and the kind of atmosphere where you can stay for another round without feeling rushed. TikTok previews included so you can find your vibe. Standouts: Lasita, Howlin' Ray's, Yang Chow.

Chinatown is having a dining renaissance alongside its established Chinese institutions — newer openings sit alongside classics that have been there for generations.

Lasita

Filipino · Modern  ·  Chinatown  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.6

Chinatown's acclaimed Filipino restaurant where chicken inasal, sisig, and the spirit of Manila arrive in a beautiful space

Must-try: Chicken inasal, Mushroom sisig, Garlic fried rice

📍 727 N Broadway #120, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Howlin' Ray's

Nashville Hot Chicken · American  ·  Chinatown  ·  $$

★★★★½ 4.5

Chinatown's Nashville hot chicken institution — bring your heat tolerance and prepare to sweat in the best way possible

Must-try: Howlin' hot chicken sandwich, Hot chicken tenders, Country gravy biscuit

📍 727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Yang Chow

Chinese · American  ·  Chinatown  ·  $$

★★★★☆ 4.4

Chinatown's slippery shrimp institution since 1977 — LA's most iconic Chinese-American dish

Must-try: Slippery shrimp, Garlic string beans, Pan-fried noodles

📍 819 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Philippe the Original

American · French Dip Sandwiches  ·  Chinatown  ·  $

★★★★☆ 4.4

The French dip's birthplace since 1908 — sawdust floors, dipped sandwiches, and lines that have not changed in a century

Must-try: Double-dipped lamb sandwich, Beef French dip, Chocolate cream pie

📍 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best casual restaurant in Chinatown?

Lasita is the neighborhood go-to — the kind of place you'd go on a random Tuesday and leave completely satisfied. No reservations required, no dress code, just good food.

Where can I eat cheaply in Chinatown?

Yang Chow is one of the better value options on this list — the portions are generous, the quality is solid, and you won't need to budget the way you would for a special occasion spot.

Do these casual spots take reservations?

Most casual spots on this list are walk-in friendly, though a few popular ones take reservations for weekends. If you're going with a group, calling ahead is always a smart move.