The Chinatown smash burger that made LA's burger scene pay attention
Must-try: The Amboy smash burger, Crispy chicken sandwich, Chili Amboy
📍 713 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
6 curated picks covering every occasion, cuisine, and budget — with real TikTok previews.
6 restaurantsChinatown is experiencing a dining renaissance alongside its established institutions. Newer openings in the galleries and industrial spaces sit next to classics that have fed the neighborhood for generations.
These 6 picks are pulled from Forks.LA's database of 230+ LA restaurants, selected for quality, consistency, and the kind of experience worth planning your night around. Top of the list: Amboy Quality Meats, Lasita, Howlin' Ray's.
The Chinatown smash burger that made LA's burger scene pay attention
Must-try: The Amboy smash burger, Crispy chicken sandwich, Chili Amboy
📍 713 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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
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
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
David Chang's California restaurant — large-format short ribs and Korean-inflected American cooking near Chinatown
Must-try: Whole plate short rib (for the table), Scallop bing, Smoked bo ssäm
📍 1725 Naud St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
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
Amboy Quality Meats is consistently the top-rated restaurant in Chinatown — exceptional food, a memorable atmosphere, and the kind of place worth booking ahead for. Other standouts include Lasita and Howlin' Ray's.
The most talked-about restaurants in Chinatown right now are Amboy Quality Meats, Lasita, Howlin' Ray's. All three are booking out quickly — reservations are recommended for weekend visits.
Amboy Quality Meats is one of the best value options in Chinatown — quality food without the special-occasion price tag. Several spots on this list are wallet-friendly without sacrificing on what's on the plate.
The top spots in Chinatown fill up fast, especially on weekends. Book Amboy Quality Meats and similar picks 3–7 days ahead on Resy or OpenTable. Several spots on this list are walk-in friendly on weeknights.