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dan modern chinese (Sawtelle)
$$ · Chinese, Dim Sum

2049 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 235-2089
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Chinese in Sawtelle Japantown Best Dim Sum in Sawtelle Japantown Best Business Lunch Restaurants in Sawtelle Japantown

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

dan modern chinese (Sawtelle) 7.8
Sawtelle
Vibes: Trendy Table Hotspots Group Dining Gatherings Instagram Worthy Wonders Business Lunch Power Players
A fast-casual chain that built its reputation on handmade xiao long bao and wok-fried noodles with quality a notch above typical counter-service Chinese. The short rib dan mein and crab mapo tofu draw repeat visits from Sawtelle regulars who want something more refined than takeout but faster than a sit-down dinner. Expect competent execution across the menu with occasional wrapper inconsistency on the soup dumplings.
Must-Try Dishes: Xiao Long Bao (pork soup dumplings), Short Rib Dan Mein, Dungeness Crab Fried Rice
Scores:
Value: 7.5 Service: 7.5 Consistency: 7.5 Food Quality: 8 Atmosphere: 7.8 Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: High-volume favorite for consistently strong handmade dumplings and noodles.
Who should go: Westside locals craving reliable modern Chinese.
When to visit: Weeknights before 7pm to dodge peak lines.
What to order: Xiao long bao, short rib dan mein, crab fried rice.
Insider tip: Add their house chili oil to dumplings for extra depth.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Lot behind restaurant; street meters nearby but expect a short walk on busy nights
Dress code: Casual—fast-casual vibe, no dress code
Noise level: Quiet when empty, gets loud as it fills up; background music kept low
Weekend wait: Can get busy on weekends—may wait for a table, though some report immediate seating at Saturday lunch
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong options: vegetable dumplings, vegetable dan mein, salt & pepper tofu, multiple garlic vegetable sides
Vegan options: Vegetable fried rice (request no egg), vegetable dan mein, cucumber salad, veggie dumplings, garlic broccoli
Gluten-free options: Menu marks GF items: pickled cucumber, popcorn chicken/shrimp, mapo tofu, all garlic vegetables, fried rice, plain rice (note: dipping sauce not GF)
Best For
Better for: Casual groups sharing plates, families with kids (high chairs available), quick weeknight dinner or takeout
Skip if: You want consistently excellent across the entire menu—some items miss the mark

Hours

Monday11am - 10pm
Tuesday11am - 10pm
Wednesday11am - 10pm
Thursday11am - 10pm
Friday11am - 10:30pm
Saturday11am - 10:30pm
Sunday11am - 10pm