Best Cheap Eats Restaurants in Chinatown
31 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Eastside Italian Deli
Family-run since 1929 in LA's original Little Italy, still slinging enormous Italian sandwiches with housemade Maestro sausage from a recipe born inside the market itself.
Notable Picks
8.3
A 1929 holdover from LA's original Little Italy that still builds oversized Italian sandwiches around housemade Maestro sausage—a recipe that started inside the market and never left. The draw is old-line deli craft at counter-service speed and price, landing it squarely in the pre-game Dodger Stadium rotation for anyone who wants a real sandwich without a real wait. Expect a no-frills storefront, street parking that thins out fast at lunch, and portions that make splitting reasonable.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pastrami Sandwich, Spicy Italian Cold Cuts Sub, Italian Meatball Hot Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Family-run since 1929 in LA's original Little Italy, still slinging enormous Italian sandwiches with housemade Maestro sausage from a recipe born inside the market itself.
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
The 1908 original that put French dip on the map—beef hand-carved to order, rolls dunked in natural jus at the counter, sawdust still on the floor. The communal-table, cafeteria-line format rewards decisive ordering and a willingness to elbow in during peak hours. Go for the double-dipped beef and expect the experience to feel like a working lunch counter that happens to be a monument.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef French Dip Double-Dipped, Lamb French Dip, Pickled Eggs
What Makes it Special: Credited as the birthplace of the French dip sandwich since 1908, with meat hand-carved and rolls dipped in natural roasting juices
8.1
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Birthday & Celebration Central
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A Chinatown bakery that has held its lane since 1938, built on layered whipped cream cakes and old-school Chinese pastry technique that still pulls a line on weekends. The draw is the strawberry cake—light sponge, real cream, fresh fruit—ordered whole for birthdays or by the slice when you catch it. Expect a no-frills counter operation with bakery-case pricing that keeps the bill low.
Must-Try Dishes:
Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake, Almond Cookies, Tres Leches Cake
What Makes it Special: Family-owned Chinatown bakery operating since 1938, famous for its layered strawberry whipped cream cake that draws lines out the door.
8.1
A family-run Vietnamese counter spot in Chinatown that builds its draw on clean, MSG-light pho broths and banh mi stuffed into fresh-baked baguettes from a cramped six-table room. The menu covers the Vietnamese comfort canon at prices that keep the line moving and the regulars coming back. Expect a wait, tight quarters, and food that rewards the patience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho, Banh Mi Special, Bun Bo Hue
What Makes it Special: Family-operated Chinatown staple known for clean, MSG-light broths and fresh-baked baguettes in a tiny 6-table space that draws steady lines.
8.1
A Chinatown market counter that has been building banh mi on warm, crusty French bread for three decades—the kind of place where the bread-to-filling ratio and pate spread feel dialed in by sheer repetition. Locals line up for sub-$5 sandwiches that hold up against shops charging twice as much, making it a reliable default for anyone passing through Ord Street on a lunch run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dac Biet #1 Special Banh Mi, #12 Pork Belly Banh Mi, Tofu Banh Mi
What Makes it Special: A 30-year-old Chinatown market stall turning out some of the cheapest and best banh mi in Los Angeles on warm, crusty French bread.
#6
Pho 87
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
A cash-only Chinatown stalwart running the same pho playbook since the 1980s, with brisket and oxtail bowls that draw purists who prioritize broth depth over ambiance. The indoor fish pond and fluorescent-lit dining room signal the no-frills deal—you're here for the soup, not the scene. Works best when you know your order before you sit down and have cash in your pocket.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg Rolls, Brisket Pho, Oxtail Pho
What Makes it Special: Cash-only Chinatown institution with an indoor fish pond and no-frills authentic Vietnamese pho since the 1980s
A weekend-only Thai street food stall in the LAX-C parking lot where the draw is watching Mama Mae griddle kanom krok to order—crispy-edged coconut cakes that come off the iron pan hot and custardy. The format is bare-bones (cash-only line, no seating to speak of), but the tight menu of Thai street staples hits well above its price point, making it a reliable Sunday morning detour for anyone comfortable eating standing up in a parking lot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Coconut Cakes (Kanom Krok), BBQ Chicken & Pork Skewers, Papaya Salad (Som Tum)
What Makes it Special: Weekend-only Thai street food stall in the LAX-C parking lot where Mama Mae makes crispy-edged coconut cakes fresh on the griddle right in front of you
8
A 1961-vintage Chinatown bakery that splits its case between Chinese pastry staples—almond cookies, curry beef pies, rice puffs—and Western-style custom cakes for celebrations. The draw is predictability at bakery-counter prices: you walk in knowing exactly what you'll get, and the recipes haven't drifted in six decades. Best used as a grab-and-go stop while working through Chinatown, not a sit-down destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond Cookies, Chinese Rice Puffs, Mango Cake
What Makes it Special: Family-owned Chinatown bakery operating since 1961, known for Chinese pastries alongside Western-style custom cakes
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A butcher-shop-turned-burger-counter in Far East Plaza that dry-ages its own beef and runs custom sesame buns from Breadbar. The short menu signals confidence—this is a one-thing-done-right operation where the beef sourcing does the talking. Go solo or with one other person; the space is tight and the format is built for efficiency, not lingering.
Must-Try Dishes:
DH Burger, Truffle Burger, Classic Double
What Makes it Special: Part butcher shop, part burger counter in Chinatown's Far East Plaza, built on dry-aged beef and custom sesame buns baked by local bakery Breadbar.
A pho-forward Chinatown spot where the broth runs anise-sweet and the proteins come out impossibly tender, with a banh xeo thin enough to shatter. The bright, bare-bones dining room stays quiet enough for solo meals or easy conversation, and the check stays low enough that you can order freely without doing math. Women-owned and steady—570 reviews deep with nearly three-quarters of them at five stars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Dac Biet, Oxtail Pho, Shrimp & Pork Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: Women-owned Chinatown staple known for anise-sweet pho broth with impossibly tender proteins and paper-thin banh xeo in a bright, quiet space.
#11
Homegirl Cafe
8
A Homeboy Industries social enterprise cafe in Chinatown where every plate—chilaquiles, carnitas tacos, chile relleno grilled cheese—funds job training for formerly incarcerated women, with ingredients pulled from their own organic garden. The room runs quiet and calm, built for conversation over a cheap, filling meal that lands with more care than the price suggests. It works best as a weekday lunch stop where the food carries real weight and the mission gives the whole experience a different kind of purpose.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles, Pork Carnitas Taco, Chile Relleno Grilled Cheese
What Makes it Special: A Homeboy Industries social enterprise where every meal funds job training for formerly incarcerated women, with ingredients grown in their own organic garden.
#12
Amboy
8
Alvin Cailan's Chinatown burger counter dry-ages its own beef and builds each patty around sesame buns and house garlic aioli—a focused, technique-forward approach you don't usually find at this price point. The Far East Plaza stall draws burger-obsessed regulars who want craft-quality beef without the sit-down markup. Expect a tight menu, fast turnaround, and the kind of line that moves because the operation is dialed in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Amboy DH, Amboy Classic, Truffle Burger
What Makes it Special: Eggslut founder Alvin Cailan's Chinatown burger stand dry-ages its own beef and serves it on sesame buns with house-made garlic aioli.
Worthy Picks
#13
Hong Kong BBQ
7.9
A Chinatown counter-service staple built around whole roast ducks and Cantonese BBQ meats carved to order throughout the day, with the hanging window display signaling exactly what you're getting. The value proposition is the draw—generous portions of roast duck, char siu, and pork belly at prices that make it a reliable lunch rotation spot for anyone working or shopping in the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Duck, BBQ Pork, Orange Chicken
What Makes it Special: Chinatown mainstay where whole roast ducks hang in the window and the Cantonese BBQ meats are carved to order throughout the day
7.9
A Northern Baja California-style taco shop where every protein hits a charcoal grill to order, producing a smoky char that separates it from steam-table competitors—the garlic-laced vampiro alone earned its own LA Weekly write-up. It runs as a quick-service counter with outdoor seating on Figueroa, priced for a weekday lunch habit rather than a special occasion. The move is to treat it like a Baja street stand: order two or three tacos, eat them standing, and get back to your day.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Taco, Taco de Camarón, Battered Fish Taco
What Makes it Special: Northern Baja California-style taco shop where every meat is charcoal-grilled to order and the signature garlic-laced vampiro has drawn its own LA Weekly feature.
7.9
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Family Friendly Favorites
A large-format Cantonese banquet house built around whole Peking duck carved tableside and seafood platters scaled for groups of six or more. The draw is shareable plates at Chinatown prices in a loud, banquet-hall setting where the energy runs high and the tables fill fast. Works best when you commit to the format—bring a crowd, order family-style, and let the kitchen do what it does at volume.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking Duck, Walnut Shrimp, Orange Chicken
What Makes it Special: Large-format Cantonese banquet house in the heart of Chinatown known for whole Peking duck carved tableside and seafood-forward plates sized for sharing.
7.9
A counter-service deli built on Bub & Grandma's bread and NPR-themed sandwiches—the roast beef comes with pickled beets and French onion dip, the Italian sub leans meaty and East Coast-inspired. The Chinatown arcade location served the same thoughtful builds as the Frogtown original, with Dole Whip rotating through flavors like lime and Tajin. Note: This location is currently listed as closed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Beef Sandwich, Dole Whip, Pasta Salad
What Makes it Special: Creative deli sandwiches with nostalgic touches like Dole Whip and house-pickled vegetables in a Chinatown storefront
7.9
A Chinatown workhorse that moves oversized plates of Cantonese-American standards—orange chicken, Mongolian beef, lo mein—at cash-only prices that feel stuck in a previous decade. It pulls late-night crowds and group diners who want to feed a table without doing math, and the 73% five-star rate across 328 reviews says the kitchen holds its line night after night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orange Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Wonton Soup
What Makes it Special: Chinatown mainstay serving oversized portions of Cantonese-American classics at cash-only prices that haven't kept up with inflation
7.9
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
A family-run Cantonese-American kitchen operating since 1977, built on generous-portioned staples like crispy duck, honey walnut shrimp, and beef chow fun that keep multi-generational regulars coming back. The Rush Hour filming location doubles as a no-frills Chinatown anchor where the courtyard patio with paper lanterns is the nicest surprise. Go for a big group order at moderate prices and expect solid comfort food, not a reinvention of the genre.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orange Chicken, Chow Mein, Egg Rolls
What Makes it Special: Old-school Chinatown staple recognized as the Rush Hour filming location, serving Cantonese-American classics since the 1980s
7.8
A steam-table operation inside a six-acre Thai wholesale warehouse that rotates through 20-plus curries, stir-fries, and stews at prices closer to grocery checkout than restaurant tab. The format rewards the adventurous — larb loaded with red chiles, crispy catfish swimming in red curry, and coconut rice fritters that rotate in and out without warning. It works best as a weekday lunch destination where you load a plate, eat standing or at a folding table, and walk out having spent less than a fast-casual chain.
Must-Try Dishes:
Larb with Red Thai Chiles and Shallots, Crispy Catfish in Red Curry, Pad Thai with Shrimp
What Makes it Special: A cafeteria-style Thai hot bar hidden inside a six-acre wholesale warehouse, serving 20+ rotating curries, stir-fries, and stews from a steam table at grocery-store prices.
#20
Cali Kebab
7.8
A no-frills Persian charcoal grill planted in the middle of Chinatown, built around koobideh and filet mignon kebabs that pull a loyal repeat crowd on portion size and price point alone. The format is fast-casual counter service tuned for downtown lunch runs and quick dinners, where the draw is straightforward grilled meat with Mediterranean sides rather than atmosphere or polish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh, Hummus, Filet Mignon Kebab
What Makes it Special: Persian-Mediterranean grill in Chinatown where generous portions and competitive pricing keep regulars coming back for charcoal-grilled kebabs
7.8
An old-school Cantonese seafood house running generous family-style platters out of a big multi-room Chinatown space, with complimentary tea and tapioca pudding closing out every meal. It pulls families and large groups who want garlic lobster and walnut shrimp at prices that let you over-order without regret. Expect a lively, no-frills dining room that rewards arriving early for the small back lot.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Special Garlic Lobster, Spicy Salt Pork Chops, Walnut Shrimp
What Makes it Special: Old-school Cantonese seafood house in Chinatown serving generous family-style platters with complimentary dessert and tea at every meal.
#22
Sage Blossom
7.8
A broth-forward Vietnamese counter in Chinatown Central Plaza that anchors its menu around slow-simmered pho and familiar staples like banh mi and spring rolls, priced for repeat visits rather than special occasions. The bare-bones, naturally lit dining room runs quiet enough for solo lunches, and the tight menu keeps execution focused. It fills a specific lane well — reliable, inexpensive, no-fuss noodle soup in a neighborhood where competition for that slot is steep.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho, Spring Rolls, Banh Mi
What Makes it Special: Budget-friendly Vietnamese staples in the heart of Chinatown with a broth-forward menu built around slow-simmered pho
7.8
A Chinatown bakery counter operating since the 1980s, turning out fresh dim sum items alongside traditional Chinese pastries at cash-only prices that keep regulars coming back. The format is transactional—grab char siu bao and sesame balls, skip the ambiance—but 40 years of consistency speaks for itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dim Sum, Char Siu Bao, Siu Mai
What Makes it Special: Cash-only Chinatown bakery serving fresh dim sum and traditional Chinese pastries since the 1980s
7.8
A deep-menu pho counter running twenty-seven variations out of a bare-bones Chinatown storefront, where the draw is broth depth and portion size rather than atmosphere. The oxtail pho and Vietnamese iced coffee pull regulars who know the parking validated at Dynasty Plaza makes the tight Spring Street meters irrelevant. It delivers on the cheap-and-filling promise without pretending to be anything else.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Dac Biet, Cha Gio (Egg Rolls), Pho Duoi Bo (Oxtail Pho)
What Makes it Special: Twenty-seven pho varieties and some of the strongest Vietnamese coffee in LA, served out of a no-frills Chinatown counter with generous portions
7.8
A sprawling Chinatown banquet hall that still runs traditional cart-service dim sum on Ord Street, where the har gow and siu mai come to your table on rolling carts rather than off a printed order sheet. It draws weekend crowds of regulars who know the move is to go deep on the Cantonese classics—Peking duck for the table, BBQ pork between rounds—at prices that make it easy to over-order without regret. Expect a loud, no-frills dining room where the energy comes from packed tables and fast-moving carts, not decor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking Duck, Har Gow, BBQ Pork
What Makes it Special: Old-school Chinatown banquet hall running traditional cart-service dim sum in a sprawling dining room on Ord Street
#26
Keung Kee BBQ
7.8
A no-frills Chinatown BBQ counter where whole roast ducks hang in the window and combo plates run around $5.50—one of the better dollar-per-bite ratios in LA for Cantonese roast meats. The format is strictly grab-and-go with cash only, so come prepared and expect utility over ambiance. Half of reviewers give it top marks for the roast duck and pork belly, though the small review pool and polarized ratings suggest experiences can vary visit to visit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Duck, BBQ Pork, Roast Pork Belly
What Makes it Special: Old-school Chinatown BBQ counter with whole ducks hanging in the window and combo plates starting around $5.50
7.7
Cash-only Chinatown counter service where dim sum items run under $1.50 each—har gow at $0.90, siu mai at $0.80, BBQ pork bun at $1.00. The separate takeout window moves faster than dine-in during busy stretches. Operating since 1976, the trade-off is sticky floors and lukewarm items when turnover slows; prime-time visits catch fresher product. Egg custard tart consistently outperforms other items.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Pork Bun, Roast Duck Noodles, Siu Mai
What Makes it Special: Cash-only Chinatown dim sum counter with 50+ years of roast duck tradition
7.7
One of LA Chinatown's remaining cart-service dim sum operations, running a nearly 200-seat banquet hall where dishes roll past your table on steel carts the old-fashioned way. It draws groups and families who want the communal energy of pointing-and-picking from a rotating lineup of steamer baskets at prices that barely register. Expect volume, chaos, and the kind of no-frills efficiency that keeps a decades-old format alive in a neighborhood where most have switched to paper menus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dim Sum, Shumai, Roast Duck
What Makes it Special: Old-school Chinatown dim sum hall where dishes still arrive on rolling carts pushed table to table.
7.6
A low-key Vietnamese café best for fast, satisfying plates and takeout. The cơm tấm and combo phở are the move, with portions that feel generous for the price.
Must-Try Dishes:
Com Tam Dac Biet, Special Combo Pho, Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls)
What Makes it Special: Reliable, affordable Vietnamese plates with speedy service.
#30
La Noche Buena
7.6
A small, early-opening Olvera Street counter spot best known for menudo and breakfast-leaning Mexican comfort. Low-key and affordable, it’s a reliable stop for a warm bowl and a stack of tortillas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Menudo, Al pastor torta, Chicken flautas
What Makes it Special: One of the few Olvera spots doing legit breakfast and menudo daily.
7.6
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
A 33-year Chinatown workhorse running a 138-item Cantonese menu until 1am, anchored by whole Peking duck carved tableside and big-format seafood platters meant for sharing. The draw is late-night access to legitimate Cantonese cooking at budget-friendly prices, though the polarized review spread signals nights where execution doesn't match the menu's ambition. Best approached as a group-order spot where you stick to the roasted meats and lobster and let the volume pricing do the work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peking Duck, Chow Mein, Lobster
What Makes it Special: Family-run Chinatown institution since 1993, serving a 138-item Cantonese menu until 1am with whole Peking duck carved tableside