Think there's no good dim sum in L.A.? Start here

A guide to the restaurants offering their own distinct takes on classic Cantonese dishes

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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After years of searching for the perfect dim sum in the San Gabriel Valley, the author has found a handful of standout restaurants that are keeping the Cantonese culinary tradition alive in Los Angeles. From the grand Cantonese palaces to the newer, innovative spots, this guide highlights the best places to get your dim sum fix.

Why it matters

Dim sum is a beloved Cantonese culinary tradition that has found a home in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles. As the area has evolved, the quality and consistency of dim sum offerings has ebbed and flowed, leaving some to wonder if the glory days of exceptional Cantonese cuisine in LA have passed. This guide aims to highlight the restaurants that are keeping the tradition alive and offering their own unique takes on classic dim sum dishes.

The details

The author has spent decades searching for the perfect dim sum in the San Gabriel Valley, learning from their grandmother the proper techniques for making dumplings and other Cantonese specialties. While consistent examples of excellence are harder to find these days, the author has narrowed down five standout dim sum destinations that excel at specific dishes. From the grand, chandelier-adorned Longo Seafood to the more intimate Big Ma's Kitchen, each restaurant offers its own distinct take on classic Cantonese fare. The author particularly praises Sea Harbour for its consistently excellent execution of dim sum staples, as well as Lunasia for its oversized but well-executed dumplings. A new Palette location in Tustin also shows promise, blending tradition and innovation.

  • The author has been searching for great dim sum in the San Gabriel Valley for more than 25 years.
  • Longo Seafood opened near the end of 2017 and was initially a popular dim sum destination.
  • Big Ma's Kitchen opened last spring in the former Jade BBQ and Seafood space on Garvey Avenue.
  • Sea Harbour has been a standout dim sum restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley for more than two decades.
  • Lunasia's original flagship location opened in 2009, with additional locations opening in the last 10 years.

The players

Tina Wong

The author's grandmother, who was raised in China's southern Guangdong province and taught the author the proper techniques for making dumplings and other Cantonese specialties.

Tony He

The chef-owner of Sea Harbour, one of the first dim sum restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley to operate without push carts and focus on made-to-order delicacies.

Shyi Kai Chang

The owner of the Lunasia dim sum restaurant chain, which has expanded to multiple locations in the Los Angeles area.

Willy Ng

The founder of the original Koi Palace restaurant in Daly City, California, which set a high standard for dim sum consistency and has since expanded to other locations, including a new Palette restaurant in Tustin, California.

Ma

The mysterious owner behind Big Ma's Kitchen, a new dim sum restaurant in Rosemead that serves exceptional black bean spare ribs and other Cantonese specialties.

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What they’re saying

“No Cantonese gourmet is satisfied with a steamed [har gau] dumpling if the prawns inside lack the requisite bouncy crispness, only achieved through lengthy preparations that include drumming under the cold tap, soaking in cold water, salting, starching and refrigerating; the dumpling skins must also be springy rather than soggy.”

— Fuchsia Dunlop, Author (Invitation to a Banquet)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This guide highlights the restaurants in the Los Angeles area that are keeping the Cantonese culinary tradition of exceptional dim sum alive, from the grand, long-standing institutions to the newer, innovative spots. While the quality of dim sum in LA may have ebbed and flowed over the years, these standout destinations prove that there are still plenty of options for those seeking the perfect bite of Cantonese perfection.