Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Zen Mei Bistro in Los Angeles

4.5 (113) 800 Yale St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States

Categories

Cantonese restaurant
Asian restaurant

Location on the map

Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, US

Phone: +1 213-626-7113
Site: http://zen-mei-bistro.com/

Opening hours

Monday:10 AM–9:30 PM
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:10 AM–9:30 PM
Thursday:10 AM–9:30 PM
Friday:10 AM–10 PM
Saturday:10 AM–10 PM
Sunday:10 AM–9:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.5

113 Reviews for Zen Mei Bistro 2024:

Review №1

2022-11-27 21:10:17

Good solid local Chinese restaurant close to my church. Enjoyed excellent REAL Cantonese Chinese food with reasonable prices. Lastly I think their chefs are magical; their kitchen sounds are not loud at all. Dishes ordered; veggies, salted fish pork patty, Singaporean noodles, egg plants, stewed fatty pork and chickenwings. So good...Well be back!

Review №2

2022-10-01 21:10:32

So delicious!! Highly recommend. The service was so nice. We got sausage fried rice and thousand year egg porridge as well as the egg rolls. Everything was so good :))

Review №3

2023-09-04 02:39:55

I’d like to start by saying this is my first food review ever. Like most small locally owned restaurants, parking isn’t always guaranteed. That being said, street parking is your best option as their parking is restricted to staff and residents (perfectly understandable). There is both metered and unmetered parking. The street is very quiet and gives a very communal feel. When we first entered the restaurant I felt a little intimidated as everyone (customers) there spoke Cantonese and we were the only English speaking people. Nonetheless, their staff was incredibly sweet and was very welcoming. Our waitress brought us some tea (which was piping hot) and made sure we felt comfortable. She let us take our time to look over the menu as it was our first time and was amazing with answering some questions we had. We ordered their house chow mein, chicken fried rice, chicken & Chinese broccoli, sweet & sour pork, and some of their egg rolls (plate of 5) Everything was family style and made to order and we were asked if we wanted all dishes all out at once or one at a time. When we got our food we were warned that it was very hot and it smelled delicious!! Everything complimented each other very well. The flavors were amazing. Their chicken and Chinese broccoli was very light and complimented the savory fried rice. The house chow mein was delicious and had so many amazing flavors. My favorite was the sweet and sour pork! It was sweet, savory, crispy on the outside, & tender on the inside. Their portions were HUGE! When we finished there was still so much left. Our waitress asked if we’d like some to-go boxes and we said yes! We assumed she’d bring some boxes and we’d pack them ourselves but she offered to do it herself. We told her we didn’t mind doing it & didn’t want to trouble her, but she insisted with a smile. She packed our food with so much care. We brought the leftovers to my parents & 2 brothers and it left them all full and very satisfied! Their prices were very affordable. Our total came out to $59.50 We will definitely be returning and will be telling everyone we know about this amazing place!

Review №4

2023-05-25 21:15:44

I posted my favorite pic. The house special hot pot! Yummy. It comes with fish, pork, chicken beef 😋

Review №5

2023-11-05 23:53:00

A unique, authentic, intimate experience. My food was tremendous and the staff was sublime. Highly recommend.

Review №6

2023-09-22 03:43:34

Excellent service, outstanding food! Really enjoyed the wonton soup and the honey walnut shrimp that we ordered. Highly recommend!

Review №7

2023-02-05 21:02:14

Family own business, friendly and the food taste like mamas kitchen.Highly recommend coming here.

Review №8

2023-06-28 01:53:54

It was my first time there but my niece and her Mom had been there many times, is a small place, excellent service, no restroom and fairly clean. But food was fenomenal..

Review №9

2019-07-02 02:12:14

Amazing prices. Amazing tasty food. Amazing friendly staff. I love this place, one of my new favorite restaurants in LA.Thank you!! ❤️

Review №10

2018-07-29 02:52:58

Great food taste, small neat place. Friendly customer service. Speedy service. Definitely will come back.

Review №11

2023-03-18 00:33:30

Michelle the owner is a gem. Been coming here for at least ten years. They are closed Tuesdays.Today I am trying the rock cod hot pot and it’s so delicious. I usually keep ordering the same dishes. I’m glad I decided to be different today and get this at Michelle’s recommendation.

Review №12

2019-05-27 06:06:38

The Kung Pao Tofu was great! Enough for two people (or two meals). Took it up the hill and had a nice dinner over the city!

Review №13

2022-08-15 05:37:57

My family and I have been customers at Zen Mei for many years. The food tastes homemade, is made with NO MSG, the size of the dishes are large and the prices are probably one of the lowest ones youll find from any Chinese restaurant. The owner/chef is friendly and accommodating.Conveniently located directly across the street from the basketball courts in the park.

Review №14

2022-10-08 20:04:07

Comfortable and quiet place to enjoy the wonton soup and the delicious duck

Review №15

2022-10-23 05:07:07

Service was prompt and friendly. Prices were fair. Ambience simple and casual, with bright lights. No frills. Food was good. I had kung pao chicken, shrimp fried rice, egg rolls. I WILL NOT return, however, for ONE reason: I asked for no MSG, and she repeated back to me “no MSG”, and there WAS MSG, and I spent next 8 hours with very rough and miserable and completely UNQUENCHABLE thirst, which always happens with msg in the food. I don’t trust them.

Review №16

2020-09-12 23:02:57

Best blackbean noodles and hot & sour soup in Los Angeles. Yes, theyre OPEN!!! Closed on Tuesdays as the sign says. Cash only tho.

Review №17

2019-02-17 04:28:08

It was by luck that we hit this spot in Chinatown! Had lunch and the food was delicious 😋😋😋 staff was get too!

Review №18

2022-07-18 04:06:25

The food is meh. The steamed rice a little hard and the black mushroom/broccoli chow mein didn’t have a ton of flavor. Also the “tofu and seaweed” soup had chunks of pork in it. Maybe it’s a dish that traditionally includes pork; it would’ve been nice to see that explained. Not great for vegetarians.

Review №19

2019-03-30 03:10:21

They are always very friendly. Great food especially for the price. If youre looking for something tasty and not fried, we really like the sliced chicken with black bean sauce which is on the lunch special menu too. We come often. Highly recommend.

Review №20

2022-07-10 03:16:51

We found Zen Mei while driving through the neighborhood and what a surprise! Very simple restaurant with an amazing menu that rivals anyone. Great meal, very pleasant people, just perfect!

Review №21

2017-01-19 00:09:00

Authentic delicious Chinese food very reasonable price

Review №22

2021-06-22 16:25:48

This place has a good price I can afford it and the owner is a chef in the kitchen, she is a pretty good chef and make house lobster spicy with onions only $29.99 not bad at all also crab meat soup and filets fish with black beans sauce and eggplant sautéed is my favorite. You should call to reserve the table and order in advance if you are so super hungry.

Review №23

2018-12-24 23:00:50

Great food. Good prices. Very friendly family atmosphere (waitress and owner played with our 18mo). I’m usually turned off by food places with pics of their food on wall, but their photos resemble exactly what you get and tastes amazing.

Review №24

2016-07-09 02:32:46

Small little mom and pop restaurant by Alpine park in Chinatown. This is the first time in this place. Previously another restaurant was here for more then 20 year. The people here are friendly. The food is not bad. A little salty. Other then that, its OK. Food selections are good. Oh,price are very good compare to large places. Worth a try.

Review №25

2016-12-14 20:50:50

Their chef used a lot of vegetables and less oil than other chinese restaurants I have ever been. It was healthy and tasty. And most of all, a waitress was very nice. She seemed to be not good at English, but tried to explain cuisines and hear our preference nicely.

Review №26

2022-06-16 21:59:07

My wife and I are visiting from out of state and happen to find this little place and they by far have the best Mongolian beef and house shrimp special we have ever had!!! Highly recommended!!!

Review №27

2019-11-13 21:07:30

My first time here and I love it! Clean tables and dishes with such great service and reasonable prices! I can’t believe it’s only $6.50 for a lunch special with soup and rice included. And the quality is excellent!!

Review №28

2018-08-03 19:23:09

This is a very comfortable little bistro on the corner of Alpine and Yale in China town.The staff is friendly and genuine. I dont speak a word of Chinese, so we had some fun working out what we wanted to eat. They were friendly and excited to share their culture.I tried the Kung Pao Beef and the Steamed ribs in black bean sauce. Everything tasted delicious.And for 2 lunches (complete with an entree, pot of rice for the table, as well as servings of soup and tea)-- grand total of $12.The whole experience was extremely enjoyable. I will definitely be back, and next time Ill be bringing friends and family!10/10 absolutely recommend trying this place if you are in the neighborhood

Review №29

2017-10-09 01:10:54

Archetypal hole-in-the-wall serving authentic home recipes. The fixtures are old and out of fashion, but scrupulously clean. The staff sometimes have trouble with English, but theyre quick and very friendly. And the food is delicious (although theres a few esoteric dishes on the menu I havent tried yet.)

Review №30

2023-04-27 19:22:57

A mom and pop shop, in Chinatown, not fancy prices lunch dishes or prices. Definitely recommended.

Review №31

2015-09-06 16:14:34

Salt and pepper shrimp. AmazingHose special lobsters. AmazingBraised sting beans. Amazing.No frills. Bad lighting. Awesome food. Kind waitress. Hole-in-the-wall-heaven.Good place for a foodie on a budget.

Review №32

2022-11-21 00:43:04

If you are looking for authentic Chinese food this is the place to go. The food is very fresh and tasty, the service is excellent and the place is very clean.

Review №33

2017-03-09 18:01:09

Its a perfect mom and pop place for your cheap Chinese food fix. Everyone seemed to love the house lobster, so maybe not your standard cheap fix. Every table had one as did every to go order the lady boxed.The prices are very good though and some of the cheapest Ive seen in Chinatown for the quality and the waiter is so darn friendly.I ordered the beef in pepper sauce and fish congee. Id order the congee again except not with fish since I thought it tasted a bit off (and I do believe its tilapia, which isnt my favorite) but the congee base was amazing as was my other dish.The chicken congee isnt gummy like it is at Pheonix. Their fish and lettuce congee costs $6.95 and this place costs only $5.00. Most of their rice soups only cost $4.55-5.50 while Pheonixs prices are $6.95-7.50.Most of their other dishes are under $8.00 and theyre all large sized. Best bang for your buck without sacrificing taste and quality. And its a lot better in quality than more expensive a places Ive ate at in Chinatown.Cheap, exactly what you want and expect for the price.Parking is metered and free after 8pm on weekdays. If you come before 8 do pay. The meter maid is waiting by the restaurant and gave me a ticket after only being in the restaurant for 5 minutes to pick up a to go order.

Review №34

2018-05-31 20:43:32

Quite decent Chinese food for the price. Great selections for their special lunch menu. I have come here for lunch for over 20 years under a number of owners, usually no waiting because it is not located on a main street in Chinatown.

Review №35

2021-03-21 18:43:23

I’m been coming here for years. Always love lobster with house special sauce. ! It’s a small Restaurant in Chinatown but food is superb! I always recommend them to our friends in LA

Review №36

2018-05-26 14:56:44

Good solid neighborhood spot that the locals flock to. It seems so homy and friendly. I especially enjoyed the Crispy Tofu with shrimp and vegetables. Next time I will try the whole fish that I saw being delivered to several tables.

Review №37

2021-11-16 23:18:11

Omg!!! There food is sooo delicious. I am sure if I ate more than just seafood the other dishes would be just as good. I normally order the vegetable fried rice and I am always satisfied!!

Review №38

2017-06-02 22:00:27

Tell Michelle that I sent you. I love the sole fillet with vegetables, and also the rice porridge. It qualifies as a hole in the wall, and theres some room for improvement, but to do so would require raising prices. Michelle provides top notch service. I want to give five stars for that alone.

Review №39

2021-09-20 04:42:55

Casual corner family grill. THE place to go for delicious homemade Chinese food. You Must try the Roast Duck, Wor Wonton Soup, the Clams were AMAZING!!!

Review №40

2020-01-26 04:06:52

Very nice local joint. Food is very good, prices are good and service is excellent for a Chinese restaurant. Not the prettiest place but very welcoming. Like going to Grandmas kitchen

Review №41

2020-06-14 21:04:34

My favorite restaurant in Chinatown. The food is authentic, unpretentious, delicious Chinese food. Satisfies my childhood comfort food cravings. Owner and staff are always friendly and kind.

Review №42

2017-08-01 22:03:00

Its not even worth the $5.35 a plate seriously disgusting. No flavor, the Mixed Vegetable is just onions and sprouts, and the Kung Pao chicken tastes like Chow Mein without noodles.

Review №43

2016-01-07 00:03:36

This place has a great menu and decent prices.The House lobster is delicious.The BBQ pork was watery and not that flavorful and we got the string beans which were terrible.

Review №44

2017-07-04 21:43:45

Ordered combination soft noodle chow mein. Taste was good. Portion was filling. Price was right. The surprise was the house chili sauce! Delicious!!

Review №45

2021-11-09 17:25:06

The best Chinese food in town, very fair prices and food portions. Great customer service and clean environment.

Review №46

2020-12-18 22:27:33

Excellent customer service. The owner is a pillar of the community. In addition, a very nice person. Michelle Liu business is economical and does great food.

Review №47

2021-11-05 00:01:07

Great hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Seems very authentic, the food is delicious and the complimentary tea was also a nice touch

Review №48

2021-10-25 04:31:30

Great Experience with Every Visit..Food / Taste Greatly..People / Helpful and Happy..Price / Amazingly Kind..Go Zen Mai / Lunch and Post Review..Happy Camper / Rooted...

Review №49

2022-05-17 01:15:37

Best Chinese Food you’ll find! Taste like home cooked meal.

Review №50

2019-11-04 09:49:33

Ive been going there for years food is consistently good, no music, bright lights, no atmosphere, prices are fair much better than most of the places in china town

Review №51

2021-12-29 17:56:16

I love Zen Mei Bistro! Great food, great service, great prices. Try the crispy noodle chow mein!

Review №52

2017-11-17 22:33:44

Very good and fresh food. This is a little gem in Chinatown. We are always satisfied and the personnel are always friendly.

Review №53

2023-04-23 19:24:37

Just had a cup of soup. Very good.

Review №54

2019-11-16 01:06:35

Found this place about 12 years ago on Chinese New Year. The food is great. Staff is friendly. My hole-in-the wall Chinatown connection!

Review №55

2019-11-18 03:50:21

Likable place with likable service and pleasant chef and owner. Dishes not greasy or salty. Would keep on going 👍

Review №56

2015-08-23 21:27:15

WARNING:EAT SOMEWHERE ELSE INSTEAD OF HEREFOOD IS OVERPRICED AND SEATS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE AND SEAT CUSHIONS RIPPED OFF AND SOME GUYS JUST CAME IN AND PEEKED IN THE DOOR LIKE AN IDIOTPRICES ARE HIGH LIKE A PLATE OF SHRIMP FOR 15$FOR 15$ I CAN GET A COMBO AT JACK IN THE BOX OR MCDONALDSSERVICES ARE BAD, RIGHT AFTER I EAT, FOO CAME AND ASK ME FOR 15 LIKE HOLD UP, BUTTT WHATS WORST I DONT A FOURTNE COOKIE.

Review №57

2017-03-04 04:10:22

Exellent food and affordable,service is fast,d owner herself will serve w/ a smile that make u feel ur home,place is small and old already,but that is not d reason why we went there,as i mentioned already makes u feel ur just eating at home....thumbs up....

Review №58

2021-11-30 19:46:15

The staff is rude and doesnt listenThe place is crampedOnly good thing is the food that they serve in nice quantitiesBut i had to ask 4 times for sauce nd sugar

Review №59

2019-05-20 23:51:39

HORRIBLE customer service. Hung up in my face while I was asking about food and then denied it when I called back. Ill never eat here. You obviously dont want my money.

Review №60

2018-11-08 16:03:11

Good food and good flavor, prices are reasonable and the service is very good, little and family restaurant 😋

Review №61

2020-03-05 22:46:10

Homey community friendly space with good food huge servings and cheap prices. Have been using for group events for years

Review №62

2018-07-28 00:22:53

Very good food and nice service to boot. A little gem among the monsters. Parking can be an issue.

Review №63

2022-06-02 22:55:12

Authentic Cantonese Style cooking! Excellent! Value for your dollar!

Review №64

2016-06-28 06:42:59

Great place to stop and eat Chinese food. Quantity and quality of their food is decent and worth the price.

Review №65

2018-05-23 14:11:41

Home cooked feel and family oriented. Been going there for years. Been a regular for 8 and will be for as long as I can.

Review №66

2019-04-05 01:53:39

Great Local Chinese food!

Review №67

2018-03-30 18:15:50

Best cheap Chinese in town. Hidden from the main drag which gives it a nice slower/calmer pace. A find if you can find it.

Review №68

2022-08-06 00:08:57

Very welcoming and the food was fantastic, and very affordable.

Review №69

2019-12-13 21:01:58

Chinatown pride. Clean with reasonable prices. Very pleasant. No presumption. Welcoming to old white guy....

Review №70

2018-11-25 21:59:48

Good food fair price authentic. No MSG. Our go-to place for quality Chinese food.

Review №71

2015-08-11 02:33:29

My family & I have bern coming here for about 15 years. Love the service & delicious food!

Review №72

2021-10-08 01:11:09

Very good! The Singapore noodles were amazing!

Review №73

2018-09-09 20:37:26

I LOVED it. It was delicious. Great price and friendly staff.

Review №74

2018-03-22 21:34:23

Good food,and fast service,good service also always with smile....prices very affordable

Review №75

2019-01-28 01:59:09

One hour waiting for an order and parking is the worse too . Short staff and truly super slow to get your order ready . For me < never again >

Review №76

2023-01-22 00:13:30

Delicious and not overpowering (not too seasoned)

Review №77

2017-04-27 19:32:10

Orange chicken, snow peas, hot and sour soup and fish filet is what I always get and it is always gooood

Review №78

2019-12-02 23:09:35

They have great lunch specials and good food.

Review №79

2017-12-14 21:06:19

Ive always been here with my family and love the food

Review №80

2019-05-12 03:20:02

Love the food here. Its cheap and goood

Review №81

2019-11-23 17:10:44

Best Chinese food I highly recommended for anybody to try it

Review №82

2022-03-02 21:39:57

I love this place! Prices are great too

Review №83

2018-11-19 05:24:15

Unassuming... good food... good portions... very friendly to kids

Review №84

2021-08-19 03:51:08

Everytime Im in the neighborhood I eat here. Yummy!!!

Review №85

2021-02-13 18:09:54

Quick and great service! Employees here really care for their community

Review №86

2018-08-15 22:26:39

I got the young chow fried rice and it was amazing

Review №87

2018-06-04 23:46:47

The owner is a cook! she cook very good food.

Review №88

2015-01-05 02:42:31

Ive be coming here for years the best place to eat.

Review №89

2016-12-25 19:37:41

Please dont tell anyone! Food is fresh and not greasy.

Review №90

2018-08-12 20:56:43

Nice n delicious Chinese food affordable

Review №91

2018-10-04 20:25:54

Excellent and clean place for a quick lunch.

Review №92

2018-08-11 01:38:49

Big portions, friendly stuff. 278 menu choices.

Review №93

2021-07-01 19:58:39

The salty spicy tofu is amazing!!

Review №94

2019-11-07 08:35:29

The fried chicken appetizer is the best.

Review №95

2017-07-20 12:29:09

Excellent food and prices!

Review №96

2020-02-10 04:15:51

Best kept secret! Sooo yummy!

Review №97

2022-04-06 20:10:26

Closed Tuesdays.Affordable and good.

Review №98

2018-08-26 23:48:40

Our go to place for Cantonese food in Chinatown.

Review №99

2015-12-13 19:22:04

Good food, need to understand and speak English clearly.

Review №100

2019-04-12 21:58:54

Incredibly tasty Peking duck.

Review №101

2020-09-10 19:22:50

This was a good place to visit with my family

Review №102

2017-01-30 17:26:57

The Orange Chicken is amazing

Review №103

2019-08-15 06:45:23

Good cheap eats

Review №104

2022-07-13 17:55:47

Nice

Review №105

2018-03-01 19:59:18

Lobster is so good

Review №106

2019-11-11 19:56:10

Very good food

Review №107

2022-04-12 14:50:15

Love this place 🥰👍

Review №108

2016-02-19 21:52:32

Good food!!

Review №109

2017-10-19 01:23:18

Inexpensive

Review №110

2018-08-23 00:14:45

Food salty

Review №111

2023-01-07 22:25:22

Family, simple and calm atmosphere. Very good and fast food, homemade and at a low price. Two plates of wonton soup with beef noodles one and shrimp the other for a total of 27 USD. a snack in Chinatown.

Review №112

2022-11-27 03:15:55

Its a good place and very delicious food and the price is good

Review №113

2018-01-15 08:19:14

!aaaaa