Reviews
At Yujean Kang's in Pasadena's old town, inventive, deftly prepared Chinese cusine meets a surprisingly savvy wine list, for me that tips the balance. Its worth the trip and to be reminded of how smoothly wine and Chinese food can coexist. Harvey Steiman - My 12 favorite Los Angeles restaurant celebrate the city's culinary diversity. Wine Spectator March 31, 2009
Still the Kang, there are lots of local choices but, for us, one of the very best is Yujean Kang's in Old Pasadena. A monument to culinary longevity, Yujean Kang remains a crazy good haven in crazy times. Erica Wayne Pasadena Weekly 02/12/09
The Los Angeles Times as a regular "Top 40".
1992 - 2009 "Top Chinese" restaurant for Los Angeles by Zagat Survey.
27 rating on Food, Zagat survey in Southern California 2001.
"9.8 rating" on City Search, and voted "Best Chinese Restaurant" in Los Angeles by Critic's Choice on AOL.
Gourmet Magazine, Reader's Choice "Top Tables Award" for the past eleven years. Recent articles include June 2005 issue.
"Clearly has fun creating what might be called new wave Chinese cuisine. Hi presentations are often whimsical and more important, the flavors generally harmonize."
Bryan Miller Dining in Los Angeles, The New York Times, Sunday, May 28, 1995
Chinese Food at the Breaking Point, Russ Parson LosAngeles Times January 21, 1993
"Not since the opening of Susanna Foo in Philadelphia four years ago has there been such an enchanting Chinese Restaurant. Yujean Kang's sets a standard rarely approached in Chinese restaurant." "Cheers! The best new restaurant of 1991."
John Mariani Esquire, November 1991
"Yujean Kang's would be really something anywhere in Los Angeles, for it is a rare place- a Chinese restaurant with an adventurous and modern spirit."
Caroline Bates Gourmet Magazine July 1991
"Yujean Kang proprietor of Bay Area's top Chinese eatery, has brought his absolutely original, almost Byzantine take on Chinese food to Southern California."
Deborah Sroloff Los Angeles Magazine Annual Dining Guide August 1991
Paul Wallach Westways Magazine June 1991
"I was magically whisked back to Hong Kong when I sampled a.. generous portion of Chinese polenta¡KYujean Kang's brings much clout to the Pasadena dining scene."
Janice Wald Henderson Valley Magazine May 1991
Ruth Reichel Los Angeles Times Magazine April 7, 1991
"I was dazzled by the wine list, which included five vintages of California's best and rarest chardonnay-Stony Hill. Most of the other top California wines- and six pages of French wines- are on the list, as well, all at extremely reasonable prices."
David Shaw Food and Wine Companion August 1991
"Yujean Kang, already one of the most celebrated chefs in Northern California has brought his wok wizardry to Southern California- you may never have tasted such superbly sliced lamb at Yujean Kang's 4 Stars."
Larry Lipson Los Angeles Daily News April 5, 1991
"There's not a doubt in my mind that Yujean Kang is about to become a household name among the Parkway Grille/Roxxi/Fleur de Vin set. Better make your reservation early."
Eric Wayne Pasadena Weekly February 15, 1991
"Yujean Kang's gourmet Chinese cuisine is a classy Chinese restaurant with innovative and unique food served up by the owner/chef who was born in Taipei and trained at his mother¡¦s restaurant there and later in the Bay Area near Berkeley."
Susan Kranwinkle Pasadena Star News
The San Francisco Chronicle's Stan Sesser described the food as "incomparable". Gourmet's Caroline Bates called it "staggering and inventive". Wine Advocate Robert Parker called it one of the best meals he had eaten. This is one man's vision of east meets west, one man with a very curious sense of culinary humor and a clearly defined sense of how to mix flavors together- you never tasted Chinese food like this anywhere.
Merrill Shindler L.A. Reader June 21, 1991
