With the holidays officially in full swing, chances are you’re going to need a breather from stuffing your face. Rather than skip a meal, or even worse, embark on a juice cleanse, I’d recommend heading to Lu’s Garden for a virtuous bowl of porridge with all the fixings. You’ll feel positively rejuvenated afterward. Promise.
A colleague introduced me to Lu’s a few weeks back for lunch; she’s been dining here for as long as she can remember. I enjoyed our outing so much that I returned the following day with my girl Shay in tow.
For first-timers, it can be a little confusing how the place works. Upon entering the restaurant, you’ll be greeted by a tremendous steam table brimming with all manner of vegetables and proteins.
Select three items from the steam table for $8.25 or four items for $10.75. The cost is the same for vegetarian and meaty dishes. At dinner, diners are required to order a la carte from a menu.
Next, you’ll be seated at one of the open tables in the dining room. Soon after you settle in with a mug of hot tea, a communal pot of porridge fortified with sweet yams, as well as the dishes chosen from the steam table, will arrive. Now, it’s time to dig in!
From the plethora of good stuff on hand, I selected the braised eggplant, coiled and spongy mock meat, and minced pork. Each dish was seasoned boldly to complement the simple porridge. I especially loved the tender eggplants.
Shay settled on the marinated bamboo shoots, sauteed greens, and whole squid. The bamboo shoots were snappy and flavorful, while the baby squid brought some seafood funk.
Shay’s mama chose blistered green beans, sauteed Napa cabbage, and braised chicken; she was delighted with all three.
A meal at Lu’s Garden makes eating vegetables a joy and satisfies without weighing one down. It’s my kinda detox.
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Lu’s Garden
534 East Valley Blvd #12
San Gabriel, CA
Phone: 626-280-5883
Neighboring num-nums:
- Bánh Mì & Chè Cali – San Gabriel
- Chung King Restaurant – San Gabriel
- Cơm Tấm Thuận Kiều – San Gabriel
- Ducks Restaurant – San Gabriel
- Five Star Seafood Restaurant – San Gabriel
- Golden Deli – San Gabriel
- Hà Tiên Quán – San Gabriel
- Hui Tou Xiang Noodles House – San Gabriel
- Kingburg Kitchen – San Gabriel
- Lucky Noodle King – San Gabriel
- Luscious Dumplings Inc. – San Gabriel
- Nha Trang – San Gabriel
- Omar’s Xinjiang Halal Restaurant – San Gabriel
- Phở Nguyễn Hoàng – San Gabriel
- Saigon’s Bakery & Sandwiches – San Gabriel / San Jose
- Southern Mini Town – San Gabriel
- Sweethome Grill – San Gabriel
- Tasty Noodle House – San Gabriel
- Ton Chan Ramen – San Gabriel
- Vietnam House – San Gabriel
- Vietnam Restaurant – San Gabriel
- Wang Xing Ji – San Gabriel
- Wedding Banquet Redux at New Capital Seafood
- Yama Seafood – San Gabriel
- Yum Cha Cafe – San Gabriel
- {swoon} Vietnamese Chè at Bambu
How is it you’ve never been to Green Zone next door Lu’s?
The only healthy Chinese place I know…
Let me just say soup broth…
I’ve always wondered about that place! Thanks for giving me a peek inside.
Michael – Good question! While I like to eat healthy, I kind of hate places that tout their healthfulness, like Green Zone. That’s probably what’s kept me away all these year. However, now that I’m working in the area, I’m sure I’ll try it someday soon!