LAReview
photo credit: Krystal Thompson
Woon
Included In
Most people have a starting line-up of clothes in their closet. These are the pieces that, as soon as they’re washed, come off the hanger and get worn again. They aren’t your best clothes, or the most expensive ones (those are for special nights), but you reach for them first because they make you feel good, always drum up a few unsolicited compliments, and most importantly, are perfect for almost any scenario.
Which brings us to Woon Kitchen, a very good, family-run Chinese restaurant in Historic Filipinotown that we’ve quickly added to our starting line-up of useful LA restaurants.
The first thing you notice about Woon isn’t the casual, all-white space or colorful front patio - it’s the efficiency. You order at the front counter, they hand you a number, and within 10 minutes you’re eating homestyle Shanghainese food. If you’re in a rush, or have an anxious boss checking the clock at the office, you can be in and out in as little as 20 minutes. That said, Woon is also a rare fast-casual spot where - if you have the time - you’ll actually want to sit down and relax, simply because you like hanging out here. Besides, when the food tastes this good, it’s appropriate to pause and appreciate it for a bit.
Woon’s menu is condensed down to just a handful of mains, sides, salads, and a single dessert (there’s about 10 items total), which means if you’re with another person - or looking to get cozy with leftovers later tonight in bed - you can basically order everything. When the most expensive dish is $15, your options are wide open.
During the pandemic, they’ve added an incredible home goods section to their menu, filled with pre-cooked noodles, Mama’s Ways sauce, house-made chili crisps, Chinese sausage, and most importantly, bags of frozen dumplings. Will it all taste as good in your own home? No, probably not. But that’s just because you forgot to take the pot off the stove.
We’ve come here alone on our lunch hour, ordered the fantastically chewy beef noodles and a side of savory tofu fishcakes, then floated back to the office. We’ve met friends who needed a convenient dinner spot between Downtown and Hollywood, ate too much Chinese-sausage fried rice, and drank a few bottles of natural wine on their front patio. We’ve even stopped by on dates for post-dinner ice cream bao and a stroll down Temple. Whatever you’re in need of at the moment, this neighborhood spot consistently delivers. And unlike the clothes hanging in your closet, you don’t have to wait until the next laundry cycle to use it again.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Krystal Thompson
Tofu Fishcakes
photo credit: Krystal Thompson
Wood Ear Mushroom And Bean Curd Stick
photo credit: Krystal Thompson
Beef Noodles
photo credit: Krystal Thompson
Pork Belly Bao
photo credit: Krystal Thompson