Restaurant: Good Alley
Location: 8450 E Valley Blvd #108, Rosemead, CA 91770. (626) 280-2800
Date: October 20, 2024
Cuisine: Dumplings and small plates
Rating: Great, but needs LL
Good Alley just opened from the same people as JiRong.
It’s right next door, but is much more casual and modern.
A line, even two weeks in.
Very crowded, despite having just opened.
The menu.
Cucumber with XO Sauce. Solid cucumber. Nice crunch, a tiny bit sweet and spicy. The vibrant green hue of the cucumber contrasts beautifully with the rich, umami-packed XO sauce, creating a dish that is as visually appealing as it is flavorful. Each bite offers a delightful interplay of crisp texture and subtle heat, inviting you to savor the complexities of this simple yet sophisticated combination.
Japanese Scallops with Lemon Dressing. Fresh and lovely. These delicate scallops glisten like pearls, their translucent flesh hinting at a tender sweetness that is perfectly complemented by the bright acidity of the lemon dressing. Each bite is a harmonious blend of oceanic brininess and zesty brightness, creating an exquisite balance that dances on the palate.
Xi’an Cold Noodles. Really good take on the infamous “bang bang” noodles. The sauce was tangy and spicy and quite excellent. The vibrant hues of the dish beckon with a glossy sheen, while the contrasting textures of the tender noodles and crunchy garnishes create a delightful mouthfeel. Each bite offers a harmonious dance of heat and acidity, inviting you to savor the complex layers of flavor that linger on the palate.
Sliced Beef & Ox Tongue in Chili Sauce. 8/10 version of this favorite. Good meat and some heat. I would have liked just a bit more numbing and peanut. I miss the fiery GuYi version. The dish presents a vibrant symphony of colors, with tender slices of beef and ox tongue glistening in a rich, ruby-hued chili sauce. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of savory depth and subtle spice, inviting you to savor the interplay of textures as the meat dissolves luxuriously on the palate, while the fragrant notes of chili linger enticingly in the air.
Wagyu Beef Chinese “Burger”. Crispy and the meat was tender, but it wasn’t nearly as savory as the pork variant. The Wagyu beef, with its marbled richness, offered a luxurious mouthfeel that contrasted beautifully with the crunchy exterior. While the flavor profile leaned towards subtlety, a gentle umami lingered, inviting a deeper exploration of its umami nuances.
Kurobuta Pork & Celery Dumplings and Three Delicacies Dumplings. We had one plate of each, but I forgot to photo one—they looked nearly identical from the outside and were both very tasty. The delicate wrappers encased a savory filling that was both succulent and rich, with the Kurobuta pork offering a hint of sweetness that harmonized beautifully with the crispness of celery. Each bite was a delightful interplay of soft texture and aromatic flavors, leaving a lingering essence that beckoned for more.
Kurobuta Pork Chinese “Burger”. Great. The succulent kurobuta pork is nestled within a pillowy, lightly steamed bun, creating a delightful contrast in texture. With each bite, the rich, savory flavors of the pork intermingle with subtle hints of umami, while the bun’s delicate sweetness offers a perfect balance, inviting you to savor the experience with each mouthful.
Sichuan Dan Dan Noodles. These were a quick, lovely take on Dan Dan — but with almost no chili. Still, I liked all that sesame and the meaty flavor. We also had an (unpictured) Sichuan-style Beef Zhajiang Noodles, which were a bit similar, but with chunkier beef and no sesame. The Dan Dan noodles were a delightful balance of creamy sesame richness and savory umami, their silky texture gliding effortlessly across the palate, while the subtle aromatic notes lingered in the air, inviting each bite. In contrast, the Zhajiang noodles offered a heartier experience, with robust, tender beef complementing the dish’s earthy undertones, creating a satisfying and comforting meal.
Kurobuta Pork & Crab Meat Soup Dumplings. Amazing! The delicate skin encases a rich filling that bursts with the umami of the kurobuta pork, perfectly balanced by the sweet brininess of the crab meat. Each dumpling is a harmonious blend of textures, with a glossy sheen that hints at the savory broth within, inviting you to savor the experience as the fragrant steam wafts through the air.
Kurobuta Pork Soup Dumplings. Slightly more focused and perhaps even better. These delicate dumplings offer a sublime balance of rich, savory broth and tender, juicy pork, all encased in a thin, translucent wrapper that glistens enticingly. The aroma is inviting, with hints of ginger and scallions wafting through the air, while each bite reveals a harmonious blend of flavors that dance on the palate, leaving a lingering warmth and satisfaction.
All the dishes we had here were first rate. The format is a touch annoying, given that it’s crowded with smaller tables and that they don’t yet have a liquor license. And even when they do, without reservations and with the small tables it would be good for a 4 person dinner really. 6 person lunch when less crowded.
