Restaurant: Earthen Restaurant
Location: 1639 S Azusa Ave. Hacienda Heights, CA 91745. (626) 964-1570
Date: March 6, 2019
Cuisine: Taiwanese Chinese
Rating: Solid goodness
This week I had a 2 day gelato making course in Walnut, right in the heart of the eastern SGV (Hacienda Heights) and since I was staying over of course I took the opportunity to hit up some extra great Chinese.
Earthen is in the same mini-mall as the awesome Shanghailander Palace.
The inside is typical of these newer cafe type Chinese places. “Some” build out, as opposed to the older ones with absolutely none, but not much maintenance. They have no liquor license so it’s not a good spot for a wine dinner. But it was perfect for a quick solo dinner.
Hot and soup soup. I just had the feeling that this old comfort food from my youth would hit the spot. And this was a nice version of the classic. I actually ate pretty much this ENTIRE 4 person bowl (small) myself. It wasn’t the best hot and sour ever, but it was quite good, maybe an 8. Had the texture form the soft bean curd, egg, and the slightly crunchy bamboo and stringy mushrooms. Nice and tangy.
House special cold chicken. Like Hainan chicken with a garlic soy sauce. Cold but succulent. Bone is still all in there, Chinese style. Not a strong flavor, but very pleasant.
Garlic shrimp. I really shouldn’t have gotten a fried dish, but I LOVE this tangy garlic sauce type. It’s a bit of the way toward a sweet and sour sauce. Sticky. It would have been good without the breading too. Certainly tasted good with it — although I didn’t need the carbs.
Earthen hit the spot. All three dishes were quite delicious Taiwanese comfort foods. I do think they use a good bit of MSG as I felt it for the next couple hours afterward. Not a big surprise. Technically they were supposed to be open to 10pm and I had planned to slide in there at 9:15ish on my way out to the area, but fortunately I made good time as they closed at 9 and I was the last customer.