Restaurant: World Seafood Restaurant [1, 2, 3, 4]

Location: 1412 S Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801. (626) 300-9898

Date: April 6, 2025

Cuisine: Chinese seafood

Rating: Awesome Cantonese

I haven’t been here since 2020, but Tony Lau dinners always provide a great excuse for Cantonese. Hey, Sunday is a great excuse for Cantonese.

World Seafood Restaurant opened its doors in 2014, taking over a cavernous former banquet space on South Garfield Avenue and quickly asserting itself as one of the San Gabriel Valley’s grand Cantonese dining rooms. The owners—veteran Hong Kong restaurateur Raymond Wong and his Los Angeles–raised daughter Stephanie—set out to recreate the celebratory seafood palaces they remembered from Kowloon: soaring ceilings hung with crystal chandeliers, gleaming marble floors, a forest of live tanks by the entrance, and a sea of round tables capped with white-linen–clad lazy Susans. From the outset, the Wongs have run the restaurant as a family affair; Raymond oversees purchasing at the downtown docks at dawn, while Stephanie manages the front of house with an eye toward bilingual service that welcomes both first-generation regulars and curious Angelenos discovering dim sum for the first time.
The private room at World Seafood.

That early-morning market run is the heart of World Seafood’s culinary philosophy: seafood is served only if it was alive at sunrise. At lunch, the room hums with rolling dim-sum carts ferrying delicate har-gow, crisp-skinned roast pork, and venerated house specials like sea urchin egg custard. Evenings shift to banquet mode, when celebratory multi-course meals showcase wok-fried Dungeness crab with garlic butter, steamed spot prawns scented with huadiao wine, and the signature “Two-Style Lobster,” half stir-fried with ginger-scallion, half tucked into silky noodles. In a neighborhood crowded with storied Cantonese kitchens, World Seafood has carved out a niche as both an everyday dim-sum stop and a favored venue for weddings, Lunar New Year banquets, and 100-day baby parties. Critics frequently mention it in the same breath as regional heavyweights Sea Harbour and Elite, praising its ingredient quality and the rare balance it strikes between polished banquet grandeur and the buzzy, democratic spirit that defines Alhambra’s dining scene.

Peanuts.

Fried oysters. Great. These crispy morsels boast a golden-brown exterior that gives way to a briny, tender interior, perfectly embodying the essence of the sea. Each bite is a delightful contrast of textures, making them a must-try for seafood lovers.

Squab is a tender and flavorful delicacy, often celebrated for its rich, gamey taste and succulent texture. This dish, typically prepared with care, showcases the bird’s dark meat, which is both juicy and satisfying, making it a favorite among culinary enthusiasts.

Really huge crab.

With a gleam of excitement, Yarom proudly showcases the evening’s centerpiece—an exquisite crab, ready to take center stage at this unforgettable feast.

Crab steamed with garlic is plump, delicious, and packed with MSG. The tender meat, infused with aromatic garlic, offers a delightful balance of savory and umami flavors, making each bite a satisfying experience.

Deep fried crab, typhoon style, is a delightful dish that captures the essence of coastal flavors. The crispy exterior gives way to tender, succulent meat, while the dish is often seasoned with a blend of spices that elevate its natural sweetness. It’s a must-try for anyone seeking a taste of the sea with a satisfying crunch.

French style beef. Chewy. Worst dish.

Macau pork — great.

Fish bowl. Delicious, also.

Bok choy.

Vermicelli and crab juice is a dish that packs a punch with its bold flavors, enhanced by LOTS of MSG. The delicate strands of vermicelli soak up the rich, briny essence of the crab, creating a satisfying texture that contrasts beautifully with the umami depth of the seasoning.

Crab fried rice is very good. The dish features tender grains of rice stir-fried to perfection, infused with the sweet, briny flavor of fresh crab. Its vibrant colors and enticing aroma make it a delightful treat for the senses.

Chicken wasn’t bad.

Strawberries.

Sesame soup is pretty good. Its creamy texture and nutty flavor create a comforting dish that warms the soul.

Great evening — except for the MSG — but a lot of fun and solid Cantonese.

Here we find two esteemed diners of a senior flavor, savoring each exquisite moment of their culinary journey, as they indulge in a symphony of flavors and camaraderie.

This was great, if very salty Chinese!

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