Northern Cafe

Fang Phattha

I love dimsum and this place has basically everything I wanted. The dandan noodles are very good. Dumplings are also large and delicious. The flavor varies a bit location by location. This location is spacious and server was nice. It's quite close to LAX.

Joe Gunawan

What an unexpected feast! We went here for a lunch and left fully satisfied! For a "chain" Chinese restaurant, Northern Cafe serves very authentic and delicious Northern Chinese cuisine, and when you come during happy hour, the food was surprisingly pretty darn affordable! The service was also great! We first started with the humble Chicken Noodle Soup and it was a strong first dish with its refreshing clear broth, yummy noodles, and chicken. The chili oil at our table works well to add even more interest to this already delicious noodles, and we completely finished this bowl of goodness. Next, we had the green onion pancake, and it came with a very delicious dipping sauce that has a tangy, earthy flavor that added some depth to the pancake. The pancake itself can use a little more thickness and filling, but the crispiness was perfect. After that, we had both the Pork & Cabbage Pan-fried Dumplings and the Juicy Pork Dumplings. Boy, it was hard to choose which one is better because they're both delicious, but I think the Pork & Cabbage won out because it was ALSO a juicy soup dumpling, so when you add the combination of the pan-fried exterior, it was such a perfect dumpling. Both also paired well with the chili oil as well as the soy sauce. Next on our list was the Lao Gan Ma Fried Noodle with Chicken, and this dry noodle dish was it very savory in flavor, with a hint of spiciness and sweet soy. I like the subtle complexity of this noodle dish because you have opposing and adjacent flavor profiles working well together. Last and unfortunately least, the Hot & Sour Soup was the only dish that didn't quite work for us. The taste seemed a little odd, like it wasn't what we expected from hot & sour soup. It's not bad, but it was clearly our least favorite dish. All in all, we could have easily chosen at least 8-10 more menu items from Northern Cafe, so you can expect us to be back soon!

OMAR A. MUHAMMAD, TH.M

We wanted to get some food that would be good and not to expensive. The shrimp fried rice is clean and fresh. My wife love the orange chicken and I enjoyed the hive and eggs pockets. Fried potatoes shrimp balls were good. The atmosphere is clean cafe style. The prices were fairly good. I would return especially if I’m in the mood for Chinese food. The portions were huge.

The Baseline

The Baseline: For Asian dumplings, the food flavors need to be authentic, the portions have to be properly sized, and the restaurant must be comfortable and stylish. Food: The dumplings were very good with a good meat ratio. The Sautéed Green beans with Garlic were perfectly cooked and delicious. The Beef and Broccoli was well sauced, the cook on the broccoli was enough to be tender but still had a nice resistance. We had two cocktails, the Matcha Colada and Strawberry Sake, which were delicious. The scallion pancake was hot, crispy with a good dipping sauce. Update (Aug 2025) - Had the Pork Soup Dumplings, scallion pancakes, House fried rice, and the Green Beans. I love the green beans and even when they are heated up the next day they are good. Service: The staff is friendly and helpful. They were fast and efficient with orders. My water glass was kept full while I was dining. Update (Aug 2025)- Good service today with me only having to ask for water refills once. Atmosphere: A casual sit-down restaurant with good seating and space between tables. Outdoor seating is also available with space heaters. The bathroom was clean. Update (Aug 2025) - Clean tables, dining area, and bathrooms.

Jen Y.

We stop here everytime we come back from a trip and land at lax. Food is awesome, very reasonably priced for the quality and quantity, and it's legit Chinese food, not dumbed down Americanized version. My personal fav is the pig ear salad, I get an extra to go. There is an outdoor seating area next to a small play area for kids which is really really nice to have, so the kids can play within view.

Maria Perez

First time coming and left wanting to come back! We came around 3 and got seated immediately. The waitress was super nice and took our drink orders when we got situated. In the meantime, we ordered the Dan Dan noodles and the soup dumplings, and both were very good! The star for me personally had to be the dan dan noodles though. It was my first time ever having it, and I think I have a new favorite now 🥰 The creamy peanut sauce with the flavorful ground meat and a heat that slowly sneaks up on you like a nice summer day?? Sign me right up. You can even make it spicier with the chili oil they have on the table if the heat isn't enough for you! I can't wait to come back, highly recommend this place.

Claire Fitiausi

This was our first time visiting Northern Cafe El Segundo. We definitely over-ordered but were very happy with our choices. Our waitress was friendly and apologized for the wait, but it was not an issue for us. Several tables had been seated just before we came in, so we were happy to wait our turn. We started with the beef roll that came out very quickly, and it was delicious. I think they use a plum sauce or a similar sweet sauce, and I loved it. The scallion pancakes came next. They were a little boring unless dipped in sauce, which made them very tasty. We also got the pork soup dumplings, postickers and calamari.

Nathan T. L.

I was craving for some Chinese food for lunch then I came across at this restaurant from this new block. Check out my review if you're planning to give this a try. Location: -very accessible, there are different stores to visit around the area -a lot of parking spaces Ambiance: -simple, modern, industrial in design -clean Food: -choices from appetizer, soup, hand made dumplings, veggies, fried rice etc. -good tasting food -generous servings -you get the value for money Service: -amazing staff -nice, polite and proactive staff -service was quick and smooth Coming from a Chinese person here, their food was amazing and really taste legit for a Chinese restaurant. If you will be around the area, give this one a try and for sure you'll enjoy both their food and service.

D. Marie

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Northern Cafe in El Segundo, and let me tell you, it was an incredible experience from start to finish. The moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that set the stage for a delightful meal. The ordering process was incredibly convenient and efficient. Each of us at the table simply scanned the QR code, and it seamlessly placed our order for the entire table. This not only saved us time but also ensured that our selections were accurately recorded. Kudos to Northern Cafe for embracing technology in such a user-friendly manner. Now, let's talk about the food. We started with the Sautéed Green Beans (photo attached), and they were simply outstanding. The beans were cooked to perfection, tender yet crisp, and bursting with flavor. It was a great way to whet our appetites for the feast to come. Next up was the Beef Roll (photo attached), and let me just say, it was a work of art. The tender slices of beef were enveloped in a delicate, flaky pancake, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. It was a true delight to bite into, and the accompanying sauce elevated the dish to another level. The Szechuan Dan Dan Noodles (photo attached) were a definite highlight of the meal. The noodles had the perfect chewiness, and the slightly spicy sauce packed a flavorful punch that had us reaching for more. It was a dish that satisfied both our cravings for heat and our love for well-balanced flavors. The Crab and Pork Dumplings were a hit at our table. Each dumpling was meticulously crafted, with a thin, delicate wrapper encasing a delectable filling. The combination of crab and pork resulted in a delightful blend of sweetness and savory notes that left us wanting another round. The Chongqing Crispy Chicken (photo attached) was another winner. The chicken was expertly fried to a crispy perfection, with a tantalizingly spicy coating that kept us coming back for more. The dish had a wonderful depth of flavor and was a definite crowd-pleaser. Lastly, we indulged in the BBQ Pork Buns, and they did not disappoint. The fluffy buns were filled with succulent barbecue pork that was both tender and flavorful. Each bite was a heavenly combination of textures and tastes, making it a perfect ending to our meal. One minor suggestion I have is to consider providing larger tables to accommodate the generous portions and various sharing options. While the food came out at lightning speed, we found ourselves struggling to fit everything on the table. Having a bit more elbow room would enhance the overall dining experience. If you're in El Segundo and looking for a dining experience that combines convenience, speed, and above all, incredible flavors, I highly recommend Northern Cafe. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Hendra W

There aren't that many authentic (Panda Express doesn't count, but they are still pretty good) Chinese restaurant within 4 miles from where I live until I saw Northern Cafe had just opened a new branch in El Segundo, I didn't think about it and just decided to have my dinner there. The place has pleasant lighting, it is spacious and also very cozy. Customer service are great! Bathroom was also clean. Now, let's get started with what you all came here to read, the food (duh~!) 😁 - Chicken Wings 🍗: These are great, crispy, juicy, seasoning was spot on, I wish I had ordered more of this. Honestly, I would be content with just a bowl of white rice and 2 orders of these awesome wings! - Szechuan Dan Dan Noodle🍜: It can be a little spicy (think Killer noodle) for some of you. But I promise, if you persevere long enough with Chinese spicy food, it would open your world to endless variations of Chinese dishes (Yes, I am bribing you!) 😶. - Boiling point-ish: Not bad, but nothing to rave about. Not to mention they don't actually give you fire for this, so your food would get cold very quickly. Spicy Beef🌶️🐄: This is probably my favorite dish of the day. Juicy, tender chewy and has that authentic Szechuan spice flavor to it! I highly recommend this if you can take spice! White Garlic Broccoli 🥦🧄: The broccoli are really fresh but I think they are a little too salty for my taste. The pricing was reasonable and they are open till 9, which is great. Overall I would recommend this restaurant if you live near El Segundo and don't want to drive to Gardena for Chinese food. 👍🏼

Suhail Farah

I forgot to take pictures before but 10/10 amazing. Let's start with our server Paulina. The best is an understatement. Paulina was so friendly from the start, welcomed us with a smile, answered ALL and I do mean ALL our questions, gave us recommendations and popular orders. We ordered the house special soop, it was really good. The meat was perfectly cooked and melts in your mouth. The pork soup dumplings, pork shrimp chives dumplings, and the veggies dumplings were perfect, full of flavor. We will definitely be back. Picture is what was left of our food...nothing...

I was in the area and scouting around for something to eat when I happened upon Northern Cafe. I went in to look at the menu and the hostess kindly answered all my questions and I decided to place an order. Although the restaurant was busy my order was ready for pick up in 15 minutes. And my-oh-my, the magnolia beef was absolutely delicious!!! I'm so glad that I stumbled across this place and I will definitely be back!!!

Been wanting to go here for a while, I love dumplings and potstickers. I sat outside and it has a closed in outside area so people can’t just walk in off the street. They have to go through the front entrance, which was very cool and it’s in a really nice part of Manhattan Beach. The wait staff are very attentive. They will come out and keep checking on you. They will let you know that something’s on its way. It was just very encouraging not to just be left out there wondering. When the food came it was delicious I ordered the seaweed which was just right and I ordered the buns with the chive shrimp and pork, you get about 10 of those and refills of Sprite. It really did fill me up. I forced myself to finish it though because I’m a little pig lol

Lilian Raven

Been wanting to go here for a while, I love dumplings and potstickers. I sat outside and it has a closed in outside area so people can’t just walk in off the street. They have to go through the front entrance, which was very cool and it’s in a really nice part of Manhattan Beach. The wait staff are very attentive. They will come out and keep checking on you. They will let you know that something’s on its way. It was just very encouraging not to just be left out there wondering. When the food came it was delicious I ordered the seaweed which was just right and I ordered the buns with the chive shrimp and pork, you get about 10 of those and refills of Sprite. It really did fill me up. I forced myself to finish it though because I’m a little pig lol

LJ Jefferson

I was in the area and scouting around for something to eat when I happened upon Northern Cafe. I went in to look at the menu and the hostess kindly answered all my questions and I decided to place an order. Although the restaurant was busy my order was ready for pick up in 15 minutes. And my-oh-my, the magnolia beef was absolutely delicious!!! I'm so glad that I stumbled across this place and I will definitely be back!!!

The food here is decent here and I am glad they expanded at this new place in El Segundo. I got the Dan Dan noodles while my friend got the beef noodle soup. We also ordered the onion pancake to share. We also got some tea which was nice to have on a rainy day. The food was pretty good overall. Good flavor. The onion pancake was a tad bit thinner than I'm use to. But it was crispy and the dipping sauce went well with it. The staff was very attentive and helped to clean up and empty bowls or items often. Plenty of parking in the area.

Pleasantly surprised with the vegetarian food options! Quantities are pretty good, it got busy pretty quickly, they probably need another server. Noodles were great, scallion pancakes and salt and pepper tofu were all great! We will go again!

Jimmy Si

The food here is decent here and I am glad they expanded at this new place in El Segundo. I got the Dan Dan noodles while my friend got the beef noodle soup. We also ordered the onion pancake to share. We also got some tea which was nice to have on a rainy day. The food was pretty good overall. Good flavor. The onion pancake was a tad bit thinner than I'm use to. But it was crispy and the dipping sauce went well with it. The staff was very attentive and helped to clean up and empty bowls or items often. Plenty of parking in the area.

Green Sea Shells Mag: Wellness by KK

Pleasantly surprised with the vegetarian food options! Quantities are pretty good, it got busy pretty quickly, they probably need another server. Noodles were great, scallion pancakes and salt and pepper tofu were all great! We will go again!

Everything was lovely. We enjoyed all the dishes we ordered, and our server was very kind and helpful. *Chicken fried rice 👍🏼 *Soup dumplings👍🏼 *Dan Dan noodles 👍🏼 * Pork shrimp and chive dumplings 👍🏼 * Chicken dumplings 👍🏼 Our only struggle was with the noise level. They could seriously use some sound dampening in that space.

I came here for a quick bite to take back to the hotel. Ordered a few steamed pork buns and fried noodles with beef. Food came out quick. But the food itself was alright. The buns were pretty average, nothing special about them compared to any other place. Same goes for the noodles, they had flavor but they definitely weren't something to write home about either. The baby bok choy was definitely a nice touch to the noodles I will say. Aside from that, I didn't order much either so I'm probably ordering items that probably aren't their specialty. But from the things I've gotten, everything was just mediocre in my opinion. So if you got a craving for fried noodles and steamed pork buns like i did, I wouldn't recommend coming here just for those things.

Timothy Te

I came here for a quick bite to take back to the hotel. Ordered a few steamed pork buns and fried noodles with beef. Food came out quick. But the food itself was alright. The buns were pretty average, nothing special about them compared to any other place. Same goes for the noodles, they had flavor but they definitely weren't something to write home about either. The baby bok choy was definitely a nice touch to the noodles I will say. Aside from that, I didn't order much either so I'm probably ordering items that probably aren't their specialty. But from the things I've gotten, everything was just mediocre in my opinion. So if you got a craving for fried noodles and steamed pork buns like i did, I wouldn't recommend coming here just for those things.

Decided to give this place a try today (Wednesday at 1pm). I placed an order through toast at 11:55am and it estimated a hr ready by time which was a little wild but I figured everything would be fresh so I placed the order. I get there around 12:50pm and there was 1 party in front of me and it was pretty busy from the lunch rush but no one else waiting. I figured it would be a quick in and out. As we waited we watched as we were passed multiple times (more than 5 times) by waiters. I understand it was busy but once a walk in party is greeted and seated thats where I would draw the line because we havent been waiting for our food for just 10-15 minutes in the store, its been over an hour at this point that we've been waiting on food. I asked a waitress if we could pay for our online orders and she mentioned something but I didnt hear. 5 minutes later another woman assists us and we were out of there within 5 minutes. I asked her is the estimated wait time actually an hour for online orders and she said no its 15-20 min. Sadly my food had been sitting there so long that the restaurant called me not realizing I was waiting and my food was lukewarm by the time I ate it. The service was pleasant even under the busy circumstances and the food was really good. I'll def. be back but most likely will eat there until they work through logistics of online orders.

This place was just plain disappointing. From mediocre to poor service to equally disappointing food it's not a place I would recommend. For being a "dumpling house" the dumplings were the biggest let down. With a ton of excess dumpling dough to water innards. I would avoid them at all costs. The restaurant itself was in a nice area and had a nice atmosphere. Although it was a weird mix of yuppie to asian. There are much better choices in LA.

Michael Simmons

This place was just plain disappointing. From mediocre to poor service to equally disappointing food it's not a place I would recommend. For being a "dumpling house" the dumplings were the biggest let down. With a ton of excess dumpling dough to water innards. I would avoid them at all costs. The restaurant itself was in a nice area and had a nice atmosphere. Although it was a weird mix of yuppie to asian. There are much better choices in LA.

Nate Carter

Dear Staff/Management, I am writing to bring to your attention an issue I encountered with the portion size of the entrees I received during my recent pick-up order. I was surprised to find that each entree contained a small scoop of rice. I understand that the container may have contributed to the appearance of the portion size, but I believe it was still inadequate. Additionally, the Mongolian beef lacked texture and had a spongy, tofu-like taste and texture. Dumplings were FIRE!! Considering the $48 cost of my order and the tip I left, I left feeling unsatisfied. I would appreciate it if you could investigate this matter and ensure that future customers receive appropriate portion sizes. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Nate

I just don’t understand the service at this place. First, they brought the soup last and it was barely warm. The alcohol prices are not listed on the menu. Overpriced drinks. The main courses never arrive hot. The waiter made up an excuse that the Dan-Dan noodles are not supposed to be “temperature hot”. Waiter was so busy we could not get good service and yet still tipped 20% for bad service. Then, when it’s time to pay, the machine doesn’t show the itemized prices, only the total. We always have to ask for a receipt and it takes a while to get it. Not the best system. Waiter seemed annoyed when we wanted to order more food after he dropped the check and didn’t ask us if we wanted anything else. The beef dish was all grizzle. Gross! With high prices, how about better service and hot food. Come on!!!!!

Rossano Galante

I just don’t understand the service at this place. First, they brought the soup last and it was barely warm. The alcohol prices are not listed on the menu. Overpriced drinks. The main courses never arrive hot. The waiter made up an excuse that the Dan-Dan noodles are not supposed to be “temperature hot”. Waiter was so busy we could not get good service and yet still tipped 20% for bad service. Then, when it’s time to pay, the machine doesn’t show the itemized prices, only the total. We always have to ask for a receipt and it takes a while to get it. Not the best system. Waiter seemed annoyed when we wanted to order more food after he dropped the check and didn’t ask us if we wanted anything else. The beef dish was all grizzle. Gross! With high prices, how about better service and hot food. Come on!!!!!

Gardena's is better, at least it was pre-Covid. Half the dishes were too salty, almost no service, other than bringing out the food and busing the tables, which is appreciated, but hard to justify giving them the same amount of tip for a place that does way more. The menu is QR code, you order through your phone as well. One dish, garlic pork ribs was not at all like the picture or what we expected. Tasted pretty bad too, like dirty fry oil. The menu is limited compared to the one in Gardena. There were no lamb choices here at all, less choices of cold dishes too. This location serves alcohol, a nice option to have that I didn't take though. Wine available, but imo not a good pairing with the food choices. On the positive side, this place looks a lot nicer than the one in Gardena and I liked the pork ears. I wouldn't choose to visit this location again, unless they started offering what they have in Gardena. I regret bringing people here.

Larry Y

Gardena's is better, at least it was pre-Covid. Half the dishes were too salty, almost no service, other than bringing out the food and busing the tables, which is appreciated, but hard to justify giving them the same amount of tip for a place that does way more. The menu is QR code, you order through your phone as well. One dish, garlic pork ribs was not at all like the picture or what we expected. Tasted pretty bad too, like dirty fry oil. The menu is limited compared to the one in Gardena. There were no lamb choices here at all, less choices of cold dishes too. This location serves alcohol, a nice option to have that I didn't take though. Wine available, but imo not a good pairing with the food choices. On the positive side, this place looks a lot nicer than the one in Gardena and I liked the pork ears. I wouldn't choose to visit this location again, unless they started offering what they have in Gardena. I regret bringing people here.