The Congee
If you're craving a delicious bowl of congee or some tasty Asian comfort food, The Congee is the place to be. Nestled in Alhambra, California, at 19 E Valley Blvd, this casual eatery offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that's perfect for a family meal or a casual bite with friends. With moderate noise levels, it’s a great spot to enjoy a laid-back meal with a relaxed vibe. Plus, it's kid-friendly, and they even welcome dogs, so feel free to bring your furry friend along!
One of the standout features of The Congee is its diverse menu that brings together a variety of classic Asian dishes. If you're a fan of traditional Cantonese flavors, you’ll love their Seafood Congee – a comforting, savory rice porridge packed with fresh seafood. Another popular choice is the Wonton Noodle Soup, a perfect blend of savory broth, tender noodles, and flavorful wontons. For those craving something a bit heartier, the Lo Mein is a go-to, offering stir-fried noodles with a satisfying mix of veggies and protein. And if you’re in the mood for something unique, the Rice Noodles Cakes and Hong Kong-style dishes will transport you right to the bustling streets of Hong Kong.
The restaurant’s laid-back ambiance makes it ideal for a quick lunch, a cozy dinner, or even a casual gathering with friends. Whether you're a regular or visiting for the first time, The Congee ensures a memorable dining experience with its authentic dishes and welcoming atmosphere.
So, whether you're stopping by for a warm bowl of congee or grabbing a quick bite to eat, The Congee provides a delightful escape into the rich world of Asian comfort food.
Reviews
Let me put you on this amazing hole in the wall that serves up delicious comfort canto food. Food: 5/5 We order their famous congee and wonton noodle soup. My dad got the pig liver congee, I'm not a fan of liver but my dad was raving about how delicious it was. The congee was rich and flavorful. The shrimp wontons were huge! They were loaded with flavor and cooked to perfection. The soup was rich and had a great umami taste. Service: 5/5 Everything was made fresh to order. Even so, everything came out fresh and steamy and within 5-7 minutes of ordering. Ambiance: 4/5 This place is small and quant. It has an open kitchen so you get to see all the food made fresh. The only thing is that parking sucks here.
Classic HK style noodles and porridge. The wontons are gigantic and flavorful. The noodles are slurp worthy. The portions for noodle soup and porridge are huge so you'll likely have leftovers. 1 bowl can feed 1.5. Smaller seating area so there can be a wait. You do see the kitchen and the workers making fresh ingredients, so it's very HK vibe. Parking is free and part of a larger plaza in the back.
It's so hard to find Cantonese beef stew noodles with wonton these days--seems like it's not a popular choice with the younger crowd. Back in the day, we used to go to Sam Woo all the time before they closed for good. Since then, we've searched high and low, trying different restaurants, but nothing ever measured up--until today. Finally, we found a spot that serves authentic Cantonese beef stew noodle soup with wonton, along with classic Cantonese congee. The restaurant itself is clean, though a bit dated, and the service was attentive and efficient. Definitely adding this place to our list of go-to comfort food spots!
TLDR: My go to spot for congee and noodles. It's affordable, good, and it reminds me of a restaurant that I used to enjoy very much. Lo mein: You could pick 2-3 items that you want with your lo mein. I chose Beef Stew and Wonton because that's what they specialize in, and the fish tofu (fish cake) is something that I just haven't had in a while. I love their portions. Whatever main you get here will ensure that you will leave the restaurant full. The egg noodle of the lo mein was cooked well, and the flavors of your toppings take center stage. The beef stew is soft, beefy, and contributes to most of what you'll taste. The wontons are huge and you can see that they're made on site, the fish tofu is basically a fish cake that is mostly MSG, but it's fine. The soup on the side is a way to keep the relatively dry entree lubricated. Noodle Soup: You take the same advantages of the lo mein but just add more soup. It's really a question of how much soup do you want to have in your meal. Either way, it works. Dumplings: It's the weakest part of the meal, yet it still holds its own. I would recommend skipping this and ordering more wontons, but the dumplings do give off a gyoza feel and a different taste profile. Seafood congee: It's either the best congee that I've had in SoCal or the 2nd best. It's served hot, and the thickness of the congee keeps it hot for extended periods of time. The squid, fish, and shrimp inside the congee are all cooked well, and none of them turned rubbery even after an extended period of time in the hot congee. Flavor wise, it's not too strong meaning they used minimal to no MSG and it makes this a perfect dish for a cold day or when you're sick. Service: The staff kept an eye on our water cups, so we were always topped up. Otherwise, it's your classic Asian restaurant staff etiquette. Minimal interactions and pleasantries. All business. Orders, water refills, and payment. No issues with that. Ambiance: I'm a sucker for hole in a wall establishments that just do what they do. This place is no different. Ignore the restroom, ignore the floors, and ignore the kitchen. Just focus on the food and have a great meal.
Incredibly delicious and savory warmth. Healthy food that isn't compromised by lack of flavor. Absolutely scrumptious and incredibly kind and attentive staff. I most highly recommend!