LAReview
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Fat Dragon
Included In
When it comes to eating Chinese food in LA, you have several options. You can pack up the car and make the journey to the dim sum and dumpling palaces of the San Gabriel Valley, go all out with fancy classics in Beverly Hills, or stick to your local neighborhood joint because it’s Tuesday and your feet hurt and you need something fast. Fat Dragon in Silver Lake is here to provide another option LA could use more of: a casual Chinese spot worth traveling for.
The people at Fat Dragon are making affordable, accessible Chinese food better than just about anyone within LA city limits. It’s technically order-at-the-counter, but at the same time, not at all fast casual. This cool, modern space is equally great for hanging out with friends, or housing your chow mein in under 20 minutes so you can get back to your Netflix queue. But Fat Dragon isn’t just about a flexible space inside an Eastside stripmall. It’s also about the food coming out of it.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
The best things at Fat Dragon are the wontons, the spicy eggplant, and the steak with broccolini, but it honestly doesn’t matter. It’s all comfort-laden, familiar Chinese food staples - and Fat Dragon hits each and every one out of the park. This spot is hardly some sort of moon juice health yurt, but none of the food here feels particularly heavy. Fat Dragon is that rare combination of fresh ingredients and the soul-curing flavor you need to get you through the rest of the week.
Every neighborhood in LA wishes they had a Fat Dragon, and if this casual spot keeps playing its cards right, they just might get one.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Szechuan Spicy Wontons
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Eggplant With Spicy Garlic Sauce
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Mushroom Fries
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Steak With Broccolini
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Dragon Fried Rice
photo credit: Jakob Layman