To say that my dinner experience at Newport Seafood was the best of my life to date would be an understatement. Sure it was a trek of 40 minutes to get there and yes, it was about over an hour’s wait, but it was worth all the effort and time. We started off with two small offerings from what seemed like dim sum carts. I had seen the cucumbers on “Ugly Delicious” so was confident they would not disappoint. They were crisp and shockingly had a bit of heat. Next from the cart was a small plate of seaweed salad which was perfectly seasoned with oil and seasonings. The star of the show arrived and the juicy decadence of the first bite of the lobster special was enough to cease all talking at the table which was a continuing trend as each dish was served. We all had seen photos of the Newport Lobster special on their website and all over Yelp. The meat was tender and perfectly seasoned. The challenge was trying to get the meat out from inside the claws and that was when we all came to the realization that it was literally going to be a hands-on dining experience and we went to work. I had seen the Yang Chow fried rice served to two tables simultaneously and it piqued my interest. It had a light yellow tint with some vegetables, shrimp and what appeared to be small cubed pieces of pork. I grabbed ahold of the closest server to inquire about the dish and added to our proposed list of dishes for dinner. It did not disappoint. It was amazingly light and not oily. The flavor combinations were just right and the seasonings weren’t overpowering. We also ordered the rich and savory crab meat and asparagus soup. The broth was dense and thick and unbelievably delicious and savory. Next to arrive was the shrimp with cashews which was quite tasty and plump. The Chinese broccoli arrived with the rice noodle dry. The broccoli was bright and green but not overly wilted or oily. The stems managed to retain a bit of crispness. The surprise was the noodle dish which was ridiculously savory but light and again, not oily. It had a diverse offering of chicken, squid and shrimp. The beef au loc was the last to arrive and was a disappointment in comparison with the lightness and flavor explosion of the other dishes. The beef was a bit chewy. The sauce was a bit heavy and was a complete contrast to the other lighter flavors we had experienced. Next time, we will likely substitute that for perhaps the Newport Special crab which also appeared to be a favorite dish. If the Asian restaurant is full of Asian people with more waiting to be seated, that is where all people should come in droves as Asian foodies are unforgiving and will not tolerate anything but the most authentic. Being an Asian foodie myself, I don’t waste my time or money or anything that is not up to my very experienced palate. I wholeheartedly can recommend Newport Seafood for all who are bold and energetic enough to make the trek.

518 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776