People in the know are aware that true and authentic Asian food in Los Angeles can only be found primarily in San Gabriel Valley as most new immigrants settle in the SGV and open up shop in close proximity to their homes. Newport Seafood embodies the melting pot of SGV in its menu which incorporates Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. Most of the clientele is of Asian descent and the many Asian dialects spoken within the restaurant are positive signs of a legitimate and successful Asian establishment. 

Eight of us met up for this venture for what has now become our twice a year pilgrimage from the Westside. It takes anywhere from 30-65 minutes to drive to the restaurant so we try to plan our schedules sometimes a month or two ahead of time to ensure that a large enough group will be able to make the trek. 

Newport Seafood should only be visited by those who truly love and appreciate the Asian culture, its culinary techniques as well as the flavors and traditions of Asian cuisine at its best. Those who mistake cheese for tofu or or those who are unaware that steamed rice is served in the red and black covered bowls should not bother visiting Newport Seafood as it is not for novices with inexperienced and unsophisticated palates. Friends who truly recognize and respect the time, effort and quality of the cooking technique and melding of flavors are the ones privileged enough to be invited to this sensational feast.  

As usual, we began with the offerings from the cart.

The seaweed salad in sesame oil is always a refreshing start to the decadent meal. The slightly spiced sliced cucumber adds a bit of heat to the subtlety of the seaweed. Combined it checked off the salad component of the meal. 

First to arrive was the crab and asparagus soup which had a slightly thick soy sauce broth with chunks of crab and white asparagus. It was hot, savory and delicious. The flavors were reminiscent of the traditional Chinese egg drop soup with a nod to Vietnam in the addition of the crab and white asparagus creating subtle layers of flavor. 

The first entree served was the star of the dinner, the massive plate with the 6 lb lobster sitting atop a bed of egg noodles. The sheer grandness of the dish automatically set the stage for a celebratory meal. The sea of hands and fingers reaching for its claws and shells began at a slow and then increased to a rapid pace. There was no easy or dainty way to eat the lobster except to use fingers to pry off the piping hot, delicious, succulent meat from the shell. With the noodles resting underneath the lobster, the juices from the lobster were interwoven in between the strands which enhanced its umami flavor. Our server mentioned that they only use female lobsters as was evidenced by the roe sitting on the side of the platter. It had a dense texture with a mild but slightly bitter flavor though admittedly, it’s definitely an acquired taste. 

We also ordered the fish with basil which was lightly breaded and subtly salted. It was a simple and light dish but had a great deal of depth with the basil adding a layer of slightly sweet and peppery flavor. 

Next to arrive was the French Vietnamese fusion dish, the beef loc lac, which was amazingly tender and moist. The cook who prepared this dish wisely sliced the beef against the grain and cut them into small bite size pieces allowing the juiciness of the meat and the thick soy sauce gravy to fuse and get absorbed within each crevice of the meat. 

The walnut shrimp was prepared similarly to the fish but was slightly sweeter and was prepared without a heavy sauce allowing the plump, moist shrimp to shine on its own. 

Last to arrive was the yang chow fried rice which had petite pieces of BBQ pork, fried eggs and mixed vegetables. The rice was fluffy, not oily, perfectly cooked and was a very generous serving. 

In the large expanse of Los Angeles and all the restaurant options it has to offer, Newport Seafood is one of the most delicious budget friendly options for large group dining. There is always a moment of silence when the food arrives as we sample and savor each sumptuous bite. All conversations cease, and we each silently enjoy each dish, appreciating and attempting to understand the complexities of the flavors. As we move on to each course and immerse ourselves in our own nirvana, we are whisked on a journey across Asia, with spices, flavors and techniques fusing each region’s history and traditions onto our plates. 

Newport Seafood has masterfully created a diverse and expansive dining experience that cannot be replicated and stands head and shoulders above all Asian restaurants for its culinary expertise of southeast Asian cuisine. It is always an exceptional experience and should definitely not be missed by Asian foodie aficionados. 

Newport Seafood

518 Las Tunas

San Gabriel, CA

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