When it comes to Chinatown in Downtown Los Angeles, few restaurants carry the same legacy—or loyal following—as Yang Chow. And now, that legacy has made its way south: the family behind the iconic spot has officially opened a new outpost in East Long Beach. Taking over the space at 2932 Clark Ave., just below the new Steady Brewing Co. taproom and across from neighborhood staple Baja Sonora, Yang Chow 2.0 aims to bring a piece of SoCal dining history to the local streets.
Yang Chow 2.0 in Long Beach is, well, decidedly less than Yang Chow 1.0.
The “2.0” distinction isn’t just clever branding—it’s a reflection of the restaurant’s refined approach. The menu is noticeably pared down compared to the original Chinatown location, focusing on efficiency and approachability rather than expansive variety.
Gone are indulgent classics like the old-school shrimp toast—that pre-avocado-toast-era masterpiece of fried white bread, coated in sesame seeds, topped with a mousse-like shrimp spread, and paired with a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce that once defined peak L.A. comfort food.
But what remains are the stars of the show: signature dishes that built Yang Chow’s reputation. Chief among them is the legendary Slippery Shrimp, the sweet, garlicky, vinegar-laced dish that became synonymous with the restaurant’s name. Each shrimp is lightly battered, crisped, and then tossed in an addictive sauce that balances brightness and depth. For those who prefer plant-based fare, a Slippery Tofu version brings that same punch without the seafood.
Other favorites round out the streamlined menu. Szechuan beef. Sweet and sour pork. Kung Pao chicken… Each a nod to the restaurant’s roots in Chinese-American tradition.
Yang Chow coming to Long Beach—despite the version—is a big deal.
The opening of Yang Chow 2.0 marks something larger than just another restaurant launch. It’s both a milestone and a movement: after decades of serving Chinatown, an immigrant family business has pushed beyond those historic borders, extending its reach and legacy to a new community.
In the 1960s and ’70s, waves of Chinese and Chinese-American families transformed Los Angeles’s Chinatown into a hub of regional cuisines—Szechuan, Hunan, Cantonese, Shandong—each bringing their own flavor to the city’s evolving palate. Among them was the Yun family, who first tried their hand at the restaurant game with the Lotus Garden before striking gold with Yang Chow, which opened in 1977 and became a defining name in L.A. dining.
Within a few short years, Yang Chow’s fiery Szechuan dishes and warm hospitality made it a Chinatown institution. And now, with Yang Chow 2.0, that same story of flavor, family, and resilience finds new ground in Long Beach. It’s continuation of a legacy that’s both classic and forward-looking.
Yang Chow 2.0 is located at 2932 Clark Ave.
