Best Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Chinese Restaurants in Downtown LA
3 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Bang Bang Noodles
Hand-pulled biang biang noodles made fresh to order with bold Szechuan and cumin sauces using ingredients imported from China
Worthy Picks
7.9
A hand-pulled biang biang noodle counter in the Arts District where the draw is watching thick, chewy noodles get stretched to order and tossed in Szechuan garlic or tingling cumin sauces built from imported Chinese ingredients. It runs as a focused, budget-friendly operation—short menu, fast turnover, outdoor seating—where the noodle work itself is the main event. Best suited for a quick, high-flavor lunch when you want real hand-pulled technique without a sit-down price tag.
Must-Try Dishes:
Szechuan Garlic Noodles, Tingling Cumin Noodle with Lamb, House-Made Dumplings
What Makes it Special: Hand-pulled biang biang noodles made fresh to order with bold Szechuan and cumin sauces using ingredients imported from China
7.8
A low-key Korean-Chinese spot tucked on the fourth floor in the Fashion District, best known for big bowls of jjamppong and jjajangmyeon. Portions are generous, flavors are straightforward and comforting, and service is fast. This is a practical weekday lunch destination for locals who know the building.
Must-Try Dishes:
Jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), Jjajangmyeon (black-bean noodles), Fried rice with sauce
What Makes it Special: Hard-to-find, floor-4 Korean-Chinese comfort bowls in 90021.
#3
China Cafe
7.6
A long-running Grand Central Market counter doing classic California Chinese-American plates in a fast, cafeteria rhythm. Portions are generous and the cooking hits comforting notes—think chow mein, fried rice, and wonton soup—more about nostalgia and value than modern regional precision. Service is brisk and no-frills, fitting the market crawl vibe.
Must-Try Dishes:
House wonton soup, Hong Kong-style chow mein, BBQ pork fried rice
What Makes it Special: An OG GCM stall serving unchanged Chinese-American comfort since 1959.