Mao’s Kitchen is my LA solution to NYC Chinese take-out. It is clean, healthy, and simple Chinese food done quick and tasty. If I’m not doing delivery, then I make my trips to the Venice location on Pacific Avenue; although, there is now a location in Hollywood on Melrose Ave. Situated right near the beach boardwalk, Mao’s quaint locale is brick-infused with giant windows facing the street. The walls are covered in 1960’s animated posters depicting the Chinese Revolution…which is always a mood-booster. The seating is very close-nit (there is one long wooden-communal table) and casual, considering most of the seats are folding chairs. It’s a place to kick your flip-flops up and relax.

The food is prepared fresh, nothing is produced from cans, there is no artificial coloring, and there is zero MSG. Mao’s offers all the rich, hot and sour flavors of Chinese cuisine, without the guilt of over-indulging in fried and oily food. Chef/Owner Yanzhong Li thinks of it as “Chinese Country Style Cooking”.

I always like to start out with a pot of steaming hot Green tea. They have a separate menu for all their herbal and infused teas; they also make their own ginger-ale. The first time I was introduced to Mao’s was about 3 years ago because my friend was enamored with their “Peace Not War Wonton Soup”. I became obsessed with this dish of clear broth and jumbo chicken wonton dumplings that it used to be all I would order. Nowadays, I’ve tried just about everything. Their giant Beijing Spring Rolls are addictive, while no starter is complete until you’ve tried the Shrimp & Spinach Bamboo Steamer Dumplings w/ hot Ponzu sauce. I could make a meal out of just that!

As entrees go, the Orange-Ginger Chicken is the best in town. It puts every Panda Express to shame. Other top picks are the Sesame & Yam Beef, the Coconut Curry, the Model Citizen Noodle Soup (best w/ beef), Hong Kong Chow Mein, Weiwuer Lamb (in cumin & chili powder, w/ cashews, jicama & cilantro), and Mao’s Hometown (smoked tofu & wood ear mushrooms in light/spicy house sauce). Each entrée is affordable ($8-$12 each) and are big enough for two people to share. I always have extra for lunch the next day.

There are many things I like about Mao’s Kitchen, but their greatest gift to the public have got to be their BYOB policy and the fact that on Fridays and Saturdays, they stay open till 3am; talk about midnight cravings! Bringing your own beer or wine to a dinner definitely cuts the bill in half. Also, when we bring wine, we drink them out of porcelain teacups because they have no glass stemware; which I think makes the whole experience more silly and fun. Did I mention that they also deliver in less than a half-hour? Mao’s Kitchen is always there when I’m lazy and craving good eats, and for that I thank them!

Mao’s Kitchen – Venice
1512 Pacific Ave
Venice, CA 90291
310-581-8305

Sunday thru Thursday 11:30am-10:30pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am-3am

Mao’s Kitchen – Hollywood
7315 Melrose Ave
LA, CA 90046
323-932-9681