Northern Cafe El Segundo

Northern Cafe El Segundo

700 S Allied Way ste a, El Segundo, CA 90245, United States

+1 310-616-3003

Chinese restaurant, Cafe, Lunch restaurant, Noodle shop, Restaurant
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About This Place

Northern Cafe El Segundo offers an authentic taste of Chinese cuisine right in the heart of El Segundo, CA. This restaurant is a haven for lovers of traditional flavors, specializing in a diverse menu that artfully balances bold and delicate tastes through expertly prepared dishes that are both comforting and exciting.

The culinary experience here shines brightest with their famed dumplings—especially the Juicy Pork Dumplings and Crab Meat & Pork Soup Dumplings, which are praised for their perfect meat-to-skin ratio, delivering a burst of savory goodness in every bite. The Dan Dan Noodles stand out as a truly memorable dish, with their rich, spicy sauce and tender strands that have converted first-time tasters into devoted fans. Other highlights like the Chongqing Crispy Chicken offer a tantalizing crunch paired with vibrant seasoning, while the house special beef noodle soup warms you with deep, hearty umami notes.

Vegetarian diners will find meticulously thought-out options such as the Salt & Pepper Tofu and Vegetarian Mapo Tofu, both bringing a spicy, fragrant punch that never compromises on authenticity. The Sautéed String Beans with Garlic exemplify the kitchen’s finesse in balancing texture and flavor, a simple dish elevated to perfection.

Beyond flavor, Northern Cafe creates a dining atmosphere that is inviting and versatile. With a clean, café-style interior, it appeals to both casual diners and families alike. Reviewers often mention the attentive and friendly staff who enhance the overall experience, ensuring guests feel welcomed and well cared for. The outdoor seating area adjacent to a small play area allows families to relax while kids enjoy a safe space to move around—a thoughtful addition that adds charm to any visit.

Portion sizes are generous, giving real value without sacrificing quality. Dishes like the shrimp fried rice and orange chicken have received particular praise for being both fresh and satisfying. The buzz from locals and visitors alike speaks volumes: Northern Cafe El Segundo doesn’t just serve food—it crafts an authentic cultural journey through every plate.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of classic Chinese fare or exploring these tastes for the first time, Northern Cafe El Segundo offers an enriching and genuinely satisfying meal experience that leaves you eager to return.

For reservations or takeout, reach them at +1 310-616-3003 and step into a world where tradition meets warmth and impeccable flavor.

Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Comfort food Happy-hour drinks Quick bite Small plates Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Catering Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Toilet Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Family friendly Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Good for kids High chairs
Parking
Free parking lot Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Tuesday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Thursday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Friday
    11:00 AM - 09:30 PM
  • Saturday
    11:00 AM - 09:30 PM
  • Sunday
    11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • The Baseline
    1 month ago

    The Baseline: For Asian dumplings, the food flavors need to be authentic, the portions have to be properly sized, and the restaurant must be comfortable and stylish. Food: The dumplings were very good with a good meat ratio. The Sautéed Green beans with Garlic were perfectly cooked and delicious. The Beef and Broccoli was well sauced, the cook on the broccoli was enough to be tender but still had a nice resistance. We had two cocktails, the Matcha Colada and Strawberry Sake, which were delicious. The scallion pancake was hot, crispy with a good dipping sauce. Update (Aug 2025) - Had the Pork Soup Dumplings, scallion pancakes, House fried rice, and the Green Beans. I love the green beans and even when they are heated up the next day they are good. Service: The staff is friendly and helpful. They were fast and efficient with orders. My water glass was kept full while I was dining. Update (Aug 2025)- Good service today with me only having to ask for water refills once. Atmosphere: A casual sit-down restaurant with good seating and space between tables. Outdoor seating is also available with space heaters. The bathroom was clean. Update (Aug 2025) - Clean tables, dining area, and bathrooms.

  • Maria Perez
    1 month ago

    First time coming and left wanting to come back! We came around 3 and got seated immediately. The waitress was super nice and took our drink orders when we got situated. In the meantime, we ordered the Dan Dan noodles and the soup dumplings, and both were very good! The star for me personally had to be the dan dan noodles though. It was my first time ever having it, and I think I have a new favorite now The creamy peanut sauce with the flavorful ground meat and a heat that slowly sneaks up on you like a nice summer day?? Sign me right up. You can even make it spicier with the chili oil they have on the table if the heat isn't enough for you! I can't wait to come back, highly recommend this place.

  • Jen Y.
    1 month ago

    We stop here everytime we come back from a trip and land at lax. Food is awesome, very reasonably priced for the quality and quantity, and it's legit Chinese food, not dumbed down Americanized version. My personal fav is the pig ear salad, I get an extra to go. There is an outdoor seating area next to a small play area for kids which is really really nice to have, so the kids can play within view.

  • OMAR A. MUHAMMAD, TH.M
    1 month ago

    We wanted to get some food that would be good and not to expensive. The shrimp fried rice is clean and fresh. My wife love the orange chicken and I enjoyed the hive and eggs pockets. Fried potatoes shrimp balls were good. The atmosphere is clean cafe style. The prices were fairly good. I would return especially if I’m in the mood for Chinese food. The portions were huge.

  • Lilian Raven
    3 month ago

    Been wanting to go here for a while, I love dumplings and potstickers. I sat outside and it has a closed in outside area so people can’t just walk in off the street. They have to go through the front entrance, which was very cool and it’s in a really nice part of Manhattan Beach. The wait staff are very attentive. They will come out and keep checking on you. They will let you know that something’s on its way. It was just very encouraging not to just be left out there wondering. When the food came it was delicious I ordered the seaweed which was just right and I ordered the buns with the chive shrimp and pork, you get about 10 of those and refills of Sprite. It really did fill me up. I forced myself to finish it though because I’m a little pig lol

  • Fang Phattha
    3 month ago

    I love dimsum and this place has basically everything I wanted. The dandan noodles are very good. Dumplings are also large and delicious. The flavor varies a bit location by location. This location is spacious and server was nice. It's quite close to LAX.

  • Jimmy Si
    3 month ago

    The food here is decent here and I am glad they expanded at this new place in El Segundo. I got the Dan Dan noodles while my friend got the beef noodle soup. We also ordered the onion pancake to share. We also got some tea which was nice to have on a rainy day. The food was pretty good overall. Good flavor. The onion pancake was a tad bit thinner than I'm use to. But it was crispy and the dipping sauce went well with it. The staff was very attentive and helped to clean up and empty bowls or items often. Plenty of parking in the area.

  • Joe Gunawan
    4 month ago

    What an unexpected feast! We went here for a lunch and left fully satisfied! For a "chain" Chinese restaurant, Northern Cafe serves very authentic and delicious Northern Chinese cuisine, and when you come during happy hour, the food was surprisingly pretty darn affordable! The service was also great! We first started with the humble Chicken Noodle Soup and it was a strong first dish with its refreshing clear broth, yummy noodles, and chicken. The chili oil at our table works well to add even more interest to this already delicious noodles, and we completely finished this bowl of goodness. Next, we had the green onion pancake, and it came with a very delicious dipping sauce that has a tangy, earthy flavor that added some depth to the pancake. The pancake itself can use a little more thickness and filling, but the crispiness was perfect. After that, we had both the Pork & Cabbage Pan-fried Dumplings and the Juicy Pork Dumplings. Boy, it was hard to choose which one is better because they're both delicious, but I think the Pork & Cabbage won out because it was ALSO a juicy soup dumpling, so when you add the combination of the pan-fried exterior, it was such a perfect dumpling. Both also paired well with the chili oil as well as the soy sauce. Next on our list was the Lao Gan Ma Fried Noodle with Chicken, and this dry noodle dish was it very savory in flavor, with a hint of spiciness and sweet soy. I like the subtle complexity of this noodle dish because you have opposing and adjacent flavor profiles working well together. Last and unfortunately least, the Hot & Sour Soup was the only dish that didn't quite work for us. The taste seemed a little odd, like it wasn't what we expected from hot & sour soup. It's not bad, but it was clearly our least favorite dish. All in all, we could have easily chosen at least 8-10 more menu items from Northern Cafe, so you can expect us to be back soon!

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