Balboa Island, California--Shanghai
Pine Garden is one of Southern California's best bet for an affordable Chinese
meal (lunch is a great deal). Located on Marine Avenue on Balboa Island, the
brightly painted red trim building with the colorful green-blue roof.
Shanghai Pine Garden opened in 1969 under Cheong Lee, whose two sons founded
Wahoo Fish Tacos chain. While ownership has since changed, the quality of the
food remains great--soup is piping hot, salad is crispy cold, and your platter
arrives, usually with steam and heat, plus the scent of the meal you have
selected.
The soup options that come with many luncheon specials include the egg drop
soup (delicious with little pieces of sweet corn!), or hot & sour. Lunch also
comes with a pot of tea and your choice of rice--steamed or fried. Fortune
cookies included. The bill comes to around $12-18 for two for lunch. It's
delicious, and it's the best deal on the island for a complete, hot meal.
