Sam Woo BBQ
About
Walk into Sam Woo BBQ on Valley Boulevard and the first thing you see is the roast meat display, with whole ducks and cuts of barbecue pork hanging behind the counter, much like the traditional barbecue shops of Hong Kong. Inside, the experience follows suit: family-style seating, hot tea, and Cantonese dishes made for sharing. Sam Woo has been part of Alhambra since 1983, and the restaurant’s history is reflected in the customers who have returned for decades.
Karen Cheung Lee, daughter of the owner and part of the second generation helping run the restaurant, says some customers now bring their own children after growing up eating at Sam Woo with their parents and grandparents. That connection to local families is one of the things she enjoys most about working in Alhambra. As she puts it, “Here at Sam Woo, you get the authentic Chinese experience.” For first-time visitors, she recommends starting with the barbecue, particularly the roast duck, roast pork, and barbecue pork. The menu also features Cantonese staples such as beef chow fun, fried rice, fried noodles, and wonton noodles.
The barbecue is the main attraction, but Sam Woo is worth visiting for a meal that feels rooted in the traditions of Cantonese dining. Customers can order roast meats over rice for a quick lunch or bring several dishes to the table for a family-style meal. After more than four decades on Valley Boulevard, the restaurant remains a place where Alhambra families return across generations.
Sam Woo BBQ
514 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra
Recommend Items
BBQ Pork (Char Siu)
Sam Woo’s Cantonese barbecue pork has a glossy, reddish glaze and a sweet-savory flavor. Served by itself or over rice, char siu is one of the restaurant’s signature roast meats and a fitting introduction to its Hong Kong-style barbecue.
Beef Chow Fun
Wide rice noodles are stir-fried with beef and bean sprouts over high heat, picking up savory seasoning and the smoky flavor of the wok. A Cantonese classic, beef chow fun is a strong choice for anyone looking to try something beyond the barbecue.
Contact
(626) 281-0038