2012 in the San Gabriel Valley: A List of Restaurant Openings + Closings

As the calendar prepares to turn the page on yet another year, it's tradition time here at Squid Ink. A time for us to look back on the year and note restaurant openings and closings. When attempting to do this with the San Gabriel Valley, where an estimated 600 Chinese restaurants make up a vibrant scene with all the stability of quicksand, this can prove difficult. Restaurants that change names, change English names, change owners while retaining chefs, change menus and regional cuisines or relocate under entirely new names are all part of the SGV's grand pageant and maddening for those attempting to keep track.

It all adds up to a task more Sisyphean than Herculean. But, thanks to the record keeping of David Chan, Tony Chen's Meanwhile, In SGV updates at Eater LA, some folks at Chowhound and our own legwork, we came up with the following list of 2012 openings and closings in the SGV. And, as usual, a few opened and shuttered in the same year, with at least one space housing three different restaurants in 2012. We've listed those under closed, as there's no need for redundancy. We're bound to have missed some, so let us know in the comments or by e-mail. We fully expect a few additions to both sides of the ledger before 2013 dawns. Turn the page.

Opened in 2012:

85°C Bakery Café: 2626 E. Garvey Ave. S., West Covina; (626) 915-7885

88 Beef Noodle: 1045 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; (626) 446-0188

818 Shaokhao: 250 W. Valley Blvd. Suite P, San Gabriel; (626) 282-9900

Ah Sham Tseng BBQ Shop: 203 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 570-9851

Albert Mexican Food: 2600 W. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 457-5743

All-in Crab Cajun Restaurant: 8966 Garvey Ave. Suite C, Rosemead; (626) 569-0139

Atlantic Seafood: 500 N. Atlantic Blvd. Suite 200, Monterey Park; (626) 872-0388

Avalanche Shave Ice: 401 W. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 282-2925

Babyface Restaurant & Bar: 10602 Lower Azusa Rd., El Monte; (626) 279-2789

Banana Leaf: 5835 Temple City Blvd., Temple City; (626) 309-0209

Beijing J K Tasty House: 8118 Garvey Ave. Unit B, Rosemead; (626) 573-3062

Beijing Pavilion: 1390 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights; 1-888-553-1888

Boba Link: 9566 Las Tunas Dr., Temple City; (626) 309-9685

Boiling Point: 250 W. Valley Blvd. #J, San Gabriel; (626) 300-9800

Boiling Way: 18457 Colima Rd., Suite E, Rowland Heights; (626) 964-8880

Café Maji: 56 E. Duarte Rd., Arcadia; (562) 677-5595

Café Cau Vong: 3365 Walnut Grove Ave. Suite B, Rosemead; (626) 288-8614

Cha Bei Bei Tea House: 7709 Garvey Ave., Rosemead; (626) 280-3718

Cha Bei Bei Tea House: 1328 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra

Chonitos: 2505 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 284-8601

Chuan Ma Noodle House: 18438 Colima Rd. Suite 31, Rowland Heights; (626) 888-6318

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice: 400 S. Baldwin Ave. Suite 231, Arcadia; (626) 447-0290

Curry & BBQ Plu$: 9567 E. Garvey Ave. Suite 1 & 2, S. El Monte; (626) 279-6854

Dalian Small Stone Restaurant: 7637 Garvey Ave., Rosemead; (626) 280-3128

Dog Haus: 410 E. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 282-4287

Duo Pot: 1228 S. Golden West Ave., Arcadia; (626) 446-6933

Emperor Noodle: 800 W. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel; (626) 281-2777

Farm Cuisine: 122 W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park; (626) 280-3276

Four Seasons Seafood Restaurant: 18558 Gale Ave. Suite 128, Industry; (626) 964-8833

Four Seasons Kitchen: 1700 Batson Ave., Rowland Heights; (626) 581-1888

Ganache Patisserie & Café: 141 N. Atlantic Blvd. Suite 102, Monterey Park; (626) 943-8688

Garage Restaurant: 123 N. Lincoln Ave., Monterey Park; (626) 573-9088

Gelatissimo: 2682 E. Garvey Ave. S., West Covina; (626) 549-0729

Gen Korean BBQ House: 68 W. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 289-2150

Golden Noodle & Grill: 965 S. Glendora Ave., West Covina; (626) 337-1888

Good Life Tea House: 8522 Valley Blvd. Suite A106, Rosemead; (626) 898-2869

Guppy House: 5743 Rosemead Blvd., Temple City; (626) 285-0288

Ha Tien Quan: 529 E. Valley Blvd. Suite 178A, San Gabriel; (626) 288-1896

Hai Phong Pho Ga Bac Ninh: 8930 Mission Dr. Ste 102, Rosemead; (626) 288-9999

Haige Star Bouelvard: 172 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 288-1357

Hao Yu Lai: 9679 Las Tunas Dr., Temple City; (626) 286-9996

Hot Red Bus: 31 E. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 576-2877

Hot Spot: 18246 E. Gale Ave., Rowland Heights; (626) 965-6969

Hui Tou Xiang: 704 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite 5, San Gabriel

Hunan Mao Restaurant: 8728 Valley Blvd. Suite 101, Rosemead; (626) 280-0855

Imperial City Hot Pot: 227 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 281-6111

Js House: 9461 Las Tunas Dr., Temple City; (626) 287-5500

K C Y Restaurant: 501 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra

Kim Kee Noodle House: 9646 E. Garvey Ave., S. El Monte; (626) 448-4448

King of Shrimp Roll: 18438 E. Colima Rd., Rowland Heights

Kung Fu Tea Bar: 2215 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park; (323) 268-8268

Ladybug Tea House: 1457 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 316-3197

Lao Dong Beef Noodles: 1015 S. Nogales St., Rowland Heights; (626) 964-1188

Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot: 140 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 307-1901

Luscious Dumpling: 919 W. Duarte Road, Monrovia; (626) 821-0518

Macchiato: 141 N. Atlantic Blvd. Suite 110, Monterey Park; (626) 872-1351

Mama's Lu Dumpling House: 501 W. Garvey Ave. Suite 101, Monterey Park; (626) 282-2256

Milk & Honey Café: 534 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 927-9133

Mita Ramen: 18406 Colima Rd., Rowland Heights; (626) 965-6123

MJ Café & Teahouse: 17521 Colima Rd., Rowland Heights; (626) 965-7778

MJ Café Express: 18455 Colima Rd., Rowland Heights; (626) 581-2034

Monja: 18558 E. Gale Ave., Industry; (626) 264-8849 (new management)

Mr. Lamb: 17863 Colima Rd., City of Industry; (626) 839-2605

Muse Tea House: 227 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 118B, San Gabriel; (626) 789-0688

My Way Hot Pot: 1261 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 300-6673

Nha Trang: 742 E. Garvey Ave. Unit A, Monterey Park, CA 91755 (626) 288-8825

Oasis Tea House: 1841 S. San Gabriel Blvd. Suite E, San Gabriel; (626) 288-8399

One on One: 400 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 571-1138

100 Dumpling House: 331 W. Garvey Ave. Suite D, Monterey Park; (626) 371-3309

Opus Sushi: 1027 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; (626) 447-1027

Park Avenue Restaurant: 855 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; (626) 445-3700

Passion Tea Lounge: 1900 S. Del Mar Ave., San Gabriel; (626) 572-7381

Pho Island Express: 741 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 280-8788

Ramen Fujisan: 529 E.Valley Blvd. Suite 138-B, San Gabriel; (626) 288-1774

Ramen Yukinoya: 1423 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; (626) 821-0901

Remy's Noodle Palace: 18211 E. Gale Ave., Industry; (626) 965-2887

Sea Dragon: 1 W. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 289-7938

Shang Ming: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 110, San Gabriel; (626) 282-5953

Shanghailander Palace: 1695 S. Azusa Ave. Hacienda Heights; (626) 839-7777

Shawn Café: 1220 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; (626) 821-0566

Silk Road Garden: 18920 Gale Ave., Rowland Heights; (626) 999-6165

Souper Shabu: 288 S. San Gabriel Blvd. Suite 102, San Gabriel; (626) 286-8293

Spicy City: 140 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 208, San Gabriel; (626) 280-0186

Spirit House Bar: 123 S. Lincoln Ave., Monterey Park; (626) 872-0353

The Square Dot: 1124 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 457-1888

Sweethome Grill: 402 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 288-0099

Szechuan Hot Pot & BBQ: 111 N. Atlantic Blvd. Suite 349, Monterey Park; (626) 576-0553

TG Kitchen: 608 E. Valley Blvd. Suite A, San Gabriel; (626) 280-3338

Taipei Bistro: 704 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite E3, San Gabriel; (626) 293-8128

Taipei Garden: 558 Las Tunas Dr., Arcadia; (626) 445-5588

Tasty Café: 18558 Gale Ave., Industry

Tasty Dining: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 101, San Gabriel; (626) 570-1234

Tea Barrel: 405 W. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 570-1689

Tea Brick: 501 W. Garvey Ave. Suite 105, Monterey Park; (626) 759-3021

Tokyo Love: 2099 S. Atlantic Blvd. Suite J, Monterey Park; (323) 263-5555

Tokyo Ramen: 812 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park; (626) 281-0188

Venus Café: 972 N. Grand Ave., Covina; (626) 339-4108

Yi Mei: 943 W. Duarte Rd., Monrovia; (626) 275-8785

Xu Garden: 18500-18536 E. Gale Ave., Industry; (626) 964-1328

Closed in 2012:

101 Tea Lounge: 301 W. Main St., Alhambra

Aburaya Tonkatsu & Noodle House: 17863 E. Colima Rd., Industry

Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle: 140 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 208, San Gabriel

Awesome Eatery: 501 W. Garvey Ave. Suite 101, Monterey Park

B Open Kitchen: 529 E. Valley Blvd. Suite 138-B, San Gabriel

Bao Bao Bistro: 525 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra

BBQ House: 8118 Garvey Ave. Suite B, Rosemead

BeBe Restaurant: 7637 Garvey Ave., Rosemead

BeBe Fusion Restaurant: 1220 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia

B.J. Tofu House: 534 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel

Bon Marché Bistro: 331 W. Garvey Ave. Suite D, Monterey Park

Boston Kitchen: 1700 Batson Ave., Rowland Heights

C Cup: 9566 Las Tunas Dr., Temple City

Café de Bangkok: 402 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel

Café 322: 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre

Cajun Symphony: 250 W. Valley Blvd. #J, San Gabriel

Ching Chang Wing Wang: 400 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel

Classy Café Express: 18457 E. Colima Rd. Suite F, Rowland Heights

Cowboy's Steakhouse: 227 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel

Crabulous: 8966 Garvey Ave. Suite C, Rosemead

1st Choice Noodle House: 1124 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra

Gingko House: 405 W. Main St., Alhambra

Han: 140 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 208, San Gabriel

Hao's Kitchen: 227 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 118B, San Gabriel

Happy Sheep: 227 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel

Harbor Kitchen: 1411 S. Garfield Ave., Alhambra

Hop Li Seafood Restaurant: 855 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia

Hop Woo: 1 W. Main St., Alhambra

J Noodle House: 9611 Garvey Ave. Suite 126-A South, El Monte

Jazz Café: 1900 S. Del Mar Ave., San Gabriel

Kim Chuy: 501 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra

Kun Ming Garden: 965 S. Glendora Ave., West Covina

Lao Bian Dumpling: 800 W. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel

Lee Kam Kee: 2505 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra

Liang's Kitchen: 1027 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia

Liang's Kitchen: 1370 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights

Liu Xiang Yuan: 704 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite 5, San Gabriel

Machi Fusion: 1220 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia

Magic Thai: 742 E Garvey Ave. Unit A, Monterey Park

Medium Rare Plus: 39 W. Main St., Alhambra

My Ngoc: 608 E. Valley Blvd. Suite A, San Gabriel

Man's Tea House: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 102, San Gabriel

New Taste Dumpling: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 110, San Gabriel

Only You Dumpling House: 331 W. Garvey Ave. Suite D, Monterey Park

Orleans Corner: 411 E. Huntington Dr., Arcadia

OShan Island/Hainan Chicken 704 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite E3, San Gabriel

Pho Ga: 741 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel

Plaza Deli: 18920 Gale Ave., Rowland Heights

Quickly: 1328 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra

Quickly: 7709 Garvey Ave., Rosemead

Red Door Hot Pot: 1228 S. Golden West Ave., Arcadia

Royal Chef Express: 127 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel

Ruben's Kitchen: 8728 Valley Blvd. Suite 101, Rosemead

Shanghai Dumpling House: 215 E. Foothill Blvd. Monrovia

Shengji Noodle House: 529 E. Valley Blvd. Suite 178A, San Gabriel

Taste of Chongqing: 172 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel

Tasty Garden Kitchen: 608 E. Valley Blvd. Suite A, San Gabriel

Tea Eggs: 18457 Colima Rd., Rowland Heights

Tea Time: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 101, San Gabriel

Wishing Tree: 141 N. Atlantic Blvd. Suite 110, Monterey Park

Won Won Kitchen: 9461 Las Tunas Dr., Temple City

Yummy Yummy Seafood Buffet: 10632 Lower Azusa Rd., El Monte