Monja Taiker

Great C/P ratio with all day combo special. Free drinks are amazing especially the Assam black tea. The server is welcoming and polite. The restaurant is clean and neat.

Gotta Love Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken with Rice Combo. Didn't realize this was a 'Hot New Business,' in the 'City of Arcadia,' CA. I Yelped my way here for dinner and came across this super convenient restaurant in the heart of Downtown Arcadia, CA.

I walked in and ordered take out.

Service: 5/5~fast and efficient. Waiter was friendly and helpful. He suggested ordering a Combo for dinner pricing.

Ambiance: 5/5 very Taiwanese indeed. They had back wall paintings all over as well as Chinese lanterns throughout the restaurant ceiling top.

Food: Super yummmm. 5/5. Steamed rice was cooked just perfectly fine. They gave a couple of sides with minced pork, so serving size was very generous. My combo C also came with Taiwanese black tea. Haven't had that in a really long time.

Parking: free and easy on the street. I only had to walk a tad and arrived safe and sound. 10/10. Location was very convenient here.

I will be back again.

The crispy red pork here is a delight: wonderfully crispy on the outside, while tender and juicy inside. It brought to mind char siu with its outer texture. Essentially, it's like a fried version of char siu, but even better! The flavor profile is sweet and savory, and the outer layer maintains its crispiness throughout the meal. The portion is generous enough for sharing, and it comes with pickled veggies, braised meat in sauce, and an egg. I paired it with a black tea from the combo.

The popcorn chicken was equally delightful, boasting a crispy yet tender texture. It's sizeable, so I recommend sharing it too. Additionally, the sweet potato fries were a hit, just as sweet potato fries should be. Lightly seasoned with salt and black pepper.

The service is exceptionally friendly, and overall, the food is remarkable both in the context of the area and for Taiwanese cuisine. I will definitely return!

I tried their lunch combo recently. Good portion and also comes with green or red tea. Not salty at all and tastes home made to me. I like that they put drumsticks sauce on the side. I didn't need to use any of the sauce though. Also not oily.

Food came out quickly. Service is also friendly and attentive.

Parking in the back. Or try find street parking.

The restaurant has street parking and there's a parking lot behind the store.

They have indoor seating.

I tried the red grain pork combo which comes with a drink (I chose green tea) and a bean curd salad. Also tried meatball noodle soup and shaved ice. Everything was delicious. Generous portion of shaved ice. We were not expecting that size. Quality of tea was good. You can really taate the rea and not overmasked by sugar.

Staff was friendly.

Free parking on street or in rear lot. Fun decor that gives a feeling of street food in Taiwan. Fast service but I was not that impressed with the food. The red grain pork looks unnaturally red and tastes like charsiu instead. Lunch combo is a good deal with a choice of green or black tea. The side of cabbage and tofu that comes with the set is more like a pickle and bland. The fried pork chop is slightly sour and the braised chicken leg is tough and dry with no flavor. Even with the dipping sauce, the chicken was unappetizing with no braised marinate flavor. The only redeeming dishes are the dry noodles and soup noodles with a flavorful broth. I would go for that again. We also added a side dish the pork ear, tofu, and seaweed that was average and on the spicier side. Overall, they have an extensive Taiwanese snack menu including shave ice and beef noodle soup that I may want to give them a try again.

Very authentic Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Delicious and tender. Portion is small but priced at $12.50 anyway. Most places serve larger bowl but over $18+. Jumbo Shave ice is eye opening! Ingredients are delicious! Great service and clean interior ! Will come again ! This is the newly opened Arcadia store where it used to be a vegetarian restaurant.

Delicious and cheap and service was insanely efficient! We stopped by here hoping for a quick dinner before heading to the movie theater, and we were able to dine in and enjoy our food all within 30 minutes, and we made it perfectly in time for our movie! I ordered their most popular item, the red grain pork- which was very flavorful! As part of one of their combo deals, it also came with dry noodles, a small bean curd with veggie dish, and my choice of green or black tea. My partner got the popcorn chicken. We were both very full after sharing everything, and the bill was under $30! Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a casual and quick lunch or dinner!

Nestled in Arcadia's bustling culinary landscape, Monja Taiker stands as a beacon for enthusiasts eager to savor the true essence of Taiwanese cuisine. Stepping into this charming bistro on a cool Wednesday evening, the bustling atmosphere and bustling tables immediately hinted at the culinary adventure awaiting us.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the owner, whose passion for Taiwanese flavors permeated every corner of the restaurant. Engaging in conversation, we uncovered the significance behind the restaurant's name, which pays homage to Taipei's indigenous culinary heritage and the lively Taike culture of Taiwan, adding depth to our dining experience.

The star attraction of the evening was undoubtedly Monja Taiker's renowned red grain pork, a tantalizing symphony of crispy exteriors and tender meat that transported us to the streets of Taipei. Each bite was a celebration of flavors, evoking memories of authentic Taiwanese street food.

In addition to this culinary masterpiece, the popcorn chicken stole the show with its perfect balance of crunchiness and tenderness, elevated by the aromatic touch of basil that lingered on the palate with each savory bite.

A notable feature of Monja Taiker is their thoughtful use of to-go disposable plates, catering to diners on the move without compromising on quality or convenience, adding to the restaurant's dynamic charm.

As we bid farewell to Monja Taiker, we couldn't help but reflect on its invaluable contribution to Arcadia's dining scene. With its warm hospitality, commitment to authenticity, and tantalizing flavors, Monja Taiker has undoubtedly earned its place as a must-visit destination for Taiwanese cuisine enthusiasts, promising an unforgettable journey through the vibrant tapestry of Taiwan's culinary heritage.

4.2 stars

My mom and I came in to try their food since we were introduced to them during the Lunar festival held nearby. This restaurant is quite small and, interestingly enough, they serve their food in takeout trays and paper bowls even though we dined in. These were what we got:

Steam pork combo: the steamed pork didn't look appealing, but it was actually very savory and filling. The plate came with napa cabbage, pickled veggie, a ground meat sauce, and green tea. The tea was refreshing and everything tasted really good!

Popcorn chicken combo: if you're a fan of popcorn chicken, this is the place to get it. It was crispy, fresh, and the chicken was quite lean! It came with rice, ground meat sauce, napa cabbage, and side of pickled veggie. I would definitely get this again!

Service was nice and the interior looked really cute. Price-wise, I think it's pretty standard for today's economy... Free parking is available behind the building. No complaints here.