Au79 Teahouse

"First time here. I think the flavor is ok, but the menu is a little confusing. Can be better organized."

"Au79 is our favorite teahouse in the SGV! I implore you my foodie friends to prepare yourselves for a life changing experience before you try the Crispy Chicken at this amazing place. My wife and I are new to the San Gabriel Valley having lived our whole lives in Washington State. Not long after moving here a new local friend took my wife to try Taiwan style popcorn chicken for the first time. As I said, life changing. The bite sized pieces of chicken thigh are super juicy and tender, covered in crunchy cragely perfectly fried batter that is very well seasoned with a complex spice blend. I recommend getting the heat level at medium or higher to balance the sweetness in the seasoning. Sweet and hot, just like we like our partners. Right guys?!? Pro tip: Ask about their dipping sauces and extra flavoring powders. I don't think they are listed on the menu. The tea beverages are outstanding. My favorite is the House Fruit Tea w/ green tea. It has crazy bright exotic fruit flavor and pieces of fresh fruit inside. Perfect for refreshing the palate between bites of the mind-blowingly flavorful popcorn chicken. My wife tries something different every time. Once in a while she will say that she likes my drink more than hers. Practical stuff: Ever since COVID they have no indoor seating. They do have a few tables outside of the storefront under a big sunshade. Update 8/30/22: We visited Au79 today for a treat after a doctor appointment in the neighborhood. Dining in has partially reopened. About half of the interior seating space is now available and the AC is working well. We tried the Meal Box Chicken Cutlet with green curry sauce for the first time. Wow! Its so comforting. It brings up emotions like the ones you feel when you get a loving hug from someone special like mom or grandma; or feel the love from your favorite pet dog when they greet and you pet them. The the bright non-spicy flavor and texture of the curry sauce is perfectly balanced with with the crispy crunch of the chicken. Its a heavenly bite of food. Bonus, they serve the curry in a large cup on the side so you can add as much or as little as you like to the chicken. There is plenty of curry sauce to pour onto the large portion of sticky rice under the chicken. It also comes with two small vegetable sides. I highly recommend that you share this dish and pair it with an order of Crispy Chicken. Its a delicious combination. Fun Facts: Au is the symbol, and 79 the element number, of gold on the periodic table of elements. Aurum = Gold in Latin. Taiwanese popcorn chicken was originally found in night markets around 1979. One legend says that it was accidentally created by someone who was trying to make chicken nuggets like the ones at KFC. Bubble Tea (Boba) was invented in Taiwan in 1986 by Tu Tsong He. He simply added large tapioca balls to cold milk tea which was also invented in Taiwan in 1949 by Chang Fan Shu. If you say you want boba in Seattle people will think you mean that you are attracted to Boba Fett. No one calls it boba in the northwest. We call it bubble tea. So, if you are looking for a life changing experience, do yourself a favor and give this place a try soon."

"I love their fried chicken, fried fishcakes, and fried tofu. The mini-boba milk tea was good too!"

"Love majority of their drinks but their Taro Tea definitely takes the cake! I love these handwritten cup holders! Such a beautiful touch!"