I was introduced to Hopi Li by Darrell L. of Meetup.com’s LA Sushi and Asian Foodie group when we had our anniversary dinner for 40 people there. Big D. arranged a prix fixe menu that was $26 per person, which seemed very reasonable for what we ate.

We had 5 seafood dishes including fried soft shell crabs, Abalone/Chicken soup, Honey Walnut Shrimp, fresh rock cod in bean sauce and stir-fried scallops with vegetables. Other dishes included crispy Peking Duck with steamed buns and sauces, sauteed Kalbi beef ribs, and Spicy Chicken with green beans. Did I leave anything out?

While I found each dish truly delicious, I have to say that the food tasted “Americanized.” I’m a white guy from Pennsylvania trained as a chef, and I’ve eaten at “authentic” Chinese restaurants in the valley where the flavor profile is very different. I mentioned this to one of my Chinese dinner companions who agreed the dishes we ate had that “Panda Express” appeal. So that’s why I rated it 3 stars.

I would eat here again on another occasion as the food is very tasty and service was FAST for 40 people, but since there are several Hop Li restaurants around town, I’d go to one of the West LA stores closer to home.