Hengry

The inspiration

Hengry exists to bring the food of Guiyang, in China's southwestern Guizhou Province, to Los Angeles, a regional cuisine rarely found on the West Coast^1,2 . The recipes trace back to a family restaurant in Guiyang that opened in 1991 and served one dish, Miao Sour Soup Fish Hotpot, learned directly from the Miao people^3,4 . When the family moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s, they carried those recipes and traditions with them⁴ .

Who's behind it

Owner Chueling Au, who goes by Leo, grew up in his family's Guiyang restaurant and spent over a decade as a watch consultant on Rodeo Drive before leaving his corporate career in 2023 to open Hengry in 2024^3,4 . The kitchen is led by head chef Guangzhi Long, a Sichuan-born cook with nearly thirty years of experience who joined in October 2024 after leading kitchens in Arizona and Seattle^3,1 . Around Alhambra reports that he won gold medals at the Sichuan Culinary Skills Competitions³ .

What to order

Popular dish

Miao Sour Soup^3,1

the dish that started it all, a family recipe more than three decades old, with a tart, spicy broth and your choice of protein

• Guizhou Spicy Chicken: bone-in chicken wok-fired with chiles and numbing peppercorns for a savory burn¹
• Chilled Spicy Chicken: cold poached chicken dressed in chili oil, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorn sauce, a Guizhou staple³
• Crispy potato pancakes: crunchy outside, soft inside, served with house chili²
• Celtuce with sesame oil: a snappy, brothy vegetable dish that gives your palate a break from the heat¹

What people are saying

Secret Los Angeles calls it the only Guizhou restaurant on the West Coast² . The coverage highlights the sour-spicy flavors that come from family recipes^2,5 . The service and comfortable, modern setting draw consistent praise from guests⁶ .

Why you should try it

If you're staying nearby in Alhambra, this is a rare chance to taste Guizhou cooking, served in a stylish, welcoming room^2,3 . Start with the Miao sour soup and the spicy chicken to taste the sour-heat profile that defines the region^1,5 .