M Joy

The inspiration

M Joy began in Hangzhou, China, where the brand built a following for its lamb rib and shank rice, and its US site says it sat at number one on the Hangzhou lamb rankings on the Chinese review platform Dazhong Dianping from 2018 to 2023¹ . According to OCalpha, it started in eastern China under the name Da Mei Le Zhuafan as part of a wave of restaurants focused on northwestern Xinjiang-style recipes, and the whole concept is built on one pairing: rice pilaf cooked with lamb and New Zealand halal lamb² . The San Gabriel branch is the second US location, after the original in Anaheim^3,4 .

What to order

Popular dish

Lamb rib or shank with rice^1,3

the signature dish, with the rice cooked in the meat's juices along with carrots so every grain picks up the lamb aroma .

• Rib and shank combo: both cuts over carrot-studded rice, with pickled sides, soup and chili oil alongside .³
• Grilled lamb skewers: rubbed with cumin and red pepper, these were OCalpha's favorite item, moist and mildly spiced .²
• Grilled lamb ribs: an alternative to the tender version, with a crisped, spiced exterior .^3,2
• House yogurt: the one dessert, made with walnuts and raisins, and a cool finish to a rich lamb meal .^3,2

What people are saying

The Infatuation points to a focused lineup of skewers, ribs and shank, each combo served with rice cooked in lamb broth and cold pickled sides⁴ .

Why you should try it

Come hungry for a plate of meat over fragrant rice and stay for the house yogurt^3,2 .