Yangtze Authentic Chinese & Thai Cuisine

Strolling up and down Santa Monica’s busy Third Street Promenade can stir up quite a hunger. You’ll find no shortage of restaurants along the promenade, but Yangtze is a popular option, especially for big groups, due to its expansive and diverse menu.

Taking its name from the Yangtze River in China, this restaurant separates its hefty menu by country, and then even further by region. Patrons will enjoy the organized manner of presentation, as well as the knowledge of each dish’s origin.

You can choose to sit outdoors, indoors, or at the sushi bar. The large windows at the front of the restaurant provide lots of natural light and great opportunities for Santa Monica people watching. The brightly colored plates are quite festive and fun. The decor is decidedly modern and calm, which is sometimes a contrast to the busy streets outside.

Start off your meal with beer, wine, sake or a smooth Thai tea. Share a mouthwatering traditional appetizer like potstickers, hot and sour soup, spring rolls or steamed dumplings with chicken and please your whole table. At the sushi bar, chefs serve up sushi and sashimi by the piece, as well as hand rolls and cut rolls.

Sushi options include eel, octopus, yellowtail, shrimp, tuna, albacore, halibut, crab, mackerel, salmon and more. Thai options include the patron popular California curry with chicken, potatoes, yellow curry and coconut milk, beef or chicken panang, and spicy squid with squid, garlic, chili and mint leaves. Vegetarians will delight in dishes like the yueyang eggplant with Chinese eggplant sauteed in a spicy garlic and basil sauce, as well as the black butterflies, with black mushrooms served with Chinese cabbage and a luscious white garlic sauce. They’ve got pad Thai, they’ve got mu shu, they’ve got curry, and they’ve got sushi. They’ve got a little bit of everything Asian.

If you’re in a rush for lunch or dinner, try Yangtze’s convenient online ordering system. Only credit cards are accepted for these transactions, and free delivery is available within three miles of the restaurant. Allow about 45 minutes for delivery.

HelloMetro Tip: Sushi enthusiasts should sit at the sushi bar and inquire about half-price sushi. Often it is offered, even though it isn’t advertised. It never hurts to ask.

- by Jessica Bates, Santa Monica Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jessica Bates

Jessica is a freelance journalist residing in lovely southern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and journalism. She writes for a green living publication, which she thoroughly enjoys. Once upon a time she was an editorial board member for Steel Toe Books choosing poetry manuscripts for publication.