Some restaurants shine at one thing and that’s ok. Woon in Pasadena humbly excels at two: brunch and dinner.
I decided to test this theory myself: one visit for brunch, another visit for dinner. After both dining experiences, I was left convinced that Woon deserves a spot in your rotation no matter the time of day.
The choice to go to the restaurant twice, came independently. I didn’t wake up planning to do two visits in a day. Rather, I tried their dinner and enjoyed it so much that going back for brunch was a no-brainer. To tell you how much I enjoyed them both, let’s begin with the morning meal. Brunch surprised me in the best way. The menu of beautifully designed Filipino dishes is comprised of twelve food options, pastry choices and a selection of drinks that has the chance to fit the appetite of anyone dining in the restaurant. For myself and friend, our choices were easy. I ordered the vegan Milk Tea French Toast ($) while my friend had the Wood Ear Mushroom & Bean Curd Stick Salad ($). It was a simple morning and for brunch, neither of us wanted a big meal. Thankfully, what we had was perfect. The French toast transformed their black tea custard, house milk, and a black tea maple syrup and created a meal that was soft, custardy, and layered with delicate black tea flavor. The black tea maple syrup added depth instead of just sweetness, making every bite feel thoughtful and balanced. On it’s own, the single toast was more than enough for me and absolutely delicious. Could a second slice of toast been great — sure, but not required. Opposite of the toast, my friend ordered the salad, that was made of a stir fried and chilled combination of marinated wood ear mushrooms, rehydrated bean curd stick, and green onions. The petite dish was savory and refreshing, while the texture of the mushrooms and bean curd sticks made it feel light yet satisfying. Both dishes together created a brunch that happily wakes up your palate without weighing you down.
Dinner, though, brought the power.
My boyfriend and I stopped at the restaurant before heading out of town on vacation. Coming here was an easy decision as we both had been interested in trying out their evening menu items. A bit expanded than brunch with 16 food items, this menu had the dishes I was really excited to explore. First to our table was the Beef Noodles ($) that arrived deeply aromatic with that irresistible wok char. The chewy homestyle noodles, tender flank steak, bok choy, and shiitake mushrooms created a bowl that felt both comforting and bold. Next, the Fried Rice ($), made with wok-charred white and black rice, Chinese sausage, gai lan stems, and eggs had layers of smoky flavor in every forkful. Last but not least was the side of pork belly. Rich, crisp-edged, and indulgent in the best way but maybe a bit too fatty for me.
What I love about Woon is how it feels equally fitting for a relaxed daytime meal or a cozy evening out. The menus may shift in tone, but the intention, flavor, and execution remain consistent.
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Address: 1392 East Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
Phone:
Hours: Tuesday through Friday – 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Closed on Monday.
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