Alice Kitchen Temple City Menu with Prices, Calories and Popular Items
Alice’s Kitchen (詠藜園) in Temple City, California, stands as one of the premier destinations in the San Gabriel Valley for classic Hong Kong café (Cha Chaan Teng) dining and Cantonese bakery treats. Exploring the alice kitchen temple city menu reveals a massive selection of comfort foods, from freshly pulled Hong Kong milk tea and piping-hot pineapple buns (bolo bao) to bubbling casseroles of baked pork chop rice.
Whether you are planning a weekend breakfast or stopping by for afternoon tea, this comprehensive menu guide breaks down current dine-in price ranges, calorie considerations, standout signature dishes, allergen realities, and money-saving ordering hacks. Because Alice’s Kitchen operates as an independent casual restaurant, dine-in prices, daily pastry batches, and menu items can fluctuate. Third-party delivery platforms often charge higher rates than in-store counter orders.
Menu Snapshot: Quick Answer
Alice’s Kitchen serves an extensive, budget-friendly Hong Kong café menu featuring morning breakfast combos, customizable cart noodles, sizzling skillet steaks, and house-baked pastries. Entrees generally range between $12.00 and $17.50 for dine-in, while fresh bakery treats cost under $5.50.
Official Source Verification
Independent Asian dining establishments rarely publish centralized, static corporate nutrition databases or fixed national pricing sheets. To ensure clarity, our data reflects cross-referenced on-site dining room audits, physical receipts, and regional delivery partner listings.
Official Source Verification
Menus, prices, calories, and availability can vary by location, delivery platform, and time. LatestMenus checks verified restaurant sources where available and marks uncertain information clearly.
Latest Alice’s Kitchen Menu Prices
The alice kitchen temple city menu spans traditional Cantonese morning dishes, classic British-Hong Kong fusion, customizable noodle soups, and baked rice plates. Much like what you might find across broader Hong Kong Chinese restaurant menu offerings, dishes are hearty, fast, and designed around carb-forward comfort.
The price tiers listed below represent estimated in-restaurant dine-in and counter takeout rates. Ordering via delivery services includes inflated baseline prices alongside service fees.
1. Fresh Bakery & Toast Specialties
The bakery counter sits directly near the entrance and serves fresh batches throughout the day. Buns are served warm upon request.
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Pineapple Bun (*Bolo Bao*) | Bakery | $2.50 – $3.50 | Check official nutrition source | Quick budget snack | Sweet, crumbly golden cookie crust atop a soft milk bun; contains no pineapple. |
| Pineapple Bun with Cold Butter (*Bolo Yau*) | Bakery | $3.50 – $4.75 | Check official nutrition source | Signature café experience | Warm bun sliced open with a thick slab of chilled butter melting inside. |
| Salted Egg Yolk Lava Pineapple Bun | Bakery | $4.25 – $5.50 | Check official nutrition source | Indulgent treat | Filled with warm, flowing salted egg yolk custard; sells out quickly on weekends. |
| Hong Kong-Style French Toast | Bakery/Toast | $5.50 – $7.25 | Check official nutrition source | Afternoon sweet craving | Thick white bread filled with peanut butter, deep-fried in egg batter, topped with butter and syrup. |
| Condensed Milk & Butter Toast | Bakery/Toast | $3.75 – $5.00 | Check official nutrition source | Simple, nostalgic breakfast | Thick-cut toasted bread drizzled generously with sweet condensed milk and butter. |
2. Hong Kong Baked Rice & Spaghetti Dishes
Baked rice dishes are a cornerstone of Cha Chaan Teng dining, combining Cantonese fried rice bases with Western-influenced sauces and broiled cheese tops.
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baked Pork Chop over Fried Rice | Baked Rice | $13.50 – $16.50 | Check official nutrition source | First-time visitors | Crisp-edged pork chops layered over egg fried rice, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. |
| Baked Seafood with White Sauce | Baked Rice/Spaghetti | $14.50 – $17.50 | Check official nutrition source | Seafood lovers | Shrimp, fish filet, and calamari baked under a creamy béchamel sauce with cheese. |
| Baked Curry Beef Brisket Rice | Baked Rice | $14.00 – $16.95 | Check official nutrition source | Hearty, rich appetite | Slow-braised beef brisket and potatoes in aromatic Cantonese yellow curry. |
| Baked Portuguese-Style Chicken Rice | Baked Rice | $13.50 – $16.25 | Check official nutrition source | Mild spice preference | Tender chicken and potatoes in a mild turmeric, coconut milk, and curry sauce. |
3. Wok-Fried Rice & Noodle Staples
These wok-tossed staples offer high-heat char (wok hei) and are commonly ordered alongside shared dishes from an Everyday authentic Chinese menu layout.
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Fried Beef Chow Fun (*Gon Chow Ngau Ho*) | Wok Noodles | $13.50 – $16.50 | Check official nutrition source | Benchmark wok flavor | Wide flat rice noodles seared with sliced beef, scallions, bean sprouts, and dark soy. |
| Singapore-Style Fried Rice Vermicelli | Wok Noodles | $13.00 – $15.95 | Check official nutrition source | Tangy, savory cravings | Thin vermicelli stir-fried with madras curry powder, shrimp, char siu pork, and egg. |
| Minced Beef & Fried Egg over Rice | Rice Plate | $12.50 – $15.50 | Check official nutrition source | Pure home-style comfort | Savory ground beef gravy topped with a sunny-side-up egg over steamed white rice. |
| Hainan-Style Chicken with Fragrant Rice | Rice Plate | $13.50 – $16.50 | Check official nutrition source | Lighter poultry dinner | Poached, tender chilled chicken served with ginger-scallion purée and chicken-broth rice. |
4. Soup Noodles & Cart Noodles (Che Tsai Mian)
Cart noodles allow guests to mix and match noodle broths, pasta textures, and stewed street-food toppings.
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Cart Noodles (3-Topping Base) | Soup Noodles | $12.00 – $15.50 | Check official nutrition source | Customized dining | Choice of noodles (ramen, rice vermicelli, flat ho fun) with toppings like curry fish balls, radish, or brisket. |
| Shrimp & Pork Wonton Noodle Soup | Soup Noodles | $11.50 – $14.25 | Check official nutrition source | Classic Cantonese lunch | Springy thin egg noodles, dried flounder broth, and handmade shrimp wontons with yellow chives. |
| Satay Beef with Macaroni in Broth | Breakfast Soup | $9.50 – $12.50 | Check official nutrition source | Hong Kong breakfast purists | Elbow macaroni served in light chicken broth topped with tender beef simmered in satay paste. |
5. Hong Kong Beverages
Drinks form a fundamental half of the Cha Chaan Teng experience. Tea formulas use bold black tea pulled through fine mesh screens paired with rich evaporated milk.
| Menu Item | Category | Price | Calories | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong-Style Milk Tea (Hot) | Drinks | $3.25 – $4.25 | Check official nutrition source | Authentic morning pairing | Ceylon tea blend steeped dark and combined with evaporated milk; strong and tannic. |
| Hong Kong-Style Milk Tea (Iced) | Drinks | $3.75 – $4.95 | Check official nutrition source | Afternoon refresher | Chilled over ice; smooth, bold, and lightly sweetened. Cold drinks carry a small upcharge. |
| Yuenyeung (Coffee with Tea Mix) | Drinks | $3.50 – $4.75 | Check official nutrition source | High caffeine boost | 50/50 blend of robust drip coffee and black milk tea. Available hot or iced. |
| Hong Kong Iced Lemon Tea | Drinks | $3.50 – $4.75 | Check official nutrition source | Grease-cutting palate cleanser | Strong brewed tea served with several thick fresh lemon slices; mash with your spoon before drinking. |
| Salted Lemon 7-Up | Drinks | $3.75 – $4.95 | Check official nutrition source | Sore throat / unique soda | Preserved, salt-cured lemon served in a glass alongside a chilled can of lemon-lime soda. |
Popular Menu Items
If you are visiting Alice’s Kitchen for the first time, these specific dishes define the kitchen's reputation across the San Gabriel Valley:
| Popular Item | Why People Order It | Price Note | Calorie Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pineapple Bun with Cold Butter (*Bolo Yau*) | The temperature contrast between the piping-hot sweet crust and the chilled slab of butter is legendary. | $3.50 – $4.75 | Not published |
| Baked Pork Chop over Fried Rice | The definitive Cha Chaan Teng entree; sweet-tangy tomato glaze balances crispy fried pork and savory rice. | $13.50 – $16.50 | Not published |
| Salted Egg Yolk Lava Pineapple Bun | Modern twist on traditional baking; rich, custardy, sweet-savory molten center. | $4.25 – $5.50 | Not published |
| Dry Fried Beef Chow Fun | Exhibits exceptional *wok hei* (breath of the wok) without pooling excess grease on the plate. | $13.50 – $16.50 | Not published |
| Hong Kong-Style Iced Milk Tea | Silky mouthfeel and intense tea tannins that you cannot replicate with standard grocery tea bags. | $3.75 – $4.95 | Not published |
| Hong Kong French Toast | Decadent deep-fried exterior filled with peanut butter, melting butter, and golden syrup. | $5.50 – $7.25 | Not published |
Editor Picks: Best Things to Order
These recommendations are editorial selections based on menu evaluations, cooking technique, ingredient balance, and value across the alice kitchen temple city menu. They represent culinary strengths rather than official brand rankings.
Editor Picks: Best Things to Order
These are LatestMenus editorial recommendations based on available menu research, value, popularity, customization potential, and practical ordering usefulness. They are not official restaurant rankings.
Pineapple Bun with Cold Butter (*Bolo Yau*)
The definitive order at Alice's Kitchen. The contrasting textures of the cracked, sugary pastry shell and the rich, melting cold butter slice deliver the quintessential Hong Kong bakery experience.
Weekday Morning Breakfast Macaroni Set
Served during breakfast hours, this combo pairs hot satay beef or ham macaroni soup with buttered toast, scrambled eggs, and a hot beverage for a fraction of the dinner plate cost.
Baked Pork Chop Rice Casserole
Portions are large enough to easily split between two people alongside a bakery snack or a vegetable side dish, giving you maximum savory comfort without ordering two full entrees.
Shrimp Wonton Noodle Soup
Unlike the oil-heavy stir-fries and cheese-baked casseroles, this dish relies on a clear, clean broth, poached wontons packed with whole shrimp, and blanched yellow chives.
Dry Fried Beef Chow Fun
Demonstrates proper wok technique. The flat noodles develop smoky caramelized edges from the high flame while keeping the beef slices exceptionally tender.
Hong Kong Cart Noodles (*Che Tsai Mian*)
Offers full control over your bowl. Select your preferred noodle texture, choose a mild or spicy broth, and pile on toppings like daikon, fried bean curd, or curry fish balls.
Cheapest Items and Best Value Picks
Dining at a traditional Hong Kong café is inherently budget-friendly, but choosing the right ordering window significantly increases your value. Similar to cost-effective ordering at venues like Red Bowl Asian Bistro menu selections, combos and specials yield the most food per dollar.
| Value Pick | Why It Can Be Good Value | Watch Out For | Best Ordering Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakery Counter Plain Bolo Bao | Costs around $3.00 for a fresh, filling pastry that rivals boutique artisanal bakeries in quality. | Sells out during busy midday hours; best purchased before noon. | Order multiple at the front register for takeout rather than sitting at a table. |
| Morning Breakfast Set | Bundles an entree soup, eggs, toast, and hot Hong Kong tea for around $10.00 to $12.00 total. | Strictly cut off at around 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM daily. | Stick with the hot milk tea to avoid the cold drink upcharge. |
| Afternoon Tea Menu (2:30 PM – 5:30 PM) | Offers snack-sized lunch plates and French toast bundled with beverages at discounted rates. | Portions are slightly reduced compared to full dinner entree sizes. | Ideal time to visit on weekdays to skip the long lunch waitlists. |
| Entree Drink Pairing Add-On | Adding a tea or coffee to a lunch or dinner entree usually costs $1.50–$2.50 less than ordering à la carte. | Specialty drinks (like salted lemon sodas) may not qualify for the combo discount. | Always request the drink combo upgrade when ordering rice or noodle dishes. |
Calories and Nutrition Notes
Because Alice’s Kitchen is an independent, single-location regional business, it is exempt from the FDA menu labeling regulations that require chains with 20 or more locations to disclose exact calorie counts.
However, general culinary knowledge of Cantonese café food provides clear guidance:
- High-Calorie, Carb-Dense Profiles: Traditional Cha Chaan Teng cooking relies heavily on refined starches (white rice, egg noodles, macaroni), deep frying (pork chops, French toast), and dairy fats (butter slabs, evaporated and sweetened condensed milk). A standard plate of Baked Pork Chop Rice can easily exceed 1,000 to 1,200 calories.
- Liquid Sugars: Standard Hong Kong milk teas and iced lemon teas are brewed exceptionally strong and sweetened generously with sugar syrups or condensed milk. An iced milk tea often ranges between 220 and 320 calories.
- Lighter Alternatives: Diners seeking lower-calorie or lower-fat options should lean toward clear noodle broths (wonton soup), poached Hainanese chicken (requesting steamed plain white rice instead of chicken-fat seasoned rice), and unsweetened hot black tea (Chai Cha).
| Menu Area | Nutrition Note | Best For | Source Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baked Rice & Spaghetti | High fat, high carbohydrate, and sodium-dense due to cheese crusts and fried bases. | High-energy cheat meals or sharing | Low (Estimates only; no official data) |
| Wonton & Clear Soups | Lean seafood protein, low cooking oil, moderate sodium in broth. | Lighter dining and lower calorie needs | Low (Estimates only; no official data) |
| Bakery & Toasts | Rich in simple sugars, butter, and refined wheat flour. | Occasional treats and desserts | Low (Estimates only; no official data) |
| Hong Kong Teas | High caffeine and sugar content unless specifically modified when ordering. | Energy and mid-day pick-me-ups | Low (Estimates only; no official data) |
Allergen and Dietary Notes
Alice’s Kitchen does not provide a formal corporate allergen chart. If you have severe, life-threatening food allergies, exercise extreme caution due to active, shared wok stations, deep fryers, and bakery counters.
| Dietary Need | What to Check | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut Allergy | HK French Toast, Satay Beef, and street snack sauces (*Cheung Fun*). | High risk. Peanut butter is spread inside toast and fried in shared oils; satay sauce contains peanuts. |
| Dairy Sensitivity / Lactose | Milk teas, coffee, baked cheese casseroles, and buttered buns. | Evaporated milk is standard in almost all hot and iced café drinks. Request *Chai Cha* (black tea without milk). |
| Gluten-Free / Celiac | Soy sauce, egg noodles, wonton wrappers, and breaded pork/chicken cutlets. | Extremely difficult. Most wok sauces use wheat-based soy sauce. Cross-contact risk in woks is high. |
| Shellfish & Fish | Wonton fillings, XO sauce, oyster sauce, and dried seafood seasoning broths. | Dried flounder and shrimp are standard flavor enhancers in stocks, even for vegetable or beef dishes. |
| Vegetarian / Vegan | Wok-tossed greens and tofu plates. | Greens are commonly seasoned with chicken bouillon powder or oyster sauce. Request plain garlic prep. |
Special Menu Sections
Breakfast Menu (Served Morning to ~11:30 AM)
The breakfast menu captures traditional Hong Kong working-class mornings. Sets center on warm broths, tender satay beef over macaroni or ramen, scrambled eggs, toasted white bread with butter, and a steaming mug of Ceylon milk tea. Congee (rice porridge) paired with deep-fried Chinese crullers (You Tiao) is also available for those desiring traditional Cantonese comfort.
Afternoon Tea Menu (Served ~2:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
Between the primary lunch and dinner rushes, Alice’s Kitchen shifts to an afternoon tea format (Ha Ng Cha). Entrees are presented in slightly smaller portion sizes at lower prices, designed to accompany a leisurely tea break. Fan favorites include miniature baked spaghetti casseroles, deep-fried chicken wings with fries, and condensed milk toast sets.
Drink Customization Terms
Hong Kong café culture features specific ordering shorthand. Use these terms when placing your drink order to customize your beverage:
- Siu Tim (少甜): Less sweet / reduced simple syrup.
- Zou Tim (走甜): Unsweetened / no added sugar.
- Siu Bing (少冰): Less ice (keeps tea from diluting).
- Zhong Bing (正冰 / 走冰): No ice.
- Hot vs. Cold Upcharge: Be aware that iced drinks almost universally carry a $0.50 to $0.75 upcharge over hot drinks due to larger cup sizes and ice packaging.
Best For: Who This Menu Guide Helps
- Diners Budgeting Before Visiting: Know what entrees, drinks, and combos cost before walking through the door.
- Bakery Seekers: Pinpoint the best pastry options (like the molten salted egg yolk bun) and learn the best times to avoid sellouts.
- Takeout & Delivery Shoppers: Understand why third-party apps charge 15%–25% higher rates and how ordering in person saves money.
- Foodies New to Cha Chaan Teng Dining: Decode traditional ordering practices, like drink customizations and combo bundling.
- People with Dietary Concerns: Gain transparent context on peanut butter, dairy, and soy sauce usage in high-volume wok kitchens.
Ordering Tips From LatestMenus
Ordering Tips From LatestMenus
Practical steps to help you avoid long weekend lines, order the best items, and keep your bill manageable.
- Arrive before 10:00 AM on weekends. Alice’s Kitchen is one of Temple City's busiest weekend breakfast spots; waitlists grow quickly between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM.
- Order bakery items first at the front counter. If you intend to take pineapple buns home, buy them from the bakery case immediately upon entering before daily batches sell out.
- Customize your beverage sweetness. Traditional Hong Kong milk tea is pre-sweetened; request "less sweet" (*Siu Tim*) to taste the bold, roasted tea notes without excessive sugar.
- Take advantage of bundled sets. Ordering a breakfast combo or lunch special that includes a drink saves $2.00 or more compared to ordering food and drinks à la carte.
- Avoid delivery markups when possible. Apps like DoorDash, Chowbus, and Fantuan add markups to individual dishes; calling ahead for in-person pickup offers the best pricing.
- Confirm card minimums or surcharges. Like many traditional casual eateries in the San Gabriel Valley, keep cash or a debit card handy to navigate potential card payment minimums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Alice’s Kitchen have an official online menu with prices?
Alice’s Kitchen does not maintain an interactive corporate website with real-time pricing. The most up-to-date prices are found on their physical in-store dining room menus and through verified takeout partners like Chowbus and Fantuan.
What is the most famous dish at Alice’s Kitchen in Temple City?
The restaurant is widely famous for its freshly baked Pineapple Bun with a thick slab of cold butter (Bolo Yau), followed closely by the Salted Egg Yolk Lava Bun and the Baked Pork Chop over Fried Rice.
Does Alice’s Kitchen serve breakfast?
Yes. Alice’s Kitchen serves a dedicated Hong Kong breakfast menu from opening until around 11:30 AM, featuring macaroni soups, eggs, butter toast, congee, and bundled hot drinks.
Why are prices higher on delivery apps than in the restaurant?
Third-party platforms (like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Fantuan) charge restaurant commissions, prompting eateries to raise menu prices by 10% to 25% on delivery platforms to cover operational costs.
Does Alice’s Kitchen publish calorie and nutrition information?
No. Because Alice’s Kitchen is an independent, single-location restaurant, it is exempt from federal menu labeling mandates. Official calorie counts are not published.
Can I find vegetarian or vegan dishes on the menu?
Vegetarian choices are limited. While vegetable and tofu dishes exist, many sauces contain oyster sauce, chicken powder, or fish stock. Always ask the staff to prepare your greens plain with garlic and oil.
What is the difference between a plain pineapple bun and bolo yau?
A plain pineapple bun (bolo bao) is a warm sweet bread topped with a sugary, crumbly crust (no actual pineapple). Bolo Yau takes that same warm bun and inserts a thick slab of chilled butter into the center.
Does Alice’s Kitchen take reservations?
No. Seating operates on a first-come, first-served basis. During busy breakfast and lunch rushes, diners must write their names on the physical clipboard waitlist at the host stand.
What are the afternoon tea hours at Alice’s Kitchen?
Afternoon tea specials typically run Monday through Friday from approximately 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM, featuring discounted mini entrees, snacks, and drink pairings.
How do I order my milk tea less sweet?
Ask your server for "less sweet" or use the Cantonese term Siu Tim. You can also request "no sugar" (Zou Tim) if you prefer the natural bitterness of the black tea and evaporated milk.
Conclusion
Alice’s Kitchen remains a cornerstone of Temple City’s casual Cantonese dining scene, delivering rich comfort food, nostalgic British-Hong Kong culinary fusion, and exceptional bakery staples. To make the most of your visit, aim for the morning breakfast sets or weekday afternoon tea hours to enjoy bundled drinks at lower prices, and never leave without a warm pineapple bun from the bakery case.
Menus, prices, calories, and availability can change by location, time, delivery platform, and restaurant updates. Always confirm the latest information with the official restaurant website, app, or your local restaurant before ordering. Information verified for 2026 where available.