Sea Empress Seafood Restaurant - Gardena

It was Christmas day, we were wearing cat tights, and we really didn't want to cook. We tried going to our local Buca di Beppo, but they told us they were full for hours while they stared. You should always be prepared for stares if you venture out in cat tights, but seriously never underestimate the staring ability of white people. #tryingtofitin #dontjudge

We were too hungry to wait and made the drive to Sea Empress in nearby Gardena. We listened to the wait staff's exclamations of delight over our cat tights, and I think someone was wearing the bunny version at the next table over. Clearly we were in the right place. #soasian

The dim sum makes a strong showing at Sea Empress. The classic Shrimp Hargow are better than any gift under the tree. Their crystal-clear wrappers hold a whole lot of fabulous. They don't skimp on the shrimp in the pork and shrimp Shumai, and the Seafood Dumplings come in a tasty-textured rice-wrap that unwraps into salty little scallops. The Roast Pork Bao are soft and fluffy with a sweet BBQ filling in festive Christmas red.

I was more all over those Shrimp Rice Noodles than a couple under mistletoe, and the Sesame Balls were shining like ornaments on a decked-out tree. These perfect spheres have a satisfying outer crunch, coating a chewy layer of starch, filled with soft, sweet red bean paste. 

If I were Santa, my motto would be " Will work for dim sum". I would take tasty tidbits like these warm, flaky, beef-filled Pastries over cookies and milk any day.

Forget white Christmas, I want mine to glow Asian. I love the holiday, and I love the lights, but move all that to Gardena because Sea Empress, #alliwantforchristmasisyou.