Cali Express made big news in LA when it opened a fast-food restaurant where the preparation of burgers and fries was wholly automated using AI and robotic technology. More recently, Tigawok, a Chinese fast-food restaurant that uses automated cooking machines, caught notice when it opened on the Westside.
Tigawok’s commercial cooking machines resemble front-loading washers. They are manufactured in China and operate like automatic woks with preset heat and spin controls. However, these machines reflect cutting-edge technology with touchpad controls and automated cleaning capabilities.
The modest-sized restaurant is bright, clean, and set up as a fast casual restaurant with limited seating. Bowls of the food available line the display case, making decision-making easier. Utensils, napkins, containers, etc., are available at a self-service station. Be prepared to bus your table.
If you elect to dine in, you may end up waiting for a table. Arriving early, we were fortunate enough to snag the only booth. The majority of Tigawok’s customers order their food to go. They do not appear to work with food delivery services (e.g., Doordash), avoiding the approximate 30% charge and keeping its prices low by doing so.
Their bowls are a bargain, from $2.99 for mapo tofu and sweet potato with scrambled eggs to $5.99 with only the Tiga Wagu Curry and the Braised Pork Belly with Quail Eggs at the upper end. They have a base set of dishes, and some rotate seasonally. Steamed rice is $1.50, and chow mein is only $1.99. You can get by with a cheap chow mein lunch if you’re not hungry!
We ordered many dishes and shared them among ourselves. Surprisingly, the food was quite flavorful. Some items were better than others, but we particularly enjoyed the sauces. The pepper pork ($4.99) mixed with green beans was well seasoned with a spicy kick and is one of their most popular dishes.
If you want steamed rice with your order, consider ordering the wagyu beef bowl ($3.99). This item will provide you with tasty wagyu beef with your selection. A big surprise was the quality of the soup dumplings. They weren’t Ding Tai Fung quality, but at $4.99, you aren’t paying a Ding Tai Fung price.
With the US tip culture getting out of hand, I was surprised that the screen prompting a tip wasn’t flipped to me when I paid. If you appreciate the service, a tip jar is available. Since my mom lives nearby, I’m eager to have her experience the food.
Pro Tip: The parking lot is free and best entered by driving north on Sawtelle Blvd. The storefront is on the ground floor facing Sawtelle.
West LA too far for you? Don’t worry—another location on E. Palm Ave in Burbank is coming soon.
Tigawok 2224 Sawtelle Blvd, West LA; tigawok.com