Haven City Market brings together a diverse array of restaurants, featuring international flavors, located at 989 S. Glendora Ave, West Covina, CA 91790. This food filled plaza has become a popular gathering hub for anyone seeking a lively atmosphere that celebrates culture.
To start off our night, we ordered the $22 BBQ Beef plate from Taste of the Pacific, which is a Filipino restaurant. This simple dish offered a large portion with beef and white rice. We expected a welcoming and delicious first meal, but this restaurant failed to meet our expectations. Although drenched in sauce, the beef felt dry and lacked tenderness. The plate was also advertised to come with two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad, but instead, we were served three scoops of rice with no macaroni salad. The rice was dry and hard which added on to the already bland and disappointing dish. The rice plate would have been significantly better with the macaroni salad to balance out the meat and rice.
Another dish we ordered was the Curry Chicken Katsu plate from KZ Mori, which was $18. The plate consisted of rice, chicken katsu and salad with a side of miso soup. Compared to the beef from the other plate, the chicken was extremely tender and pleasant to eat. This Japanese establishment provided an array of sauces to pair with different parts of the meal. As a pleasant surprise, we found that there was pepper sprinkled throughout the breading of the katsu which gave it a nice hint of spice to the dish. The curry sauce was creamy and buttery which paired perfectly with the chicken katsu.
As a refreshment was needed after eating so much food, we decided to indulge at the Mexican agua fresca shop El Chamango. We ordered the Watermelon agua fresca and the Mango agua fresca, which was $9 each. The small shop offered free samples and allowed us to try as many flavors as we wanted. The drinks had a strong fruity taste as each jug of agua fresca was filled with fresh fruit. It was also not too sweet as you would expect and this drink would be perfect for a hot day. Although the drink may seem overpriced, they offer a generous portion size.
The market’s visual appeal adds to its charm, featuring vibrant murals and festive decor that celebrate the cultural diversity of its food offerings. Attention to aesthetic nuances make Haven City Market feel like more than a food court; it becomes a dynamic space to explore and enjoy.
In addition to the culinary options, Haven City Market also offers a welcoming vibe in their open air courtyard. Dozens of benches are scattered around a grass turf area which all culminate to surround a stage. Oftentimes during the evening, guests can spot a disc jockey (DJ) or a band performing on the stage. The stage adds an extra layer of livelines to the already spirited atmosphere. With the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series playing on televisions at every seating area, the building was filled with cheers, giving it a feeling of collectivism as everyone was rocking the Los Angeles Dodgers’ merchandise.
Haven City is the perfect spot to gather for any special occasion such as a watch party. Neighboring stores also add to the experience as there is an arcade and a multitude of different restaurants as well. We recommend that you arrive early on Friday night or during the weekends since it is packed and parking will become scarce. Overall, we would give the Haven City Market 3.5 out of 5 stars as it serves as a great option for a night out with friends or family.
