Chinese Chicken Salad

Since it first appeared on menus about 20 years ago, Chinese chicken salad, with countless variations, has been a favorite. Here are some popular versions:

* Stanley’s: This Valley cafe is a favorite with singles, many of whom order Chinese chicken salad made with shredded chicken, iceberg lettuce, crisp rice noodles, green onions, oranges and sesame seed dressing. ($8.95.) Stanley’s, 13817 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 986-4623.

* Green Street Restaurant: One of our area’s first Chinese chicken salads, and still one of the best, is the Diane Salad made with chunks of white meat, crisp rice noodles, toasted almonds, sesame seeds, shredded iceberg lettuce and a distinctive, satisfyingly sweet dressing. Served with zucchini bread. ($8.50.) Green Street Restaurant, 146 S. Shoppers Lane, Pasadena, (626) 577-7170.

* Chin Chin: This chain of contemporary Chinese cafes offers a “classic shredded chicken salad” composed of roasted chicken, shredded lettuce, green onions, toasted almonds and crisp rice noodles tossed in a tart red ginger dressing. ($7.50.) Chin Chin, 11740 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, (310) 826-2525; Marina Marketplace Center, 13455 Maxella Ave., Marina del Rey, (310) 823-9999; 16101 Ventura Blvd., Encino (818) 783-1717; 12215 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 985-9090; 8618 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 652-1818.

* Patinette: A frequent special at the Museum of Contemporary Art’s small cafe is a juicy Chinese chicken salad made with lettuce, carrots, baby bok choy, buckwheat noodles and sesame vinaigrette. ($7.75.) Patinette at MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 626-1178.

* California Chicken Cafe: The most popular salad at this fast-food cafe is Chinese chicken salad with romaine lettuce, rotisserie chicken, almonds, crisp noodles, plain pasta, green onions, oranges, carrots and a sweet Chinese dressing. (Small, $5; large, $6.50.) California Chicken Cafe, 6805 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 935-5877.

* Chinois on Main: Wolfgang Puck’s famous Chinois chicken salad is light and dark meat tossed with leaf lettuce, radicchio and mustard greens in a spicy-sweet vinaigrette, then topped with fried wonton skins and sesame seeds. (At lunch, $9.75; at dinner, $12.75.) Chinois on Main, 2709 Main St., Santa Monica (310) 392-9025.

* Dickenson West: And then there’s Chinese smoked duck salad . . . a delicious variation on the classic made with red and white cabbage, dried cranberries, roasted almonds, crisp wonton skins, smoked duck and a secret dressing, sweet and gingery. Lunch only. ($10.75.) Dickenson West, 181 E. Glenarm St., Pasadena, (626) 799-5252.