This place might have the best portion sizes for Chinese food in Irvine! I'm a big fan of how…read morediverse the menu is, with so many different dishes to choose from. We ordered a bunch of food and barely had enough room on the table. They even have hot pot, but we didn't have enough space to try it this time! Some of my favorites were the juicy pork dumplings, beef roll, and pork wontons in spicy sauce. The charcoal-grilled items were also fun to try, and there's still so much more on the menu I want to come back for! We ordered: * Juicy pork dumplings * Beef roll * Pork wontons in spicy sauce * Charcoal BBQ chives * Chicken skewers * Charcoal-grilled chicken cartilage * Spicy pickled vegetable with beef noodle soup * Pork potstickers Definitely a great spot to check out if you're craving Chinese food and want lots of options!

My first time visiting Northern Cafe at this location, but I have visited another location near the…read moreUniversity of Irvine on Campus drive! I went into Northern Cafe with a serious craving of dim sum-- specifically looking for a location that was not overpriced and had a good selection. However, I am saddened to sat that a majority of what we ordered did not live up to my expectations. Here's the breakdown of what we ordered: 1. Beef rolls - 5/5 Absolutely phenomenal! I was just expecting this to be an overhyped dish after reading through various reviews raving on how good this was, and plus I'm not super fond of beef. But this was just wow...pure perfection with some sweetness from the beef tuning so well with the savoriness of the vegetables! The best dish we had by far. 2. Chicken potstickers - 4/5 These were okay! Nothing really to write home about, but loved the crispiness of them. Flavor wise...let's just say a lot of vinegar and soy sauce was used. 3. Juciy Chicken Dumplings - 3/5 Honestly disappointed in this one! Was expecting to bite into the dumplings filled with flavorful broth; only to be left with biting through a semi-tough dumpling that had barely and broth to consider it "juicy". It's definitely not the worst, but I would not recommend getting. 4. Shrimp Wontons - 2/5 Biggest disappointment for me! I had a similar dish at the Campus Drive location and was in love with the flavors for that one. But this? The vegetable used for the filling made gag each time I chewed through it, and it didn't complement the shrimp at all. I think it would have been better with chicken filling, but still disappointed at how the shrimp variation came out. Service was great! The waitress who served us seated up right away and gave us clear instructions. Ambience was good as well, as it was very easy going for a Saturday morning. Overall: I don't recommend coming here for the dumplings. However, I'm sure their stir fry and noodle dishes are a lot better!

What a pleasant surprise! We found this little Xi'an restaurant while shopping and ended up having…read moreone of the most satisfying meals we've had in a while. The lamb skewers were juicy and perfectly seasoned with cumin, and the grilled beef tendon skewers had an amazing crispy, chewy texture. The soup dumplings were full of flavorful broth, and the braised beef knife-cut noodles were chewy with large, tender chunks of beef. We also tried the beef paomo for the first time--it was warm, comforting, and packed with rich flavor. The portions were generous, the prices were very reasonable, and after chatting with the staff we learned the owner is from Xi'an, which explains how authentic everything tasted. If you're craving Northwestern Chinese food in Irvine, this spot is definitely worth checking out!

What happened to EverSpring? Things were so different on our last visit that my mom asked if they…read morechanged ownership, which the staff said happened a few months ago. This spot used to have amazing fresh, delicious food and compostable tableware. Now there are ceramic plates which appeared scratched and dirty, all the food came in different plates/bowls, beverage fountain doesn't work, and worst of all, food was not good. We all ordered things we always do that we love and everything was a miss. My fried rice was SO dry with just a few tofu pieces. I added so much hot sauce, chili, and soy sauce and it still wasn't good. Cucumber salad was completely different and actually off putting. No one said their food was good which is the exact opposite of all of our other experiences. To top it off, everyone felt sort of sick after because of the amount of salt in the food. Staff were doing their best but everything seemed unorganized and we had to constantly ask for things that were missing. Heartbreak.

Came by for lunch on the weekend and the place was packed! We managed to grab a seat but I can see…read morethis filling up or getting to a wait if it was any busier. They have a very Szechuan focused menu with most of the classics. Interior is lively and the space is on the smaller side. Service was prompt and all our food came quickly. The twice cooked pork was a little salty but came with generous ratio of pork to veggies. The hot and sour soup was piping and well flavored. Everything was spicy but not unbearable, and their food was all generously portioned.

20min - wait time for seating 40min - wait time for food…read more Still waiting ..............

We have been to Northern Cafe many times over the years, although we hadn't visited for a while…read morerecently. It is conveniently located near UCI, making it a popular spot for students. The ordering process is simple. Just find an empty table and sit down, browse the menu, and when you're ready, walk up to the front counter to place your order and pay. After that, the staff will bring the food to your table. If you need extra plates, water, or other basic items, it's mostly self-service. Just grab what you need yourself. The setup is straightforward and efficient, which is probably one reason so many students like coming here. It's a great place for a quick meal with friends or family near the UCI area.

This place is located at UTC. Plenty of parking and the restaurant is front and center so it's hard…read moreto miss. This is a great spot for students. Plenty of seating and prices are definitely affordable for what you get. You order up at the register and the staff brings the food to your table. I had the beef noodles which was very filling. Not the best I've had but acceptable for the price. My friend had the hot pot also looked amazing. Staff are nice and restaurant is clean overall. I went on a weekend evening so there wasn't a wait. Overall a fairly good place for the price.

The scents wafting from this restaurant were so nice it literally pulled me in!…read more The inside is cozy and very authentic feeling. The staff were very friendly and helpful as I didn't know anything about biáng biáng noodles. After looking through the menu I decided a hot bowl of beef noodle soup would be perfect for the cold cloudy day. I also got a cucumber salad on the side that paired perfectly with the hot broth. The noodles in the soup were so soft with a perfect amount of chew. The broth had some sesame in it that gave it a creamy appearance and rich flavor. The beef chunks were nicely seasoned and cooked. Half of a hard boiled egg, cilantro, radish, and green onion rounded out the dish. I went with a medium spice which was perfect but I could've handled more. Next time I'll try it spicier. The cucumber salad was cold, crunchy, and fresh with a perfect kick on the back end. All in all a nice random lunch at a new spot I had never been to. I will certainly be back to try the biáng biáng noodles and their Asian burgers which looked intriguing!

Nice little restaurant. Was not the cleanest but pretty expected. Service was whatever. I think…read moremight be language barrier so I'll let it slide As for the food it was solid. I really liked the texture of the Biang biang noodles. Had a nice bite to them and nice and chewy. Got the oil poured noodle with braised beef rib, the 3 in 1, sesame cold skin noodles, and the ma hu beef noodles. I was okay with the 3 in 1 and beef noodles. If u like tomato soup or beef noodle soup, you'll like those two. I've had better beef noodle soup and not the biggest fan of the 3 in 1 but good flavor, just not my thing. Sesame noodle skippable. Had much better on that one. For me, my favorite noodle and one I actually really enjoyed was the oil poured noodle with braised beef rib. It was really good. The meat was really well cooked and tender, and the sauce oil had a nice kick, while still maintaining a great savory and sour taste. Would definitely recommend. Would come back for this!

Simple restaurant serving reasonably priced, casual Chinese food. My son and I were on our own for…read moredinner and decided to try something new. This spot was on the way to football practice, so we popped in. Staffing was minimal -- just two servers running the whole place -- and ordering is done through a QR code, which seems to be the norm these days. The ambiance is basic: plain tables and chairs, minimal décor, nothing fancy. We ordered the fried chicken cutlet w/ rice, the crispy rougamo, and the garlic string beans. Everything was solid, but the crispy rougamo was the standout. Flaky pastry packed with strips of peppery steak -- simple but really satisfying.

Was searching for some unique eats in Irvine for a hang out with a friend, and more importantly,…read morefinding a place with parking, good thing we landed on Crispy Rougamo (which was on her to try list for a while). The plaza here is quite busy since there's so many eateries and businesses located there, so the driving inside the plaza can be a bit hectic, but both of us parked towards the back facing the main road, so no big deal. We came here around 11:30 AM and were seated immediately, but in about 20 minutes after being seated the entire restaurant filled up and there were parties waiting outside. The after church/I finally woke up on a Sunday morning crowd were finally there for lunch, so keep this in mind! Ordering is simple and done through a QR code. The workers bring the food to your table and all the chili oil, vinegar, and seasonings are available. Ambiance is very casual and chill. I love that they were playing Poke'mon on the TV. For our lunch, we got the: 1) Shredded Potatoes: -HUGE plate of shredded potatoes. Definitely filling, but went great as a carb with everything else that we got. I'm a big fan of this at other Chinese restaurants since it's a pretty cooling and refreshing dish. Definitely had more than enough to bring home as leftovers to fry up again. -There's some onion and julienne carrots in it too. The seasoning is vinegar based so it's slightly sour tang to it. 2) Crispy Lamb Bun: -Comes with onion and cumin inside. -YOU HAVE to get one of the buns here. It's what the restaurant is named after, aka the Chinese hamburger. -Super crispy and slightly oily baked flat bun exterior that goes great with the super moist and seasoned meat on the inside. I added some chili oil to taste, but it doesn't need it on its own. So much meat that if you're not careful eating it, it'll spill out. 3) Sauteed Conch Slices with Fresh Chili Peppers: -My friend has never had conch before, so this was a fun dish for the both of us. -Another generously portioned dish with lots and lots of conch slices in it. -Think of it as a more protein rich noodle with a slight chew to it. Not bad and it comes with peppers, ginger, chili, and other veggies mixed in. Not bad! The worker was nice enough to provide extra utensils and bags and to go containers for us when we mentioned that we wanted to split the leftovers. Solid restaurant!

My family and I stopped in for Tuesday lunch, and I was pleasantly surprised by how lively it was,…read morethere were quite a few tables for a weekday afternoon. We ordered the mapo tofu with beef, kung pao chicken, and the dongpo pork belly with preserved vegetables. I was impressed with the authentic flavors and quality. The pork belly melts in your mouth exactly as it should. Mapo tofu delivered the ideal mala (numbing and spicy) kick that wasn't overly spicy. As for the kung pao chicken, at first I thought the peanuts seemed a bit underdone but the flavor was so aromatic. The prices were very reasonable for the quality and portion size. Would be happy to come back!

Went to Meizhou today for my brother's birthday and was surprised by a few things. First, we found…read moreout the restaurant is changing ownership, so there are a few things worth noting about the current dining experience. Some menu items are being discontinued, my rice came out cold, and a few of the decor choices seemed a little tacky. Meizhou is a great option for special occasions because the interior feels upscale and is one of the nicer-looking restaurants in the area. Today, we ordered the Sichuan Cold Noodles, Vegetable Fried Rice, Angus Beef Filet With Black Pepper, Chicken Pot-Stickers (six pieces), Dongpo Pork Belly With Preserved Vegetable, Garlic Stir-Fried A Choy and white rice. Unfortunately, the white rice came out cold, almost as if it had been sitting in the refrigerator. Thankfully, our server replaced it immediately, but it was still an odd experience. My favorite dish here is the Angus Beef Filet With Black Pepper. The meat is high quality, and the flavors are perfectly balanced. Meizhou is also well-known for its duck. We didn't order it today, but the half duck is always another great option! The meat practically melts in your mouth, which is one of my favorite things about it. Service has always been hit or miss here, so I think your experience really depends on which server you get. I love the food overall, although some dishes feel overpriced for the portion sizes. That said, the quality of the food is generally great. One last thing I noticed today, which isn't a huge deal but stood out to me, was a cup in the women's restroom containing a hairbrush, toothpaste and a toothbrush for customers to use. For a restaurant with such an upscale atmosphere, this felt a little out of place and tacky. Overall, Meizhou is definitely worth trying if you love duck or are looking for a nicer restaurant for a special occasion. I still enjoy the food here, but I'm curious to see how things change under the new ownership!

Love, love, love this place!!! Service is quick, friendly, and the food is absolutely delicious…read more Never had an issue with wait times, even during dinner rush hours. We always order the beef noodle soup with tendon, cucumbers, and pig ears. All are delicious!! The noodle soup is light, yet flavorful and the wide noodles are cooked to perfection. Recently ordered the beef wrap too, and it's so yummy!! It's thin, wrapped well, crispy, flavorful, and doesn't fall apart easily. Their chili is also so good, so I add a bit pretty much to every dish. Overall--family-friendly ambiance, clean, good service, quick, and tasty foods. Will be back!!!!!!

It isn't in the style of Taiwanese bento chicken cutlet. Let's get that out of the way…read more But it's a $13 chicken and rice bowl in 2026. A solid meal, well fried and fat rendered, not much batter in this style. Seasoning is there, and they have an excellent chili oil-sauce thing on each table to add for deep flavor and spice. If I had to change something... I'd add bok choy as a side rather than chopped into the rice? Still solid choice. Service is as usual at an Asian restaurant--order, and they'll respect your meal time and leave you alone unless you ask for attention.

The food here is excellent and tastes very good. However when I went there the service wasn't the…read morebest, some servers completely ignored me. The ambience was very good and made this restaurant look very good and cozy.

I had been wanting to try 7 Grams for such a long time, and I finally got the chance to visit! And…read morewow, it was even better than I expected!! The restaurant is located in a large shopping plaza. Although I wouldn't say there's plenty of parking, I was able to find a spot without much trouble. When I first saw the crowd waiting outside, I got a little intimidated and even thought, "Should we just go somewhere else?" Haha. But surprisingly, the wait wasn't that long, and we were seated much faster than I expected. Once we sat down and looked at the menu, I was already impressed! I loved both the variety of dishes and the prices. There were so many things I wanted to try, but I decided to save some for future visits. Haha. We ordered the Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), a noodle dish, the Beef Roll, and the Scallion Pancake. The food came out pretty quickly, and we started trying everything one by one. OMG. Everything was SO GOOD!! Honestly, every single dish exceeded my expectations. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared. The Beef Roll was especially impressive because it had more beef inside than the ones I've tried at other restaurants. The Xiao Long Bao was juicy, flavorful, and absolutely delicious! The Scallion Pancake was perfectly crispy on the outside, with that wonderful savory flavor. And the noodles! I can't remember the exact name, but I think it had "Golden" in it? Haha. It had a unique flavor that I'd never experienced before, with a little spicy kick. Even though it was spicy, it was so delicious that I couldn't stop eating until the bowl was completely empty! While we were eating, I suddenly thought about my family at home, so I ordered another Beef Roll to go. And here's another thing that really impressed me: **THE SERVICE!** The employee who helped us with the bill was incredibly friendly and pleasant. I was genuinely happy to leave a tip because the service was that good! But what happened afterward impressed me even more. After paying, I went to use the restroom. The hallway leading to it was somewhat narrow, and whenever I passed an employee, they politely stepped aside to let me through first. It might seem like a small gesture, but I really appreciated it. It felt like treating customers with kindness and respect was simply second nature to everyone working there. Great food, wonderful service, AND reasonable prices? What more could I ask for?! Honestly, **why would I go to Din Tai Fung when I have 7 Grams?!** Haha! From now on, whenever I'm craving Xiao Long Bao, 7 Grams will be my first choice! And I definitely have to come back because the dishes I saw on other tables looked absolutely delicious, too. There are still so many things I want to try! **7 Grams, you've officially won me over!**

I'm Chinese, but had never had Yunnan food before, so thought of giving it a try…read more I walked in and was immediately sat. It's a QR scan to see the menu and place your order through your phone. The food came out so quick. Less than 2 minutes and everything was in front of me and tasted fresh. The service is extremely fast. I got the classic Roodle and as soon as I put all the ingredients into the broth, they swung by and collected empty dishes immediately. The portion was large and ingredients fresh. I enjoyed the variety and the amount of rice noodle. The broth was salty and refreshing. They have some side sauces to adjust the flavor, but I found myself not needing it. The dish reminded me of a form of hot pot but a soup version. Loved it! I highly recommend and will be returning!

I decided to give this place a try because I heard their noodles were very authentic, and as…read moresomeone who loves noodles, I was excited to try it. I ordered their most popular dish, the A1 set, but honestly, it didn't really live up to the hype for me. The broth tasted pretty underseasoned overall. From what I understood, you're supposed to mix all the toppings into the soup with the noodles, but even after doing that, I still felt like the flavor was lacking. Yes, they provide seasoning on the side, but personally, I wish the broth already had enough flavor on its own without needing to adjust it myself. Would I come back? Probably not. Nothing really stood out to me enough to return, and it felt more like a one-time experience. Overall, everything was just okay.