I recently visited Mandi xpress in Irvine and was really impressed by the authentic Yemeni food and bold flavors throughout the meal. We tried the Fish Mova ($24), Chicken Full Mandi, Beef Sabousa, cheese, hummus, and the fresh Yemeni bread made daily. Everything was flavorful and satisfying, and the bread was especially memorable. It came out warm and fresh, making it the perfect addition to the meal. If you're looking to try Yemeni cuisine in Orange County this is definitely worth a visit. read more

If you're craving Yemeni food and want something quick and satisfying, Mandi Xpress is definitely worth checking out. I ordered the chicken mandi, and while the rice wasn't quite as flavorful as I expected on its own, it really came to life with the house sauces. They added the perfect amount of flavor and brought the whole dish together. The chicken was the highlight for me. It was tender, juicy, and fell right off the bone, with crispy, well-seasoned skin that paired really well with the rice. The cheese sambosa was easily one of my favorite things I tried. It was perfectly crispy on the outside with warm, gooey cheese inside, and I'd absolutely order it again. We also had the fresh Yemeni bread, which came out warm and soft and was perfect for scooping up the chicken, rice, and sauces. The portions are generous, the service was quick, and it's a great spot when you're looking for a comforting halal Yemeni meal without a long wait. Overall, I'd definitely come back--especially for the chicken mandi, cheese sambosas, and those flavorful house sauces. read more

My first time trying Mandi Xpress, and I had a really good experience. The food was flavorful, and the lamb mandi was tender and well-seasoned. The rice was fragrant and paired perfectly with the meat. The fresh bread was also delicious. The restaurant was clean, and the staff was friendly and welcoming. Portions were generous, and the prices felt reasonable for the quality of the food. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that the service was a little slower than expected, and I think a bit more attention to the dining experience would make it even better. Overall, I'd definitely come back and recommend it to anyone looking to try authentic Yemeni cuisine. read more

We love Mandi and use to go to brookhurst to enjoy it but now it has opened in Irvine , which made us very happy. The Mandi was excellent!! Finger licking good Would definitely recommend it. read more

See all

A great casual sit down for some authentic Yemeni food. Cheese Sambousa $4.99 reminds me of like a crispy wonton Fish Moda $24.99 super flavorful, but just be careful of bones. I love how there's flying pieces to add that citrus flavor. Yemeni bread $3.99: loved the size and crispy bottom but slightly burnt. made fresh to order Hummus $6.99: good not overly salted but would've like this colder. Lamb Haneeth + Chicken : they literally both fall off the fork, so delicate and cooked well They do have a wall of drinks. read more

See all

It was weird how I found this place through open table. So I booked it even though it kindda look like order at the counter take your food and sit down type of a place. Arrived at the appointed time and I was right it was order at the counter, take a number and sit down. The place is casual and busy. After perusing the menu on the board, we decided to order fish. Read a helper review that mentioned fish bones, so i was ready. This is an entire fish that was grilled, spices covered and i couldn't be happier with how good this fish was cooked. Had some type of flat bread, i added a cucumber sauce and that made this dish sing. I recommend and would come back to try other food items. read more

Mandi Xpress - Fish Nova... delicious just be careful with the fish bones - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

My first time trying Yemeni food! This place has a ton of great reviews so figured it would be a great place to try it. We ordered the chicken mandi, fish mova, beef and cheese sambousa, and lentil soup. Highlyyyy recommend the chicken mandi and fish mova. So delicious and flavorful. Plenty of seating inside and outside, and very clean. Service was helpful in recommending what to try. read more

Mandi Xpress - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

ordered the rice and grilled chicken. Love the sauces they give you, large portions enough to take leftovers home! read more

Mandi Xpress - Finished - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

The Mendi here is absolutely outstanding. The rice is perfectly cooked and infused with rich, aromatic spices, while the meat is incredibly tender and full of flavor. The chicken was juicy with a beautiful roasted finish, and the lamb was fall-apart soft. What really made this dish special were the toppings--crispy toasted nuts, sweet raisins, fresh onions, and lemon wedges that added a refreshing touch. The balance of flavors between savory, slightly sweet, and tangy was just perfect. The portion is very generous and great for sharing. You can tell this is authentic, high-quality Mendi made with care. Definitely one of the best I've had--highly recommen read more

Mandi Xpress - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

We had the Fish Mova, and it was packed with flavor. The portion size was generous, and the rice was also very flavorful. The restaurant was clean, and the ambiance was nice and comfortable. Overall, it was a great dining experience, and I would definitely recommend read more

See all

Tried this Yemeni restaurant for the first time and got the fish mova, chicken mandi, yemeni bread, lentil soup, kibbeh, and baklava. The meal was a nice introduction to Yemeni cuisine, and it was fun trying a variety of dishes. The fresh bread and fish mova were probably my favorites, and the baklava was a good way to end the meal. Overall, it's worth checking out if you're interested in trying Yemeni food. Service was also great. We went during lunch time so there was no wait either. read more

Mandi Xpress - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

Excellent choice!!! I was looking to try something new and found this place on Alton. I gave it a try and wowww! The hummus was so creamy and sooo good! The bread made in house!! A dream come true! I've had outstanding hummus but this one was just top tier! The Mandi lamb was so tender and fell off the bone! If you're around.. give this place a try..it will be worth it! It's new in the area so I wasn't sure about it but once you go in... you'll come back .. it's that good read more

Mandi Xpress - Mandi lamb and hummus - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

Really solid spot. The mandi is always flavorful, the meat is tender, and the portions are great for the price. Everything tastes fresh, and the staff has always been friendly whenever I've stopped by. But the real surprise was the Xpress Cheesecake. I honestly wasn't expecting much, but it was amazing super creamy, not overly sweet, and probably one of the best desserts I've had in a while. Definitely don't skip it. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Mandi Xpress - Xpress Cheesecake - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

This was our first time trying Yemeni food and omg it did not disappoint!!! The restaurant is open and very clean! We really wanted to try the fish mova. It looked so good with the rice. We also ordered the cheese sambousas, yemeni bread with the cucumber yogurt. We also got yemeni coffee. We decided to sit outside and the server brought out our food in no time! The presentation of the food was top tier! The coffee came of a tray with a kettle and 2 little coffee cups! It was so cute! The grilled fish was HUGE! The rice was a vibrant yellow orange color. The bread was also HUGE!! Everything was so tasty! The fish was grilled to perfection and Ioved that the rice came with raisins and nuts. It added a nice crunch and sweetness. The coffee was strong, which i love! We finished everything off with a little sweet treat, the nutella cake. It was almost like a tres leches cake. Super good!! Overall 10/10!! I can't wait to go back to try the other dishes! read more

See all

New Yemeni restaurant in Irvine! They've only been open for a month. Big big fan of Yemeni food! We decided to drop by after doing some grocery shopping. We weren't hungry yet so we went in only to get drinks. The workers there are REALLY nice. They asked us if we've ever had Yemeni food before and spent the time to explain their menu to us. After telling them we were only interested in getting some drinks, they also took the time to explain each option to us. There is plenty of seating inside. Very spacious and clean. Not too loud and perfect for a group or eating by yourself. We ordered their Adeni Chai and their Yemeni Coffee. I was specifically wondering if they had Karak tea and discovered it was their chai. And it was! Very delicious, creamy, and unique. I can drink like 3 of these a day if I could. The Yemeni coffee definitely packs a punch when it comes to energizing you and giving you that caffeine kick. There is a considerable cinnamon taste to it as a heads up if you're into that spice for coffee. I look forward to coming back to trying their food!! read more

See all

Great food, fantastic flavors Chicken Mandi, juicy chicken on a bed of rice flavored with raisins and nuts Lamb stew, sizzling and full of aroma Fish mova, tender fish, lathered in a smoky mildly spicy chile paste The bread is top notch Love the service (Written by the husband) read more

See all

The food was great the service amazing the food is so authentic love it definitely I'll come here and recommend it to everyone read more

Mandi Xpress - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

We went for breakfast, but couldn't resist ordering extras to bring home for later since it's been awhile since we've had Yemeni cuisine. Yemeni Chai Breakfast Platter w/ eggs, foul (beans), variety of cheese & jams, cucumber, olives, tomatoes and fresh bread Lentil Soup Kibbeh Cheese Sambousa Chicken Mandi Lamb Mandi If you've never had mandi, it's fragrant rice with fried onions, almonds and raisins topped with either roast chicken or lamb, and trust me, either one is perfection here. The meat comes out so tender. We tried a little while we were there and brought the rest home - the portions are so big we had dinner AND lunch the next day The breakfast was awesome too - similar to the Turkish and Persian breakfasts I love, with fresh baked bread and a variety of items to enjoy it with while sipping tea Shout out to the team here - they made the best recommendations and brought everything out so fresh and fast for us! We also love how clean and spacious, with beautiful murals and plenty of parking. read more

See all

Mandi Xpress is a casual HALAL Yemeni restaurant offering popular Yemeni dishes as well as some sips and sweets. I stopped by for a weekday lunch with a co-worker. Fish Mova ($25) This tandoor grilled butterflied fish dish was prepared with Yemeni spices like cumin, coriander, tumeric, garlic, chili, etc and created an extremely flavorful, tender and mouth watering dish. Served with a large Yemeni flat bread, this was the perfect accompaniment to scoop up all that fish. Adeni chai ($9 for a kettle for 2 people) - This aromatic Yemeni style milk tea originated from the Aden region. It's made with black tea, milk, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. It was rich, creamy, soothing and the perfect way to end a meal. Overall I was impressed with the fish and chai here. I saw that they have fahsa here (simmered lamb and beef dish) and will need to try that on my next visit. My co-worker ordered a chicken mandi dish ($18), and said it was just ok, and it looked a little plain to me. I tried his rice and while it was aromatic, it wasn't as good as the one at Mandhi House in Anaheim. read more

See all

I really enjoyed my lunch here. It is a fast casual spot. Ordered the chicken mandi and fish mova. The chicken had great flavor and was fall off the bone tender. Loved the rice with the raisins, almonds and crispy onions. The fish mova was a little too oily for my liking and even though seemed well seasoned was surprisingly more bland in flavor. I'd definitely come back for the chicken and maybe try the mutabal Employees were really nice and gave us complimentary hummus to take home! read more

got takeout of their bread, salad, lamb, chicken, and beef. the taste was alright, best thing was the lamb for sure. chicken was really dry and you need to have it with the sauce for it to go down. rice underneath was not bad, i liked that they put nuts in it but i wish there was an option to take out the raisins. did not really like the salad, since it was just cut vegetables with lemon juice. read more

Mandi Xpress - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

This is a hidden gem that people need to explore. The lamb mandi and fish mova are their signature dishes and both were amazing. The lamb was so tender along with the dry fruit loaded saffron flavoured rice. Paired with the Yemeni bread which was so delicious. The portion sizes are very generous. The staff was also very nice and took the time to explain the dishes and provide recommendations. read more

Mandi Xpress - Fish mova - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

I have traveled to the Middle East on several occasions and always enjoyed their lamb dishes. Upon returning to the States I could never find any places that replicated what i had there, at least not in Irvine. Stumbled on this place just by chance. Loved it. The mandi lamb was just like the one i had in Qatar and also in Abu Dhabi. Great mesh of flavors with the savory lamb, and the sweet raisins. A little pricey, but it was a good portion as well. I will definitely be back. read more

Mandi Xpress - Bread - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

We've visited Mandi Express at both their Irvine and Riverside locations, and both experiences were excellent. We ordered the lamb mandi and the fish, and both were absolutely delicious. The portions are very generous for the price, making it a great value. I was especially surprised by the fish--it was incredibly flavorful and perfectly cooked. The lamb mandi was outstanding as well; the meat was so juicy, tender, and full of flavor. And can't forget the Fresh bread . You have to try it We really enjoyed our meals and the overall experience. We'll definitely be coming back again and again. Highly recommend! read more

This was my first time having Yemeni food and it was really delicious. They have a lot of different options on the menu, which made it fun to try something new. The lamb mendi meat was very tender and seasoned really well and everything was super flavorful. I also really liked the flatbread that came with the meal. Overall, it was a great first experience with Yemeni food! it's in a plaza with outdoor seating so we sat outside for fresh air. service was good! read more

See all

So happy to find a new halal food in Irvine! It is the first Yemeni restaurant in town, and they're still in their soft opening phase. I believe this is their second location in California (the first one is in Riverside). We tried their Lamb Mandi and Shakshouka, so good!! The bread is good too! Don't forget to mention that the customer service is amazing. Amr was the gentleman who took our order, and he was very friendly and informative. The place is clean and modern. We pray that their customers continue to grow and that they will last for a long time! read more

Mandi Xpress - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Genuinely some of the best food I've had in a long time. Everything came out super fast, but it tasted so fresh and comforting. It honestly felt like a grandma made you a home cooked meal from scratch. We got the full chicken with rice, hummus, beef and cheese sambousas, and the fahsah. The fahsah was hands down our favorite; it was bubbling hot and incredibly flavorful. Plus, the bread they bring out is huge, fresh, and perfect for scooping everything up. The best part about this place is that the food is super filling without leaving you feeling heavy or greasy like a lot of other restaurants do. Just top-tier, clean, delicious comfort food. Definitely coming back! read more

Service was absolutely amazing! We weren't familiar with the dishes and the waiter assisted us with a perfect meal. The food was fresh, delicious and quickly delivered to our table. Be sure to try the hummus and bread. The ambiance is casual and clean. We're certainly going to keep this spot on our list of favorites. read more

Unexpected discovery in a strip mall found amongst other food offerings. If you've never had Yemeni food, this is an excellent place to start. The portions were very generous, and the server (owner?) was very helpful in describing each dish and how it was prepared. When he brought out our food, he guided us on how to best enjoy the dishes. It was nice to have the option of sitting inside at large tables or outside. After our meal, we also enjoyed Yemeni coffee and desserts. Will be back for sure! Everything is made to order, so be patient and you will be rewarded with an amazing meal. read more

See all

Came here to try Yemeni food and was really impressed. The place is clean, simple, and comfortable. Nothing fancy, but warm and welcoming. It's a good spot whether you're eating in or grabbing takeout. Service was great. Everyone was friendly, patient, and happy to explain the menu. Food came out fast and everything was fresh. I ordered the foul, lamb mandi, and both the beef and cheese sambousa. The foul was rich and flavorful and came with a big piece of fresh Yemeni bread. The lamb mandi was tender and well-seasoned, and the rice was fragrant without being heavy. The sambousa were crispy and not greasy, with good filling in both. We also had their chai, which was hot and smooth, and tried the Salaam cola, which was refreshing and different from regular soda. Overall, really solid food, good portions, fair prices, and great service. Definitely a place I'd come back to and recommend if you're in Irvine. read more

We ordered the half chicken with rice, the fish, and the green salad. Everything was delicious! The chicken was incredibly tender and flavorful, and the rice was excellent. Nothing was too oily or too salty, which made it perfect for my high-protein diet. Although it's a bit pricey, the portions are generous enough to share, and the quality is excellent. Definitely worth it! read more

YUMMY! Beautiful presentation and fresh food. Love the fact that the food is so authentic. The Naan was exceptional!! read more

See all

This was an amazing experience! Newly opened in Alton Square, it looks like it's garnering a lot of interest from what I saw. We got to try a lot of food here and everything is made fresh from the bread to the fish! The service was also amazing, I've never been anywhere more attentive to my dining experience than here. I felt so taken care of and they even have lots of seating for small and larger groups! I can't wait to bring some of my friends here whether to eat or just chill and sip coffee or chai. I'm so happy Mandi Xpress opened in Irvine to give it some variety! read more

See all

This place is located in Alton Square! Lots of parking available! Theres seating inside and outside so theres space for all type of groups! It was my first time trying Yemeni food so i went with the Shakshouka, the Foul Xpress & Adeni Chai for breakfast! Came with their fresh bread! The bread is crispy and flaky, it was so good! I combined the bread with the shakshouka & the foul and it made an amazing combo also got a slice of cheesecake on the way out and it was really good! I definitely recommend everyone to try this place out. Im definitely coming back. read more

See all

I finally found the perfect place to eat healthy authentic food and finally met the best chef and cook Mr/ Alvaro very friendly and always wants to make the client happy to the extend that he can cook your meals the way you like it even though it's not the way it's explained in the menu. Great experience, Excellent customer service super friendly atmosphere Again I'm glad I finally got the right place to eat healthy authentic foods. read more

Mandi Xpress - Sunny side up Eggs, New York breakfast style , foul + tameas bread - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Food was so delicious! Ordered Mandi Chicken (half chicken) served with rice. The chicken and rice were so flavorful! The giant Yemeni bread has an amazing herb flavor and is huge! Super soft and fluffy on the edges and crisp in the center. We also really enjoyed the Adeni Chai, it is lightly sweetend and perfectly spiced! And on top of the flavorful food, the staff were very friendly and welcoming! We will definitely will be back! read more

See all

First time to try Yemeni cuisine. The place is casual, clean and convenient. We were curious about the Mandi chicken. My wife and I are seniors and thought just sharing a whole chicken plate would be more than enough plus it was better value. They were generous enough to give us 2 full half chicken plates instead. The rotisserie chicken was fall of the bone tender and well seasoned. The fragrant basmati rice was a nice surprise. The fried onions, raisins and almonds just elevated it to stand on its own. We were very satisfied with the food and experience. We have to be back to try other dishes. read more

Mandi Xpress - Mandi chicken with basmati rice. - Arabic Near Me - Irvine, California

Mandi Xpress Tried Yemeni food for the first time and safe to say I will be coming back. The chicken was ISNANELY flavored like idk how they got it so the inside is yellow and red from the seasoning but it was so good. The rice was also so fragrant and tasted really floral. I LOVED the lamb harada of fahsad and it paired so well with the rice. Also the huge pitas like I could just keep going. DEF GO CHECKIT OUT What I Got: Mandi Chicken Full Harada of Fahsah Hummus Pita read more

Excellent customer service, shout out to Amr and Saad for their warm welcome. Fresh juices, great Adeni chai. The Fish mova and Lamb Mandi were my favorites! This is a great addition to this side of Irvine! Loved the unique decor and teapots! read more

See all

What a find!! So fresh and flavorful. Every thing from the breads, dips, salads and lunch plates were amazing. Kind and gracious service. Yemeni cuisine. We will be back! read more

See all