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    Northern Cafe

    4.1 (1.1k reviews)
    ModerateChinese, Noodles, Soup
    Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Northern Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    Northern Cafe Photos

    NORTHERN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Northern Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Potstickers
    Elisa L.

    Came for a late lunch on a weekday and they were surprisingly still pretty busy. We were seated right away and food came out quickly except the potstickers but perfection takes time lol. Reasonable prices and good portion sizes big enough to share! I would come back to try their other items. -Beef noodle soup (4/5): large portion, noodles were nicely chewy, broth was well seasoned and comforting -Potstickers (4.5/5): thick, perfectly crispy, filled with juicy meat, a little bit salty and oily but still delicious

    Potstickers
    Allison L.

    Yummy Chinese food! We came for a late lunch on a weekday and they were surprisingly still pretty busy, but we were seated right away. Our server Joyce was friendly and efficient. Affordable prices and good portion sizes. I'd love to come back! Potstickers (4.5/5): a little oily and savory, but thick and perfectly crispy! Beef Noodle Soup (4/5): broth was well seasoned and portion was generous, lots of noodles and beef

    Nina N.

    A great option if you're craving Din Tai Fung-style dishes without breaking the bank. The portions are generous and best suited for sharing family-style. The dumplings were solid and lived up to expectations, but the standout for me was the dan dan noodles--they were especially flavorful and definitely worth ordering. The service was also phenomenal. Our server checked in with us several times throughout the meal and gave us great recommendations. Overall, a really enjoyable experience and a great value for the quality and portion sizes!

    Eric K.

    This was our first visit to the Cerritos location. I often choose restaurants based on reviews and enjoy trying new places, so I was curious to see how this one would compare. At first, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the overall experience was better than I anticipated. The seasoning was a little strong, and some dishes had a fairly familiar, standardized taste. Nothing was bad, and everything was prepared well, but I do feel a little disappointed when the authentic flavors of traditional Chinese food become less noticeable. There were four of us, and we ordered about eight or nine of their most popular dishes. My parents really enjoyed the food. I have worked in China before, so I may be a little more sensitive and particular when it comes to Chinese food. Overall, the restaurant has good reviews, the prices are reasonable, and it was a pretty good dining experience.

    Spicy wonton, chicken chow mein, pan fried dumplings, orange chicken, & kung pao chicken
    Ann V.

    I've been here several times with family and the food has always been delicious and worth it for the price point and quantity. We've done both dine and take out from here before. Last weekend, I called for take out and was placed on hold; however, I waited for at least 5 minutes or more on the line and still nobody had got back to me. So eventually I hung up and tried calling back several more times but the line was always busy. Eventually I had to have a family member go in person to order since I'm at home with the baby. Apparently they were really busy that Saturday and so nobody was able to take care of the phone. Other than that, love the orange chicken and spicy wontons from here! The chow mein is also another favorite of mine as they use thicker noodles.

    House chow mein
    Valerie D.

    This gem has been in my backyard for a long time and I barely discovered it. The service is friendly, the place is super clean. And the food? Delicious! We tried the orange chicken, shrimp fried rice, house chow mein, the pork pan fried dumplings, and a ramen. This is not a ramen place but they pulled this one out. And the rest of the food was served hot, fresh, and flavorful. We will be back very soon.

    Jasmine Milk Tea with Boba
    Ayden P.

    What I Ordered: Juicy Pork Dumplings ($11.99) Pan Fried Chinese Chives Pork Shrimp dumplings ($12.99) Wonton in Spicy Sauce ($11.50) Chicken Fried Rice ($12.99) Dry fried string bean ($13.50) Orange Chicken ($14.99) Kung Pao Shrimp ($18.99) Dan dan noodle ($13.99) Beef roll pancake ($12.99) Spring rolls ($3.50) Jasmine Milk Tea with Boba Food: The Pan Fried Chinese Chives Pork Shrimp Dumplings. I absolutely loved the crispy bottom layer because it added such a satisfying crunch to every bite. The inside stayed really juicy and flavorful with a good balance of pork, shrimp, and chives. The Juicy Pork Dumplings had soup inside, which was rich and savory. I've had soup dumplings before where the wrapper breaks apart too easily, but these held together nicely while still staying soft and delicate. The Wonton in Spicy Sauce was my personal favorite from the entire meal. The spicy sauce flavor was savory with a little sweetness. I'm typically not good with spice, so this is at a spice level that should be very manageable for everyone. I absolutely loved the spicy sauce, so I started putting it on everything. Definitely put the sauce on the chicken fried rice! The Chicken Fried Rice was a great dish to pair with everything else that we ordered. With several orders of entrees, a solid rice dish is a must order for any Chinese meal. The rice had a nice savory flavor that I enjoyed, and there was a generous amount of chicken mixed throughout the dish. I even asked the waitress if they do anything special with the fried rice because it tasted better than many other restaurants. It felt comforting and balanced compared to some of the heavier dishes. The Dry Fried String Beans were cooked perfectly with a slight crispness while still being tender. The garlic and seasoning gave them so much flavor that it honestly didn't even feel like I was eating vegetables. I do have to note that these were very much on the salty side, so if you don't like foods that are too salty, I would choose a different dish. The Orange Chicken was really crispy and juicy, which I appreciated because soggy orange chicken is always disappointing to me. The sauce had a nice citrus flavor while still keeping that classic sweet savory taste. The Spring Rolls were simple with vegetable filling on the inside with a crispy outside. I would try a different appetizer next time. The Kung Pao Shrimp was packed with flavor and had a really satisfying combination of textures. The shrimp were tender, and the peanuts added a great crunch to the dish. I thought the sauce had a really nice balance of spice and savoriness without becoming overwhelming. Another dish I really enjoyed was the Beef Roll Pancake. The pancake itself was nice and chewy throughout each bite. The sliced beef with green onions and sauce all wrapped together made every bite really flavorful and satisfying. For drinks, I ordered the Jasmine Milk Tea with Boba. I really liked that the jasmine tea flavor was noticeable instead of being overly sweet like some milk teas can be. The boba had a soft chewy texture, and the drink itself paired perfectly with the spicy and savory dishes from the meal. Staff: All of the staff members were quick and friendly Ambiance: Indoor seating only. A good amount of parking in the parking lot that is shared with other shops in the plaza.

    D1. Juicy Pork Dumplings (XLB)!
    Eunhae H.

    This place has always satiated my cravings for all things Chinese cuisine: from dumplings to classic Chinese dishes like Orange Chicken--they got me covered! I always start with their beef roll. And love ordering their juicy pork dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, and mapo tofu. Even though their speciality is not dim sum, their juicy pork dumplings are one of the best that I've had. I've only ordered through the delivery apps but I'd love to dine in. They have a cute purple and black awning, which gives a warm and friendly vibe. They are located in the same plaza as the Gen Kbbq and 85 Degrees bakery so parking may be difficult but it's nice to know that there's a lot of foot traffic--signifying that there's great eateries in this plaza!

    IG: socalhkfoodies
    Fiona T.

    Back in our college days, whenever we craved classic Chinese food, we'd go to Northern Cafe. And honestly... it's still the same now Of course, we had to kick things off with noodles. Then lamb skewers,and square ribs with garlic because we wanted something not too spicy Veggies were definitely needed for our Asian tummy digestion. Can't forget the xiao long bao and dumplings. This is just a classic that never goes wrong. IG: socalhkfoodies

    Albert C.

    The food was pretty good. Got the lamb with cumin, soup dumplings, string beans, custard bun, and more. It was on the oilier side and my cousin thought some dishes too salty. But I was delighted by the food. The ramen was pretty good and al dente!

    Spicy shrimp wontons
    Katelyn S.

    Was looking for a place to have late dinner on the 4th of July and ended up here. There was no wait and was seated right away, which was a total plus! Ended up bringing my husband and another couple. We ordered orange chicken, xiao long bao, beef rolls, spicy wonton, and stir fried noodles. Everything was exceptional! Everyone loved the food while service was decent. We had to waive our server down a couple of times for water refills and sauce plates. Nonetheless, would come back again! If you're looking for a din tai fung dupe, I would definitely recommend this place.

    beef roll
    Hayley C.

    I really like Northern Cafe for their beef rolls!! Compared to other restaurants, they ALWAYS pack the roll with beef. Many other places just put 90% cilantro and 10% beef which is ridiculous lol. The roll is always tasty and they give you sauce on the side. I can't speak for the restaurant experience itself because each time I have just ordered to-go, but the times I've walked in it seemed kind of dead, maybe it was just the times I've went. It looked pretty nice inside though, at least this location did. Maybe I'll sit down at Northern Cafe soon and try it out.

    Chives, pork and shrimp dumplings
    Daniela C.

    I finally tried this place out after seeing so many TikTok videos about it! As soon as we stepped inside the service was amazing. This amazing service followed throughout our entire dinner. We were always asked if we were doing ok or need anything. The food was amazing and felt like homemade food, which I always appreciate from any restaurant! Everything had lots of flavor and tasted fresh. I would definitely return to reorder everything plus more. 10/10 would recommended. At the end of our dinner, the waitress let us know about their new rewards program which we appreciated. We will definitely return!

    Spicy Pork Wonton Dumplings- V good !

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    14 days ago

    Terrible, slow service. Not that many people and they're very disorganized. Avoid this place if you value your time and workers who care.

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    Page 1 of 27

    Northern Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Northern Cafe

    Do they have shrimp fried rice?

    Yes

    Can I make a reservation? Is it necessary on a Saturday night?

    No, you cannot make reservations. If there is a wait when you get there you can just give them your name and they'll call you when there's an available table. The night we went there was no wait so we were seated immediately.

    Do they serve dim sum?

    Yes

    View All 5 Questions

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    4.4(3.5k reviews)
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    This place was wow! I was a bit surprised at first because of the music that was playing, but it…read morelooks like this place is open late, perfect for those who want to hang out, have some good food and drinks. We were helped by a lady that was very friendly and helpful on what to order. We got the rice cake, the beef bulgogi, and fried chicken wings. Man o man the wings was so good! Crispy on the outside and piping hot inside. The rice cake was not too spicy, and was delicious with the ramen. If you are in Cerritos and looking for some good Korean food, look no further. Can't wait to stop by again ! Until next time!

    Food: 2/5 Service: 5/5…read moreAmbiance: 4/5 This place is going downhill, which is so unfortunate. I used to love coming here years ago. We got the $50 combo of tteokbokki and fried whole chicken. Is the tteokbokki in the combo supposed to be smaller than the normal one? The portion was comical, filling up maybe 1/3 of the giant white bowl. There were hardly any toppings on there. The cheese was literally a strip. I know this place isn't Yupddeok but they do a whole swirl on the bowl there. Yikes. And the chicken was... mediocre at best. Very anorexic chicken. And they wanted to charge an extra $2 for sauce. Yeah, we left hungry and unhappy. My sister talked about getting McDonald's on the way home. My husband said we should've gone to Chili's. Next time, we'll make the drive to Yukddeok for tteokbokki. Service was good though, our server was very sweet. I wish I got his name but he was working the evening shift and had black hair and a black t-shirt with Gengar on it. He's the only reason the review got two stars instead of one.

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    I tried Yummy Noodle Kitchen inside 99 Ranch in the Cerritos/Artesia area because I wanted the…read morehand-pulled noodles, and for $12.99, the price is honestly pretty good. I got the Big Bang noodles and the lamb Chinese burger. The noodles took a little while, which makes sense if they're being made to order. They came out piping hot with chili oil, a ton of garlic and just a little bok choy. The noodles were super long too, so long that the lady eventually brought me scissors, which I definitely needed lol. The flavor was good, and for the price I thought the portion was worth it. The lamb burger was $6.99 and had good flavor too, although it wasn't filled as much as I expected and the bread was a little hard. I've had a better version in Vegas, but this one was still decent. Service was actually really nice once I sat down. She brought me water, a plate, chopsticks and everything I needed, and was attentive throughout the meal. The one thing that really threw me off was cleanliness around the register. I picked up one of the menus when I walked up and it was wet, which already made me go, ew. Then I noticed the lady at the register clipping her fingernails nearby. She wasn't preparing my food, but that's still just not something I want to see anywhere near a food counter. That definitely knocked the experience down for me. Otherwise, the prices were fair, the food was decent, and I'd come back again if I was already at 99 Ranch and wanted something quick.

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    Bafang Dumpling - Signature Noodle!

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    Food is average tasting. It's doable but I've had better. This is located outside the mall. It is…read morenot part of the food court and you cannot access it from inside the mall. There's plenty of seating inside the store. Ordered online for pickup. Got two of the combos- 3 and 8 Combo 3- 6 potstickers, 6 dumplings and choice of soup or drink. Opted for hot and sour soup. Ate them right after they were ready. Got the signature flavor for both. The potstickers weren't crispy at all. Are they supposed to be? Fillings for potstickers and dumplings were mediocre and pretty bland tasting. Hot and sour soup- honestly I've had better but they were pretty good. It was probably the best thing I ate out of everything I ordered which is sad considering that their speciality is supposed to be dumplings. It's sour, slightly hot but could be hotter. Decent amount of toppings too. Combo 8- the default is pork chops but online they let you choose chili pepper fried chicken, which is what I opted for. Also comes with choice of noodles and either soup or a drink. Chili pepper fried chicken was pretty much inedible. The pieces were so chewy I could not even bite it apart. It was crispy and the chili sauce was great, but the chicken needs to be improved. Sesame noodles- very bland sesame flavor. Noodles were a bit overcooked. It's decent but nothing special. Wonton soup- this was a $2 up charge and honestly the worst mistake I've ever made. The wonton skins were breaking apart to a point where it's ready to disintegrate. I guess they're not cooked fresh. Tasted like they were swimming in soup for hours already. It's extremely disgusting to eat. Service is ok. The ladies spoke in such a low voice it was very difficult to hear over the loud music.

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