Came here craving a comforting bowl of galbi tang, and this place absolutely hit that spot! Even…read morethough I think they're mainly known for their pork broth soups, we went with the classic beef short rib soup, and we left very satisfied! The short ribs were huge and incredibly tender. I barely had to touch them before the meat was basically falling off the bone. The broth had a deep, comforting flavor without being overly salty (which is a blessing to enjoy the flavor). We also ordered the pork cutlet on the side, and honestly, the portion was massive for like a quick lunch. Crispy, filling, and definitely enough to take leftovers home! The banchan was simple but solid too, especially the big slices of cucumber and daikon, along with pieces of pancake on the side. The atmosphere is very down-to-earth with Korean signage and an artsy wall, no fancy décor or over-the-top presentation. Service is straightforward and efficient. You're not here to be pampered. You're here for hot, delicious comfort food done right.

Drove all the way from New Port to Garden Grove to eat here. Actually, flew from Colorado to OC…read more Early Sunday morning, only one server but had 3 tables already occupied. Must be good. Ambiance? Just mom and pop restaurant fell. Service was good. We got the Dried Pollack Soup (북어국) and Dumpling & Rice Cake Soup (떡만두국). Pollock soup was hearty, clean tasting and exceeded the expectation. Dumpling soup was very rich and filled with lot of dumplings. Side dishes were delicious too. We were so full, we didn't even bother ordering anything else. Will definitely come back to this location.

Went to BCD Tofu House knowing just enough about Korean tofu soup to be dangerous. I've been once…read morebefore, but I'm still very much in the "watch the people next to me and copy their homework" phase of the experience. The meal starts with what feels like an endless lineup of little side dishes, a fried fish, rice in a scorching hot stone bowl, and then the bubbling tofu soup (medium spice for me) arrives like it's angry at the table. I ordered the bulgogi combo (C2) and everything was flavorful, comforting, and honestly just fun to eat. OK maybe a few too many onions for me. The stone pot rice situation was an adventure on its own. They ask you if you want them to pour hot water into the bowl to loosen the crispy rice stuck to the sides. I tried it. Felt very authentic. Still not fully convinced my rookie self handled it correctly, but we survived. What I liked most was the atmosphere and adventure. You can tell this place has a loyal following and there's a reason Yelp absolutely loves it. It feels authentic without being intimidating, and the portions are no joke. I took home enough leftovers for round two the next day. If you've only done Korean BBQ before, this is a completely different experience and definitely worth trying. Bring friends, come hungry, and don't be afraid to look a little confused your first time. Apparently that's part of the experience. Easy 5 stars for me. P. S. Quick shout out to the wait staff they are super attentive, smiling, and helpful. Maybe they could sense my menu awkwardness

Kaju is so goooood!!!!…read more As a previous BCD regular, we discovered Kaju through some friends who were living in OC and we never looked back. Their tofu soup is always so flavorful and high quality. Their kimchi is also some of the best that I've tried as banchan! The service is straightforward and quick. They have a waitlist at the front that speeds things up during busy lunch and dinner rushes. The place is super home-y and cozy. I like how there is a ton of seating as I've never waited too long for a table. Can't wait to go back!

~ The pho of Theseus ~…read more What happens when you get a bowl of pho that includes unlimited refills? U basically get a new bowl of pho. Legends say such a bowl of pho exists here. I got the lunch special and omg. 12 dablooms for this succulent bowl of pho. Unlimited refills. If you haven't ~arrived~ at the thought of this then there's something wrong with your head

I'm from a land with fighting contenders for best pho in x location, especially pho bo. In NorCal's…read moreSan Jose, there's a war whenever anyone discusses where to get the best pho of any type, and I've tried nearly all of them. I was curious about Kei Concepts and their empire of polished restaurants around SoCal, and my first entry is here, at SUP Noodle Bar. I was also intrigued by the claims of one of LA's best places for pho. Unlimited pho refill is certainly convincing by itself. Luckily, I was visiting LA right when they started a beef belly pho lunch special, which made our meals such a fantastic value! - Golden "Bao" (one bao) Literally a steamed pork bun that's been fried, so it's crispy on the outside. It was interesting, and the fried aspect made the bread part more doughy opposed to pillowy. The inside was a typical minced pork meatball, a little ginger forward. I'm not too fond of steamed buns or meatballs, so not created with my taste in mind, but it's certainly unique. - Pho Beef Belly The broth is a little extra salty, sweet, and sour than I prefer. It's also more mellow yellow instead of a clear brown so I am missing beefiness. It could maybe could use some additional earthy spices and more savory beef flavor, though I respect that it's flavorful in some aspect. The beef belly basically comes off as hot pot beef slices, which are always welcome in my mouth. I found it interesting how we were asked whether onions were okay to include in the bowl when ordering. The amount of fresh green onions and cilantro atop the noodles were perfect. If I came here again, I'd try some other side dishes and get my pho shaken style, as that seemed to be popular. While I don't think the broth compares to my favorites in NorCal, I really like the refill availability and fusion sides. Considering they look a little extra fancy and modernized over a traditional pho place, the prices are still pretty good. Work on that beef flavor!

Wanted to try a new spot since I was craving 뚝배기불고기 badly and decided on Gam Ja Tang House. Best…read moredecision and drive out ever! My friend and I picked from the lunch menu and $16.99 was a good price! More than enough food along with the banchan. The thing to remember is parking is located behind the restaurant. You'll have to drive slowly, otherwise you'll miss the driveway to turn in to from the main street like I did.. Twice! lol

The parking here can be hard to find, the way back is directly left of the building but there's…read moreplenty of parking. There are lots of tables even though the restaurant isn't large. We got the Gamjatang in the "casserole" size and it fed four of us small girls well. They only provide up to three rice bowls and they'll charge you for any additional. The side dishes and the soup were really delicious, but the service was pretty lacking - slow and not very friendly. They don't fry rice for you at the end. I'll definitely be back again. It's really great value for the amount of food you get. But I can see why this restaurant hasn't been as popular recently.

This restaurant lived up to the hype! It was so delicious and I was famished from driving up from…read moreSan Diego. Loved the white fish porridge/congee, the bun cha, and cha ca la von. Customer service was amazing, fast and friendly and the cashier recommended I try a few different items next time I am around this area.

Give this place a try you won't regret it!!!…read more This is my favorite spot for chao ca cho cu (fish porridge) and bun cha ha noi (vermicelli and bbq meat). My family has gone here for over 10 years and the porridge is always consistently amazing. Most of the workers here are also so sweet and remembers you (if you're a regular) I knocked off two points simplyh because service today was terrible. The woman who is taking orders and serving was extremely rude. The way she spoke to me was pretty horrible. It was kind of a put off. Typically I just order to go, and for some reason this time we went into the actual place and sat down. The restaurant is a bit small and intimate, so don't bring a group, but the food is still consistently great! So actually, I'll put back a star because honestly, I cannot explain in words how great their food is especially the porridge and the vermicelli noodles! I'm actually craving more now!

Pho was amazing, the spring rolls were delicious with the dipping sauce! The restaurant was packed,…read morebut service was still on point! My server was so considerate and asked if we needed extra noodles because we only ordered one bowl of pho. Will def come here again!

Sup Noodle Bar has quickly become one of my favorite spots in Irvine. The restaurant strikes a…read moregreat balance between casual comfort food and high-quality ingredients, and every visit has been consistently enjoyable. The star of the menu is definitely the pho. The broth is rich, flavorful, and clearly simmered with care--not overly salty or greasy like some places. The meats are tender, portions are generous, and the noodles always have the perfect texture. If you're a first-time visitor, I highly recommend trying one of their signature pho bowls. Their garlic noodles are another standout. Perfectly seasoned with a buttery garlic flavor and a slight savory kick, they pair incredibly well with the grilled meats. The shaken beef and grilled pork are both excellent options if you're looking for something beyond traditional pho. One thing that really sets Sup Noodle apart is the variety of appetizers and sides. The crispy egg rolls are packed with flavor, and the wings are surprisingly good--crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated with just the right amount of sauce. Don't skip the house sauces either; they elevate every dish. The restaurant itself is modern, clean, and welcoming. Even during busy lunch and dinner hours, the staff does a great job keeping things moving and maintaining a friendly atmosphere. Service has always been attentive without feeling rushed. A few tips for first-time visitors: * Expect a wait during peak lunch and dinner times, especially on weekends. * The garlic noodles are absolutely worth adding to your order. * If you're dining with a group, order several appetizers to share. * Parking can get busy, but turnover is usually quick. Overall, Sup Noodle Bar delivers excellent food, generous portions, and consistently great service. Whether you're craving a comforting bowl of pho, flavorful garlic noodles, or simply looking for a reliable restaurant in Irvine, this place is well worth the visit. I'll definitely be coming back.

Small hidden gem with a "hole in the wall" vibe in the Asian Village right across from Asian Garden…read moreMall - may God be with you finding parking on a weekend My dad suggested this place for lunch one day a few months ago and I came in with high expectations as his recommendation for Vietnamese food is essentially a seal of quality. Mai Phat still exceeded them! It has since become our go-to lunch spot, as well as a local favorite for my wife's family. They specialize in egg noodles - served either dry (with broth and main protein on the side) or wet like a conventional soup bowl. My personal go-to is the dry mì sủi cảo - egg noodles with sliced / ground pork, huge wonton dumplings, a shrimp cracker, and broth on the side. The wontons come in a super rich and delicious sauce that I actually got scolded for pouring over my noodles lol. The light and clear broth is very refreshing and well-seasoned. Excellent mix of perfectly balanced flavors from every component. Add chili crisp for extra oomph. My wife loves the mì gà quay - fried chicken leg & thigh with the signature egg noodles. This is honestly one of the most perfectly seasoned and cooked fried chicken I've ever had, and I've had a LOT of fried chicken. Service was prompt, friendly, and attentive Highly recommend Mai Phat for hearty, expertly crafted, and relatively guilt free Vietnamese comfort food

If you're looking for a dish that hits every craving at once, let me introduce you to Mi Vit Quay…read more(Kho): egg noodles tossed in a sweet and savory sauce, comforting broth, and crispy, fatty, perfectly tender duck. 10/10, I'd come back just for this dish alone! The experience doesn't stop at the food either. The server was super friendly, happy to give recommendations, and made everything feel easy and welcoming. Add in the fun decor and relaxed vibe, and it's the kind of spot you can bring anyone - family, friends, or just yourself when you want something tasty and satisfying!

I've been wanting to try this restaurant but they're very busy on a weekend so I popped in on a…read moreweekday and loved it! The restaurant was not busy at all, nice and quiet, great service of course since it wasn't busy. I ordered grandma's dry egg noodles and they have one of the best dry noodles I've ever had since moving to OC. They put the perfect amount of sauce, some places don't have enough sauce for the noodles. Also had plenty of protein. I added an order of wonton's which is an additional charge but well worth it. The broth on the side is so refreshing! What I love most is that this restaurant is still very affordable, $10.99 for a bowl of dry noodles is amazing. Definitely a returning customer!

I came in for the Sweet Corn Milk BOGO & the cashier already told me they ran out, I asked further…read more& he said an hour ago. So I decided to try an OC entree for $9.99. I picked the Sò Lông Nướng Mỡ Hành & it was really good. But then I felt something hard when I was chewing & I think I chipped part of my tooth - I'm going to go home & have my boyfriend check it for me & I'll attach the photo of my chipped tooth. Anyway, I have a crown cap so I wasn't super alarmed, but still a bit shook. I still finished my food but I politely tried to let one of the cashiers know. I showed him & everything & he was apologetic & asked what they could do to fix the situation. So I asked for a refund. And the other cashier said in Vietnamese something about me, like "Con nhỏ này" & I thought maybe he's talking about something else-but then when he gave me the receipt of my refund, he said "and I don't want you to be a customer here anymore." I was very appalled and I stood there wondering if he really just said that to me after I had an experience. I asked him why he didn't want me to be a customer anymore. And he turns to a customer to ring them out, ignoring me. So I waited til he was done with that transaction & repeated my question. He flat out said "because you're annoying." WOW. That's just so rude. And unfortunate bc I thought the food was really good & wanted to come back for the clam & the sweet corn milk. So I definitely wouldn't want to be a customer anyways with that kind of attitude towards a customer. Btw they give you plastic utensils here even for dining in which is a con.

Really great individual hot pot deal for weekday lunch. It's $14.99 for the pot and a kumquat drink…read moreso it's such a good deal, especially in comparison to Boiling Point which the prices for have gone up recently and there's always a long line there. I also love the unique flavor options here! I really enjoyed the Mongolian lamb pot, the flavor of the broth was good and the lamb wasn't too gamey. The Thai style one was like a tom yum soup base. Both pots came with endless amounts of toppings and a choice of vermicelli or rice. I love individual hot pot because you can try a little bit of a lot of different things. Service was fast and efficient and the interior is spacious and clean. I'll definitely be back when I get my next hot pot craving!

Two strikes so I've got to write. :(…read more First incident: I had a good experience the first time I came here so I brought my husband and my sister back. Hubby ordered the salmon rice. The picture on the menu shows a piece of grilled salmon but what they brought out was totally different. Thank god, it was good anyway. Sister and I trying to order the same hot pot I ordered before and owner told us no, we cannot swap the pork belly out on the Thai hotpot. Told him I was able to do that before. He said "I'm not sure who let you do that but no, we do not allow that." I told him "you did, you let me swap the pork belly for the lean beef the previous time. I still have a picture of it on Yelp". Anyhow, he insisted No. We went ahead and ordered two beef hotpot's and the broth was salty. We had to pour some water in the hotpot to soften up the saltiness. Second incident: I came here on Thursday evening. Walked in that door at 9:10 pm and the server quickly told me: "No, we already had our last call!" Say what? the sign on the door says open til 10:00 pm and it is only 9:10 pm? If you don't want to serve late, then change your hours listed on the door and close those doors at 9:00 pm instead. Not good!!!

3.75/5! I love the smokiness flavor of the Noodle soup. Very new and interesting place to try out…read morein Garden Grove. Spicy, bursting with flavor, they use wok to stir fry the ingredients, before adding in the broth. If you love Korean-Chinae noodles style adding seafood, this is the place to go Dont pass on the shirmp fried rice, It was bomb. I want to try their dumplings and jajangmyeon next time They give you free yakult to cleanse palate, considering this is a flavorful dish. Portion is HUGE!! Love that they were open during Thanksgiving. ( make sure you call before coming during holidays) Con is: Table are small, limited parking spot, you can park on the street though.

Such a pleasure to find this place! The food was so flavorful, large portion size, and great…read moreservice. The shrimp fried rice was sooooo good perfect amount of seasoning and ratio of veggies/shrimp. Lots of flavor, food, in a clean restaurant. Definitely coming back to try the beef jjambbong with noodles