Tang 190 has been an Irvine staple for years, and after a few visits, I can see why so many locals keep coming back. This isn't the place for trendy fusion dishes or flashy presentation; it's all about hearty Korean comfort food that feels especially satisfying on a cold day. My go-to Korean dishes are Yukgaejang and Bossam. The spicy beef soup is usually my benchmark for any Korean restaurant. Tang 190's version delivered everything I look for: a rich, deeply flavored broth with a satisfying level of spice and plenty of tender beef throughout. It's the kind of soup that keeps me coming back. This last visit, I finally got to try their pork and kimchi platter. The pork itself was tender and enjoyable, but I wasn't a fan of the cabbage. Instead of being lightly pickled with salt, it had been fermented to the point where it resembled white kimchi. I've actually never seen it made like this before. I definitely prefer the fresher, crisper flavor profile to pair with the pork and radish, so this preparation didn't quite work. Service was efficient, and the meal arrived quickly. On any other day, it's usually a 5 star visit, but the bossam preparation was a huge miss for me. While prices have crept up over the years, Tang 190 still does what it does best: serving comforting, no-frills Korean food that consistently hits the spot. read more

Tang 190 - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

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We came here today with a large group, including children. After being seated, it took us some time to organize and place our order because there were many people in our party and we ordered several dishes. I have always really liked this restaurant, which is why today's experience was especially disappointing. Unfortunately, what happened today was truly awful. From the beginning, our server appeared visibly impatient. When we repeated a couple of dish names to make sure the order was correct, she began speaking to us in an unnecessarily loud and irritated tone. Her voice was loud enough that another employee noticed the situation and offered to take over the order. Instead of accepting the help professionally, our server responded that the other employee would not be able to understand what she had written in Korean. When the other employee later asked her to repeat our order, she read it back very loudly and with obvious anger. The entire restaurant could hear her, and the experience made our whole family feel embarrassed and extremely uncomfortable, especially since we had children with us. Later, she seemed to realize that her behavior had affected us. She brought us a noodle dish "on the house" and briefly said sorry. While we appreciated the gesture, it did not undo the way we were treated in front of the entire restaurant. My question is: if you knew your behavior required an apology afterward, why treat customers that way in the first place? Customers should not be made to feel like an inconvenience simply because they are dining with a larger group or placing a larger order. We came to enjoy a family meal, not to be spoken to with hostility and publicly embarrassed. Unfortunately, this experience completely overshadowed the food. read more

I came in solo on a Tuesday afternoon and was seated right away. I was served my banchan, and love how my server continuously checked in on me to see if I needed more (he came around with a cart to do refills - genius!) I ordered the galbi tang and steamed dumplings, and my meal was delicious. The beef ribs were very tender, and they did not skimp out on the meat portions which can sometimes be an issue at other restaurants. I usually order a side of extra glass noodles, but I'm glad I didn't here because the noodle portion was also generous. The dumplings were juicy, and the dipping sauce complimented them perfectly. My favorite galbi tang spots are in Buena Park, but Tang 190 will definitely scratch the itch when I can't wait since I'm local to Irvine. read more

Tang 190 - Galbi 9-Back-Rib Soup (Galbi-tang), 2-Dumplings - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

First time here Took my mom here for lunch. I was feeling cold noodle she was feeling warm soup. It was a great idea. I ordered the cold noodle with kalbi combo for $36. My mom ordered cabbage soup. The food was 8 out of 10. But the service was not great. The Korean lady didn't want to be bothered and seemed annoyed anytime we asked for anything. Also, you aren't allowed to take any ban chan home. So we ended up shoving more food than we could eat so we didn't waste. Overall, the last and her lackluster service kind of killed the vibe. read more

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Tang 190 is a top notch Korean restaurant that deserves way more recognition. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Irvine. The food is unbelievably delicious and the service is impeccable. To eat, I highly recommend the Cabbage Galbi-Tang, Back-Rib Soup, or the Galbi Dolsot, although you probably couldn't go wrong with anything on their menu. It's worth noting that their banchan is also first class and they are very generous with refills. I cannot wait to come back for more! read more

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I've been wanting to try their galbitang, so I came with a friend for lunch on a Monday afternoon last week around 1pm. We were seated immediately as it was not busy at all. Me and my friend shared two dishes: the back-rib soup (galbi-tang) and the octopus rice plate. The staff member who took our order was nice, and food came quickly. While we waited for our food, we got to eat the banchan. I have to say, their banchans are really good. Usually at Korean restaurants there may be one or two banchans that I don't really care for, but I tried every banchan here and enjoyed them. The fish cake and macaroni salad especially stood out for me. As for the main dishes, their galbi-tang definitely stands out and is comforting. I can see why they are known for this. The soup was very piping hot when it was served so we had to be careful not to burn our tongues. The galbi was tender and it was relatively easy to remove it from the bones with chopsticks. There was a piece or two that was hard to take off so we had to just bite it off. The soup had very good flavor while also being not too salty. I also liked that there was vermicelli in the soup. For the octopus rice plate, it was good as well, but I personally would just stick with the galbi-tang. I will say that the fried egg was a nice addition on top and the octopus itself was really good and was chewy. Wasn't that spicy for us thankfully. Overall, a very solid Korean restaurant with good banchan and galbi-tang. It's a good place to share food with friends and family. A bit pricy, but portions are generous (with big pieces of meat) and we did have a bit of leftovers from the rice. A thing to note is that it's actually cheaper to pay with cash, so I would suggest using cash instead of credit card (I didn't know until I saw the receipt but thankfully I had cash on me). I would come back if I'm ever craving comfort food. read more

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So we've been here with small groups, big groups, and everything in between and somehow everyone always walks out happy. Meat lovers? Covered. Noodle people? Thriving. Soup slurpers? Ascending. My usual rotation? The Beef Cartilage Soup is rich, collagen-packed (I'm all about collagen-rich-anti-aging-everything), and simmered into this luxurious, nourishing broth with vermicelli noodles that feels like a warm reset button. The Back-Rib Soup? Half-cut ribs, tender and meaty, swimming in beef broth with green onion, jujube, and egg strips -- absolutely to die for. Every spoonful tastes intentional, like it's been lovingly watched over for hours. And don't sleep on the bibimbap -- comforting bowls piled high with vibrant vegetables, meat, and rice that hit those texture notes just right. But the real game-changer? Korean chilled noodle soups yo!!! Tang 190 was the place that converted us! Buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth, topped with sliced beef, pickled turnips, boiled eggs, seasoned with vinegar AND mustard!? -- refreshing, unexpected, and weirdly life-changing. Seriously...prepare to add this place to your permanent rotation. This place understands comfort on a cellular level. read more

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Not sure why this place doesn't have better reviews because we had a great time here! Looked for a place we could bring our dog and they have plenty of outdoor seating. They even brought out a bowl of water for our dog as well. The service here is top notch, they were all so friendly and accommodating. I ordered the galbi hot stone, and it was great! Lots of meat, a wide variety of veggies inside. It felt like a well balanced meal. I also felt that the portion was pretty generous, I had leftovers for after as well. The side dishes were also great and they kept refilling for us. If you're looking for classic Korean comfort food, this is a good spot in Irvine. read more

Tang 190 - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Went here to get short rib and also got a lot more. The service was very attentive and friendly. There was music and it was very quiet. There is inside and outside seating which are both nice. We got pork cutlet that was scrumptious. Short rib was good and we also got seafood pancake, rib soup, and glass noodles which were all very good. We will definitely be coming back. read more

This is one of my favorite local Korean spots that I always make a point to hit up. Today I went with the back rib soup, and it was sizzling hot, with tender beef that practically fell off the bones. I really enjoyed the glass noodles in the soup, and all of the banchan dishes that came out were fresh, flavorful, and a great complement to the meal. The staff were friendly, and we got seated right away, which made for a smooth experience. The ambiance has a contemporary feel, making it a comfortable spot for both casual meals and a slightly elevated dining vibe. read more

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I love this place. Clean, high ceilings, and nice staff. Their food and banchan is also always on point. Prices are a bit high but you get what you pay for. Portions are good. Highly recommend this over other local Korean spots! read more

I used to come here a lot when I used to live in Irvine but now that I don't live here it's been awhile since I've been back to this restaurant. We came here with 3 hangry little boys and the staff was so sweet and doting to our kids. The donkatsu was cooked to perfection with the perfect amount of crunch but still retaining juiciness of the meat without it being oily. The Galbi and cold noodles combo was perfect on a hot summer day. seolleongtang was also very flavorful and my son really enjoyed the beef brisket and glass noodles in the soup. Banchan were plentiful and very delicious. We enjoyed it here, will come back again soon! read more

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Came here on a weekend. The place is clean and cozy, with outdoor seating. Staff is friendly and we got seated right away. We ordered octopus fried rice, cold bean noodle, and galbi. Our meal was served with delicious banchan. Octopus Fried Rice- The rice was flavorful and I enjoyed the crunchy bits at the bottom of the bowl. You get plenty of chewy octopus pieces as well as an array of vegetables that add texture to every bite. Topped with fried egg. Cold Bean Noodle- This is a lovely dish when you're craving noodles in hot weather. The noodles are nice and soft with a delightful chewiness. The cold broth is creamy with a rich sesame flavor. Galbi- This was served fresh from the pan on a sizzling platter. The meat is juicy and bursting with flavor! Served with steamed rice and perfect with banchan. Great place for korean food! read more

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Came in with a craving for some comforting galbitang and this hit the spot. Came out piping hot and was perfectly seasoned. We also got the lunch special with a bento of sides and a main dish to choose from. All the sides were delicious and paired perfectly. Will be back soon! read more

Tang 190 - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Got the galbi tang (back rib soup) since it was so often praised in other reviews and yes, it was a good choice. The meat falls off the bone and the dipping sauce goes perfectly with it. The soup is perfectly seasoned. I also enjoyed the banchan, and the servers gave us generous portions and came back to refill constantly. This place seems to be always packed though, so be prepared to wait. We went on a Tuesday evening and it was totally full. read more

We were craving Korean food and found this delicious place. Great service, great food. Every dish was so yummy!! Their side dishes were great too! I love cold noodles and its hard to find a place that does a good job, but here it is. Definitely will be bringing my parents here next time. :) read more

Tang 190 - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Tang 190 is always a hit with my family because the food tastes great, the service is friendly, and they are always so so sweet to our pup! (And there is always pleeeenty of parking!) Top items we've ordered over and over again are the beef rib soup, the kalbi, the pork cabbage wrap, and lately the spicy beef soup. They come around often with banchan refills and water refills so there's rarely any reason to flag them down. The banchan isn't always consistent but they do have the staples like fish cake and mung bean sprouts. This time they had japchae too which is usually an extra order on Korean restaurant's menus! I'm picky with my Korean food because I'm always going to think my mom's food is the best Korean food but this comes in as one of the best Korean spots in Irvine! Otherwise I'd have to go all the way to Garden Grove or Buena Park. read more

Delicious and served quickly. The food was great and the dishes keep their warmth to enjoy at a leisurely pace. Banchan was great selection and portions were big. Great price and atmosphere. Highly recommend read more

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This is a restaurant that offers Korean comfort food with various options. The portion was huge which made sense from the higher price tag. Each dish can feed 2-3 people. Service was friendly and our server frequently checked on us and refilled our side dishes. * LA Galbi 5/5 - Good tasting, plenty of meat. Came with rice. * Octopus Fried Rice 5/5 - Great combination of flavors. I love the crispy rice bits at the bottom. There was a good amount of octopus pieces. * Soy Bean Cold Noodles 4/5 - This was my first time having this, and it was pretty good. The noodles were chewy and smooth. The broth was creamy, milky, and nutty from the soy milk. The coolness was nice for a hot day. read more

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**if you are GLUTEN SENSITIVE, do not eat the rice or drink the "hot tea" that they serve!! They both contain barley!! I was so disappointed when I found out the rice here is served with barley, which is a gluten-filled/wheat wheat-based grain, so I could not eat the rice. And how can you eat soup without the rice!! I asked to have normal/regular rice without the barley mixed in and they told me that is the only rice they serve so unfortunately, I could not eat my soup with any rice. I was so sad walking away from this restaurant because I love korean soups, especially with piping hot, heaping spoonfuls of rice, and all I could do was drink the soup and eat the tendon lol when it comes to gluten-friendly carbs, rice is the most universally loved, and its just so unfortunate I cannot eat here anymore because honestly, the soups are great!! If I really wanted it, I could take it togo and make my own rice at home, but I was only in town for a short while and I was looking for a meal before heading back to SD, and I was unsatisfied... read more

This place is truly a hidden gem. When people think of Korean food, they often think only of Korean BBQ, but there is so much more variety. I was thrilled to see they offer cold bean noodles, which I have not seen at other restaurants. It is a nutty, creamy, and authentic Korean summer comfort dish. We also ordered the octopus stone bowl rice and galbi, and everything was excellent. The owner and waitstaff frequently checked on our table and generously refilled the side dishes. My friends especially loved the side dishes and were very pleased with the generous portions. I also appreciated their neat and clean traditional Korean inspired decor. The seating is comfortable, and they have plenty of outdoor tables available. Beyond the delicious food, the friendly service makes this place well worth returning to. read more

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Pretty solid spot for Korean food. The flavors are decent, but the banchan could use a little upgrade - some of them tasted a bit bland or like they'd been sitting out too long. I usually come here for the cold noodles and galbi, which are both consistently good. The cold noodles have that refreshing bite and the galbi is tender with great flavor. The chicken in the soup was on the dry side though, which was a bit disappointing. Still, it's a nice spot if you're craving Korean comfort food. read more

Tang 190 - 13-Ginseng Chicken Soup (Samgyetang) - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

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With the colder winter starting to arrive, this is one of my go-to spots for some hot Korean soup. In particular, I go for their "house best seller", the galbitang (back rib soup). The portion is quite large, and the soup usually comes out steaming hot. For me, it's got that at-home comfort food vibe to it, perfect for whether you're looking for something hearty after a cold day or just a reliable, flavor-packed dish that doesn't disappoint. read more

Tang 190 - Back Rib Soup - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

Excellent lunch specials, love the spicy pork special and bibimbam special lunch menu . Free appetizers was excellent and unlimited. Great service and very friendly waiter. Busy as usual even though it is around 2pm Ambiance is very clean and happy place read more

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Dumpling only soup - dumplings were so juicy with a flavorful filling that tasted fresh and homemade. broth was perfectly seasoned with a seaweed umami flavor that made every sip comforting and rich without being too heavy. no adjustments needed. super comforting! Service quick and friendly. Love their radish kimchi - so crisp and refreshing - and all the banchan were delicious. They struck the perfect balance, not overly sweet or overly sour. Everything felt so well thought out and satisfying. Parking free and easy. read more

Tang 190 - Dumpling only soup - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

One of my favorite restaurants! Deserves way more recognition, I'm shocked the reviews are low. I feel much more taken care of here than the chain Korean restaurants. Everyone is always so nice and takes care of you. They made a mistake one time with my food and immediately corrected it and were very understanding. Food is also delicious all the time read more

My boyfriend asked what he can bring home from dinner after golf today and I found Tang 190 because I was craving Bossam. This place didn't disappoint. The Full Bossam was a great portion and really good with the side dishes. The Seafood Pancake tasted great even with the long journey. (We live an hour away). I'm sick so the Ginseng Chicken Soup with sweet rice was so comforting and I love that you could adjust the saltines according to your liking. Their side dishes were great as well. I would definitely come back again and try their other dishes. Make sure this place is on your bookmark. read more

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If you're in Irvine and craving something flavorful, Tang 190 is a must! We went for the Cabbage Galbi Tang, Seafood Pancake, and Galbi Bibimbap, and everything was fire. The Galbi Tang had rich, savory broth with tender meat and just the right kick. The Seafood Pancake was crispy on the outside, with loads of fresh seafood inside--totally addictive. And the Galbi Bibimbap? A perfect mix of flavors with that crispy rice crunch at the bottom! Each dish was on point, and the vibe at Tang 190 is super chill but elevated. Definitely a spot to check out if you're in the area! read more

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Came in for lunch on a Wednesday. There was no wait. It's located in a strip mall with plenty of parking. We ordered the beef rib soup and cabbage galbi-tang. The side dishes came out right before the entrees and had a good variety. I ordered my cabbage galbi tang to be more spicy and I didn't think it was spicy at all. The cabbage soup had a lot of cabbage, but the cabbage was very soggy, and mushy. The meat was very tender and delicious, the cabbage galbi tang had 2 bones w/ meat, and the backrib soup had 4 bones w/ meat. I wanted to dine here because of the popularity, but I was taken aback by the prices. Expect to pay $20-$35 per person. For two people, with just 2 soups, it was $50. read more

Tang 190 - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

The soup is super clean tasting and smooth. It's one of the best soups I've ever had. The banchans are good as well! The service is 100/10 especially since we have a dog, the seated us immediately in their lovely outdoor seating, the service is fast even though were seated outside. They even gave my dog a bowl of water! The food and service are 100/10. Thank you!!!!! Will definitely comeback!!! read more

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Very good, non fussy local spot for cozy Korean favourites. The menu is small, but if you're at all familiar with Korean food, it's more than enough. Love the usual banchan it's served with. The fried dumplings with dipping sauce were so yummy, and we also got the hot stone bibimbap. Great portion sizes, and of course we couldn't miss out pairing it with great beer - Terra. We can't wait to return for some other favourites. Service was fast and very friendly. Thank you ! read more

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I think Tang has the best broth for its woo-guh-ji galbitang. It's rich, spicy, and just fabulously flavorful. The amount of cabbage is also generous. The one ding on it is that they give you only 2 bones of short rib (as opposed to 3 bone for regular galbitang) and the bones have noticably less meat on them as well. This time there was noticably more meat than usual ... I didn't know if this was a one time thing of if they've changed their practices -- which would be great, and they'd earn one more star from me. But usually, the amount of meat for woo-guh-ji is a little sparse. Otherwise, this is the place to go for spicy galbi tang read more

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had a group of 20 and we were seated quickly since they have a large outdoor space! food came out so promptly even for a large group! staff were all quick and nice. thank you! i had the LA Galbi and it was so so so good. i also inhaled their kimchi because it was also very good! we all ordered so many diff things and everyone loved it. def coming back! read more

My partner and I were looking for a great Korean restaurant and thought to give this place a try. The short story is it was SO GOOD and we will definitely be coming back. We walked in to an intimate Korean restaurant, just in search of some soup. The staff was very quick to seat us and take our order. It felt like just a few minutes later, we were being served. The food was amazing - especially with a heaping amount of their hot sauce. read more

Tang 190 - Galbi tang and short rib plate - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

아주 친절하고 맛있고~ 기분 좋은 식당이예요~^^ 말하지 않아도 와서 깍두기 리필해 주시고~ 반찬 모자란건 없는지 챙겨주시고~~ 아주 좋았어요~ 특히 육개장과 런치도시락은 아주 맛있었어요~ 다음에 또 올께요~ read more

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Wow wow wow!! The spread of side dishes is awesome. They are all so flavorful and they even include japchae as a side dish and all of the portions are perfect. We got a couple of soups and some pork belly. Everything was 10/10. I will come again. Service was quick and they were all very kind. read more

Tang 190 - 18H-Pork and Kimchi Wrap (Bossam) HALF SIZE - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

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The place was terrible! They close at 9:00 and I got there at 8:30. They refused to service me!

Came across Tang 190 in this plaza that has everything and plenty of parking! They have this nice outdoor patio, but I sat inside and was really impressed by the interior. Spacious with this modern-retro vibe! The staff were fast and friendly. Me and my friends ordered quite a feast with makgeolli: Bossam (Pork & Kimchi Wrap Platter), Rice Cake & Dumplings Soup, Gamjatang, Spicy Chilled Noodle, and Seafood Green Onion Pancake. Everything tasted good, but I especially loved the bossam and spicy chilled noodles!!! The place is super clean and perfect for casual Korean food with a group. read more

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Weeknight dinner and no wait. Quick and friendly service. Tried the ginseng chicken soup this time and really liked it. It was a very comforting dish for a cool summer night. :) read more

Tang 190 - 9. Back-Rib Soup - Korean Near Me - Irvine, California

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Okay, we get Tang 190 atleast once or twice a week. This is how good this place is. It is also very convenient since it is located near my area. My son love their LA Kalbi, my husband loves their Kalbi Tang Soup, I love their bibimbap and Jaepche, their food is really good. It's a very simple, clean, casual restaurant, and they're really quick and efficient here. Most of the time we just get to go here as it's very convenient :) read more