Korean restaurant offers clean, modern interior with a warm, welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of spots in Korea. It serves authentic soondae soup and fresh seafood dishes with balanced spice. The place feels like one of Irvine's hidden gems for Korean comfort food.
Spicy Sundae Soup stands out with its balanced heat and rich flavor. Pork belly soup and beef bone soup also offer hearty, satisfying options alongside the signature soondae soup.
Fried dumplings come out nice and crispy. They often appear alongside dishes like beef short rib soup or hotpot.
"The soup broth here is rich and delicious."
"The fried dumplings were nice and crispy."
Good to know
Expect a 10-minute wait on busy Saturday mornings.
The restroom cleanliness may not meet expectations.
Korean-speaking customers often prefer the sundae soup.
Food hall setting offers shared seating with a modern, casual vibe and lively atmosphere. The spot features high-quality fried chicken and unique dishes like soup dumplings and lamb soup. It attracts diners looking for flavorful comfort food in a relaxed environment.
Lamb soup offers a rich, comforting flavor that is savory and slightly oily but balanced with rice. Soup dumplings feature thin skins bursting with broth, staying juicy even after 30 minutes to go.
Grilled pork and pan-fried dumplings stand out with their crispy texture and full flavor. The dumplings taste authentic, closely matching those found in China, and the chef wraps them fresh in front of you.
"I found the chicken sandwich to be the largest and juiciest."
"The lamb soup is savory, tender, and full of rich flavor."
Good to know
Free 90-minute parking is available near the food hall.
Expect a wait time of about 24 minutes during peak hours.
Prices for meals range from $8 to $9 for generous portions.
Natural and elegant decor creates a comfortable dining space with a chill vibe and Jay Chou's music playing in the background. The atmosphere feels like being in Taiwan, attracting families and those seeking authentic Taiwanese flavors. Popular dishes sell out quickly, reflecting generous portions and affordable prices.
Porkchop soup stands out as a favorite with rich flavor. Complimentary seaweed soup appears often and tastes fresh. Noodle soups like beef noodle offer a traditional, satisfying experience.
Dumplings come with a spicy kick featuring Chinese numbing spice. They pair well with stir-fried vegetables and other dishes like pork chop noodles and braised pork rice.
"I loved the seaweed soup, it reminded me of home."
"I thought the dumplings were good and the taste was great."
Good to know
On Tuesday, they had a special menu.
Kingchops offered a buy one get one milk tea promotion.
They only accept credit cards, no cash.
Bright, bustling Chinese restaurant with barcode ordering and generous portions creates a lively, noisy atmosphere. Crowds gather for authentic and Americanized dishes, including skewers and hot pot, making it popular for small groups and casual meals.
Rich and flavorful broth defines the chicken soup noodles, which are comforting and delicious. The menu also features spicy beef and golden soup beef hot pot, plus tasty soup dumplings.
Soup dumplings stand out with their incredible juiciness and savory flavor. Shrimp and pork dumplings offer a melting texture that pairs well with other dishes like lamb skewers and noodle soups.
"The beef roll dumpling here is twice as big and less expensive."
"The chicken soup noodles are comforting and delicious."
Good to know
BBQ skewers are available after 5pm, perfect for late-night cravings.
The late-night menu is limited to skewers and hot pot options.
Prices average around $30 per person, offering good value for the area.
Clean, modern space with spacious seating booths and classy table settings creates an inviting atmosphere. Korean dishes come with a wide variety of banchans served in bronze tableware, adding a royal food vibe. The vibe is hip and trendy, with an authentic feel and welcoming smiles.
Broth stands out with a richer and thicker texture than similar spots. Soft tofu soups come with accurate spice levels matching their descriptions. Combination dishes often pair tofu soup with items like LA BBQ Short Ribs, adding variety.
"The vegetable tofu soup here is so good, I'd get it as my only dish."
Good to know
Expect wait times of up to 45 minutes for weekend dinners.
Prices for entrees can be high, with a tofu pot costing around $20.
The restaurant offers lunch and dinner service, as well as takeout options.
Spacious Chinese restaurant with clean, modern decor and an open kitchen showcasing hand-pulled noodles. Bright and inviting atmosphere pairs with thoughtful amenities like iPad ordering and noodle-cutting scissors. Music adds to a casual, welcoming vibe suitable for relaxed meals.
Soup options include a hot and sour soup that is less salty and similar to Din Tai Fung's version. The beef noodle soup is hearty and mild, while the shredded pork noodle soup offers another tasty choice with handmade noodles.
Dumplings come fresh and juicy with handmade fillings like pork potstickers and four-flavored varieties. Juicy soupy dumplings and pork Xiaolong bao add variety and richness to the selection.
"The dumplings here are fresh, juicy, and clearly handmade."
"The beef noodle soup has a rich, savory broth."
Good to know
The lunch special is $21 and includes two cold appetizers and soup.
Cross-contamination risks exist for those with egg allergies.
Parking can be difficult in the area.
Shabu-shabu restaurant offers all-you-can-eat menu with fresh ingredients and a DIY sauce bar for personalized flavors. Indoor and outdoor seating create a family-friendly atmosphere with a relaxed, welcoming vibe. Noise levels vary, sometimes making conversation difficult during loud gatherings.
Nine different soup bases offer unique flavors like bulgogi and Korean spicy rice cake. Options include vegetables and noodles you can add freely, with all soups tasting fresh and flavorful.
Fried dumplings stand out with their crispy exterior and juicy interior. Small bites like these dumplings and chicken karaage add variety and quality to the meal.
"The soup bases here are flavorful and unique."
"The fried dumplings are crispy and juicy."
Good to know
Dpot offers an all-you-can-eat menu for $35 per person.
Lunch prices are around $50 for two people, including tax.
The restaurant is closed every Sunday.
Small, unassuming wok restaurant with a lively atmosphere and cozy, welcoming vibe. Offers authentic Chinese street food with a wide selection of rich, spicy dishes including grilled fish and mala tang. Popular spot for late-night dining, open until 3am.
Hua Jiao Chicken soup tastes like a warm hug and stands out as a comfort food highlight. The spot offers a great variety of soup bases and is known for authentic soup dumplings and fish hot pot.
Northern style dumplings offer authentic flavor with a rich soup inside. Dumplings in red oil come fresh with a perfect spicy kick.
"The Hua Jiao Chicken soup tastes like a warm hug."
"The soup dumplings here are rich and authentic."
Good to know
Super Yummy 远山少年 is open until 3am, allowing for late-night snacks.
They charge $5.99 for 8 quail eggs.
Expect a variety of authentic Chinese dishes.
Taiwanese restaurant with tight seating and crowded, noisy atmosphere where loud conversations fill the space. Interior features dark hardwood furniture and simple calligraphy decor, creating a cozy yet bustling vibe. Large tables accommodate groups, making it lively but not intimate.
Spicy beef tendon noodle soup stands out with its Szechuan style heat and thick noodles. Beef noodle soup here is known for being authentic Taiwan style and flavorful without heavy MSG use.
Juicy, pan fried gyoza and huge fried dumplings stand out for their flavor and size. Steamed and soup dumplings also deliver solid taste alongside beef wraps and pickled peppers.
"I found the beef noodle soup to be authentic and delicious."
"I thought the beef noodle soup was great."
Good to know
Parking in the plaza is often crowded and difficult to find.
Reservations are not accepted, so arrive early to avoid long waits.
You need to show up with your entire party to get a table.
Modern Jiangnan style interior combines soft lighting with elegant design suited for groups and families. Atmosphere stays relaxed and unpretentious, with a photo-friendly setting. Menu blends traditional and innovative Chinese flavors served with attentive timing.
Soup dumplings feature thin wrappers filled with plenty of soup and are not greasy. Duck soup has a clear but rich broth made with real ingredients and includes the entire duck frame for a substantial flavor.
Soup dumplings feature thin wrappers filled with plenty of broth and are not greasy. Hand-made pork soup dumplings are popular enough to order twice.
"The soup dumplings here are delicious with thin wrappers and plenty of soup."
"The duck soup broth is clear, rich, and flavorful."
Good to know
Parking in front of the plaza can be difficult, but there is a large parking area behind the restaurant.
Expect a line during peak hours, but service is quick even when busy.
The tablet menu with pictures for every dish makes ordering easy.
Bright, modern space with limited seating and convenient location. Atmosphere suits fast-casual dining with many ordering takeout or frozen options. Menu features authentic Taiwanese dumplings and beef noodle soup with customizable sauces.
Beef noodle soup stands out with its rich beef stew and customizable sauces for spiciness and savoriness. Wonton soup offers an original Taiwanese flavor that complements the dumpling soup well.
Boiled and fried dumplings come handmade and fresh, with a balanced flavor that is neither too salty nor oily. Portions offer good value, and frozen options allow cooking at home.
"This beef noodle soup is surprisingly great."
"I found the dumplings and potstickers to be amazing."
Good to know
Parking can be very difficult to find during weekends.
The restaurant is small, making seating limited during peak hours.
Prices for dumplings are around $1 each, making them affordable.
Modern space offers plenty of indoor and outdoor seating with umbrellas. Atmosphere feels lively and casual, often busy with a welcoming vibe. Food preparation uses AI technology, serving budget-friendly mini bowls that let people try multiple flavors.
Soup dumplings, especially xiao long bao, stand out with rich broth inside delicate skins. Steamed pork buns and wontons also feature alongside spicy beef and kungpao dishes.
"The dumplings here are so affordably priced, you get great value."
Good to know
Expect long lines during promotions like the free mini bowl offer.
Prices range from $3 to $7, making it affordable for most visitors.
Get there early to avoid long wait times, especially on busy days.