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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Irvine's best

Chinese food spots

Made for those who have a discerning palate for regional Chinese cooking and expect nothing less than the real deal.

Based on 579 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Haidilao Hot Pot Irvine image 1
Haidilao Hot Pot Irvine image 2
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Hot pot restaurant

Hot pot restaurant offers spacious, clean design with personalized sauce stations and interactive dining including a dancing noodle show. Atmosphere feels warm and inviting, suitable for families with children who receive toys and special meals. Amenities like hair ties and complimentary snacks add unique touches to the experience.

Hot pot dishes stand out with rich flavors and fresh ingredients. The food consistently pairs well with excellent service for a satisfying meal.

Offers flavorful hot pot with quality ingredients and exceptional service. Provides a top-notch hot pot experience with outstanding hospitality.

People are saying

"The food here is fresh and delicious."

"This place is super kid friendly with gifts and games for kids."

"The Chinese food service is attentive, warm, and incredibly thoughtful."

Good to know

1

Reservations are required before visiting, especially during peak hours.

2

The weekday happy hour offers a $2 shabu beef deal.

3

Happy hours are available Monday through Thursday before 5 pm.

02
Super Yummy 远山少年 image 1

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.

Authentic Chinese food offers comforting and exciting flavors with generous portions. The dishes deliver a high quality taste that feels like an experience, with aromas and steam adding to the appeal.

Spicy hot pot stands out with its rich flavor and perfect spice balance. Dumplings come fresh and authentic, especially the northern style and those in red oil. Fish hot pot offers tender, flavorful meat that pairs well with rice.

People are saying

"The authentic Chinese food here has comforting and exciting flavors."

"The Chinese food here, especially the soup dumplings, is rich and authentic."

"The grilled fish here is amazing and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Super Yummy 远山少年 is open until 3am, allowing for late-night snacks.

2

They charge $5.99 for 8 quail eggs.

3

Expect a variety of authentic Chinese dishes.

03
949 Grill Lounge image 1

Restaurant combines rustic and industrial design with an open kitchen where chefs cook over flames, creating a stylish and vibrant atmosphere. The space feels cozy yet lively, often getting noisy during peak hours, suited for casual dinners and social gatherings. Guests enjoy authentic Chinese barbecue skewers with bold seasoning and fresh ingredients.

Authentic Chinese cuisine shines with bold flavors and substantial portions. The spicy bullfrog stands out among the fresh, flavorful dishes served quickly in a casual setting.

Bullfrog hot pot stands out with rich flavors. The menu also features Hunan stir-fried pork belly and braised beef brisket noodle soup, both paired with sweet and sour sides and steamed rice.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious with generous portions."

"The grilled skewers here are perfectly seasoned and smoky."

"The Chinese food here is bursting with bold, authentic flavors."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited to 30 minutes in front of the restaurant.

2

The restaurant offers a variety of dishes including skewers served after 5 pm.

3

Prices are reasonable considering the portion sizes and food quality.

04
Show Hotpot秀海福麻辣烫 image 1

Small food court setting offers spacious seating and a quiet, low-key atmosphere. Hotpot features a wide variety of fresh ingredients and authentic, flavorful soup bases. Free self-pour water and utensils add convenience to the experience.

Food features amazing quality and delicious flavors. Packaging keeps dishes hot and fresh.

Spicy hot pot here stands out for its super flavorful broth and the option to create your own hot pot. The dry hot pot and tomato hot pot offer tasty variety at a reasonable price per pound.

People are saying

"I found the soup base to be really delicious and fragrant."

"This Chinese hot pot is the best I've ever had."

"I thought the food here was absolutely delicious."

Good to know

1

The hot pot costs $13.99 per pound.

2

They open really late, until almost midnight.

3

Expect a variety of ingredients to customize your hotpot.

05
Frank’s bbq & noodles image 1

Restaurant offers authentic Cantonese BBQ with crispy duck skin and juicy roast duck as standout dishes. Space feels clean and well lit with a chill, quiet atmosphere and self-service setup. Outdoor seating and garage parking add convenience.

Food features fresh and juicy meat with a Cantonese BBQ style that delivers a delicious and satisfying meal. Ordering in advance online speeds up the process and food arrives quickly.

Cantonese roasted duck stands out with authentic flavors. Traditional Chinese BBQ includes char siu and pairs well with rice noodle soup and chilled spinach salad.

People are saying

"The BBQ duck and chicken were super flavorful with crispy skin."

"The Cantonese BBQ duck here is outstanding and perfectly roasted."

"The roast duck food here is amazing and irresistible."

Good to know

1

Reservations are recommended for larger groups to ensure seating.

2

The restaurant does not provide paper menus; ordering is done online.

3

Parking in the plaza has 1-hour restrictions, so plan accordingly.

06
YGF Malatang image 1
Chinese restaurant

Bright, informal setting inside a food court-like space offers a build-your-own-bowl concept with diverse food selection and authentic mala tang flavors. Atmosphere feels warm and inviting with a clean, comfortable environment. Late-night hours and easy parking add to its accessibility.

Food stays fresh and clean with no submersion in water, keeping portions balanced. The dishes offer authentic Chinese flavors and work well for late-night dining.

Hot pot stands out with its rich broth and balanced spiciness featuring Sichuan peppercorns. The menu offers customizable mala tang options and flavorful dishes like spicy fish maw and Sichuan peppercorn chicken.

People are saying

"I loved building my own customizable Chinese hot pot with fresh ingredients."

"The soup base here is so flavorful and fresh."

"I found the food here to be fresh, delicious, and authentic."

Good to know

1

YGF Malatang has an underground garage for easier parking.

2

The price is $14.99 per pound based on weight.

3

Reservations are not required, but it's best to avoid peak meal times.

07
Noodle Nest 和悦 (formerly Dun Huang) image 1

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.

Food features fresh ingredients and chewy noodles with a focus on authentic Chinese ramen. Dishes consistently deliver great taste and excellent quality.

Hand pulled noodles stand out with their fresh texture and flavor. The menu features Szechuan style cuisine with dishes like mapo tofu and a hot and sour soup that balances spice and salt well. Cold appetizers with chili oil and generous servings of garlicky bok choy add variety and depth.

People are saying

"The noodles here are so authentic and flavorful."

"The food here is authentic, flavorful, and delicious."

"The hand-pulled noodles have a flavorful, chewy texture."

Good to know

1

The lunch special is $21 and includes two cold appetizers and soup.

2

Cross-contamination risks exist for those with egg allergies.

3

Parking can be difficult in the area.

08
Bao Chick image 1
Chicken restaurant

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.

Food here offers delicious comfort with a great variety. Service stands out, especially near closing time, with generous portions and attentive staff.

Pan-fried dumplings stand out with rich, juicy filling and better flavor than steamed ones. The pork Xiao Long Bao tastes very authentic and fresh, matching those from China. Dumplings and chicken rolls come with a delicious dipping sauce shared freely by the owner.

People are saying

"The Chinese food here is so crispy and juicy."

"I thought the chicken sandwich was the best I've ever had."

"The food here is so good, especially the chicken."

Good to know

1

Free 90-minute parking is available near the food hall.

2

Expect a wait time of about 24 minutes during peak hours.

3

Prices for meals range from $8 to $9 for generous portions.

09
Tim Ho Wan image 1
Dim sum restaurant

Dim sum restaurant features a modern, lush interior blending Hong Kong, Chinese, and Singapore influences with an Orange County vibe. Atmosphere feels authentic and comfortable, though it can be loud and rushed during busy times. Dim sum offerings are highly authentic and well-regarded for quality and taste.

Food features freshness and authenticity with dishes that are fragrant and flavorful. The baked BBQ pork buns stand out as a signature item with a rich taste.

Dim sum here features authentic Hong Kong style with a smaller menu focused on quality. Signature items include BBQ pork buns and turnip cake, both standing out for their unique taste and texture.

People are saying

"I loved the dim sum; it's the best I've had in the US."

"The food here is delicious and high quality."

"The crispy shrimp rolls were unforgettable and perfectly balanced."

Good to know

1

Happy hour offers reduced prices on most items.

2

The restaurant doesn't get busy until around 6 PM on Saturdays.

3

Ordering via QR code speeds up the process.

10
Qin West Noodle image 1
Noodle shop

Small noodle shop with authentic Chinese flavors and affordable prices offers both indoor and outdoor seating in a simple setting. Atmosphere ranges from calm and relaxed when not crowded to cluttered and unwelcoming at busy times. Known for traditional northern Chinese dishes and careful to-go packaging that keeps noodles fresh.

Food features authentic northwest Chinese cuisine with large portions and good ingredients. Delivery is very fast and the quality stays consistent across visits.

Mongolian beef stands out among the dishes. The menu features hand pulled noodles, Mapo tofu, and twice-cooked pork with good portion sizes. Orange chicken appeals to kids and sesame chicken is notable.

People are saying

"I loved their Guilin soup; it had a perfect balance of flavors."

"I thought the food here was great and reasonably priced."

"I found the Chinese Food here to be delicious."

Good to know

1

For to-go orders, they separate the noodle and broth so the noodle doesn’t get soggy.

2

Parking is very limited with a 30-minute time limit.

3

There was a free parking structure nearby.

11
Chef Chuan image 1
Chinese restaurant

Large, clean space with few people creates a quiet atmosphere. Strong, authentic Sichuan flavors cater to fans of spicy and offal dishes, often paired with rice. Language barriers and simple service reflect a straightforward, authentic Chinese dining experience.

Authentic Szechuan style dishes feature fresh peppers and substantial shredded pork with a spicy kick. Portions come large, and the food offers a taste true to the old country, with options to adjust spice levels.

Authentic Sichuan cuisine shines with dishes like grilled fish, mapo tofu, and twice cooked pork belly. Fans of offal dishes and bold flavors find options like beef in sour soup and wild pepper beef.

People are saying

"I found the Sichuan food here to be really authentic."

"The spicy boiled fish is a must-try dish."

"I found the Sichuan Chinese food here to be very authentic."

Good to know

1

The average meal cost is around $34 per person.

2

Rice bowls are available for a quick lunch option.

3

Expect a language barrier; speaking Chinese may enhance your experience.

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Irvine Business Complex, Irvine

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