Courtyard with shared outdoor seating offers a relaxed dining space. Menu focuses on healthy options with standout items like BBQ chicken salad and chicken wild rice soup. Lunch hours bring a busy atmosphere with ample seating inside and out.
Chicken wild rice soup stands out as a favorite, known for being delicious and consistently ordered. Other soups also come highly rated and pair well with fresh salads.
Busy during lunch, the spot offers good value meals with friendly service even in a rush.
"The food here is fresh, healthy, and amazingly delicious."
"I loved the BBQ chicken salad; it's delicious and fresh."
"I get the chicken wild rice soup every time; it's beyond great."
Good to know
Croutons offers a variety of healthy options on the menu.
Expect busy lunch hours, so plan accordingly.
The restaurant features shared outdoor seating for guests.
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.
Soup bases come flavorful and customizable, with the mushroom soup standing out as a favorite. The Tomato Soup Base offers a rich, savory taste that works well for sipping or dipping.
Lunch offers an all-you-can-eat deal for $19.99 with unlimited servings. Orders come through an iPad and include soup, meat, a large vegetable platter, and access to a big sauce station with snacks.
Good to know
Reservations are required before visiting, especially during peak hours.
The weekday happy hour offers a $2 shabu beef deal.
Happy hours are available Monday through Thursday before 5 pm.
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.
Lunch offers a $21 special with two cold appetizers and soup. The menu features Chinese noodles that attract regulars.
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.
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.
Rich broths define the soups here, like the tomato beef noodle soup with tender beef and tangy flavor. The braised beef brisket noodle soup and rice noodle soup also stand out for their depth and taste.
Lunch features Bento style boxes with a main, two sides, soup, and steamed rice. Options like Hunan stir-fried pork belly and kung pao chicken come in sets priced between $17.99 and $21.99, offering good value for workers.
Good to know
Parking is limited to 30 minutes in front of the restaurant.
The restaurant offers a variety of dishes including skewers served after 5 pm.
Prices are reasonable considering the portion sizes and food quality.
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.
Late lunches have no wait and plenty of seating. The spot draws many first-time lunch customers in a lively area and serves notable lunch dishes.
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.
Narrow space with tight seating and hard surfaces creates a loud, fast-paced atmosphere. Mostly younger crowd fills the small room, making it unsuitable for quiet or intimate dining. Unique decor includes minimalist design with wood accents and a vertical garden.
Soup stands out with a very good soy sauce base and a pork belly noodle soup that many find delicious. Every spoonful is packed with flavor and not too salty, enhanced by a black garlic oil sauce.
Seating happens quickly before and after the lunch rush, with only a short wait during peak times. The spot offers a filling lunch that works well for quick meals or late lunches.
Good to know
Reservations are required to avoid long wait times.
Parking can be difficult during peak hours; consider arriving early.
A 16% service charge is automatically added to all bills.
Persian and Mexican flavors blend in a fusion cuisine setting with modern elegant decor and cozy booths. The atmosphere is lively with live DJs playing Persian music and a full bar offering creative cocktails. Outdoor patio seating includes heaters, creating a warm and inviting space.
Tortilla soup stands out with a rich, authentic flavor. The Ash soup nails traditional Iranian taste, and the barley soup pairs well with lamb tacos and salad.
Street tacos stand out for lunch. The atmosphere stays quiet and relaxed, good for a calm meal.
Good to know
Reservations are recommended for special events like the Nowruz celebration.
The program for events runs from 6 to 10 PM.
Live music occurs on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 8 PM.
Korean restaurant offers huge portions and authentic flavors with a rotating banchan selection that ranges from average to excellent. The space feels clean and open, attracting crowds during lunch and dinner hours. Prices remain affordable, providing great value compared to similar places.
Beef bone soup offers a mildness with a tender beef flavor that stands out without heavy MSG. Spicy Beef Soup comes in a hefty portion enough for two people.
Lunch hours get busy, often requiring a wait. Meals come with three types of kimchi served at the table.
Good to know
Expect large portion sizes; one dish can easily serve two people.
The price of $22.99 for the Donkatsu offers great value for the amount of food.
Parking can be difficult on weekends, so arrive early.
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.
Noodle soups here offer authentic flavors with a perfect balance, especially the Guilin soup and beef noodle soup. Options include hearty bowls like Liuzhou Noodle Soup and spicy varieties, all served with generous portions.
Lunch hours get very busy with a long wait, sometimes pushing quick meals to takeout. They offer lunch specials and serve food that ranges from okay to good.
Good to know
For to-go orders, they separate the noodle and broth so the noodle doesn’t get soggy.
Parking is very limited with a 30-minute time limit.
There was a free parking structure nearby.
Spacious, well-lit Brazilian steakhouse with tasteful decor and exceptional atmosphere. Meat service includes tableside presentations and a showy cocktail experience featuring flaming drinks. Offers a great salad bar and screens sports games, creating a lively yet elegant dining environment.
Over 40 items appear at the salad bar, including a soup station with a variety of options. The soup selection stands out as part of an award-worthy and insanely beautiful spread.
Lunch offers a high-end dining experience with attentive service. Meals can be costly, with two people spending nearly $200, but the food and atmosphere support a special occasion vibe.
Good to know
Expect a variety of meats served continuously until you signal for a stop.
The restaurant offers a salad bar with numerous options included in the meal.
Prices are reasonable considering the quality and service provided.
Open kitchen and cafeteria-style setting create a casual dining experience with freshly made noodles visible to diners. Atmosphere stays lively and welcoming, with a self-serve tempura bar adding interactive appeal. Quick service and consistent quality make it suitable for family meals and casual visits.
Hot soup has a pleasant aroma and good flavor. Some dishes come without soup, which can feel odd. Beef soup tastes watery and curry soup looks like gelatin and lacks curry flavor.
Fast service makes it a solid choice for a workday lunch. Visiting between 2 and 4 pm helps avoid the lunch rush and find seating easily. Regular portions usually satisfy lunch appetites.
Good to know
Expect a 25-minute wait for takeout orders during peak hours.
Parking is usually available behind the bank next to 7-Leaves.
A 15% discount is available for UCI students with valid ID.
Casual Korean restaurant with a homey atmosphere and bright fluorescent lighting. Offers unlimited side dishes and complimentary bone broth served in stainless steel tumblers. Busy during lunchtime, it attracts those seeking authentic Korean flavors in a simple, comfortable setting.
Authentic Korean soups and stews feature homemade-style tofu soup with an option to add pork belly. Portions balance well with price, and a complimentary daily broth arrives in an insulated bottle.
Lunch draws a steady crowd with dishes like Sundubu, Galbi, and Dolsot Bibimbap. Arriving just after lunch hours helps avoid waiting since the spot stays busy.
Good to know
Yoo's place is very busy during lunchtime, expect longer wait times.
The menu at Yoo's place is extensive, featuring many popular Korean dishes.
Expect to pay a bit more, as some find the food expensive for the portions.
New American restaurant offers a clean, modern interior with an open kitchen and a comfortable outdoor patio featuring a fire pit. Atmosphere feels elegant without pretension, balancing chic design with a relaxed vibe. Space is bright and airy, accommodating groups with thoughtfully placed tables.
Mushroom soup appears often as a starter, served alongside various appetizers and salads. It pairs well with dishes like short rib croquettes and house rolls with apple butter.
A friendly and attentive staff creates a welcoming atmosphere for lunch. The spot sits near several business complexes, making it convenient for a work lunch or a quick walk from the office.
Good to know
Parking is validated, making it easy to visit without worrying about fees.
The menu changes seasonally, offering new dishes every few months.
Happy hour runs until 5:30pm, featuring special drink and appetizer prices.
Robot servers deliver meats with a playful touch, adding fun technology to a modern, clean dining space. Each diner has an individual induction cooker, creating a calm, authentic Japanese atmosphere. The open kitchen and upscale decor enhance the experience, making it suitable for casual meals and quiet conversations.
Broth options include spicy tonkotsu, miso, and seafood-based tomyum. The buffet offers many additions for the soup and a small selection of hot foods.
Lunch offers a weekday special price around $25 to $26, including Fridays. Food comes fresh with good quality at a reasonable price for about thirty dollars per person.
Good to know
The all-you-can-eat lunch special is $25 on weekdays, including Fridays.
Dinner prices are $33.99 on weekends for all-you-can-eat.
Parking is available in an underground structure, but can be hard to find after 6pm.