ENJOY 3 NEW DINING OPTIONS

Northern Café | Westpark Plaza

Xiao long bao – juicy, steamed pork dumplings known as XLB – date back two centuries and are known the world over for their 18 folds and tasty broth. Northern Café marks 20 years serving XLB as its signature snack with a new second location in Irvine. The menu offers a dozen steamed and pan-fried dumpling styles, and dozens more pancakes, stir-fries and cold appetizers.


Hanshin Pocha | Quail Hill

The fare at this Korean soju pub is saucy, spicy and in some cases famously messy. The signature spicy chicken feet require gloves and beer or soju, a Korean rice wine. Ditto the do-it-yourself rice balls. The whole golden-fried chicken – served in a hot cast-iron pot at your table – is gloves-free and popular, too. Korean celebrity chef Baek Jong-won created the menu.


Paris Baguette | Woodbury Town Center

This bakery-café turns out pastries as diverse as mini-croissants, crabmeat croquettes and matcha-mochi doughnuts, as well as sandwiches, salads and caramel-pecan souffle cheesecake. Given the quality of its baguettes and croissants, it surprises many to discover it is based in South Korea. It is, in fact, that nation’s No. 1 bakery, with locations around the world, including Paris. Another Paris Baguette is set to open soon at Campus Plaza.


  • Cucina marks its Sweet 16

    Founded in 2009 by visionary restaurateur Tracy Borkum, the Cucina restaurant brand has grown from a bold post-recession experiment into …

  • Scholarly snacks

    Summer is a great time for locals to learn what students already know: Excellent food abounds near UC Irvine.

  • Culinary Adventures 

    Kids-eat-free deals available at more than 35 Irvine restaurants this summer.

  • New hot-pot spots: Fast and Moo-Moo

    Irvine has two new hot-pot destinations – Moo-Moo Hot Pot in Northpark and Fast Hot Pot at University Center. Step …