No matter which neighborhood center in Irvine you live near, there are intriguing restaurants that are more than worth checking out. Here are dozens of possibilities to please every palate – many that elevate the city’s dining status.
A
Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana
Los Olivos Marketplace
Chic cosmopolitan design meets authentic pizza Napoletana in more than a dozen styles, including the red-sauce capricciosa – with artichokes, Taggiasca olives and prosciutto cotto – and white-sauce speck and mascarpone. No need to limit the experience to pizza. Other memorable Southern Italian fare includes wood-fired eggplant, lobster ravioli and filet mignon with blackberry-Calabrian chile reduction. Early and late happy hours bring generous pizzettas, Brussels sprouts and bruschetta.
B
Bopomofo Cafe
Alton Square
Bopomofo fits right in with an alphabetical compendium. Its name derives from four phonetic traditional characters that are the ABCs of the Mandarin Chinese alphabet, and the co-founders like to say they’re “American-Born Chinese” – ABC. The destination offers a contemporary Chinese/Taiwanese/American menu. “AsianAm” specialties include mapo tots, Hainan chicken tacos and a honey-walnut shrimp burger, complemented by freshly pressed juices and premium teas sourced directly from Taiwanese farmers.
C is for Chicken
Chicken takes wing thanks to a quartet of specialists with an array of inspirations from Tennessee to Taiwan.
Cluck Kitchen at The Square brings the heat with crispy chicken sandwiches, tenders and wings.
Rooster & Rice at Alton Retail Center presents Thai-style poached chicken and fragrant rice in several versions.
J&G brings its popcorn chicken to Irvine Spectrum Center, 50 years after its beginnings on a Taiwan street corner.
bb.q Chicken at Northpark Plaza, Cypress Village and Quail Hill offers Korean fried chicken.
D
DönerG Turkish & Mediterranean Grill
Crossroads, The Market Place
Turkish spices and sauces meet USDA Choice halal meats sliced straight from the vertical rotisserie. The menu suggests the casual fare of waterside cafes near the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, notably pita sandwiches and kebab plates in beef and chicken versions. House favorites include the Istanbowl and the Original Fladenbrot, which overflows with doner kebab, fries, chile-garlic sauce and more on grilled soda bread.
E
Eureka!
University Center
Find American food and/or whiskey with creative burgers and 30 small‑batch whiskeys. Favorites include the Fresno Fig, with fig marmalade, melted goat cheese, bacon and spicy porter mustard; and the Black and Blue Mushroom, with blue cheese, whiskey onions and Calabrian chile aioli. Consider a side of truffle cheese fries; finish with bourbon barrel cake. Promotions include half-off smashburger Wednesdays and the daily Hoppy Hour.
F
Fukuda
Los Olivos Marketplace
Known for its soba noodles, made fresh daily, this Japanese spot functions mostly as a takeout destination, but there’s plenty of seating should you wish to unpack your order and dine in, which many people do. The menu lists dozens of appetizers and salads, but the noodle combinations are the most ordered: Choose udon or soba, hot or cold, vegetables or tempura flakes; then add a rice bowl or roll.
G
Galpão Gaucho
Venture Park
Home on the Southern Brazilian range. Steakhouse chefs in gaucho cowboy garb continuously carve 18 selections of beef and other meats from the grill tableside. Four versions of picanha, the coveted sirloin cap, include the edible‑gold‑finished 24 Karat. The all-you-can-eat format includes unlimited visits to an elaborate appetizer and salad bar. Hot tip: Request the off-menu farofa, which is cassava flour, and sprinkle it on the meat … and everything else.
H
HiroNori Craft Ramen
Sand Canyon Plaza
The Michelin Guide’s Bib of the Week cited its “noodles of flavor.” Two ramens feature pork chashu: the tonkotsu, a rich and creamy pork-bone broth boiled 24 hours; and shoyu, made with imported soy sauce barreled two years. The vegan version blends six imported misos. Another favorite is spicy cold dipping noodle with chashu and bonito dashi broth. Start with the garlicky crispy chicken or eye-catching crispy rice with spicy tuna.
I
I Heart Pancakes
Campus Plaza
Gumball and claw machines plus movie posters for The Egg-Father and Pancake Bride all set the scene for I Heart Cheesecake pancakes, lox crepes and the Big Steak omelet. There are smashburgers for lunch, T-bone and shrimp for dinner, Little Hearts chicken and waffles for wee ones as well as wee-hour options – the eatery stays open until 2 a.m. The Late-Night Breakfast Burrito includes bacon, sausage or chorizo and two pancakes.
J
JA Jiaozi Authentic Dumplings
The Market Place
Dumpling choices include five pieces of pleated jiaozi – perhaps the steamed scallop and shrimp, pan-fried truffle zucchini and egg or five-color combo – as well as lobster xiao long bao. But dumplings aren’t the whole story. They also serve as starters before mains such as honey black pepper Angus beef or stir‑fried shredded Kurobuta pork with jalapeños and pancake. The finish of choice? Italian ice cream with brown sugar boba.
K
Kiyo Sushi & Sake
Northpark Plaza
The name and modest decor don’t begin to hint at the elaborate menu and impressive range of sakes to match. Sea urchin offerings alone range from a simple handroll to uni pasta to luxury Santa Barbara and Hokkaido uni boxes. There are soups, udon dishes, organic salads, sushi, sushi rolls and combos. You’ll also find elevated chalkboard specials such as ice abalone carpaccio and prepared entrees, including sauteed Kobe beef.
L
Little Sister
Irvine Spectrum Center
Chef Tin Vuong’s Euro-Vietnamese bistro suggests the Saigon of his family background. Starters span warm milk rolls to elaborate crab‑shrimp-pork imperial rolls. The bouillabaisse – starring clams, mussels, prawns and barramundi – and braised “bok ho” beef stew both come with toasted baguette and pâté. Consider triple garlic noodles for the table. The green papaya salad is a standout. The vibe is cozy and lively.
M
Marble Steakhouse & Grille
Woodbury Town Center
Chic modern decor sets the scene for USDA Prime cuts from boneless short rib to filet mignon. Beef tartare is presented with a flourish and finished at the table. The restaurant is named for the streaks of fat that add to a steak’s richness. At lunch, the menu pivots to Korean. Favorites include galbitang with bone-in rib and the stir-fried spicy pork stone pot. Spicy marinated crab is the coveted side.
N
Nice To Meet You Skewer Hot Pot
Culver Plaza
The concept is hot pot, premium sliced meats and vegetables cooked in boiling broth at your table. The abundance of intriguing ingredients, toppings and sauces here had already made every meal memorable … and now it’s all you can eat. Choose three of the 10 broths, ranging from mild pork bone to spicy Sichuan beef tallow.
O
Oliver’s Trattoria
Quail Hill Shopping Center
The concept is hot pot, premium sliced meats and vegetables cooked in boiling broth at your table. The abundance of intriguing ingredients, toppings and sauces here had already made every meal memorable … and now it’s all you can eat. Choose three of the 10 broths, ranging from mild pork bone to spicy Sichuan beef tallow.
P
PhoTasia
Parkview Center
Owner Nam Tram sets diners overwhelmed with choices at ease: “There is no wrong way to eat pho,” he says, “and no wrong pho to eat.” Styles here range from meatless to build-your‑own beef to all the beef; there’s a sous vide chicken version and numerous rice and vermicelli dishes. “Namtastic” starters include new shrimp-and-pork shumai dumplings. Vietnamese musical instruments on display set the scene.
Q is for QUESO FUNDIDO
Queso fundido is a dish of ooey-gooey cheese plus spicy chorizo or other sausage, often flamed and generally shared as an appetizer. Our favorites:
Javier’s at Irvine Spectrum Center adds sautéed onions, mushrooms and pasilla chiles to molten Jack and tops it with chorizo and chipotle chiles.
Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen at The Market Place offers a one-skillet wonder with roasted potatoes and poblano peppers. You can add chorizo or portobello mushrooms.
Taco Rosa at The Market Place layers its four-cheese blend with Longaniza sausage, poblano pepper, onion and mushrooms and flames it tableside.
R
Rubio’s Coastal Grill
Harvard Place Shopping Center
This spot continues to celebrate its fish tacos – crispy beer-battered wild-caught Alaska pollock on stone-ground tortillas – but the menu hardly stops there. Latest addition: power bowls such as Omega-3 with Atlantic salmon; Double Protein with double steak; and the High Fiber veggie. The hot sauce bar offers thoughtful options, too. The wild-caught red Argentinian shrimp trio makes its all-day Taco Tuesday a standout.
S
Sessions West Coast Deli
Woodbridge Village Center
Sandwich riffs inspired by palate‑popping ingredients are the draw. Meat-lovers flock for the Greatfella, presenting soppressata, hardwood-smoked ham, razor onion, provolone, cherry pepper spread and lots more on ciabatta. The signature Summer Zephyr is vegetarian, to which the Morning Zephyr adds bacon and eggs. Some faves include the classic Spicy Crispy Crunchy Chicken sandwich, the Thai chop salad and new chorizo burrito. A picturesque playground is adjacent.
T
Tang 190
Cypress Village Shopping Center
Tang means boiling soup in Korean, here carried out in traditional clay pots, and 190 degrees is the ideal cooking temperature for flavor. A persuasive case: Tang 190’s rich and creamy beef shank soup. Also popular: the wrap platter, with pork belly slices, kimchi and napa cabbage plus dolsot bibimbap on a sizzling stone plate. Don’t overlook cold dishes, notably the buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth with galbi short ribs.
U
Urban Plates
Crossroads and The Market Place
Clean, creative and craveable are the watchwords. All ring true in dishes such as grilled sustainable salmon with honey‑Dijon sauce, grilled organic tofu with sweet‑and‑spicy gochujang sauce, Moroccan chicken braise and chimichurri steak. Those mains are also available as sides. Steaks and cheeseburgers feature grass‑fed beef. Popular plant-based bowls include one with beets and avocado. The decor is wood cabin‑industrial chic with colorful displays of kitchen utensils and dishware.
V
Village Market
The Village at Irvine Spectrum
The market and deli serve a luxury apartment community. The deli’s centerpiece offerings are pizzas, sandwiches and a handful each of breakfast items and burgers, notably the Pastrami Monster burger with Angus beef, bacon and Swiss cheese on focaccia. There’s dolma in the deli case, daily changing soups such as chicken fideo. Waiting for your order? Check out intriguing products on the market shelves such as pickled litteh or bandari.
W
West Coast Sourdough
Alton Retail Center
Sourdough sandwiches, sourdough flatbreads and sourdough bread bowls star at the new and bustling deli. Eighteen sandwiches – each in three sizes, most with build‑your‑own options – include cracked pepper turkey, grilled chicken pesto and toasted French dip. Crispy flatbreads can be customized, too. Clam chowder and a macaroni and cheese using corkscrew pasta are the bread bowl favorites, and there are daily specials. It all features a 30-year‑old starter dough.
X is for XO SAUCE
XO sauce originated in Hong Kong and suggests luxury ingredients, including finely chopped dried scallops, shrimp and cured Jinhua ham. Three standouts:
Capital Dim Sum at Irvine Spectrum Center has it for sautéed red clams or sea cucumber.
JA Jiaozi at The Market Place specializes in stir‑fried green beans with XO sauce.
Tasty Garden at Culver Plaza incorporates sautéed green beans in a spicy XO sauce into four of its dishes.
Y
Yuk Dae Jang
Westpark Plaza
When it opened 10 years ago, Yuk Dae Jang was the first U.S. outpost of a South Korean restaurant with 200 locations. Today, it’s a magnet for generously portioned specialties, including bossam with herbal boiled pork belly; beef sullung tang, an ox bone broth with brisket and glass noodles; and the yukgaejang, a hearty and highly spicy Korean soup with premium seafood or shredded beef. Banchan sides are plentiful.
Z
Zov’s
Orchard Hills Shopping Center
The operational reins have passed from chef-restaurateur Zov Karamardian to her family’s next generations, but that’s not all that’s new at the contemporary Mediterranean magnet. The menu adds a breakfast burrito at brunch and a spicy pineapple margarita as well as a family platter at Sunday supper. Meanwhile, Zov’s Moroccan salmon salad with m’jadarrah lentils and rice, shareable mezze platter and famed spiced lamb burger never fail to inspire.
