Authentic Northern Chinese barbecue and Hunan-style spicy dishes. its extensive variety of charcoal-grilled skewers using dry" seasoning method that creates a smoky, bold, and aromatic crust over charcoal flames. We enjoyed The signature spicy seasoning skewers ( garlic chicken,chicken feet, chicken gizzards, chicken wings and potato tower) Bento lunch Set - Kung Pao Bento lunch Set - Spicy Eggplant Green Beans with minced pork Pork ribs soup with corn read more

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I'm a huge fan of Chinese BBQ and I've been looking for a place in Irvine for a while. I normally drive back to the 626 if I'm craving skewers so I was super excited to find out about 949! We went on Saturday night and waited about 20 minutes for a table. The restaurant is fairly small and probably wouldn't be able to accommodate too large of a party. Service is pretty hands off and everything is ordered through your phone. The food comes out quick and skewers are placed on a hot place to keep warm as you eat. We ordered the lamb, beef, pork belly, and chicken skin skewers. I will say, these skewers are pretty small and aren't the best quality. The lamb was my favorite, followed by the chicken skin. I don't think they use a super great cut for the beef but maybe we just got unlucky with the pieces. The pork belly was definitely the biggest disappointment. Although it tasted great, it was a VERY thinly sliced piece of pork belly and not worth the price. I will opt to get another order of the lamb in place of the pork next time I come. The standout star for me was the cabbage, though. I was expecting a small plate as a side but instead, we got a humungous place of delicious cabbage that was absolutely covered in seasoning. I could have eaten that with a bowl of white rice by itself! All in all, this place really does hit the spot when you're craving skewers as long as you know what to order. I'll definitely be back! read more

949 Grill Lounge - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

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949 Grill Lounge is located near apartments in Irvine, so it's kind of hidden. There is parking in the rear so don't panic when you see the 30 minute parking signs on the street. The parking structure is free too. We ordered a variety of skewer options: Lamb, beef, pork belly and chicken. They were all so delicious and super flavorful. My bf ordered the lamb spicy and he said it wasn't too spicy...kind wish I did it for the rest of them. We ordered their house fried rice, green beans and we wanted to try something new so we got the sour and spicy fish belly. The rice was tasty. Green beans were not too salty or too garlicky. The fish belly was a little too spicy for us They also have a variety of drinks to go along with your food. Soda, tea, beer, and other stronger dranks! It's open till 11pm which later than other restaurants in Irvine, so you can get that late night craving fix. They also have a membership option if you love it and plan on going often, they have lots of benefits. There is wifi too, which I recommend using bc the connection kind of sucked for me. If you're looking for a place to watch the World Cup, they'll be playing the matches at both Irvine and Santa Ana locations. Enjoy some good food, drinks while watching the game. read more

Good skewers in Irvine! We were seated and served relatively quickly. This place has large seating capacity and seems to be tailored for those looking for a quick bite. We got a variety of different skewers including Chicken Skin, Chicken Cartilage, House Special Garlic Chicken, Pork Belly. Overall, it was great but not particularly noteworthy relative to other skewer places. Would recommend to those in the area looking for skewers in Irvine! read more

949 Grill Lounge - Skewers - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

This place is always packed with Chinese foodies, so you know it's the real deal. I usually come for the skewers, but I love that they offer so much more than just that. The menu is surprisingly extensive, with everything from hot pot and noodle dishes to stir-fried dishes. I jwish they had guo bao rou available every day since it's my favorite but they only serve it once a week because it's such a labor-intensive dish and they make it fresh to order, which is understandable. The skewers are consistently good, they're open late, and it's become my go-to spot when I don't feel like driving out to the 626 for great skewers, definitely a good find for Irvine. read more

949 Grill Lounge - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

I've ordered DoorDash from these guys a few times, finally managed to go in person recently. Parking was a problem. Limited spots in that residential area. But once you're in, the skewers were all good. The restaurant itself is for skewers but they are the same restaurant as 雞飛蛙跳 so you can also order full dishes too, like spicy frog or stir fried stuff. I like both. It's a good mix option if you find skewers too greasy. read more

TLDR: verrrry authentic Chinese restaurant. Great ambiance. We were definitely the only non-natives there. You order through a QR code. Their menu changes regularly based on demand I think. A little concerned that they reuse their skewers.. read more

949 Grill Lounge - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

Overall, Most dishes were actually really good Flavor on point, great variety, and perfect for sharing with friends. Nice service and good ambiance. Definitely worth trying if you're in Irvine, Come hungry... you'll want to order everything read more

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If you're craving Chinese skewers in Irvine, this place is easily one of the best. The skewers are flavorful and satisfying, even though everything is cooked in the kitchen rather than in front of you. That said, consistency can vary--sometimes the skewers come out a bit dry or slightly overcooked. The spice level is no joke. "Spicy" is very spicy, so it's better to order non-spicy and add the dry chili powder on the side to control the heat yourself. It's a small restaurant, so waits can get long when it's busy. Our go-to order is always the beef skewers and lamb skewers. The chicken wings are usually good, though they've been a little dry the last few visits. The foil vermicelli is solid and can be ordered non-spicy. Oysters are hit or miss--sometimes nice and plump, sometimes smaller. The grill setup is more for show than actual cooking, but it still adds to the atmosphere. Overall, it's a great spot for lighter eats on days when you're not super hungry, and surprisingly, it's not as smoky or smelly as you might expect from a skewer place. read more

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if you've never had traditional chinese bbq before, go check it out!! order through QR code menu and food comes out quickly. got the scallop + vermicelli (so buttery, garlicy), a bunch of skewers (lambs, beef tendon, mushroom, eel, beef brisket), northern cold noodles (briny and refreshing), but my favorite was the egg and eggplant. it doesn't sound fancy but the egg makes the dish earthy/nutty while the eggplant is creamy and umami. please get it! place is super clean and staff brings around extra napkins/waters (: for 2 people, we couldn't finish everything and it was under 90$! read more

949 Grill Lounge - Northeast Cold Noodles, Preserved Egg And Eggplant W/ Green Pepper, Lamb Skewers (5 Skewers), Beef Hard Tendon - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

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Was craving for skewered bbq and didn't want to drive too far, so we tried this place. When we arrived they just opened, can't tell if the restaurant is clean or not, but staff were chatting and seems like they were having dinner. Their skewers are all fried not grilled, which is a huge red flag, service is friendly actually. I recommend their Hunan dishes, their stir fried rice noodles is very good, so is the fish maw, just don't come here for the skewers. Would be 4+ if not for the fried skewers. read more

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Nestled among Irvine's Plaza Resident Community, 949 Grill Lounge is a neighborhood restaurant that's sure to be a go-to for lunch or dinner! They have a modern design with an open kitchen, where you can see the chefs wok-fry with flames!! Pretty impressive to watch!! Their dishes are bursting with bold, authentic Chinese flavors, each dish tells a story. I absolutely love their Bento style Lunch Boxes, which comes with a main + 2 sides + soup and steamed rice that range from $17.99 - $21.99. I tried the Hunan stir-fried pork belly lunch teishoku set 湖南小炒肉-午市定食 with sweet and sour soup, Sweet and Sour Black Fungus, Sweet and Sour Cucumbers and bowl of steamed rice. I asked for medium spice and it was just right for me! So beautifully displayed on a wooden tray!! Their stir-fried baby squid with chili sauce 辣炒海兔（小鱿鱼) is a customer favorite!! I am in love with this dish!! So aromatic and satisfying, with the right chewy texture for baby squid!! Stir-fried Pork Belly and Chili Pepper with Rice 肉汤泡饭 features thinly sliced pork belly stir-fried with fresh chili peppers, aromatic garlic and ginger, and seasonings. Again, I asked for medium spice! Perfectly balanced!! They also have skewers (served after 5pm), Hunan stir-fried spicy dishes, foiled dishes, bullfrog dishes, stone cooked dishes, noodle soups, rice dishes, noodles, dongbei and Lao Dao specialties and a variety of desserts. They also have a full bar with an array of Sake. Dive into a culinary journey that both locals and foodies rave about. They have a full bar with an array of Sake. Alysa had terrific and friendly customer service!! read more

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The lamb skewers are good. The corn and the steamed bun barbequed was packed with flavor. The spicy meat off the bone was good. Service was slow. Took them a long time to get our orders and took forever to get water refilled. But I would still come back because the food tasted great? read more

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The lunch started well with the kung pao chicken and the generosity of the tray veggies, perfect seasoning on the cucumbers and radishes. It went downhill from there unfortunately: the cumin lamb and pork lunch set were super salty. The fried rice had a little section that was (accidentally?) super salty. Otherwise pretty normal, nothing special. There's only one server so expect the wait service to be 15-20 min longer than expected. At one point we saw a customer stand up to help deliver teishoku lunch trays to his table. read more

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We came here with our family for dinner as we can't wait to try their authentic skewers and frogs. The stir-fried frog was a pleasant surprise, tender, well-seasoned, and not gamey at all. We wish the pieces can be slightly bigger, they're a bit too small to get much meat. The lamb, beef, and chicken skewers were all nicely grilled with that smoky, spicy kick that makes you keep reaching for "just one more." Lamb skewers were the standout for me, juicy and flavorful without being too heavy. With kids, we ordered them no spicy and season them ourselves at the table. They're so good that we ordered a couple more rounds. The spicy clams with vermicelli were another highlight. The vermicelli soaked up all that garlicky, spicy sauce, and the clams were fresh and plentiful. Definitely a comfort dish worth trying. The house special fried rice and egg fried rice were classic and satisfying, great for balancing out all the heat, and definitely loved by our daughters. Portions are generous, food comes out hot, and it's a fun spot for sharing dishes family-style. read more

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My friend knows how much I love frog legs, so they recommended a spot right here in Irvine -- 949 Grill Lounge. The English name sounds pretty normal, but the Chinese name is hilariously dramatic: "Chicken Fly Frog Jump 949" Definitely memorable! We ordered the stir-fried frog with perilla leaves, which wasn't spicy but super flavorful -- even the kids enjoyed it! The frogs are killed fresh, and you can really tell -- the meat was incredibly tender and bouncy. It's rare to find freshly butchered frog dishes around here, so this was a treat. The kids saw the skewers and wanted to try some -- and to our surprise, they loved them so much we kept ordering more! The skewers have that classic Northeastern Chinese BBQ flavor, well-seasoned and grilled just right. I just wish the portion per skewer was a little bigger The restaurant has a great vibe for casual gatherings too. I'm already planning to come back with friends for a BBQ + drinks night read more

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We got the beef and lamb skewers here. To our surprise, both sets of meat were super fatty! We ordered chinese beef and lamb skewers many places before and one of my daughter's favorite and have never encounter such fatty version. Taste-wise was okay. My mom didn't like how the meat were not pre-marinated like how they traditionally are. The chicken bones are on the overly salty side. Cabbage dish was torn so large that it was a little hard to eat. My mom and her friends like their frog dish and said they are one of the best frog dishes . Service was great! read more

Checked out this spot with my coworker after work. I really wish this was around when I went to college in Irvine! The place was spotless & spacious with lovely vibes. Food was really solid except the regular clams. Skewers were on point, duck blood was generously portioned, and those frog legs had good heat The Gaelic razer clams is a must try. Definitely big plates so bring a group to try the array of dishes here! We wanted to try everything, but there's only two of us & the waiters were really kind to let us leisurely eat for almost 3 hours read more

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I recommend coming for lunch! The lunch set comes with decent proportions. The hunan stir fried pork was yummy. I wouldn't get the stir fried beef again it was pretty oily and fatty. The service was good no complaints. Ambiance is chill and good place to go with friends and family especially if you're craving spicy food! read more

949 Grill Lounge - Hunan Stir-Fried Pork Belly(Spicy)- Lunch Teishoku Set (Main 2 Side Dishes Soup Steamed Rice) - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

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Authentic. I recommend the beef tendon skewers and the bullfrog shiso leaves dry pots. The razor clam dish is also amazing but I was told it's usually sold out. read more

949 Grill Lounge - Steamed razor clams with garlic and glass noodles - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

What a pleasant experience. Picked the place solely based on location as it was convenient and it paid off. Parking is around the corner, but the food is fantastic!!! seasoning presentation and portions; you got it all.! Skewers not available at lunch so that means I must come back, especially for the frog legs read more

Nine four nine Grill and Pot Lounge in Santa Ana is known its authentic, flavorful Chinese BBQ skewers, grilled scallops, grilled shrimps, noodle soup and black pepper beef. It is known for vibrant atmosphere, good portions, and unique flavors, making it a popular spot for adventurous eaters seeking spicy, authentic Northeastern Chinese grill food. Nine Four Nine Grill Lounge is a top spot for those seeking authentic Chinese BBQ read more

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If you are looking for authentic Chinese food in Irvine and you are a daring eater, 949 Grill Lounge is the place for you. The flavors are bold, unique, and very true to traditional Chinese cooking. We came for lunch and tried several highlighted dishes including the bullfrog soup, chicken feet, and the lamb stir fry. Everything was very delicious and very interesting, especially if you enjoy exploring new flavors and textures. If you are not feeling adventurous, do not worry. There are plenty of familiar options such as skewers, fried rice, noodles, and some incredibly tasty soups. It is a great spot for both adventurous and non adventurous eaters. One thing to keep in mind is that some menu items are not available during lunchtime. It is a good idea to call ahead or check the menu to see which dishes are offered in the evening. Although they do have paper menus, this restaurant primarily uses a digital ordering system. You will mostly be ordering through your phone, so make sure it is charged. If not, no problem, paper menus are still available. Overall a fantastic spot for authentic Chinese food in Irvine. Definitely worth checking out if you want something different and delicious. read more

949 Grill Lounge - Cumin Lamb @jenniferireneofficial - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

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Good experience overall, the location is very interesting. Food was good, i liked the beef one the most it had a nice meat and fat ratio. read more

949 Grill Lounge - Beef Skewers (5 Skewers) - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

This neighborhood restaurant is hidden among apartment complex and interior design atmosphere has a modern look with an open kitchen to observe the process of grilling and cooking. The service was efficient and attentive. The food items are without doubt authentic with many items hard to find anywhere else, for example, sea cucumber. We ordered two specialty dish here which are stone cooked crispy grass fish and fresh frog, both are richly seasoned and spicy. It's a perfect place for late night food and if you desire high end sake, they also have them in stock. read more

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Just randomly went to 949 Grill Lounge on a weekday craving frog legs, and ended up finding my new favorite spot. Their Hunan-style fried rice noodles surprised me the most -- it actually tastes like what you'd get back in China. Super flavorful, a little saucy, and just really satisfying. As someone who grew up eating rice noodles, this hit hard. Also really liked: * Pork broth rice (so comforting and flavorful) * Celtuce (fresh and crunchy) * Foil-wrapped clam vermicelli (no sand, super tasty) * Perilla frog legs (tender and juicy) Overall just a really solid spot for authentic Chinese comfort food. I'd definitely go back just for the noodles. read more

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We love the Atmosphere here at 949 Grill Lounge! The service is quick- we did have a bit of a wait since we came during a Holiday Wknd. The food we order one of every protein and the different versions- to try all their unique flavors! read more

949 Grill Lounge - This place has great atmosphere vibe! We gave every protein a try and just loved all dishes! - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

My search for local skewers led me to this new Chinese bbq spot. Staff seated us at a small oily table, where we scanned a QR code and sent mobile orders to the kitchen. We weren't given a heated metal tray like other tables to keep our skewers warm or the tall bin to dispose of our sticks. Instead, staff laid the skewers on a normal plate. Worried the skewers would get cold too fast, I felt rushed to eat. My friend ended up requesting a heated metal tray. We had mixed experiences for the food: Beef, Pork Belly, Squid Skewers (ordered spicy): Lightly seasoned, not spicy, overcooked and chewy. Not our favorite Chinese skewers. Grilled Scallop: Garlicky vermicelli nesting over a small, chewy scallop. Okay. Bullfrog Hot Pot: I've never had frog in soup before, so this was exciting! It's full of frog, chicken, and cabbage. Just be prepared to pick out lots of bones. The broth itself is tasty. The small size turned out to be massive (good for 2-4 people.) I'd really hoped that the skewers would be the highlight of dinner, but the quality fell short. Not sure if I'd come back any time soon. However, their menu is quite large and they do stay open late for any hungry night owls :) read more

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Came here with a few friends after badminton practice and honestly, this hit the spot. We were starving, and the skewers did not disappoint. The lamb and beef were super flavorful, and the shrimp was nicely seasoned too. Everything had that classic cumin + chili vibe going on -- not too spicy, just enough to keep you reaching for the next skewer. We also tried the Wednesday-only Guo Bao Rou, and it was surprisingly good -- crispy, slightly sweet, and kind of refreshing after all the grilled stuff. Didn't expect to like it as much as I did. The place is casual, not too loud, and service was quick. Prices are reasonable, especially if you're sharing a bunch of skewers with friends. Would definitely come back -- maybe even make this our regular post-practice spot. 打完羽毛球过来吃的，串味道不错，烤得挺香，调味也合适。 点了周三限定的锅包肉，外皮脆，味道香，不会太甜，挺下饭的。 整体吃得很舒服，环境还可以，服务也挺快。x5 read more

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Best place to have delicious frog dishes :) The parking is a little bit challenging. read more

949 Grill Lounge - The entrance - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

Pretty good Chinese-style barbecue restaurant. The pricing is decent, not super expensive. The food tastes fantastic. The skewers that they made are in smaller portions so that there is a great variety to order. The flavor is quite flavorful. The service is pretty fast compared to other skewer places. read more

Amazing cold noodle and sweet and crispy pork! Frog and grill is also good, aa little spicy but taste so good! read more

949 Grill Lounge - 很好吃的锅包肉！东北人认证哈哈 冷面也好吃。 牛蛙量很大 有点小辣但是吃的很爽！ - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

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Great place to drinking after work with good vibe. The food is on point and our server Amy is the best server fabulous awesome experience read more

949 Grill Lounge - Beef Skewers (5 Skewers) - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

I love the food and staff here, everyone is hard worker and attentive and professional. You will not be disappointed, the food is always on point. Thank you so much for your hard work, my friend and I will be back, it is always a pleasure to come there and dine. You have passionate for your restaurant... read more

As someone who loves returning to places that feel both vibrant and welcoming, 949 Grill Lounge has become a favorite of mine. Every visit reminds me why -- the flavors are bold, the atmosphere is lively yet comfortable, and the service always feels genuinely attentive. The Hunan dishes and grilled skewers remain standouts, but what impresses me most is the consistency. Almost every dish is prepared with the same care and richness of flavor as my very first visit, except for the vendor's meat quality replacements. It's truly a place that works just as well for a casual night out as it does for a celebratory gathering. I'm genuinely grateful to have a spot like 949 close by, and I look forward to many more evenings, which turn into 3 am mornings, here. Can't forget the newly extended happy hour promotion! Even Flushing, NY can't beat this price! read more

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Great new spot for Chinese BBQ. It has a large variety of skewers you can select from. It also has normal Chinese dishes that you can get too. The only thing i would suggest is eating your food decently quickly. They place the skewers on something to keep it warm but the heat doesn't last too long, that would be my only complaint If you have a big table there is one big table at the very end of the restaurant that you can reserve. It definitely gets loud in the restaurant - so if you're looking for a quiet sit down maybe save this place for a different time. read more

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We had dinner there on Tuesday. It was during their soft opening. The ambiance is charming and modern. Service was friendly and attentive. There is plenty of free parking in a parking structure around the corner from the restaurant. We ordered quite a bit of items. We started with bbq skewers. You can get them spicy or non-spicy. There wasn't much heat on them but it might have been because we got everything spicy. The beef, lamb, sausage and chicken skewers were all fantastic! The fried rice with pork belly and chili peppers was spicy and delicious. It was also mixed with black bean sauce. The spice level was high but the flavors were so addicting that one could not stop eating it. The Manila clams were also spicy and delicious. The clams were fresh and the spicy sauce was addicting. The star of the show was the bullfrog hotpot. Bullfrog tastes like a combination of chicken, white fish and a little bit of mushroom. It was absolutely delicious. We got the lowest spice level and it was numbing. So delicious and we couldn't stop eating it. If you are looking for an authentic Chinese dining experience then look no further! read more

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My favorite dish is their bbq sweet bread and hunan rice noodles! Definitely recommend to anyone who loves Chinese barbecue!

The dishes I purchased was hot, high quality & delicious. I've order these items quite a few times and it has been A+ every time. read more

949 Grill Lounge - Hunan Style Fried Rice With Eggs (Spicy) - Barbeque Near Me - Irvine, California

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Bold flavors, fast service, and seriously great food. Tried out 949 Grill Lounge in Irvine -- from braised beef brisket noodle soup to spicy Hunan pork belly, everything hit just right. Clean space, open kitchen vibes, and killer comfort food. Call ahead to check what's on the menu. read more