I stopped by here and the Xiao Long bao is well presented . Very kind and friendly service . Does take about 15 min for the bao to be ready as they must steam it fresh , cost is $10 which is reasonable I got the $12 one which has shrimp added to it .. I do recommend this place. And it's all in a lovely shaded outdoor food court . A nice breeze is usually goes through the area to keep it cool read more

Bao Chick - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

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Few places have succeeded in this center, I do hope this one sticks around. We were looking for a Nashville hot chicken like the one we had at Hattie Bs in TN. We stopped by a few places on the way but all used the rub versus the oil. This place uses the oil. Chicken is fresh, hot, and delicious. The seasoning was perfect. Nashville hot isn't hot, but flavorful. Fries were also fresh and seasoned well. We ordered the original chicken and Nashville hot in breast meat/white meat. We left full and satisfied. Meat servings are large. The owner is also fun to watch as he greets everyone who enters the center with a little dance and taster. It's worth it. read more

The food was good and owner was very kind. A bit too pricey in my opinion. But would go back for a quick bite when in the area

Owner was extremely friendly and immediately greeted us with a smile, the food was not only amazing but very filling. There are a bunch of tables nearby and drink locations near bao chick. Will be coming back. read more

Tried it for the first time. Delicious and generous portion!! Welcoming and personable service!

I wasn't planning on getting any food here but I was suckered in by the sweetest man emphatically giving out samples of juicy dumplings. He was raving the people passing by about their special chili oil and crispy chicken so I placed an order for the chicken wings. They were incredible! Super crispy and flakey and the mayo sauce that went with them was delicious as well. There were huge pieces of fried chicken in one order; a great deal. I had enough leftover for later and they heated and crisped up nicely in the toaster oven. I am so glad I ended up trying this place and it's always nice to support a business with such kind hard working people behind it. read more

Bao Chick - 1 order of chicken wings - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

This review is only for the Pork Bao Buns as pictured, but they were pretty good! I don't know many good dumplings restaurants nearby. It wasn't the best dumpling I ever tasted, but it was still tasty. The dumplings were ready fairly quickly. I was impressed because when we ordered it was a pretty busy time but they were still about to keep up with the orders. I would most likely order from here again. The price is fair and there are nice dessert options around if you want to make more of an outing when visiting this location. Plan for parking to be a challenge, though, if you come here for lunch time. read more

Bao Chick - Xiao Long Bao! - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

The worst service! Asked how long my order would take and was just totally ignored. Like I was invisible! Cmon now Avoid this place! Soooo rude! Actually noooo star is due read more

One of my favorite spots to eat during lunch! The man that works there is super nice. He isn't fluent in English but he's always so friendly and welcoming. Occasionally he will give out samples of the grilled bao dumplings to try! That's actually what hooked me to this place first. Between the two grilled bao options (chicken&mushroom versus pork) I like the pork the most! It's super flavorful and hits just right. The chicken&mushrooms is also good as well, so definitely give it a try to see which you like more. Don't sleep on their chicken sandwiches either. They're MASSIVE. I was shocked! It comes our piping hot, it's juicy and has a nice crunch! Tip is to ask for extra lettuce and some chilling oil to spice things up. read more

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This can recommended to my husband by our teenage daughter and he loved it. Double cooked fries and the sandwich is massive so come hungry. It's in an eatery area with several choices so your family could all get what the want read more

Bao Chick - Bao Original Chicken Sandwich 香辣堡 - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

OVERALL : I was in the Trade Marketplace for another shop but ended up walking by this storefront and trying out a sample of their dumplings with chili oil. The man handing out the samples (perhaps the owner?) was super enthusiastic and friendly. I ended up browsing through the menu at their self-order kiosk and chose the chicken tenders solely based on the photo! The fry / batter on the tenders looked SO crispy and I just knew they would be good. For the price, it seemed like a good amount of chicken! After ordering they give you a little pager and you can just sit in the shared tables near all the other vendors and wait for your food. PARKING : Located in the Trade Marketplace with a lot of other food vendors in the outdoor food hall area. Parking can be tight during peak hours in the lot. FOOD/DRINKS : Chicken Tenders - The chicken came out nice and hot. It was surprisingly a great portion size, enough to share -- AND the tenders were huge! You won't find any of those 3 inch tiny chicken tenders some other places try to serve nowadays at this place! The order came with a side of chili seasoning powder for spice + some mayo sauce for dipping. The crunch on these tenders are so satisfying and the batter felt really light and airy (not greasy and heavy). My only gripe is that I wanted some more flavor to them bc it started getting one-note after eating for a while. I wish it came in a spicy version / a more flavorful batter, or perhaps if they provided more of the chili powder so we can sprinkle on! I see that they have this chicken in a sandwich form, so I def think I need to try that next time because the components of the sandwich should def add more flavor in. read more

Bao Chick - chicken tenders! so crispy - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

$10 for a very hefty plate of chicken, rice, coleslaw, pickles and seaweed salad. You really can't beat that and it is fried to perfection. Lovely small business with friendly owners! read more

First time at Bao Chick, and it was a delightful detour from my usual burger and pizza weekends. Nestled in a charming little plaza in Irvine, surrounded by other culinary gems, this spot is a must-visit for anyone with an empty stomach and a craving for something special. The area's got variety, but Bao Chick stands out--especially after meeting the owner, the ultimate hype man. His energy is infectious, and even though English isn't his first language, his proud declaration that his dishes are "Number One!" says it all. Spoiler: he's not wrong. I ordered the Pan-Fried Chicken Dumplings, and they were nothing short of perfection. Each dumpling was a crispy, golden pocket of joy--crunchy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. The chicken filling was seasoned to perfection, with just the right balance of savory flavors that made every bite feel like a little celebration. They were so good, I almost forgot I was supposed to be sharing. Then came the Chicken Wings, and wow, they were a revelation. Each wing was coated in a unique blend of flavors that hit different notes with every bite--think crispy, savory, with a subtle kick that kept me coming back for more. They came with extra seasoning on the side, but honestly, they didn't need it. The wings were already packed with so much flavor, the seasoning felt like overkill (in the best way). Crispy skin, tender meat, and a taste that lingers long after the last bite. Bao Chick has earned a permanent spot on my must-visit list. I'm already planning my next trip to try the rest of their dumplings and the highly acclaimed Fried Chicken Sandwich that everyone's talking about. If you're in Irvine and looking for a place that combines top-notch food with a welcoming, down-to-earth vibe, this is it. And if you see the owner, ask him about his "Number One" dishes--you won't be disappointed. Bring an appetite and maybe a friend (or don't, because you might not want to share). read more

Bao Chick - "Number One" Chicken Dumplings! - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

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First time in the area and was browsing the food options. Thanks to previous instagram posts I went with Bao Chick's chicken sandwich. The cashier was also serving samples to anyone walking by. I tried a sample and patiently waited for my chicken sandwich. A unique, quality, delicious choice. I highly recommend. read more

Bao Chick - Original Chicken Sandwich - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

TDLR: The best chicken sandwich that I've ever had paired with the most mid soup dumplings ever. The only season why I came here is because a friend wanted friend chicken and Chinese food. Boom. I was not disappointed Xiao long bao: It's bland. The skin was super thin, the bao didn't burst during the drive, there was a good amount of soup in the dumpling, and it stayed hot in the packaging. Problem is that the bite was so flat. You get a hint of soup dumpling taste and it falls off the moment you get excited. A staff member did tell me that they specialized in pan fried dumplings which I was kindly given a sample of. It was better. Original chicken sandwich: It's the best chicken sandwich because of how they battered the chicken. The meat itself being juicy, the bread being toasted well, the cabbage being a good vegetable compliment, and the mayonnaise being ever present is already a given. What makes this special is how the batter is different from every single fried chicken or chicken sandwich spot. I don't know how to describe it, but I will eat this again. Bonus: They also sell chicken tenders and wings. I won't be surprised if they're as good. Service: 10-15 min prep time for my order. Not too bad. The staff member was all too excited to give us a dumpling sample. Bonus points there. Ambiance: It's a stall in a food court. There are a lot of good restaurants in the area so parking will be an issue. read more

Bao Chick - The Original Chicken Sandwich 6pcs. Xiao Long Pao - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Honestly top 3 chicken sandwich I've had in my life So flaky, tasty x100 Ordered level HOT. Its was perfect read more

Bao Chick - Chicken sandwich heat level:hot - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

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First time trying this place and it won't be the last. When they say they have the best chicken sandwich, they aren't kidding. Seriously the best I've had. The portions are huge so j ended up saving half for dinner. Crunchy and tender blend in the most perfect way. The fries are equally delicious. The server was friendly and offered us samples since we weren't sure what to order. read more

Bao Chick - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

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#1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 amazing food and incredible fun service! We had the original fried chicken sandwich, the chicken dumplings and teriyaki chicken with rice and slaw and seaweed salad. It was all fresh and full of flavor. The owner showed us how to use the sauce and the spices to have the best experience! He was so friendly with all the guests and really passionate about the product. We'll be back soon! read more

I always go for this restaurant when i come to jhon wayne airport. For me this is the best fried chicken ever. So delicious thank you guys ..lu is the working at front, he is so friendly .. read more

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Wings 5/5 : These came out fresh from the fryer. The batter is so crisp and the meat is JUICY. Be careful when eating as it can be very hot. Chicken & Mushroom Dumplings 4/5: The filling is very flavorful and the dumpling is pan fried. It's not a stand-out item, but it's a great small bite. This is served with their chili oil. Xiao Long Bao 5/5: Just like their wings, their XLBs are JUICY! So much soup was in each one. The skin was also very thin. Garlic Parmesan Fries 5/5: These came out crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They were well covered in the seasoning as well. A solid side. Service: We were greeted by a kind gentleman at the front. He didn't speak much English, but he was very kind. He offered us samples of the dumplings and suggested several items on the menu. There were two kiosks you can order and pay from at the front. Parking: From experience, this plaza can get very packed on weekdays given how close it is to many corporate buildings. We went on the weekend and we were able to find parking easily. read more

Bao Chick - Wings with White Garlic & Honey Mustard sauce - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

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This place used to be called Chicciety, but now it's called Bao Chick. However it's still the Chicciety menu. I'm not sure what's going on there. Anyway they've got and interesting variety of food... dumplings (including XLB), chicken sandwiches and chicken wings. I like it that you can choose a boneless chicken thigh for your sandwich. You can get regular or Nashville Hot Chicken. They use an incredibly light crunchy coating reminiscent of Tempura Crunch. It's a little bit over the top. But the chicken sandwich was delicious. Next time I'll specify extra mayo in the special instructions when ordering at the kiosk. Nevertheless they offer sides of ranch and also a mild red chili sauce with a hint of cumin/curry. You can get a combo with fries and the fries are nice and crisp and seasoned. read more

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Food is ok not gonna lie but don't expect any service here. Guy doesn't know how to speak English and giving out free samples to get your attention to buy the food then no service at all. read more

Best chicken number one! Got chicken strip combo which was amazing. The amount of food given for the price was more than worth it

Food was fire, got a chicken sandwich and was given a sample of the chicken while ordering. It is slightly pricey but worth it if you enjoy a lot of food. Guy was nice I enjoyed the hospitality. read more

Bao Chick is my absolute favorite chicken sandwich in SoCal. The chicken is always fresh, extremely juicy, well seasoned and the breading is light and tasty as well. The breading isn't your typical breading. It's somewhere between typical and tempura (sorry I'm not a food critic or chef and don't know what it's called). It's light, airy, and always super crispy. I ordered the insane chicken sandwich because it's a deal. It's $17.99 but it includes 2x huge 6" fillets (I eat the 2nd fillet separately for a 2nd meal). They give you an option of thigh or breast (which you'll only find at OG Asian chops like Savoy Hainan chicken). It is NOT extra for thigh like Savoy though! Of course I get the thigh. The sandwich literally comes out steaming hot. The owner is super nice and always handing out free samples. It's a tiny shop in a small food court--I hope they stay in business for a long time. read more

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A fun place to order food from near the John Wayne airport. There is a good amount of outdoor seating available and you order through a screen. There was a man working there who spoke mostly in Chinese but was very friendly. Both the xiao long bao and the pan fried dumplings were just okay. They lacked some flavor and the dough was a little bit on the overcooked/softer side. The soy milk tasted fresh and is always fun to eat with youtiao. The steamed egg was very well seasoned and made a good addition to the meal. While we were ordering, the man who was working made a joke about how we shouldn't try the chicken wings because the last people that tried said that they were so good that they cried. This of course made us want to try them even more. They were perfectly crispy and the chicken was very juicy on the inside. The man that was working also recommended the carrot balls to us. He was talking about how he always wants to recommend it to people but doesn't know how to describe it accurately in English. They're fried mochi balls with carrot used for sweetness. I've only ever seen them with pumpkin or sweet potato in other restaurants, so this was a new experience for me and I loved it. They're perfectly crispy on the outside and the mochi has a good chew on the inside. I would definitely go back for more of those. read more

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This spot is located on the premises of the Trade Food Hall as well as seven or so other food spots and a bar. There are quite a few chairs but it does get busy and packed, especially during weekends. Parking can be hard to find due to all the business in the area but thankfully the times I've been here I've found at least one available parking spot. I had a chicken breast sandwich with a side of fries. The chicken breast in my sandwich was huge and did not expect it to be that big. I'm used to getting tiny chicken breast pieces so this was a great surprise. The breading was nice and crunchy, and the ingredients in the sandwich worked perfectly along with the mayo sauce they provided on the side. You get to choose between a breast or a thigh. The chicken sandwich was larger than an average chicken sandwich. It was not greasy, the chicken itself was nicely cooked and flavorful. It was one of the best-tasting chicken breast sandwiches I've had this far. 5/5 The fries were so good, they were made and seasoned to perfection. The outside of the fries was crispy and the inside was soft. 5/5 Customer service was decent, the young lady who took the order answered the questions I asked and appeared to be nice about it and didn't appear bothered. The man who brought out the food was nice and provided napkins. read more

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Been wanting to try this spot for months and finally got around to it! Located straight to the back of the food court. Not much in the way of ambiance, but a decent food court to get a variety of food options and hang out with friends. I'd imagine finding table space during peak meal times might be tough, because I came towards the end of lunch (2-3pm) and sat at the last available table. Before I even ordered, I was greeted and handed a sample. Ordered 6 crispy chicken wings to go, which one of the staff (I'm guessing the owner) told me was their #1. The wings didn't disappoint, even after the drive home. I don't know how they get the batter so crispy! I discovered 7 pieces instead of 6 (so generous!) but could only eat 3 before getting full. They provide chili oil and powder seasoning in small condiment containers so you can drizzle/dip to your liking. I also ordered their beer battered fries which were perfectly crispy, but a little lacking in flavor. They were great with the powder seasoning. I had a food coma after just the 3 wings, so I'm assuming the oil content was high. I would absolutely come back--especially to try dumplings and other menu items--but maybe only once in a blue moon because of the food coma. read more

This is not a place you go for ambience, it's one of several restaurants surrounding an outdoor food court. The owner was a little pushy to try his food, but then once I bought it, he seemed annoyed when I asked for napkins. The chicken tenders were good, but not earth shaking the teriyaki chicken was tender the shao long bao were decent. I would eat there again if I was in the same spot, but I wouldn't drive to get there. read more

They lured me in with a free sample of their fried chicken. This might be the best fried chicken I've ever had. Huge fan excited to try more food here. read more

Bao Chick - Half of the fried chicken after I started devouring it - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

Bao Chick (formerly Chicciety), which looks to have recently rebranded and expanded its menu, is located in the bustling Trade Food Hall in Irvine, and it's a hidden gem for delicious XLBs! Despite the name change, they still offer the fantastic fried chicken sandwich options from their Chicciety days. But now, they've added some more variety with items like xiao long bao and grilled dumplings (you can see them making the baos right behind the counter, ensuring everything is homemade and fresh) As other reviews have mentioned, the owner is incredibly nice and welcoming. As you walk by, he'll often offer you a sample of one of his baos and even let you taste his chili oil. On my most recent visit I ordered the xiao long bao (XLB), which is $10 for 6. The XLBs are a bit larger than what you'd find at Din Tai Fung, but they're packed with great soup and the pork filling is absolutely delicious. If you're in the area, make sure to stop by and give Bao Chick a try. You won't be disappointed! FYI, even though they seem to go by the name of Bao Chick now, their bright yellow digital menu still says Chicciety, so look for that if you have trouble finding it! read more

Bao Chick - XLBs from the expanded Bao Chick menu - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

The place is consistent and fried chicken was delicious! This has become my go to spot. Ambience is really cool and open environment in a central food court area with other restaurants definitely in a low-key place near the Irvine buildings. read more

Mr holds up a one, boasting his yelp rating. Order any of the fried chicken and you'll understand why. I've never reviewed a place on my accord til now. You likely haven't either... until today read more

The three stars are for the friendly man at the counter offering samples. He didn't speak English but he was enthusiastic and the only reason I ordered (I meant to just look but he kinda gets you hooked). Clearly this business got ahold of a fryer and went wild with it because they sell bao and also fried chicken. The bao made my throat swell up, they were better when cooled off but overall too oily. They tasted like pure vegetable oil with a crap ton of msg. I couldn't finish them and my stomach is upset. Pricing wasn't too bad though and great service- very quick. Just not for me. read more

Why did it take me so long to try this place?! I'm thoroughly amazed at how good they make their fried chicken and fries here. The worker(owner?) at the front was so friendly to us and offered us to try whole pieces of gyoza dipped in chili oil. Even though there's someone at the front to help get orders out, they have a kiosk you can order and pay from at your own convenience, just like back in Asia! We ordered the sweet and sour chicken wrap and beer battered fries and both were amazing. The chicken and fries were freshly fried so they were piping hot when we started eating. The chicken was so juicy inside but the batter outside was done so well with an addicting, irresistible crunch. The wrap was like a hybrid of a burrito and wrap. The fries were also a perfectly golden yellow color and not a single fry burnt. Not too thin or too thickly sliced either. I'm a fan! read more

Bao Chick - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

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I'm obsessed with the chili oil here ... also like that they have batter fried carrots as a healthy option to their best seller chicken strips. Owner is friendly and kind and has a genuine love for food! read more

Bao Chick - Fried potsticker - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

I came looking for Chicciety, which went viral but I think it's the same owner, different name? Nonetheless, Bao Chick is in the Trade Food Hall. The owner was super nice. I ordered my food and he handed me a sample with a big smile! There are plenty of seats in the middle of the food court. They hand you a beeper to let you know when the food is ready. My food came relatively quickly. I asked for it Togo but I ate a few bites there. First of all, when I looked at the Togo box it was bulging, about to burst. I thought I ordered only a chicken burger, not fries. When I opened the box, I saw one giant chicken burger! The chicken itself did not even fit the bun. Impressive! The first bite of chicken was amazing. It was crispy and perfectly breaded. They provided chili powder? I sprinkled some on and it was tasty. This was definitely a good find. I highly recommend! read more

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SO TASTY!!! Chicken is so fresh, the perfect mix of juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. The gentleman that works here is so kind and passionate about his business, this is a must try in Irvine if you love chicken!!!! You can get your food to go, and sit in the center where they have TVs and other fun shops. 10/10! read more

Unexpected yummy surprise! We were sold with the sample chicken tender. Very engaging owner and very nice helping us with our order. The crispy batter was soft, yet crunchy. The grilled bao had great flavor and texture. We are at the bar there but there were plenty of seats on the Monday afternoon. Parking was not too bad but can be rough to find a spot during peak times. Very open & spacious place. read more

Bao Chick - Crispy Wing - Chicken Shop Near Me - Irvine, California

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Came here on a Saturday. Cute food court area! We got the pork dumplings and the Nashville chicken sandwich. The pork dumplings were really good & they gave us a sample of the fried dumplings. DEFINITELY would come back for these! The chicken sandwich was okay, I probably wouldn't get that again. read more