Came here with the family based on good reviews. Opening the door to walk in it was absolutely filthy. Didn't look like they ever wiped down a thing. Walking toward our table I noticed numerous small gnats/flies at the table indicating poor levels of cleanliness. If this is what the public area looks like I don't want to know what it looks like in back. I walked out without sitting down and won't be back. read more

Wow! Amazing! It was our first time (found on Yelp) and I could not have been happier from start to finish!!! We were cheerfully greeted by Leo, who wasalso was our server. The restaurant was clean, bright and comfortable. The food we ordered was amazing ! We started with a cup of hot and sour soup "on the house" that was very delicious. Our lemon chicken was perfect, the proportion was generous, and my husband and I ate every yummy bite! The beef chow fun was out of this world delicious, the best tasting I've ever had, the chow fun texture was delicate and flavorful. Leo was friendly, kind and I enjoyed his singing along to songs playing in the background (BoomeWe will be back! So many scrumptious looking dishes! read more

I arranged to catch up with my friend, PM, either for a movie or lunch, depending on our schedules. This time, lunch worked out, and though PM initially suggested another Chinese spot in Laguna Hills, a quick Yelp check led us to Hai Master Kitchen. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=n8vFQgtTlGMvTNv1eMh53A&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Arriving just past 12:30 pm, I snagged the last available table, with PM joining about ten minutes later. The parking lot, as anticipated, was tight due to the lunch rush. Our host, Leo W, was incredibly welcoming and attentive throughout our meal. Their lunch specials caught our eye: - Single item ($9.99) - Two items ($14.99) Each special came with a choice of soup and steamed white rice. PM opted for Egg Drop Soup and Lemon Chicken with Beef Fried Rice, while I went for Hot & Sour Soup and Beef Chow Mein and Lemon Chicken. Lemon Chicken/Beef Fried Rice - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=GcP8GhrAPobz3cajODXxHA&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Egg Drop Soup - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=ZEk6t8n4NXg-iH7Povm_4Q&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Beef Chow Mein/Lemon Chicken - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=3lRiDZ-ufQwNuI4FhxX_HA&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Hot & Sour Soup (Very savory) - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=xPNFEesfvypHHvcq1M64Zw&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ The bill, including tip, tallied up to $38. Photo - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=qJW52tDkhAHj7YobQuRmgw&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Overall, it was a delightful first-time visit. Generous portions, reasonable prices, and attentive service characterized the experience. The restaurant's ambiance was typical for a Chinese eatery, with modest décor. However, the napkin situation was a bit stingy--only one per customer, with extras available upon request. As someone prone to messiness while eating, one napkin just wouldn't suffice! Napkin rationing - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=P8mzEYky5g0YBFarEOPmhA&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ The Hot & Sour Soup was a standout, and my Lemon Chicken with Beef Chow Mein didn't disappoint in flavor or portion size. Perusing the menu, I noted several other tempting dishes to try: - War Wonton Soup - Sweet & Sour Chicken - Chicken with Black Bean Sauce - Sesame Chicken - Orange Peel Chicken - Green Onion Beef - Sweet & Sour Pork Loin Slices - Eggplant with Garlic Sauce - Salt & Pepper Shrimp - Szechuan Style Spicy Fish Fillet - Water Boiled Fish Fillet with Spicy Chili Oil Sauce - House Special Fried Rice - Beef Chow Fun (Rice Noodle) Plenty of options to explore on future visits! Looking forward to my next visit! Confucius says... - https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=VgS-GY7EJCAwVIxXCvmhGw&userid=O6EBodP3Fgu_n67efSKnBQ Big Aloha! Food: 4 Ambiance: 3 Service: 4 Value: 4 read more

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It's always a treat to dine at Hai Master. From the comfortable and friendly anviance, cheerful and welcoming interaction with Leo to the delicious and fresh food. My wife and I have never eaten anything that we don't like there. Leo is amazing with the wY in which he interacts with his customers. He makes everyone feel like close friends or family. I am impressed with his memory about customers, which makes the experience even more welcoming. I highly recommend Hai Master. read more

The food at Mai's is very good. The service is fast and the food comes out very fast! I am surprised it is not more crowded. If you are looking for a fast alternated to Classic Chinese worth a try! read more

Within a few minutes of entering the shop, or immediately, you'll feel the personality of the place projected by Leo. Leo's voice fill the room of the small shop (ten tables?), and his enthusiasm penetrates every corner and touches everyone there. The menu largely follows the Chinese restaurant playbook. But, for table service, you receive your plastic sheeted menu folder accompanied by a notebook full of plastic sheeted 8X10s of nearly every dish. Maybe some commenters here were viewing the one-pager takeout sheet, but this is not a "modest" menu. Looking around, I could see several folks satisfying themselves with the greatest hits, ordering chow mein, orange chicken, beef chow-fun. If that's your path, the dishes are well-prepared and have good portions, checking both those boxes. I went a different direction. Crusty-coated deep fried string beans, shredded tofu side (a "cold" dish) and fish filet with peppers and black bean sauce. All were tasty, and both the tofu and fish distinguished by the addition of mala, the Szechuan spice. Kudos to the chef for cooking the fish to a perfect firmness, coated with a salty slippery black bean sauce. This place is only a few minutes from my new home, so it will probably default as my main takeout with its reliably tasty food and friendly service. The dining room is a mashup of informal and semi-formal and takeout counter, not tiny but still small. Extra points for a super-clean bathroom. The shop sits in a strip mall between a a very nice French bakery/cafe and a Mexican restaurant that's next on my list. My review won't raise or ding its already stellar rating, so, if you're on the fence, just go. There's a very good chance you'll enjoy it. read more

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We do like supporting small businesses and it is nice that their lunch menu is available on Saturdays. However, our first order was definitely closer to 3* than 4*. We ordered Mongolian Beef (lunch special) and House Special Chow Mein (regular menu). Everything was ready promptly for pick up and the lunch menu price is very reasonable. However, when we got home, we could see that they either left out or don't include the soup + spring roll in 'to go' lunch menu orders. The Mongolian Beef was okay but very little sauce. The House Special Chow Mein (which includes shrimp, chicken, and beef) was just okay. Our experience didn't really match all the great reviews we read but maybe we caught them on an off day. read more

Staff is super friendly and attentive I read other yelp reviews and decided I needed to check this place out myself. It's a bit far for me but totally worth the drive! I will definitely be back. Food was flavorful, fresh and I didn't leave me feeling like I once again waisted my money on trying to find good authentic Chinese food. read more

The beef chow fun is ridiculously good. Fantastic, personable service by Leo. Also enjoyed the Chinese music videos!

Title: A Hidden Gem for Chinese Cuisine! I highly recommend. I recently had the pleasure of dining at this outstanding Chinese restaurant, and I can confidently say it's one of the best culinary experiences I've had in a long time! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm hospitality that set the tone for a fantastic meal. The food was absolutely exquisite, showcasing a perfect balance of flavors and freshness. Each dish was a delightful adventure, with a great selection that made it hard to choose just one favorite! Whether you're in the mood for classic favorites or something a little more adventurous, there's something for everyone. The service was impressively fast, ensuring that our dining experience was both enjoyable and efficient. I truly appreciated the attentiveness of the staff, who were always ready to offer recommendations and ensure our needs were met. What truly stood out for me were the owners and the manager. They are genuinely wonderful people who take pride in their restaurant and care deeply about their customers. Their passion for creating a welcoming atmosphere and serving delicious food is evident in every aspect of the dining experience. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a fantastic meal and a warm, inviting atmosphere. I can't wait to return and indulge in more of their incredible dishes! I send all my clients here! ARTHUR (Arturo) CERVANTES, PROPERTIES, INC Broker/Owner/Developer/Investor/Financial Services/Remodels & Public Insurance Adjuster Apprentice * iarthurc@gmail.com *CalBRE#01984162 CA FINANCIAL & RE CTR INC NMLS ID 340656 OC & INLAND EMPIRE * 714-603-2945 COACHELLA VALLEY * (760) 404-0312 SERVING: Orange/Los Angeles County, Inland Empire & Coachella Valley read more

Love this small strip mall mom and pop Chinese restaurant. I have now been here several times and love the food. Always fresh and excellent. Dishes I have ordered include the war won ton soup***** which is delicious. Then the fish filet with black bean sauce***** is an all time favorite with steamed rice. This is why I come here for this dish. And the fried string beans***** are cooked perfectly. Service is attentive and friendly. Feels like dining in someones home with homestyle cooking. The restaurant is clean, bright and comfortable. Easy parking in the small mall parking lot. read more

Goodness, what an experience. On your regular work day you just want to go and grab a bite and pause for a bit before you head back to work or your daily grinding lol. Who knew I was in for a treat. Parking or finding this place was a no brainer- thank God. We were greeted by Leo, and were seated immediately. The ambiance was simple and basic with wood furniture and tiled floors. This young man seemed like those rare 'larger than life souls'. The way Leo was talking to everyone at each table it felt like either they were regular customers or he just wanted to make them feel at home. He recommended a few things from their menu and lunch specials and boy, were they finger licking good! The tea pot and vegetable hot and sour/egg nog soup was on the house. The portions for lunch were perfect, safe to say that some businesses use the portion size for their dinner servings and, of course, the taste was remarkable. I would have just come back for the food but having to see Leo again and how he gives you the feeling of a community was a cherry on top. Believe it or not, by the end of our lunch, all the tables filled with customers were chatting across tables including my family and I. We just absolutely loved it. Thank you Leo for your hospitality and your recommendations. My family and I look forward to seeing you! read more

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Now that our church has a building in the Irvine Spectrum area, we are trying out the various nearby restaurants. This place is in the adjacent shopping center to the DMV and Polly's on Moulton Parkway. The address is listed as Ridge Route, but Moulton is the cross street. A small place of about 8 tables, we were seated right away. I was disappointed that they were out of Juicy Pork Xiao Long Bao. We ordered Pan Fried Cabbage and Pork Dumplings, Beef Chow Fun, and Salt and Pepper Squid. The chow fun had cabbage, carrots, and red bell pepper in addition to the usual green onions, bean sprouts, and onions to make a colorful dish. It was delicious, but I would have spent more money for a larger portion. The dumplings had a nice crispy bottom and came with the usual dipping sauce. The squid was a good-sized plate of all bodies and no tentacles, which was a plus for me! It was listed as Salt and Pepper but came out as battered fried squid with sliced chilis with no other seasoning. Still tasted good. The server was pleasant, and he came to our table immediately when I required assistance. I appreciated how kind and patient he was to the other customers as well. He was honest with an elderly gentleman about a requested dish not being tender and suggested an alternative. Another table of 2 women (1 elderly and one middle-aged) needed to switch tables to be further from the air conditioning vent and were accommodated promptly. Even though they had a menu, the younger woman asked rudimentary questions about the dishes, but the server took the time to respond gently. Yes, the place is small enough to hear everything! As we left, he welcomed us to come back for their weekday lunch specials. I think they are trying to be cost-effective for the elderly Laguna Woods residents who are probably on fixed incomes. read more

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This is one of the better Chinese restaurants in the south Orange County area. It's difficult to find good Chinese food in Aliso Viejo and Hai Master Kitchen is one you don't want to miss. There's a blend of traditional authentic Chinese dishes and your orange chicken type of dishes. Personally, I'm a big fan of traditional dishes so I always ask the owner what they recommend. The twice cooked pork was quite lovely and definitely authentic. I've tried a few other chicken dishes as well and all are cooked to perfection. Unfortunately I haven't dined here yet so tbd on what the ambiance or service looks like! read more

a hidden gem! loved the ambiance here, the server is one of the nicest dudes ever! he explains everything on the menu and they have a great lunch combo. their food is fresh and isn't overly sweet or salty. they have great flavor. i got the lunch combo with egg flour soup, lemon chicken, and mongolian beef. all of that for $13.99!! great size portions. the lemon chicken was a bit like orange chicken but lighter in flavor, the batter was fresh and the chicken tasted great. the mongolian beef was so tender and had a lot of flavor! can be a little spicy but it's delicious. the pork and shrimp wonton was also delicious! be careful not to inhale the sauce bc it's very fragrant :) will be back!!! read more

Hai Master Kitchen - pork and 76. Shrimp Pork Wonton in Spicy Sauce - Chinese Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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Leo is very cool and welcoming person! All the dishes are great and lunch specials are biggest bang for your buck. The newly upgraded tables and chairs add a nice touch. The cuisine has a mixture of authentic Chinese mapo tofu but also Americanized Chinese such as sweet and sour chicken read more

Honey Walnut Shrimp, Orange Chicken, Xiao Long Bao, Vegetable Chow Mien -- 10/10 highly recommend!! The flavors were incredibly authentic, and each dish showcased a perfect balance of seasonings. From the savory dumplings to the flavorful Orange Chicken, every bite was a culinary delight. I highly recommend this establishment for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Chinese cuisine. Also, there is a very nice gentleman who answers the phone always, so kind!! read more

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This place is awesome for some home-cooked style, no frills, delicious authentic Chinese food that is both quick and affordable. I also like that this place is very clean, because I do know that some other "authentic" restaurants that are also no-frills tend to lack a bit on the cleanliness and service, but Master Hai has always been clean and has great service. There only is one server/host, Leo, but since it is a small restaurant, service has never been an issue. Leo is also so nice, so entertaining, and just really helpful. He takes the time to give you some recommendations, and every time I've been there he has a great attitude. The lunch specials during the week are a great deal, and the portions are really filling. Do ask about the spice levels, as some of the spice can be spicy, but they can make the spice on the side if you wish. If you like spicy foods, this is a great place for you to try because there are plenty of spicy options. Again, if you are looking for a date-night fancy Chinese restaurant, this probably isn't the place for you as it is a really casual spot with few tables, but for an authentic experience with friendly service and affordable prices, I recommend checking Hai Master out, for either dine-in or takeout. read more

I am a consistent customer of high Master kitchen I find the service and the food especially appealing and authentic. The prices are more than fair and the place is always clean and just busy enough to make you understand that you are not the only person who thinks that the food is great! But they're always seems to be a table at lunch when I am normally there. Leo has made eating there a pleasure for a number of years now read more

The food is always good no matter what time of day you order it. Leo is charming and engaging. I would eat there every day if I could! My favorite is the won ton soup. My husband loves the dan dan noodles and the green onion pancakes! . read more

K.Pow shrimp needs improvement! Shrimp taste slightly sour. The calamari was so dry. No flavor very chewy. I have to rate this restaurant 2.0 because shrimp is dangerous when spoiled. Not returning to this restaurant. Needs improvement! read more

We love Hai Master! Family atmosphere, excellent hosts, great service, love the food, great value. Leo is terrific and always makes a big effort to make sure everything is perfect. It's our go to place! read more

Everything about Hai Master Kitchen has changed except its name. The new owners, a husband-wife team took over in April 2021. They still have a variety of dumplings, pot stickers and noodles, but the chef's specialties is actually Szechuan cuisine. I wasn't sure what to expect when the waiter gave me a binder as menu. It is filled with pictures of their plates. We ordered mostly noodles and dumplings since its name states they are from Northeast of China. Broth of beef noodle was decent, but we liked steamed pork buns and Dan Dan noodles better. Next time I'll probably order more Szechuan dishes knowing their chef is actually from Szechuan. They have 2 round tables for large parties so we plan to invite some friends to join us so we can try more dishes together. read more

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Food is fantastic. It was our first time here and we will be back for sure! Got the braised beef soup and hot honey chicken. We wanted both spicy so Leo ( Leo money) bright us out some amazing chilli oil. Leo is one of the best hosts/ owners/ waiters we have ever encountered! He knew almost every customer that came in by name and if he didn't he got to know them quickly. We will be back for sure read more

i ordered to go and did not leave a tip. the cashier said thank you so loud that everyone looked. I normally tip especially when i am dining in. this cashier man. did not have to do that. I will never go back read more

Absolutely the best Chinese food I've ever had. Leo was very nice and took great care of us. The food portion is very generous even though in my photos some food was already eaten. I highly recommend and will definitely be back for more next time I'm in Laguna Hills. read more

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This is a wonderful restaurant! The shrimp and fish taste so fresh. The hand-made dumplings are very tasty! read more

Hai Master Kitchen - Chinese Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

I stopped by after spending time at the library. The wonton soup is great for the autumn season. The soup is enough to be shared amongst two people. Filled with veggies and handmade wontons in a flavorful broth it warmed me up. Service is attentive and friendly. The ambiance is filled with local customers. The restaurant shares a parking lot with bakeries. read more

Hai Master Kitchen - Wonton Soup - Chinese Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

Great food and great service , Leo is the best server, small business but highly recommended

After a hectic day, my daughter was craving XLB but I was too tired to drive to Irvine where we usually go for homestyle Chinese food. She found this place via Google and based on the Yelp reviews we decided to check it out. Service: We were immediately greeted when we walked in by the host Leo. This must be a place where a lot of locals go because he knew it was our first time. He is one of the friendliest Chinese restaurant hosts I've ever met. And as a Chinese person who eats at a lot at Chinese restaurants I feel like I can safely say that many Chinese restaurants serve you quickly and the food taste amazing but they're not known for their friendly customer service. There's usually no "How's everything tasting? Do you need anything?" But Leo was attentive throughout our visit and made us feel welcomed and valued... and he had a pretty nice singing voice too :) Food: The cukes were crunchy and well seasoned and the beef chow fun was tasty and not too greasy. The salt and pepper squid was perfectly seasoned and I loved that they served it with steamed broccoli. (Makes you feel a little less guilty about eating fried squid). The dry braised green beans were yummy but unfortunately several of them were stringy and not edible. The XLB (soup dumplings) were thinner skinned than you get from DTF, Cali Dumpling or Paradise Dynasty. I think this might have been the reason that most were ripped on the steam paper thus had very little broth in them. My daughter loved the flavor of the meat filling and gives the XLB a 5/5. I wouldn't order them again (3/5) but would def return for everything else. read more

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This place is outstanding.. leo is so attentive and makes everyone feel welcomed. The pan fried dumplings are insane. So good with perfect textures. Just try the steamed fish. It's just pure deliciousness. Cannot say enough about the salt and pepper fish. The Xiao lam bao was very mushy. Would've recommended beef and broccoli. Other than that everything was fantastic. It is definitely our new Chinese spot. Just love this place. read more

Excellent food. Laid-back atmosphere. A very nice & personable manager. I highly suggest you give it a try. read more

Leo is always friendly and remembers your name and your usual order . The food is high quality and the place is always neat and clean. A real pleasure to eat at and frequent read more

Came here from the great reviews that are online. Everyone was pushing to get walnut shrimp, so I did just that. The sauce that the shrimp was cooked in, was ok, but the dish did not come with any walnuts. Not the end of the world, but would be nice to receive a dish as described. The soy sauce that came on the side tasted like straight up ginger and had chunks of shredded unknown meat in it. However, the pork xiao dumplings were delicious. read more

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I think I've reviewed this place before so I'll be brief. It is a smallish restaurant in a street mall with good food for takeout. The service is medium slow but the food is worth waiting for. There is no ambiance to note. I recommend this place for good Chinese takeout. They have the usual choices so don't expect exotic unusual dishes but it is good. read more

The food was not fresh and too much sauce on the Kung Pow Chicken, the peanuts were black and soft. It was a togo order and They didn't give us any rice. read more

JACKPOT! Drove from San Clemente to this AMAZING Delicious Asian food that's perfectly prepared. Leo and his staff are perfect!!! Wow. Cannot say enough about the food here. Truly an art to best Chinese food. Everything we ordered was beyond any Chinese food we've had. Small very clean place. EXCELLENT FOOD. EXCELLENT SERVICE. MAKING IT OUR GO TO PLACE. read more

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Very delicious food. We had hot and sour soup(which had a nice tangy taste). The chow fun with pork was quite delectable; the pork was quite high quality and melted in your mouth. The fried rice with shrimp was tasty; it needed some chili oil though but overall was tasty. The orange chicken peel has a nice flavor and the chicken was quite tender. Besides the food, the service of this mom and pop restaurant was some of the best we've had. This is definitely THE Chinese restaurant to go to in OC and we are excited to go back and try different things. read more

Had a fantastic experience here last night! First Time here and tried two dishes. Leo was fantastic! //CONTEXT// Was looking for some Chinese food and happened to find this place on Yelp. We came around dinner time as a party of two. //FOOD// * Orange Chicken: the orange chicken was delicious and some bits had really crispy pieces to it and the sauce tasted so good with the real orange peel! It was so fragrant and delicious. The portions are really generous * Honey Walnut Shrimp: this was pretty good! I do wish there was more sauce and the battering was a bit different than I'm used to for other honey walnut shrimps but it was still tasty! Again a good portion sizeh //PRICE// Reasonably priced around $13.95 for chicken and shrimp was I believe $16 or $17. We had a lot of leftovers too //SERVICE// As everyone mentioned, Leo is fantastic! He is super funny and personable! //OVERALL// I can't wait to be back! read more

Hai Master Kitchen - Honey walnut shrimp! - Chinese Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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The guy is friendly and struck up good conversation. The dumplings are juicy and my son loves it. Hidden gem for sure. read more