Hanuman Thai Eatery

Their lunch deal is INSANE! $13 for an entree, salad, and soup. If I lived in LA, this would be my…read morego-to Thai spot. The restaurant interior is also very nice and modern, and their staff are friendly and attentive. $13 Lunch Special: There are SO many entree options to choose from. We got the pad Thai and pad se ew. It also comes with a side salad (w/ miso dressing) and cabbage soup. The portions are great and we were stuffed after. I'd highly recommend this spot!

Lanta is our "go to" Thai restaurant for their lunch specials…read more the menu is extensive and the supplements seal the deal. The salad and cabbage soup set the stage and add to whatever entree my dining companions and I have selected. We always ask for their special complement of sauces and peppers. The service is exceptional. It seems that they are always busy at lunch but table turnover is usually quick

Dining room

Red Curry with chicken

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Tom Yum Goong Soup (Tom Yum Shrimp Soup)

Nava Thai Cuisine

4.6(244 reviews)

3.9 mi

Locally owned & operated

Discounts available

This place is a hidden gem and family owned , found this restaurant randomly while scrolling on…read moreyelp and decided to give it a shot . And boy was it find we came for dinner and order basically everything on the menu to try and I can't couldn't find a single negative thing to say about this place. It's our new favorite Thai restaurant in the Oc area and will be back time and time again. The menu features all the Thai classics and everything we ordered had great flavor and good size portions. The service was so good and the staff were very friendly. The restaurant ambience is a small little place that's got maybe 30 tables but it's very clean and well lite. We will be back for the mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream combo

Nava Thai is one of my neighborhood hidden gems. I come here pretty often since I live nearby, and…read moreI'm surprised it doesn't get more attention. There aren't many Thai spots around the area, so this has become one of my go to's comfort food places. The prices are pretty reasonable, service is always attentive, and it's usually quiet. I also love the Thai decor and the screen showing a walk through of a Thai night market. The Thai papaya salad is delicious as always. They're very consistent with it, and medium spice is perfect. The pad kra pao is another favorite, especially since I don't see it at every Thai restaurant. The yellow chicken curry was rich, with potatoes and carrots cooked to the perfect soft bite. We also got the pork fried rice and it was SO good. I also enjoyed the Thai Nam Tok too, especially after recently having the Lao version somewhere else. It was interesting comparing the two, which btw the Lao version I had was much fishier, herbier and spicier. Definitely one of my neighborhood comfort spots and somewhere I'll keep recommending. It may not quite hit that "5 star" category for me, but when I want good Thai food close to home, Nava Thai is an easy choice. 9/10

Menu updated 2023

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Royal Thai Orchid Restaurant

4.4(444 reviews)

1.5 mi

The food and service was amazing I recommend this place because makes me feel like at home, thank…read moreyou to the owners

great place. amazing food and outstanding service from Uma! try the coconut ice cream, it's…read morehomemade.

Crying Tiger (Delish!) | IG @moniquedao

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Thai Tea | IG @moniquedao

Luck Gai Cafe

Really enjoyed our first visit to Luck Gai Cafe! Everything we ordered was so good, and the…read moreslushies were a favorite. There are also some really good deals, which makes it even better for a family meal. Definitely a spot we'd come back to when we're craving Thai food in Anaheim!

I love this place since they offering Khao Soi with affordable price comparing with the other Thai…read moreRestaurants. Interior was quite simple and decent. My husband ordered the combo Poach & Fried Chicken which was quite interesting and of course delish! While my Khao Soi also didn't disappoint with great taste of broth and big chunk of chicken. This is really a place to go for some pocket-friendly Thai resto with the same quality with those hype Thai Resto that features in Tik Tok.

"Seafood Tom Yum" is here. Find Dungeness Crab, Calamari, Mussles, Fish, and Shrimps in this Tom Yum Sea. "Seafood Tom Kha" also available.

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Tom Kah chicken

Lucky's Thai Pantry

4.4(430 reviews)

1.1 mi

Every now and then I crave curry. Lucky's has excellent yellow curry at a very reasonable price…read more One Togo order is enough for two meals. I have not eaten on-site or tried delivery. I have not ordered anything but yellow curry.

Cute little restaurant in the heart of Orange which I came across while having a dentist…read moreappointment close by. Lucky's is know for her cooking skills at various thai restaurants in OC and finally opened her own location. The restaurant is small but cute. I ordered the Red curry with Tofu, basil, bamboo shoots and red and green bell peppers. Generous portion with lots of flavor and heat!! Bon Appetit.

Thai basill

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Free Thai Tea

Munch Thai Food & Sweet Tea

Locally owned & operated

Food was delicious. Portions were good. Price reasonable. Service a tad slow but can be expected…read morewhen they are busy. Worth the wait. They have a small sitting area for dine-in customers. Overall, a delicious, filling, and reasonably priced meal. Check it out.

Decided to try a new to us Thai restaurant in the area. Based upon the review we picked this place…read more As we pulled up and parked we noticed it is a very small restaurant in a small strip mall. This restaurant is also a ghost kitchen for BowlAzia. The restaurant only had 3 tables, 1 is a 2 top and the other 2 are pushed together to make 4 tops. When you enter you place your order with the cashier. Note on the menu their dishes do not include proteins, you have to add those as extra with an extra cost. We ordered the curry puffs since we read about them in the reviews. I ordered pad see ewe with broccoli on the side to give to my hubby. They use American broccoli here and not Chinese broccoli. Hubby ordered Pad Thai. We also wanted mango sticky rice but they were sold out for the day. We both ordered cups of water which were served in small plastic cups. Asked for lemon slices and received lime slices. The Sriracha and Soy sauce arrived in small packets and they brought us metal plates and silverware. Food came out in a decent amount of time. It's made to order so you do need to wait some. The restaurant was clean and not too noisy. The curry puff was a bit dry inside and not juicy at all. The crust was flaky and crispy and we enjoyed that. We came here at night so maybe if it was earlier in the day it would have tasted better? My Pad Se Ewe tasted good and I appreciated they were able to do the broccoli separately. My hubby liked his Pad Thai as well. The portion sizes were ok and we both finished our plates. If you plan on coming here during lunch or dinner time I imagine you will need to order it to go as it's so small inside. When we got there the first table was full, we took the middle tables and another party of 4 came in and took the last table. If we are in the area and it's not busy we will definitely return. However, if it's busy we will go elsewhere as we would not be able to sit and enjoy our meal there due to lack of seating.

Thai chicken yellow curry empanadas

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Kuay-Teaw-Luk-Chin-Pla. Traditional Thai breakfast food. Noodle soup with fish.

House of Thai Cuisine

4.6(604 reviews)

7.8 mi

Three letters, WOW I…read moredrive up and down imperial and I remember when this place opened up last year, now finally getting some time to give it a try and each dish was just perfect. The modern vibe brings out a lot of seating, a bar, and even outdoor tables so the capacity is definitely there. I was instantly greeted and sat down, their hospitality is top tier and they're quick. The order went: cream cheese wontons, pad Thai, panang curry and mango sticky rice. All were very reasonably priced, and the portions were plentiful I didn't have a single grievance, and each dish put its best foot forward. Mango sticky rice put the cherry on top and it was picture perfect. I was constantly met with our server when she refilled our waters, very attentive. This is the type of business Yorba Linda needs, great authentic food, good hospitality and amazing prices.

A 5 star meal plus a 5 star service! They easily accommodated for Celiac/gluten free no issues for…read moreme! The food was sooooo yummy. Get ready for it because we got A LOT of food: chicken sauté, cashew nut with chicken, orange tofu - gluten-free, pad Thai with soft tofu - gluten-free, fried trout with a honey lime sauce - accommodated for gluten-free, green curry with soft tofu, pad see-ew, with fried tofu, pad kee mao with fried tofu and 2 sweet sticky rice with mango. We were 4 adults and two kids, and almost ate everything because it was sooooo good. The ambience is very nice as well and tastefully decorated. From the outside it looks like it will be very small location but it does go back. We had a great table in the back which was very spacious and had plenty of room for all 6 of us, the food and the kids even were able to walk about a bit in the back without interfering. Highly recommend visiting. Learned some great news... a year ago they bought Thai Specialty in Brea, Ca. The name is days away from changing to House of Thai Cuisine but they already changed everything else. The menu is now the same one as this Yorba Linda, Ca location. This is a family owned business. We had a chance to met one of the owners who was incredibly warm and welcoming. You definitely won't regret eating at House of Thai Cuisine!!!

Dining Room

Papya salad

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Patio Seating

Thai Chaiyo Tustin

Home run Thai cuisine meals every time…read more If you share family style to get a taste of each dish, this is the first restaurant for us that not executes tasty single dishes flawlessly, but find an extra satisfaction with all the flavors working together. Try: silver noodle salad with chopped chicken (by request), Beef Panang heat level 6/10, and Pad-Si Eiw with chicken and Chinese broccoli (instead of traditional American broccoli that most Thai restaurants choose to use). Add a cold Thai ice tea if you like sweet and if in season (ask first) mango and sticky rice. Beer and wine available both Chinese beer, Thai beer, and other brands. We do one dish per person, then share, but occasionally if you have a group we do, let's say six dishes if you have five people - one extra, so there's more to go around. And some leftovers. The pad-si Eiw dish travels really well and is good the next day compared to other restaurants. And the servers are super friendly and the chefs do.

We were greeted nicely when we first walked in. We were asked if we needed help deciding. Very…read morehelpful! The food was excellent, service was fast, food was served hot hot hot. I had the curry lunch special which ended up being a little too spicy for my mouth (health issue) she took it back and re adjusted the heat for me and it was much better. So polite and accommodating.

Mango with sticky rice

Happy Father's Day everyone!

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Happy Mother's Day

Thai Chili

3.7(453 reviews)

2.1 mi

We ordered the shrimp pad thai, chicken fried rice, bbq chicken and it was delicious. Service was…read moregood! The ambiance was also good. We would definitely go back.

The best rice thai tea In oc best worker is Mrs.ibarra , the restaurant is nice and quiet,…read morevery lonely and doesnt get much customers.

Yum Nua Salad - this was actually pretty decent

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Thai Thai Ice Tea

Thai Belly

4.3(192 reviews)

5.6 mi

Insane. Absolutely insane. Order their pad thai - I didn't the first time I came here, I got their…read morecurry (which is GREAT), and their drunken noodle (which is even BETTER), but their pad thai is INSANE!!!! You can often judge a good thai restaurant by how good their pad thai is - any place can make it, but a great thai restaurant will make the dish their own. That's what you get at Thai Belly - after the first bite, I had to just close my eyes and was whisked away to a food dreamland. I woke up several seconds later wondering if I had ever tasted something so good. Just try their pad thai. All the food I've had here has been exceptional, but that dish is one of a kind.

I ordered a pad thai here for a quick lunch with my cousin and it was quick and delicious…read more This place is located in the Good Food Food Hall on the Promenade in Downtown Anaheim and it is so convienent for something quick and delicious. The staff was very sweet and accomodating with whatever you need, especially for to-go orders, if youre taking it with you outside the food hall. Theres seating inside the food hall, but can be limited, so you can take your food out to the patio where there is much more seating with a view down the promenade. can be fun ,especially when there is a market going on outside (which is almost every weekend)

Tamarind Shrimp

Fish Curry

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13 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Amber Y.

184

902

5 months ago

I've been hearing the buzz about Hanuman Thai Eatery for a while now, so when I found myself in the area, I had to check it out--and it absolutely lived up to the hype. First off, they have three locations (Costa Mesa, Orange, and Newport Beach), and I visited the Orange location off Chapman Ave, tucked in a parking lot near a tire shop. Don't let the location fool you--this place is a gem. It's super popular, so reservations through Yelp are highly recommended (which I personally love as a Yelp Elite). Ambience: The restaurant is honestly one of the cutest spots I've been to. It's cozy and intimate, but the decor completely transports you--beautiful artwork, photos, and cultural touches from Thailand everywhere. The aroma of spices fills the air and really gives you that street market vibe. Just a heads-up: it is on the smaller side, so larger groups should plan accordingly. Service: 10/10 across the board. From the host to the waiter to the bartender, the hospitality was top-tier. They greeted us with a warm, enthusiastic welcome (literally calling it out as we walked in), and the staff was incredibly attentive. My guests and I truly felt taken care of the entire time. Food & Drinks: You can taste the authenticity in everything--from the tea to the mocktails to the main dishes. I ordered the drunken noodles with chicken, topped with a light sprinkle of saffron--so flavorful and perfectly cooked. My guest had the shrimp pad Thai, which was just as delicious. I also loved the addition of the spice rack at the table--it's such a thoughtful cultural touch that lets you customize your dish. For drinks, I had the "Lost in Samui" mocktail along with hot tea--both were refreshing and complemented the meal perfectly. Overall: This was an amazing dining experience from start to finish. Between the incredible service, immersive ambience, and truly authentic Thai flavors, this spot is a must-visit. I'll definitely be back! read more

Jerry D.

6 months ago

What began as a highly recommended dining experience ultimately proved to be a significant disappointment. Based on a family member's strong recommendation, we drove approximately one hour and then waited an additional two and a half hours to be seated. While the drive and wait were considerable, they were not the primary issue--the food itself fell far short of expectations. The chicken satay was among the poorest I have had at any Thai restaurant, lacking both flavor and proper preparation. The fried chicken with sticky rice was similarly underwhelming and should have stayed at chef Jenny's hometown . The Khao Soi with chicken leg was also disappointing, and couldn't stand up to it reputation. Unfortunately, the most enjoyable part of the meal was simply the water, which helped wash away the lingering unpleasant taste. To further detract from the experience, the restaurant repeatedly played extremely loud and disruptive music to announce birthdays. While celebratory in intent, the volume and frequency were excessive and made it difficult to enjoy the meal or hold a conversation. Overall, despite the strong recommendation and willingness to travel and wait, the experience did not meet expectations. Based on this visit, I would not recommend this restaurant to friends or others. VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!!! read more

Jason Z.

5 months ago

This place was fantastic. The food was phenomenal, the staff was friendly and accountable, and the drinks were very good. Will definitely be coming back. Here's what we ordered along with what I thought of it: Hanuman's Ceviche: 9/10 very good, just wanted more of it Thai Sausages: 10/10 very good, plenty to share Pad See Ew: 10/10 my personal favorite and will be reordering Drunken Noodle: 8/10 a good contender if you like spicy and a drier noodle Massaman: 10/10 a great option for steak and curry lovers Khao Soi: 7/10 this may be an unpopular opinion, I though the flavor was crazy and very good, it was just very very rich, I could only have a few bites of it Fried Chicken and Sticky Rice: 9/10 Coco Mango cocktail: 10/10 has a great thick consistency, I'm not a huge fan of coconut but this was kind of like a mango colada Lost in Samui cocktail: 10/10 this drink was delicious, love the pandan and very refreshing A note on both of the cocktails, the alcohol in them was not very strong at all, so next time I would just order the mocktail for half the price. I added my group to the waitlist online about 30min prior to us meeting there. After we checked in, it did take about 15-20min to be seated. It is a rather small place. read more

Grampa R.

191

6 months ago

If you know the owners Jenny and Dale, then you know any restaurant they open is going to be AMAZING. We got hooked on their food years ago, so when we heard they opened a third Hanuman location we were beyond excited to check it out. Everything we ordered was incredible. The Crying Tiger melts in your mouth and packed with flavor, the Hanuman Ceviche was real fresh, and the papaya salad had that perfect balance of spice, citrus, and crunch. The Gai Tod Hat Yai was crispy and juicy (one of Jenny's faves and mine) and the Pad See Ew was another one of my favorites of the night--rich, savory, and perfectly done. For drinks we had the Rak-Na cocktail and the Tom Yum beer, which were both really yummy and paired so well with the food. And you cannot skip dessert. The Khan Sawan was giving Michelin star vibessss. The new team of servers with some familiar faces are so welcoming and attentive. You can tell a lot of love and intention goes into everything here. They set the bar real high!! Everything is top tier from the ingredients to the atmosphere. So proud of Jenny and Dale and excited to see this new Hanuman location thriving. We'll definitely be back. read more

Liza A.

4 months ago

Tried this new Thai spot on Chapman in Orange and was immediately impressed by how nice it looks from the outside--it definitely catches your attention. We decided to do takeout, but stepped inside to order, and the interior is just as beautiful, very clean, modern, and thoughtfully decorated. It was also busy, with a line out the door, which says a lot for a new place. The ambiance alone makes it a great date night option, as it's very aesthetically pleasing and has a nice vibe. As for the food, it was good, but not necessarily standout. Definitely not bad by any means, just not something that immediately sets it apart from other Thai spots in the area. The prices are a bit higher than what you might typically find, but honestly, that feels pretty in line with Orange County these days--everything is getting more expensive, especially for new restaurants in prime locations. Overall, I'd recommend giving it a try, especially if you're nearby. We'd probably do takeout again for the convenience alone. It's a solid option, just don't go in expecting anything overly unique on the menu. read more

Dunn D.

129

3 months ago

What a fantastic dining experience! We ordered the khao soi, papaya salad, shrimp fried rice, and chicken wings with sticky rice, and every dish was absolutely delicious. The flavors were vibrant, fresh, and perfectly balanced. The khao soi was especially memorable, and the chicken wings paired with the sticky rice were a huge hit. We chose to sit outside on the patio, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. It made for a relaxing and enjoyable meal. What really set this restaurant apart was the exceptional service. Our server was incredibly kind and attentive, and she went out of her way to interact with our two young boys, making them feel welcome throughout the meal. The owner even brought them chopstick helpers, which they thought was the coolest thing ever! The entire staff was warm, friendly, and attentive from start to finish. Great food, wonderful people, and a welcoming atmosphere. We'll definitely be back. Highly recommend! read more

Felipe M.

203

277

250

2 months ago

Hanuman Thai Eatery is an absolute standout, perfectly balancing traditional Thai roots with a sophisticated, contemporary flair. The service was exceptionally attentive, and the staff provided excellent recommendations that truly enhanced our meal. While every dish we ordered--the Pad See Ew, Pad Thai, and rich Massaman curry--was outstanding, the fried chicken was a particular highlight. It was perfectly prepared, hitting that ideal balance of being incredibly tender on the inside while remaining perfectly flavorful throughout. We paired our meal with their Thai beer on tap, which was excellent and refreshing. Because the restaurant's popularity means seating is limited, parties of four or more should anticipate a potential wait, but the quality of the food and the warm hospitality make it well worth the time. This is a must-visit for anyone looking for elevated, authentic Thai cuisine. read more

Benson K.

3 months ago

If you're expecting the typical Thai restaurant, Hanuman is going to surprise you--in the best way. The menu is creative, unique, and full of flavors you don't usually find at your average Thai spot. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, with fresh ingredients and incredible presentation. You can tell the chefs are passionate about what they do. The atmosphere is modern and inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive from start to finish. It's the kind of place that's perfect whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want an amazing meal. Hanuman has easily become one of my favorite restaurants, and I'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Highly recommend! read more

Thiago C.

4 months ago

Han Human Thai Eatery was easily a 10/10 experience. The food tasted incredibly fresh, flavorful, and authentic, with every dish perfectly balanced and packed with flavor. The quality of the ingredients and attention to detail really stood out. The atmosphere was warm and modern, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the meal. The service was also amazing--friendly, attentive, and welcoming from start to finish. Definitely one of the best Thai food experiences I've had, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for high-quality Thai cuisine. read more

Lisa C.

3 months ago

Everything is amazing about this new restaurant. It is literally the best ! Not only is the food, amazing, but I live in the neighborhood and immediately made friends with the owner and every time I have come in since he has remembered my name. I really love that I have such an authentic incredible Thai restaurant within walking distance of my home. Thank you for opening your business. I wish you all the best. read more

Alma G.

163

237

3 months ago

I recently tried Hanuman Thai Eatery and was honestly impressed. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming--modern but still cozy. Service was friendly and attentive. I tried the sweet green curry with steak. I highly recommend it. Overall, this is definitely a spot I'd come back to. If you're craving Thai food with bold flavors and a nice ambiance, it's worth checking out. read more

Kyle C.

7 months ago

10/10 would recommend:) I came in late on the soft opening which was only for family and friends. Dale treated me like he knew me forever and served me the Massaman which was great. The curry was fantastic! read more

Noah F.

5 months ago

Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow^999 Fr the best thai food you can get. read more

Hanuman Thai Eatery - thai - Updated September 2026

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Good food. Good service. The grilled meats could use some pizazz though. Curry's good.read more

This was the latest of many visits I've had to Manaoo in Tustin now. Since they first blew up, I've…read moreyet to have a disappointing experience here. It's always the same. Show up right at evening opening to even have a chance at getting a table without waiting 1-2 hours. Struggle to find parking. Order food and it kind of takes forever. While waiting for our food, we almost always start to wonder if it's all worth it. And then every time, once the food arrives, that conversation gets dropped. We always order the Manaao Pork Jowl and Khao Soi with braised beef. We also typically order a noodle dish as well. As always, their Khao Soi is fantastic. The flavor is deep and the curry is rich. The beef is always cooked until it falls apart between your chopsticks. The one we were a bit unsure about was why they started to serve the pork jowl with no sauce on the side. We feel like when we first started ordering the dish, the sauce was lightly drizzled on top and served on the side in a small ramekin. Now, all of the sauce comes on top of the pork which seems to have made the dish a bit colder and less crispy. Still, the flavor is dialed, perfectly sweet and tangy. Their noodles are also always fantastic, perfectly cooked and seasoned. This visit we decided to try a new curry, and went with the Chu Chee Curry with Fried Catfish. This dish blew us away. We were immediately surprised by the generous portion of catfish, which seemed to be a full fried filet. At first, I felt like the batter may have been too thick for my liking. It seemed to be so thick and fried that it would taste crunchy rather than crispy if that makes sense. However, once coated in the curry sauce and enjoyed with the rice, the textures work together perfectly to maintain the crisp of the fry on the fish, which was cooked just right. The curry was light, which meant it didn't overpower the subtle flavor of the fish. We also ordered dessert for the first time off of the recommendation of a friend to try the rice balls in coconut milk with coconut ice cream. The flavor was amazing, and the texture of the rice balls (think mochi but more soft and tender rather than chewy) was very pleasant alongside the crunchy bits of fried mung bean. Our only gripe was that even by the time the dish reached our table, the ice cream was mostly melted. If anything, I feel like serving them separately would help maintain the temperatures, and enjoying them together in that way could create a more satisfying contrast. As always, Manaao is our favorite Thai spot in Orange County. I definitely recommend.

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We have been to the Newport Beach location, so this was exciting to see that they opened up a store…read moreclose to where we live. The restaurant itself is quite nice and New. Our only observation is that the tables are a little close to each other. In Newport Beach is a little bit more space. We ordered a few things to test things out all the food was great. You can look at the pictures to get an idea of what we had but Service and food are top-notch as a Thai restaurant. They are one of the top ones we go to.

Long wait but still one of my favorite Thai places in terms of experience and quality. They really…read moreshine in their pad see ew and have a nice selection of appetizers and have multiple locations. Parking is okay and their neighbor their etc bar izakaya, but im not sure if u can cross order their menu too as they do give u the menu - pad see ew: must get perfect wok flavor and texture. Good to ask for extra pickled chili slightly smaller portion than before - khao soi very rich and creamy, the noodles can soak up the broth quite a bit so it is quite a filling dish - pad thai: on the sweeter side, okay - ceviche: good mix, not too chewy, nice refreshing bits especially with the mango - mango sticky rice cocktail: wish it was creamier but is a bit acidic and not very coconuty

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This place is so cute! The atmosphere is very inviting and the service is incredible. The food is…read moreamazing! The flavors are immaculate. I'll definitely be back with more people!

Shared Xiao Long Bao (8pc), butter garlic noodles, and Beef short rib oil splashed hand pulled…read morenoodles with one other person and portion was just right! Would recommend the hand pulled noodles

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I was really looking forward to trying the crawfish pasta, and the portion was generous with plenty…read moreof crawfish and sausage. The presentation was nice, but unfortunately, the sauce was way too salty for my taste. I usually eat less salt, so the saltiness really overpowered the other flavors and made it difficult to enjoy the dish. Overall, it had potential, but I think the sauce could use a lot less salt to let the crawfish and other ingredients shine.

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(1.9k reviews)

I asked ChatGPT what's the number one Shabu restaurant sit down in Orange County. A recommend…read morerecommended this place. And it couldn't have been more spot on. The entire night we were hosted by the wonderful gentlemen, Trung. Right away, we loved the vibe. He was right in the middle of the downtown art district in Santa Ana. I love the artwork, the decor and the vibe. As requested, we sat and the little area we could have to ourselves the portions were amazing. The food tasted beyond delicious, and the ice cream and sake in music was perfect. He really took care of us and for a moment there we felt like royalty. Trung and the entire staff made it for a very memorable night one that we will often speak of. We're looking forward to our next trip there.

This review pains me to write but I'll keep it as simple as I can: yes, inflation is up. Yes, we…read moreare collectively boned as a society. I can understand how business owners, managers, servers, and customers are all caught within the vicious fluctuations of markets and so on. However, what I was recently served at Kaizen Shabu last week was, to my mind, an egregious example of a restaurant offering well below the bare minimum of what should be expected for the prices listed (and my photos will show this, I believe). At the outset, I want to say I have no grievances with the servers. Our server was kind, attentive, and was elegantly multitasking. Bravo. Now, the food: we ordered the salmon "sashimi" plate, and what we were handed was a platter of the thinnest, grainiest, obviously-thawed and poorly sliced salmon I've ever eaten in my life. I was a bit shocked. At Cal Shabu Shabu (and other shabu places I tend to frequent more often), sashimi is... sashimi. It *looks* like sashimi because it IS sashimi: a piece of salmon purchased by the restaurant and knife-cut into appropriate portions depending on what portion size the customer has ordered. It is sashimi that gleans in the light, where the striations of fat and tissue are visible to the naked eye on the fish itself. As you can see from my photos, we were served paper-thin salmon that I could barely peel off of the plate with my chopsticks without ripping the fish into smaller, grainier pieces. It was all but inedible, in my opinion. This is not sashimi, and to serve such a thing for the price listed is beyond atrocious: it is an outright deception. Now, onto the side of veggies and noodles that come with every order of meat or fish. Perhaps the cooks could not be bothered, but what I received was broken tendrils of 2-inch udon haphazardly thrown into a bowl. I'm not sure if this is an issue with the chefs, with a dwindling supply of food nearer the end of the night, or if this restaurant truly does not care about the quality of what they are serving customers. Again, I think my pictures speak for themselves. I used to love coming here as the atmosphere was chic, and the servers are so kind. After my last dining experience, however, I cannot justify the price of my bill in the face of the quality of the food I am being served. I won't be returning, sadly. I hope the manager has an opportunity to look at these photos and perhaps reassess what can be done to improve what they are serving their customers.

Easy Young

4.6

(78 reviews)

It's an easy fix for people at the triangle who need good food!…read more Coffee Bagel Lunch Snack Dinner

Bottom Line Up Front: Easy Young serves up high-quality…read moreAsian fusion and excellent drinks in a chill environment -- for slightly more than you'd expect for a fast-casual eatery. The Set-Up: Picture an Asian version of Chipotle, but a step up in every way. You can build your own plate by selecting 1 of 5 proteins, 2 sides from many options, and 1 sauce from several choices. If you're not looking for a full-on meal, there's also 12-ounce servings of chilled noodles and an assortment of appetizers. The Menu: My wife and I had done some reconnaissance on Yelp to determine what we wanted before we got that. But when we got there, we were told they had just changed their menu...that day! We were bummed. But that disappointment quickly melted away after the first bite... The Food: Switching it up on the fly, I chose to build my own plate, ordering the Ponzu Steak (for an extra $5.95) as my protein. For one of my sides, I chose the potatoes. But I couldn't choose between the dumpling cucumber salad or the cilantro salad. The staff recommended the dumpling cucumber salad and was kind enough to give me a small sample of the cilantro salad so I could compare. How kind of her! So, how did it taste? One word: Delicious. The steak was cooked just the way I like it: seared on the outside, pink on the inside. While some parts of the sinew were a little chewy, for the most part the meat was was moist, soft, and flavorful. The greens were all thoroughly enjoyable and the potatoes were perfect. The Drinks: I got the Coffee Banoffee, which was a cold brew with banana toffee foam and cinnamon. I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite good -- equal to or ecen better than some trendy cafes nearby. This is a fact to be celebrated, since it's rare to find a good eatery that also offers good coffee. And the Coffee Banoffee was not a one-off, since my wife ordered the Jasmine Matcha Cloud and that too was tasty -- and I'm not a huge fan of Jasmine tea. The Service: The whole team there was friendly, knowledgable, and fast. Truly top-notch service. The Location: It's located in a small strip mall located on the same property as a large office tower and beside Angel Stadium. That means there's not a whole lot of parking dedicated to the strip mall. The day we visited on a Sunday afternoon, the property management was selling spots to its empty office tower nearby parking lot for baseball fans, as there was a game later that day. That meant more traffic than normal. Fortunately, we found one of the few open spots in the strip mall parking lot before the lunchtime rush. But it might be worth checking your Angels calendar before heading here in the future. The Pricing: The plates start at $16, which isn't horrible in this day and age of inflation economics. But when you tally up the small surcharges for premium sides (or the extra $6 for steak), you're looking at a $20 meal for one. That doesn't include a signature drink, which are all $7.50. So, you're looking at about $30 per person. That's asking a bit for fast-casual dining. The Conclusion: While you'll face a slight premium, you get what you pay for at Easy Young. And what you get is clean ingredients, yummy modern Asian food, and excellent customer service. My real rating is 4.5 out of 5, but I'll round up because of the staff and the enjoyable experience.

Saiga Vietnamese Eatery

4.7

(502 reviews)

I had a really good experience with Giselle she was so kind to me when I was having a bad day I…read morewill de be coming back! The food was also to die for.

First time trying this Saiga location! I've had Saiga in Irvine before, so I already knew I had to…read moreget the banh mi again. I also tried the tofu vermicelli this time, and both were really good. Last time my friend like how refreshing the vermicelli was, and I can see how it feels like a clean eat. You specifically can sub the eggroll for a veggie eggroll if you're vegetarian. This location has a slightly larger setup with more indoor seating and a few outdoor tables, but ordering at the kiosk was quick and easy. Parking was also pretty convenient since it's located in a shopping plaza. Overall, another great Saiga experience! Definitely happy to have tried this location and would come back again.

Sake 2 Me Sushi

3.8

(3.9k reviews)