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NORTHERN CAFE @ UNIVERSITY CENTER The food was so yummy and it was so convenient to get, love that there was plenty of spots to sit too! The food came out in about 5 minutes and everything was pretty good. Overall 5/5 would get again
Went here for lunch, and it could get packed during lunch time but the service is fast. We ordered Dandan Noodles, egg plant with garlic sauce, yangzhou fried rice, sweet and sour ribs and pork and shrimp dumplings. Dandan noodles is okay, nothing special. Egg plant with garlic sauce is too greasy probably because of they fry the eggplants first. Yangzhou fried rice is okay, lots of shrimp. Sweet and sour ribs is too sweet for me and too saucy that it feels overwhelming already and lastly the pork and shrimp dumplings is just okay, you need to put their dumpling sauce to make it taste better. They do have outdoor seating and we have our dog with us and the tables are clean despite being in a busy street. Overall, the food is just okay, service is fast and place is clean.
I was craving Chinese and since I'm super indecisive, I "Eenie Meenie Miney Mo'd" it and landed on Northern Cafe. The reviews were good, but these days I don't solely bank on them. IYKYK. ;) Ordered the orange chicken, Lao Gan Ma fried noodles, and the beef roll. The orange chicken was really good, but I fell in love with the beef roll. The bread was flaky, the beef was incredibly tender, and it was packed with flavor. I'd order that every single time. The noodles were good, just not my favorite of the three dishes. That's not a knock on them. The other two were just that much better. Folks, this was takeout! I figured it wouldn't be nearly as good at home as it would be fresh at the restaurant. Wrong!. By the time we got home, everything still tasted fresh and tasted *chef's kiss*. AND the leftovers were just as good the next day. The orange chicken crisped right back up in the air fryer, the noodles reheated well on the stovetop, and nothing tasted like it had spent the night in the fridge. I'll definitely be dining in next time. Northern Cafe: 10/10!
We visited Northern Cafe near UC Irvine with a party of four and had a solid lunch experience overall. Ordering was straightforward, food came out quickly, and it was easy to share dishes family-style. What we ordered: * Cumin Lamb - Great Very tasty with bold cumin flavor and absolutely no lamb smell. One of the standout dishes. * Eggplant with Garlic Sauce - Great Well-cooked, rich, and flavorful. The sauce paired perfectly with the tender eggplant. * Sautéed Green Beans - Great Nicely blistered, savory, and addictive. Simple but done right. * Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs - OK Flavor was fine, but the meat leaned a bit chewy compared to the other dishes. * Popcorn Chicken - Great Juicy and tender on the inside with a crispy exterior. Easy crowd favorite. * Hot & Sour Soup - OK Comforting and warming, though nothing particularly memorable. * Pork Wontons in Spicy Sauce - OK Decent with good heat, but not a standout compared to similar versions elsewhere. * Cold Dish (3 Veg Items) - OK Refreshing and light, a good balance to the heavier dishes. * Rice Standard and served hot--does its job. Overall: This was a solid 4-star experience. Portions are generous, prices and value are great for the area, and the food quality is solid with a few standout dishes. Conveniently located near UC Irvine on Campus Drive, Northern Cafe is a reliable spot for casual Chinese comfort food, especially when dining with a group.
Northern Cafe is located at the University Town Center and serves up casual Chinese fare. Ordering is done at the front and then food is delievered to your table. I came with a group of co-workers and we decided to share some items. Chicken wontons - $12 - These were probably my favorite item here. The dumplings had good flavor and quite a bit of chicken. Scallion pancake ($8) - I've had much better elsewhere, and it wasn't as crispy and flaky as most other places. Beef roll ($13) - The beef rolls are wrapped in the same scallion pancakes so that part was disappointing and there was nothing special about the beef in the roll. Fried beef skewers ($6.50) - These skewers were so flavorful with a strong cumin flavor and I would recommend getting these if I revisited. Steamed custard buns ($6) - The buns were a little hard and didn't have as much custard as I had hoped for. Sesame balls ($6) - The sesame balls were a little doughy and had red bean paste. There weren't bad. Chinese herbal tea ($3.50) - Unfortunately this herbal team was served in a can and was extremely sweet. I didn't expect that and would pass on this altogether. Overall the food was just ok. Nothing really stood out and there were some disappointing dishes. There is plenty of seating as well as patio seating.
So this place is kind of confusing. Self serve order at the cashier but you still pay for a tip there's another machine where to go people order. But I was pointed to the to go machine and ordered from wrong spot. If you dine in, you're supposed to order at the cashier. Get own water and leftover box etc So we came at 6 pm on of Sunday night and the wait time was about 10 minutes. Staff will yell your name. They won't text u. I realize this place is really busy compared to all the casual dining restaurants in the same plaza. So most people wait five minutes and they leave so even though we're in the fourth spot, we actually got in. Unless you're a big party of five or six, then you'll have to wait longer. So the confusion is in the beginning part. I wouldn't recommend to elderly Asian crowd because I know my mom would definitely be confused. After you get settled in, they will bring you what you ordered. There isn't any server to your table so if you're getting water, you have to get it by yourself if you need an extra bowl, you have to wait till the staff comes to deliver your food and use that time to tell them what you need. This place is really self-serving. The staff only comes to deliver your food and clean up your table. But we still tipped. Food was good. Soup dumplings hit the spot. Black vinegar was essential and available Come here when you need really good food and quick bite This is not recommended for a date night or business network setting I think we would come by if we're in the area. But considering that we're paying tip, I think we would go to the other location when they are full service.
A fully satisfied food coma after Northern Cafe Food: The golden soup beef is undoubtedly coziness in a bowl after a long work day. The spiciness from the chopped raw chilies and bok choy adds the extra heartiness to each bite of noodle and sliced beef. It's in limbo with Dan Dan noodles especially pork over beef kinda spicy noodle soup day. Next, their orange chicken is delicious (!!!) and the epitome of American Chinese palate but hey it's only a right of passage haha we get it every time as a group and for takeout! Let's talk fiber with veggies now: Sautéed garlic Bok choy and green beans. Need another carb with protein then add in some chicken fried rice. Finally the noodles, I prefer the fried noodle with chicken over the Lao Gan Ma fried noodle with chicken which was more greasy, too much sauce and had less whole fresh veggies. The egg rolls were subpar. Service: They are so FAST for in service and take out ordering. It's a continuous flow of customers and cleaning. Over the past years, always had positive experiences and consistent take out orders replicating sit down quality food. Ambiance: Spacious for many different parties so social groups or even individual self time! I appreciate the dimmer lighting for evening and outside patio for more privacy. Overall: will be back many MORE times with my family, friends and colleagues!
Food is great. It hits the spot for classic Northern Chinese food (dumplings, XLB, beef rolls/green onion pancakes, and my favorite rice cake) Price is reasonable ($13-$16 for most dishes). You order via an app so no waiting for a waiter. It was hard to get their attention for water/napkins though. The biggest frustration eating here is the mini fruit flies in the restaurant. I've eaten here a number of times, and always notice 1 or so fruit flies at the table!
Szechuan Mala Pot is my go-to here, especially on cold days. I like that it's served in a boiling pot, nice and hot, and with lots of toppings. Generous portions of beef, way more than what Boiling Point would give you. I do wish it weren't so salty. I find myself pouring some cold water into it to lessen the saltiness. Also wish they had dipping sauces for the meats and veggies. But other than that, it's pretty delicious. I also like the pig ear. It's sliced real thin and spicy. A perfect side dish to the hot pot. This is a casual dining environment. You order at the counter and they bring it out to you. Easy peasy.
Our night out in Irvine landed us here for dinner, the very first lot we pulled into after leaving the Barclay Theater. And that was originally to find better WiFi reception. But why dillydally around? Northern Cafe seemed just right for dinner. A very busy Sunday night and with a mostly Asian clientele at an Asian eatery, always a great barometer for me. Apparently also quite popular with students from the nearby UC campus. But we were immediately seated after stepping inside. This is an order at the counter establishment, then take your number back to your table, they will bring to you when ready. So we looked over our menus first, the print a bit small, then settled on the Big Big Chicken Plate With Noodles and the Lamb Hot Pot. I guess I just assumed that the order of lamb would be simply that. But my bad, several items included in this dish were things we never eat; crab, shrimp, pork. So on its arrival, the Mrs noticed what I mistakenly had overlooked. I did however, manage to salvage most of the lamb and several quail eggs (a first time trying them for me). The chicken dish we thought was just okay, even less so as a leftover. My wife was totally dissatisfied. But the steamed rice was rather well cooked and we both enjoyed the Thai iced tea. Northern Cafe has locations throughout Southern California. We would return but with totally different menu options chosen next time. Somewhat neutral service but they keep things moving along like a production line.
We visited Northern Cafe in Irvine last weekend during lunch, and it was a fantastic experience from start to finish! Ordering was super easy--we ordered at the cashier and picked any table we wanted. In just about 5 minutes, every dish arrived at our table, which was impressively fast. The Cumin Lamb ($17.99) was very flavorful and one of our favorites. The Eggplant with Garlic Sauce ($14.99) was delicious and perfectly cooked, and the Sautéed Green Beans ($15.99) were very satisfying. The Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs ($16.99) were decent, though the meat was a little chewy. The real standouts were the Popcorn Chicken ($9.99)--crispy on the outside, tender on the inside--and the Pork Wontons in Spicy Sauce ($11.99), which were absolutely amazing! The Hot & Sour Soup ($11.99) was comforting and full of flavor. They also have a nice selection of cold dishes you can pick right at the cashier station. Overall, the food was delicious, the prices were very reasonable, and the service was fast and efficient. We loved the smooth dining experience and will definitely be back to try more dishes--especially their noodles next time!
Parking is super easy since it's in Irvine's UTC plaza. You order and pay at the counter -- food comes out fairly fast. 7/10 Spicy Beef Pot ($17). I prefer Boiling Point since they have more variety and I like what they put inside their hotpots more. Wasn't a really big fan of sausages inside. The broth wasn't bland and had some flavor, so I would say it's worth a try.
I hadn't been here in quite some time but was craving Spicy Beef Noodle Soup. I ended up ordering take out on their website which was super easy to use. It says expect 20 minutes but when I arrived in 10 minutes, it was already ready which was nice. The staff wasn't personable and didn't really greet me unfortunately. They just asked for my ordered number and handed me the bag. As for the food itself, this hit the spot! I loved that it came in a quality Tupperware that wouldn't leak or get soggy. The way the lid was set up allowed for the noodles and bok choy to stay untouched from the broth which was great!
One of my go to Chinese food spots in Irvine! Convenient location within UTC and the food here never misses. My favorites are the Chongqing crispy chicken, beef roll and Mabo tofu. Service is usually quick and I always enjoy my experience here. Will definitely be back for more! read more
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Madison V.
Dear Jeremy ， Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…
Food was super yummy! Beef in the beef pancake roll was a little sweet, and pancake was crispy. Hotpot came with rice and dipping sauce, and portions were pretty sizeable. You order at the counter and they bring you your food, service was quick and pleasant. Really recommend! They have a really expansive menu and I wanted to try a lot of things, so I'll definitely be back. read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Dear Grace H. Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…
There is now legit Northern Chinese food in Irvine! Those college students don't understand how they've been incredibly blessed with Northern Cafe opening up in UTC. You order your food at the counter, pick up a number, then proceed to any available table. Water and utensils are self-service, just like a traditional cafeteria in China. They'll still deliver the food to your table. We really love the hot pot and golden beef soups here! They are so legit. The broth tastes like home. Perfectly the right amount of sour and spicy. There's some random meats like luncheon sausages and spam in the hot pot which I wouldn't mind being replaced with more actual meat. Definitely my go-to spot now to get Chinese food in Irvine! I hope they open more locations in Irvine that aren't in UTC read more
Went on a Saturday for lunch and was busy enough that many tables were taken, but we found a table easily. You do seat yourselves and ordered at the counter to wait for our food to be brought to us with a table marker. Casual spot for Chinese food. Layout is well spaced out with booths and tables that can be moved to cater to different sized groups. Outdoor seating is also available. Food: Most everything is served family style and you get plates on the side. Chinese eggplant with garlic was my favorite. Tender and not spicy at all. Chinese pork bun was delicious. The bun is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the pork is juicy and cooked to perfection. Orange chicken was good, but hit or miss on fresh crispness. The three dishes fed me and one other person and we had leftovers to take home. The list of sides was missing from the menu, but it's possible the only side they have is rice, which was $1 extra. read more
The food was pretty good and the overall atmosphere felt exactly how I expected of a restaurant of this type. I think it's surprisingly good food especially for its proximity to the university and is at a price that is passable. I would recommend it if you don't have anywhere else to go! Service is self service though but they do bring over the food to your table (similar to fast food places)! read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Dear Andrew ， Thank you for your feedback on our food and service,…
2 years ago
First time eating at this location. It's a great addition to UTC plaza. The portions here are pretty big so you can definitely do family style. I got the spicy beef noodle soup, juicy pork dumplings and spicy wontons. Super juicy and filed with a lot meat. The broth from the noodle soup was so rich and flavorful. Besides Chinese food they also have hot pot! read more
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Madison V.
Dear Jasmine, Thank you for your feedback on our food, we accept all…
New OC hotspot that just opened up for students looking for a quick bite. This new Chinese restaurant just opened in the UCI plaza. When you first enter, you just pick a seat, look at the menu, and order at the kiosk. The service was okay, the food came out super super fast and the portion sizes were great for family meals to share. I thought the food was very run of the mill, some things I liked but others I would go without. I will say, I do actually like the cucumber salad here more than din tai fung. For the value, the food is prettty decent and it would be a great spot to go for takeout or a quick bite. They also serve hotpot here and I be will trying that next time I come. Overall, a great location for hungry, tired students read more
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Madison V.
Dear Kim Thank you for your feedback to our restaurant, your comments…
Legit Chinese food right across the street from UCI! This Northern Cafe location is waaaay better than the one in Westwood (lucky Anteaters)! We've been here a couple of times, while visiting my daughter at UCI. This is a fast casual restaurant, so you order at the counter and then grab your number and find a table. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available. My faves have been the pork potstickers, juicy pork dumplings (I bit one and it squirted across the table!) and Lao Gan Ma noodles (a little greasy, but good). The beef noodle soup (the not spicy one) was kind of bland and the only disappointing thing I've tried thus far. Plenty of free parking in the mall lot. read more
I like the Northern Cafe because it's a good middle ground between your typical Chinese fast food and formal sit down dining Chinese. It's more authentic but you can still get some American favorites like orange chicken but has more Szechuan options like Dan Dan noodles and beef rolls. The Chongqing Crispy Chicken is an easy favorite. It's crispy and spicy and your mouth gets that numb feeling from the Szechuan peppercorns. The chili oil that the wontons come in is exactly what you want when ordering wontons and is really good. Or too spicy. The Dan Dan noodles were ok but weren't as good as some others I've had. Definitely o good go to spot when looking for good Chinese with a casual atmosphere. I think a lot of their business is takeout as we always see a lot of people picking up. The service is good. You order at the counter and they bring the food out to you. read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Deaer Jessi, Thank you for your wonderful feedback on our food and…
So good here! Highly recommend I love this place for their service and their food. Their juicy pork dumplings is not as good as din tai fung or paradise dynasty because the Dough is a bit more thicker than usual but decent! The cucumbers so good and big portions for the price Their chicken wings delicious! Their chicken noodle soup amazing! They have the fastest service ever! We placed order and 1 min after the cucumbers came out already! And then everything came out all within 10 mins! Perfect atmosphere for a chill casual lunch or dinner and what's even more amazing is they leave the takeout containers for you to help yourself when you're done and everything is just self service and it's amazing! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
I came here alone for the first time! The juicy pork dumplings were good 8/10. Cucumber salad was nice and fresh 10/10. The chili wontons were missing the chili in my opinion. I barely see any chili oil on them. 7/10. I also got a Thai tea which I would skip out on it was watered down. I would come again as the menu looks like it has other good items and it's fairly priced. You order at the register and pay before getting your food. I didn't have a problem with this but they ask for a tip despite you having to get your own water, to go boxes, napkins, and utensils. I would say IF you want to tip bring cash and tip those who are cleaning because no dining service is provided! read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Dear Chelsea， Thank you for your feedback on our food , and we look…
2 years ago
Everything I've tried here has been full of flavor, and it's incredibly affordable for the quality of the dishes. One of my favorites is the stir-fry cumin lamb--it's a must-order if you're a fan of lamb. The flavors are bold, with the perfect balance of spices. Their handmade dumplings are another highlight--so fresh and flavorful, you can really taste the difference. Every dish I've had here has been done right, from the noodles to the stir-fry dishes. You won't be disappointed here --it's definitely a gem in the OC food scene! read more
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Madison V.
Dear friend Thank you for your five star rating, and we are very…
I recently came to visit my friends last week and I got to take one friend with me to Northern Cafe in Irvine! What's great is that Northern Cafe is located near University of California, Irvine so students can eat the food there! I gotta say that the Juicy Pork Dumplings is one of my favorites throughout the entire meal! But everything else here is good too! The service here is quick and I didn't have to wait that long to get our food on the table! The interior is very spacious so we can all have room to eat inside! I would recommend this spot in Irvine for sure! read more
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Madison V.
Dear Tien , Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…
Great spot for good Chinese food. Delicious entree dishes, hotpot, noodle soups, and dumplings. You can pretty much get anything on the menu and it will be delicious. Some of the dishes I've ordered in the past: Chongqing crispy chicken Sautéed green beans Shrimp wontons in spicy chili sauce Pan fried dumplings Spicy pickled vegetable with beef noodle soup Golden soup beef noodle You order at the front, grab a number and find a seat and they will bring your food to you. Service is pretty fast. read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Dear Molly E. Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…
A small Chinese cafe catering to students as it's closed to a University campus. Relatively busy but quick turnover. Seating is self service. You have to order over the counter. Food is served only minutes after the order. Food comes to your table still piping hot, looks delicious and actually is tasty. Prices are very reasonable for the Irvine neighborhood. Serving size is generous. Dinner seems to be better than lunch even if the same dishes are ordered. Plenty of parking. Really like this place. Always great experience with the food. Highly recommended! read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Dear Ping , Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…
This is my 2nd time at Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen but our first time at this location on Campus Dr. I have been to the other location first and I actually prefer this Campus Dr location for the more self-service style it has. We ordered five items for our lunch and the food did not disappoint! Everything was delicious! Of all that we ordered, my favorite was their eggplant in garlic sauce. My husband love the Chongqing Crispy Chicken. It was spicy but tolerable spice especially for me who doesn't have a high tolerance for spice. I definitely recommend this location of Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen if you need to satisfy your Asian food cravings. You won't go wrong! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
A delicious place with amazing deals! Came here to celebrate my husband's birthday since he was craving Chinese food. Very impressed with the food, it all came out quickly and fresh, and we loved the menu variety to choose from. Will definitely be back! read more
This place is great for Chinese food especially on a cold day. Whenever it rains, I think about coming here so I can fill up on hot soup and spicy fried food. My go to here would be the golden beef noodle soup and the spicy fried chicken. The golden beef noodle soup is incredibly rich with so much umami. The beef in it is very juicy and tender and the noodles are nice and chewy. My favorite out of everything here is probably the spicy fried chicken because of the kick it has. It's crispy, spicy, and just pairs so well with rice and chili oil too if you're looking for even more of a kick. The service is ok here and the food speed is on and off. read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Dear Tina , Thank you for your love and appreciation of our food, we…
2 years ago
We stopped in for lunch at Northern Cafe yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. As the name suggests, it's a casual order-at-the-counter Chinese restaurant, but the food is a step above your typical greasy joint. The menu has all the American-Chinese classics like orange chicken, beef and broccoli, fried rice, etc. But they also have some more authentic regional Chinese dishes. Everything we tried was very delicious. Portions are generous and prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality. The restaurant itself is nothing fancy, but it's clean and modern. Service was friendly and food came out quickly despite it being the lunch rush. All in all, a great neighborhood spot for some tasty, affordable Chinese food. I'll definitely be back to keep exploring their menu. read more
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Madison V.
Dear JiaYea, Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…
There were many Influencers who recommended this place. The all in Unison suggested the House Beef Soup. I didn't get what they were talking about being that good. I don't rate when I eat but damn those Noodles were 12 ft. long. The Kung Pow Chicken had good flavor and I had Hope that the meal would get better. The Shrimp Fried Rice was very good and made with something other than plain White Rice. The Curry Chicken made me know you better really like Curry. I'm hoping that when I warm it up I plan on cooking it down a bit. The Cucumber Salad was good but nothing on the level they were preaching. Soup Dumplings we're good. Honestly I really wanted to like this place because I need a replacement for China Mama in Las Vegas here in Orange County CA. I'm thinking there's must be a major difference in flavors in the North compared to other places. If you are into Chinese Food and wanted to try Northern style you should really try this spot. It just wasn't for me. But, I can see me going back with friend who likes it and just concentrate on what I remember I liked. Y'allhollaatchaboy. read more
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Madison V.
Dear Brian Thank you for your feedback to our restaurant, your…
4 years ago
Good dim sum for orange county. Comparable to din tai fung, chicken wontons in chili oil had an odd taste. Pork soup dumplings were delicious and had a peanut-y aftertaste that was unique. Rice cakes and bok chiy were delicious Fast service and good prices, u pay at the counter. Would definitely go back, but not the best I've ever had. read more
One of my favorite spots for Chinese food. The food is always piping hot and so delicious. They have sauces on the tables that you are able to mix and match for dipping or pouring. I love going here with friends because we can always share the dishes and combine flavors. I recommend getting one of the hot pot soups with a few other side entrees or dishes so you can try all of the meats as well as all of the preparations (noodles, soup, fried rice cake, etc.). The dessert is very good as well. I have ordered the red bean filled and chocolate filled buns in the past and the come out very fluffy and very full which is always a relief since some restaurants scam you with how much filling they put. The staff is also quite friendly, and when I would go frequently as a freshman and as I would tip often they would sometimes let me take a free drink from the front which was always super nice of them. Great place overall and would highly recommend:D read more
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Madison V.
Dear Zack, Thanks for the 5-star review! Thank you for your love of…
Delicious and comforting Chinese food within walking distance of UCI. In my review of Northern Cafe in Pasadena, I was envious of PCC students. Now, I also wish I was a UCI student so I can frequent this restaurant more often. This review is for their take-out order at the Irvine location. Food - get ready for food coma. Ordered Fried Noodle with Chicken ($12.99), Yangzhou Fried Rice ($13.50), Chongqing Crispy Chicken ($14.50), Big Plate Chicken with Noodles ($20.99), and Steamed Custard Buns ($5.99). The fried rice and fried noodle are reminiscent of Mama Lu's Dumpling House or 101 Noodle Express in the SGV: flavorful and wanting more after each bite. The Chongqing Crispy Chicken was crunchy, tender, with a hint of spice just enough to give a kick to your tastebuds. The steamed custard buns were the perfect finish to a delicious meal. The only item I would probably not order again is the big plate chicken with noodle only because the flavor was fairly standard without a "wow" aftertaste. Online ordering - easy and I was able to pick up the order at the corner shelf without issue. Parking - free and plentiful as this restaurant is located at UCI's University Village. Pricing - moderate. Consider dropping by if you're in the area! read more
4 years ago
This was one of the best restaurants I've been to for homey feeling food. I was so satisfied with this meal and was grinning from ear to ear. The hot and sour soup was great. Dumplings were yummy. Meat pancake basically has the same inside as a dumpling but has a bready wrap and fried - so juicy and crispy I loved it. String green beans which are very well made here. We ordered so much I forgot, but everything was awesome, and I will definitely be back. read more
Favorite Chinese place in irvine. Hands down. The best dish imo is the golden beef noodle soup. I had it when I had covid and it did NOT disappoint. The Chong Qing chicken is good; the wontons were good but I've had better. Service was speedy fast. read more
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Madison V.
Thank you for your patronage! We hope to see you again at our…
9 months ago
Food came out fast. Pay for your food at the register, then they will give you a number and you get to pick where you want to sit. Self serve waters, staff was friendly, and came out fairly quickly. The beef roll and tomato beef noodle soup was super flavorful. It was a lot of food but was super delicious! For someone who does not eat spicy food often, the spice level was bearable. Overall, my experience was great! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
I ordered wontons and unfortunately they were raw. My friend and I had already eaten two each before we realized. The restaurant refunded us for that portion of the meal, but definitely check your food carefully to make sure it's fully cooked. read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Dear Samantha Thank you for your feedback to our restaurant, your…
3 years ago
Came here because of a beef pancake craving. Got here and realized it was self seating. Order at the counter and get a number to put on your table. The food came fairly quickly. We ordered the golden beef soup, the cold cut beef, and the beef pancake. Yep, all beef dinner. The cold cut beef was tasty, but a bit on the salty side. The soup was good. However the beef pancake was the BEST! I could eat it all day. The pancake was so crispy. read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Thank you for your patronage! We hope to see you again at our…
I have seen this place for quite some time & I never thought much of it since it's in uci towncenter. It never crossed my mind that this place would be any good. My first time trying was when my husband brought food home from his lovely co worker who purchased food for us during Ramadhan. We got to try the orange chicken & the one of the noodle dishes. We both loved the orange chicken despite it not being fresh, but was so good I wanted to try this place again but eat it hot. I placed the order on Yelp & I get in the restaurant which is super busy inside - which is a good sign ! It was a bit of a cluster, as the register is positioned all the way in the back of the restaurant & there were quite a bit of crowding over there. There was no line & people were going everywhere. The employees were not acknowledging anyone waiting (maybe they would of if you spoke Mandarin), so I patiently waited until someone saw me. One employee did see me but completely ignored me & did not offer any type of assistance. Thank goodness for this other lady who helped me. It was such a rude experience, as there was no apology at all ! The chicken was delicious but I won't be returning. The taste was there but it needed more sauce. It's a complete rip off for $15 orange chicken that doesn't even come with a side of steamed rice. Thankfully I had rice at home, wasn't going to give them any more money for something that should just automatically come with the meal ! Just greedy. read more
3 years ago
Discovered this little gem while road tripping through SoCal and visiting the UCI campus. Absolutely huge (and delicious) portions for a great price. The chongqing crispy chicken was big enough for 2 meals and the seaweed salad was Costco size lol, soup dumplings had a very thin skin with flavorful broth! The mini hotpot was also great! We had the sauerkraut lamb one and it came with assorted accompaniment as well (spam, sausage, cabbage, tofu, mushrooms, fish balls) We ordered waaay too much food thinking the portions would be small based on the pricing, gave us enough for leftover snacks and dinner, thankfully we booked a hotel with a microwave lol. 10/10 would come back again! read more
Business owner information
Madison V.
Thank you for your patronage! We hope to see you again at our…
More info about Northern Cafe
4175 Campus Dr
Irvine, CA 92617
Directions
(949) 418-7309
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http://www.northerncafeirvine.com
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Ask the Community - Northern Cafe
Do they take reservations?
When I went a few months ago, they did not take reservations. It wasn't hard to find a table though on the various occasions that I have gone.
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