Northern Cafe

117

419

245

3 years ago

I have ordered take out here around five times. The food has been always very good. We have ordered the Kung pao chicken, orange chicken, wonton soup, hot and sour soup, eggplant and green beans. Overall solid choice for Chinese food. Very good every time. read more

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Sav Q.

2 years ago

My fiancé and I went for lunch in a Sunday afternoon and we were able to get seated right away + the service was great! The food came out quick and it was all delicious! We definitely recommend coming here for lunch or dinner when you're in the area! My top 3 items were the orange chicken, cucumber salad, and Lao Gan Ma fried noodles! read more

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Madison V.

Dear Sav Thank you for your five star rating, and we are very happy…

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Travis A.

103

1 year ago

Super disappointed with the service today, came in on my lunch break and ordered 1 dish and a side of rice. While waiting noticed that other people were getting there orders before me that ordered after me, I was politely waiting on my phone and noticed the servers were directly handing the other take out orders to the guests yet me being the only white person in there they didn't say anything and set my order aside, after 30 min I had to say something. Late back to work with cold food, and felt judges for just buying food. Will not be coming back read more

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Karen Y.

Elite 24

153

108

181

5 years ago

Came here for lunch with some coworkers the other day. It wasn't crowded at all when I got there but as we finished our meal more people started trickling in. I got the spicy beef hot pot. It came out fairly quickly and it was a good portion--comparable to that of BP or Pot on Fire over in Chino Hills. There were a good amount of toppings and although there weren't a lot of glass noodles in the hot pot, there is a rice bowl on the side provided, of course. It was pretty spicy and the spice continued to build throughout the meal--just how I like it. It was so flavorful. I will definitely keep coming back to this place!! OC needs more Chinese good and decently priced restaurants like this :) Plus it is so clean and the employees were so nice and helpful. read more

Northern Cafe - 1. Spicy Beef Pot - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Autumn H.

3 years ago

The food here is amazing! Everything I've tried so far has just been 10/10 and I can't help but order a little too much every time because I want to try it all! Their chili oil is addicting and I put it on everything. Scallion pancakes, pork dumplings, fried rice, green beans, orange chicken, shrimp wontons, ALL delicious. Will be returning soon read more

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Business owner information

Madison V.

Thank you for your patronage! We hope to see you again at our…

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Joyce T.

202

351

1663

5 years ago

Used to go to the one in Westwood when I studied at UCLA and this location is much larger with an expanded menu (which is nice bc it's easier to find a seat at this location!). The food can be somewhat salty but overall, it's decent Chinese food in the area. read more

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Kathy T.

Elite 20

658

3 years ago

Everything I ordered here was delicious. You come in, go to the counter, order your goods, then sit down. The staff will come out with your food very quickly. Portions are definitely very big, I highly recommend the orange chicken, beef roll, and the hot & sour food. I had leftovers for days but not complaining read more

Northern Cafe - D3. Yangzhou Fried Rice - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - F2. Beef Noodle Soup - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - B11. Sauteed Green Beans - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - G1. Hot & Sour Soup - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Michael B.

206

3 years ago

This was our first visit. Right away we were aware that there were cultural differences and norms we didn't understand. A sign at the door told us to find a table, and go to the counter to order. Clearly people coming for the first time experienced the same confusion and they created this helpful sign. We had to find a menu....the table we selected was already set with a plate, napkin, and chopsticks...mine were dirty so I exchanged them with another table. As I sat down, I saw out of the corner of my eye, someone scurry over and remove the dirty chopsticks and carefully replace the ones I had taken. Our first challenge was the menu. We generally like to try some of everything, but the dishes and bowls were so large that we couldn't possible sample most of the dishes. So we finally settled on noodles with chicken, a bowl with green beans and pork ribs, and some wontons. The next step was to step up to the counter and order. Most of the menu has numbers like "D2" so I tried using those but the lady couldn't follow my references...OK that's not how this works. She looked over my shoulder at the menu for most of the process...there are no menus behind the counter so it's just the order taker and you and your little folding menu...nothing feels more like a tourist in a foreign country. Why put numbers on the menu of they don't mean anything? I was checking out before I realized that nobody asked me what I wanted to drink. I asked if I could have a beer....we had to cancel the whole order and start over. Once I got the beer ordered it turned out that Apple Pay worked but I needed to go grab the beer from a cooler and bring it back so the guy behind the counter could open it...turned out it was warm but I just let that go....I didn't want to risk cancelling my order again. Now this is where the service comes in...they bring things to your table on a little cart with wheels....just like the dim-sum place..and one of the items had a pot so they brought a burner for the middle of the table...that got so smelly and hot we had to ask them to put it out....turns out that anything you need you have to get up and go to the counter to get help...they're pretty much done with you "have a nice meal" once they finished bringing stuff and taken you little stand with the number. Because we're next to UCI, this place seems to draw a fair number of students. And this illustrates the difference perhaps in a medical teaching college and many others...the students seem to be able to afford $18-20 per meal. Although I scoured the online menu, I could not find further information on ingredients for most of the dishes and nothing of a general nature about health or cuisine was offered on menus or website. The noodles and meats tasted very much like they were soaked in seed oils (canola, sunflower, vegetable, etc.) high in omega 6 fats and toxins. Younger people can eat that and eliminate it but us older folks over 60 don't fare too well on it after a lifetime of eating it...it has a half-life in the body of 9 months or more even if you take plenty of NAC. The cuts of meat also seemed to be very low quality. What can you say when a listed ingredient is "luncheon meat"? Nothing about their menu or available information told me it is a priority to serve healthy menu items. I suspect saving money on produce and meats is the higher priority. All in all this was a very unremarkable experience...food wise and service wise. We felt like visiting strangers. read more

Business owner information

Madison V.

We sincerely apologize for the challenges you faced during your…

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Amy M.

3 years ago

I really enjoyed the food at Northern Cafe! I particularly love their tomato beef noodle soup, and I can't wait to try other dishes. I work at UCI, so having a good Chinese restaurant nearby is such a flex. You order at the counter and then find a place to sit. Service is quick and efficient! read more

Northern Cafe - F2. Beef Noodle Soup, F5. Tomato Beef Noodle Soup with Pan Fried Egg, C4. Chinese Pork Sandwich, H2. Steamed Red Bean Paste Bun - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - F5. Tomato Beef Noodle Soup with Pan Fried Egg, C4. Chinese Pork Sandwich - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Akers F.

2 years ago

Tasty hot and sour soup! It arrived quickly and it was a nice restful meal. I hope to visit soon with friends.

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David S.

108

309

2 years ago

When you get there it's a little different. Counter style service. The food comes off as expensive on the menu, BUT the portions are HUGE. Well worth the price. Been there a couple times and consistently good read more

Business owner information

Madison V.

Dear David S. Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had…

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kendal m.

2 years ago

First time ordering here and it was so good. The chicken wings to even the noodles were so good.

Business owner information

Madison V.

Dear Kendal Thank you for your five star rating, and we are very…

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Seohyun N.

3 years ago

So glad we finally decided to try their food. We ordered two Mala premium beef noodle soup and it was delicious! It was nicely spicy and noodles were perfectly cooked. Also, the generous amount of beef in the soup was very much appreciated. We didn't plan to order dessert at first, but after amazing noodle soup experience, we had to get two custard steam buns (four buns were in one box container. So we received eight in total). They were also absolutely delicious. Not too sweet, just perfect after a big meal. We couldn't eat all of them so saved for later :-). We are now so curious about others on the menu. I'm eager to try everything. While waiting for our buns, we watched all these foods being made in their kitchen. It was lovely and very interesting that they show the process in front. :-) We are very happy we found this place. Thank you! Love it! We'll be back. read more

Northern Cafe - F3. Mala Premium Beef Noodle Soup - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - H1. Steamed Custard Buns - we took these beauties to near park - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - H1. Steamed Custard Buns - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Alyssa G.

294

3 years ago

My sister and I were looking for Chinese takeout and stumbled upon northern cafe. Although this is a lively sit down restaurant, you can order the food for takeout. The food was very aromatic in the car and we couldn't wait to dig in once we got home. The pork wontons in the spicy chili oil were a burst of flavor and probably my favorite of the four items we got. I just wish they had more chili oil. The noodles were yummy and very flavorful but could've been spicier. We needed a vegetable and got the green beans which were well seasoned in garlic and melted in your mouth. We will definitely be picking up food from here again! read more

Northern Cafe - B11. Sauteed Green Beans E13. Pork Wontons In Spicy Chili Sauce - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - D6. Lao Gan Ma Fried Noodle with Chicken - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - E1. Juicy Pork Dumplings - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Business owner information

Madison V.

Thanks for your feedback

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T L.

2 years ago

Good food. Service is good. Good place to go for casual meal. Food came fast and very consistent.

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Serena W.

394

3 years ago

I have pretty high expectations for Chinese food, and this place exceeded them. The potstickers were perfectly fried and crispy. I usually don't get the Dan Dan noodles since there is no meat in them, but the flavor was full and the noodles were the perfect wideness and texture. The beef rolls were similar to others I've had, but not bad. The regular dumplings had a good filling of pork, shrimp, and chives. The service was quick. read more

Northern Cafe - E6. Shrimp, Pork, &Chive Dumplings, C1. Beef Roll, F9. Dan Dan Noodle, E12. Pork Potstickers - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Business owner information

Madison V.

Thanks for your love, we would love to have you back

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Doris L.

127

313

5 years ago

Came to try this place since we saw some good reviews and the reviews are right, the food are pretty good for a newly open Chinese restaurant. Tried the non-spicy beef noodle soup, wonton in spicy sauce, pan fried shrimp, pork, egg and chive dumplings, seaweed salad and fried noodles with shrimp Everything is good except the fried noodles. Love the beef roll crispy outside and flavorful beef inside. Love the spicy sauce for the wonton. Ended up using the spicy sauce as the dipping sauce for the dumplings instead. Will definitely try again and must try if you are in the area read more

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Nicole C.

175

5 years ago

Best New Chinese Restaurant in Irvine .Authentic Chinese food with fair price. I wish I were UCI student Love this place. Definately wanna come back and explore the menu. Two People ZhaJiang Noodle Golden Soup Beef Pot read more

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Marina C.

Elite 25

643

197

750

4 years ago

Good food and large portion sizes! Came here with friends and was very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the food here. The orange chicken was fried perfectly and so juicy. The spicy beef pot was good but I wish it were a bit saltier. I really enjoyed the green beans. They were savory, garlicky, and tender. I wish they gave rice with some of the entrees (they only gave one bowl of rice for the spicy pot). The rice was good but a bit hard. read more

Northern Cafe - B1. Orange Chicken - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Vicky M.

2 years ago

Food was great as always,when we got there our waiter was nice and attentive,but then later on came the night crew ,the waiter didn't even say he was done for the day,nobody came after that,we ask for stuff that we needed,the waitress with short hair was nice,the other waitress long hair ,looked upset and rude,when my husband went to pay,and sign the slip,she approach the table and say that I forgot to sign,I said no,it's signed,and she said no,you didn't live a tip,I was in shocked,she doesn't know how to speak English,but she knew how to ask for the tip she didn't even work for,somebody else did the job,and I was going to live a cash tip,but after how she approached me,you don't ask for your tip,you work for it,how rude,I hope they do something about it,this is unacceptable! read more

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John O.

154

4 years ago

The food is great it has tons of flavor. The atmosphere is clean but I feel there could be some more decorative appeal to it. Honestly I would rather have good food than a dining setting. The service was quick and I have no complaints there. Thanks for the awesome food! read more

Northern Cafe - Green beans cucumber salad Dan Dan noodles crispy fried chicken - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Rick T.

306

357

3 years ago

Always great food at Northern Cafe. I wish they had the same table condiments as the one in DTLA. I always get the Juicy Pork Dumplings and attempt to try something different every time with all of the options. read more

Northern Cafe - Receipt - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

Northern Cafe - F9. Dan Dan Noodle - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Tanya O.

105

2 years ago

Please, please, people try this decent restaurant, you wont regret it. Especially if you're gonna order their specialties like Mapo Tofu, Pork ribs, Broccoli with garlic, Dimsum, Yang Zhou fried rice also get dessert like egg tart, yum!!!P.S. price is very reasonable too. read more

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Madison V.

Dear Tanya，Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…

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YuTing C.

4 years ago

My boyfriend and me love this restaurant!! Everything here are so good and they taste exactly like food we usually eat in our home country. read more

Northern Cafe - A2. Popcorn Chicken 1. Spicy Beef Pot F2. Beef Noodle Soup - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Smiley H.

2 years ago

Our all-time-favorite to go place almost every weekends! Service is good and quick. Food is yummlicious and large portions. Never go wrong with their Yangzhou Fried Rice and Popcorn Chicken! Love their series of Beef Noodles too! Impressed by their To-go packaging for noodle soup! read more

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Madison V.

Dear Smiley, Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…

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Lw B.

2 years ago

Great noodles! Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff. Steamed vegetable dumplings are almost inedible (what you get in the freezer aisle at Vons, made in a factory in Pacoima, are much better than this). read more

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Eric T.

2 years ago

Tasty food. The pork I got was pretty unique. My family loved the food. Pretty quick delivery.

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Madison V.

Dear Eric， Thank you for your feedback on our food , and we look…

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Ian P.

532

130

3 years ago

Really disappointing. We got the Mapo tofu and Kung Pao chicken, and both of them were super bland. The soup dumplings were pretty good, but it didn't make up for the other two dishes. Won't be coming back here. read more

Business owner information

Madison V.

hi Ian, We are really sorry that our food is not satisfactory to you.…

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Sara B.

144

2 years ago

Love their soup noodles. Unlike other noodle places that advertise spicy, this one really is authentically catered to the Chinese palate. The only challenge is parking can be tough especially during peak hours but well worth the hassle. read more

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Madison V.

Dear F S. Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had a…

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Rachel T.

3 years ago

Food was assorted in taste and quality. Service...well there was none. Ambiance is what you expect in a Asian restaurant where you order at a kiosk. read more

Business owner information

Madison V.

Dear Rachel, Thank you for your feedback. Your comments and…

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Lei X.

4 years ago

In this restaurant I found RAW MEAT in the pork dumplings! And the server said pink meat is normal! What the hell! I often make homemade dumplings in my home so this is definitely raw pork! It made me feel so Disgusting! read more

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Sarah K.

483

4 years ago

Came back to this spot on a Saturday and I'm content with the food quality! The beef rolls are always a fav and worth sharing with others because the portion is pretty big. Tastes good cold too so I would say, take it to-go if you get too full! read more

Northern Cafe - E13. Pork Wontons In Spicy Chili Sauce 1. Spicy Beef Pot C1. Beef Roll - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Samantha A.

322

3 years ago

Yummy quick food. Love the popcorn fried chicken. Love all the veggies and huge portions. Sometimes when I'm lazy I order the broccoli and green beans to heat up for the week. read more

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Madison V.

Dear Samantha, Thanks for the 5-star review! Thank you for your…

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Corinne W.

353

2 years ago

Delicious! Decided to try for lunch. The pork buns and dumplings are tasty! Great price point. Clean and friendly staff. Will definitely come back. The other menu items looked great (couple next to me ordered everything). So excited to have this place here! read more

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Madison V.

Dear Corinne , Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had…

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Quinn D.

2 years ago

This place is awful. I didn't take pictures but I should have. The food was greasy. And it was not your typical Chinese food. I took my Chinese mother here on Tuesday, July 16 at about 7PM. We ordered three items. Pot Stickers that were probably homemade cause they looked like they were homemade. The dough tasted like the person didn't know how to make dough. The worst thing we ordered was this weird giant beef dumpling that looked way too greasy and not tasty at all. We also had a chicken rice stick stir fry which was OK. I don't recommend this place. It was also disorganized without service. I guess you are suppose to place your order on a computer or the kid at the register. You pay first and then they deliver to you. And then you have to get your plates and utensils by yourself in some kind disorganized labyrinth of boxes. read more

Business owner information

Madison V.

Dear TS L. Sorry for not bringing you a perfect dining experience,…

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Alex A.

2 years ago

The food is good, has stayed solid for the last few years. A family favorite, we come often. The pots are great, the golden is our favorite. We love the spicy dumplings and are always happy to the be in the area. read more

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Josh T.

Elite 23

397

219

297

4 years ago

I didn't expect much since it is in UTC, but the food here is actually REALLY tasty. It reminds me of the kinds food I can get in the 626. I think its one of the best Chinese restaurants in Irvine. I recommend the Kung Pao Chicken (personal favorite), Chongqing spicy chicken, and the Beef Roll! I definitely will be coming back to try the other dishes. I love the variety you can get ranging from hot pots, noodle soups, to dumplings! read more

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elizabeth d.

2 years ago

This place is always busy and popping off. The food is always consistent and they push it out super fast. It can get hard to get a table sometimes but it's really cute. You don't have a lot of space between seating but sitting outside gives you more space. I get the veggie chow main and the veggie dumplings and I always devour them. They have a water station where you can get your own water and a couple of different drink options read more

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Madison V.

Dear elizabeth, Thanks for the 5-star review! We're delighted you had…

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Hanieh E.

145

4 years ago

This Chinese place is so yummy and fresh! We enjoyed our dinning experience there. Service was excellent. read more

Northern Cafe - So delicious! Fast and clean! - Chinese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Lucky L.

4 years ago

I ordered " beef roll" as always, it's my all time favorites here but this time they forgot to add my FAVORITE cilantro .. after I requested, they just gave me an extra plate of CILANTRO... how do you expect me to taste it the same??? Disappointed read more

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Page 8 of 13

4175 Campus Dr
Irvine, CA 92617
Directions
(949) 418-7309
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://www.northerncafeirvine.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Northern Cafe open?

Northern Cafe opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Northern Cafe close?

Northern Cafe closes at 9:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Payment methods

Does Northern Cafe take credit cards?

Yes, Northern Cafe takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Northern Cafe have catering options?

No, Northern Cafe does not have catering options.

Does Northern Cafe have a drive thru?

No, Northern Cafe does not have a drive thru.

Does Northern Cafe serve alcohol?

Yes, Northern Cafe serves alcohol. Beer & Wine Only

Indoor Amenities

Does Northern Cafe allow dogs?

No, Northern Cafe does not allow dogs.

Does Northern Cafe have TVs?

No, Northern Cafe does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Northern Cafe have bike parking?

Yes, Northern Cafe has bike parking.

Does Northern Cafe have outdoor seating?

Yes, Northern Cafe has outdoor seating options.

Does Northern Cafe have parking?

Yes, Northern Cafe has parking options.

Other Amenities

Is Northern Cafe wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Northern Cafe is wheelchair accessible.

Does Northern Cafe have free WiFi?

No, Northern Cafe does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

History

Established in 2004.

Northern Cafe is an traditional Chinese dumplings restaurant established in 2004. Since then we already have over 20 locations in LA. As the first location in Irvine,we are providing the best Chinese food including but not limited to juicy xiaolongbao, handmade dumplings,Chinese style noodles and hot pot!

More Info

Health Score

Northern Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

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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What happened to EverSpring? Things were so different on our last visit that my mom asked if they…read morechanged ownership, which the staff said happened a few months ago. This spot used to have amazing fresh, delicious food and compostable tableware. Now there are ceramic plates which appeared scratched and dirty, all the food came in different plates/bowls, beverage fountain doesn't work, and worst of all, food was not good. We all ordered things we always do that we love and everything was a miss. My fried rice was SO dry with just a few tofu pieces. I added so much hot sauce, chili, and soy sauce and it still wasn't good. Cucumber salad was completely different and actually off putting. No one said their food was good which is the exact opposite of all of our other experiences. To top it off, everyone felt sort of sick after because of the amount of salt in the food. Staff were doing their best but everything seemed unorganized and we had to constantly ask for things that were missing. Heartbreak.

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Came by for lunch on the weekend and the place was packed! We managed to grab a seat but I can see…read morethis filling up or getting to a wait if it was any busier. They have a very Szechuan focused menu with most of the classics. Interior is lively and the space is on the smaller side. Service was prompt and all our food came quickly. The twice cooked pork was a little salty but came with generous ratio of pork to veggies. The hot and sour soup was piping and well flavored. Everything was spicy but not unbearable, and their food was all generously portioned.

The short female server was extremely rude and had a very unpleasant attitude. We noticed that she…read moregave a larger table to customers she seemed familiar with, while assigning us a much smaller table even though we had the same number of people. What made it even more frustrating was that the restaurant was practically empty at the time, so there was clearly no issue with the restaurant being too busy or running out of available tables. The way we were treated felt unfair and very disrespectful. If you're willing to spend money just to be judged and treated differently based on who you are, this is definitely the place for you. Highly recommended!!!! To clarify the situation: When we entered the restaurant, it was clearly not a busy hour. There were plenty of empty tables available. If your policy is that certain four-person tables are reserved exclusively for customers who make reservations in advance, then that policy should be clearly stated to customers rather than being applied selectively. When we arrived, there was a customer dining alone who was seated at a table for three. Later, another customer who appeared to be familiar with the short female server also came in alone and was given a larger three-person table. So just to clarify: were all of these tables reserved in advance as well? Or does the "reservation" rule only apply when it comes to certain customers? No one wants to sit at a tiny table in the middle of the aisle when there isn't even enough space to comfortably fit four dishes. We are not complaining simply because we were given a smaller table. The issue is the obvious inconsistency in how the seating was handled. If there is a legitimate seating policy, it should be applied consistently to everyone--not selectively depending on who the customer is.

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Great food and prompt service. I got the spicy one and it was okay spicy, but won't shock you with…read morespicyness. My sister can't handle any spicy and she ordered no spicy and it was perfect. No hidden spices that sometimes happen. Maha was like a really good ramen. Highly recommended!

Ranked #36 -- Among Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in Orange County 2025

N3. Mahu Beef Noodle

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Braised Beef Rib with Oil-Poured Noodle

Crispy Rougamo

4.3(126 reviews)

4.0 mi•Oak Creek

Great service and delicious food!!! Everything is great at this place. The Ambience is amazingread more

LA's only crispy pork burger; 肉夹馍 actually lives up to the claim. Pulled up after picking up…read morestuff nearby, was starving, so I grabbed one to go. First bite and I literally stopped talking. Bread has that loud crisp on the outside, but inside it's soft and warm, kind of melts into the pork. The pork itself is super flavorful, a little juicy, not greasy at all, just that comforting, savory hit that makes you want another immediately. Tiny catering-style spot, but they're on it - quick, organized, and the guy helping me was super patient explaining options. Not a hangout spot, more like: roll up, grab your crispy pork burger, walk out happy.

Menu 6/2025

Crispy Rougamo - House‑made Liang Pi cold noodles. Spicy, refreshing Northern‑Chinese street food with fresh vegetables. Dine‑in, takeout, delivery & caterin

House‑made Liang Pi cold noodles. Spicy, refreshing Northern‑Chinese street food with fresh vegetables. Dine‑in, takeout, delivery & caterin

Crispy Rougamo - Our signature lamb soup. Rich, hearty broth with tender lamb slices. Authentic Northern‑Chinese comfort food. Dine‑in, takeout, delivery & c

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Our signature lamb soup. Rich, hearty broth with tender lamb slices. Authentic Northern‑Chinese comfort food. Dine‑in, takeout, delivery & c

Meizhou Dongpo

Always lovely and very hospitable to my family! Great food and service. Easy to accommodate large…read moregroups too.

Came inside on a whim after trying to go to multiple restaurants that had long wait times and…read morepassing by this. Glad we ended up here! The restaurant is large and service is quick so we waited just 5 mins for a table on a Saturday night. It has traditional look inside although the booth seating could use some updating as it seemed to have tape or something. My partner always wanted to try the classic dongpo braised pork belly. They do an individual portion here and I didn't realize it also comes with rice and picked mustard greens. It's the perfect size to try this dish and it's very hearty. It's a bit sweeter tasting here but tender. It comes with a spoon because you should be able to just cut into it with that. I also tried a seasonal item of tofu with crab roe. It was fresher tasting than I had expected. It was lightly seasoned and not too fishy. It had the grittiness of the crab roe and head along with some shrimp I believe. I think I would've liked a bit more flavor. With my leftovers, I added chili crisp to it the next day and it was great. Beef chow fun was amazing. It had the perfect flavor, rice noodles were tender and not all clumped up with some noodles seasoned and other not. It tasted like fresh noodles and had that wonderful wok hei flavor. Definitely a must order. This place is known for the duck but my partner does not enjoy it unfortunately. I will have to try it one day!

Fresh seafood prepared in a multitude of ways

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Meizhou Roast Duck served with steamed crepes

A & J Restaurant

4.1(2.8k reviews)

4.6 mi

It isn't in the style of Taiwanese bento chicken cutlet. Let's get that out of the way…read more But it's a $13 chicken and rice bowl in 2026. A solid meal, well fried and fat rendered, not much batter in this style. Seasoning is there, and they have an excellent chili oil-sauce thing on each table to add for deep flavor and spice. If I had to change something... I'd add bok choy as a side rather than chopped into the rice? Still solid choice. Service is as usual at an Asian restaurant--order, and they'll respect your meal time and leave you alone unless you ask for attention.

Here is what I ordered and how I score the dish with my comments. Sorry I didn't take pictures…read more Each dish has a number. I am not Chinese so take that into consideration. 122 beef soup clear broth - This was a 5/5 - so good we got one too go. The price is good but it is a small portion with just a little meat. It's the broth that tastes so good. 111 noodles with ground pork, sprouts and cucumber 5/5 - I really liked this dish. It's like a Chinese chili on wide noodles. Addictive. Good value too. 139 beef wrap - 3/5 - This is the chinese pancake surrounding overcooked beef that you can get anywhere. Thankfully they didn't use too much cilantro like other places. It was dry. I would not order it again. Needs a sauce too. The vinegar from the table wasn't helping. 137 1000layer pancake - 3/5 This was made fresh and it's puffy! ---probably exactly what it's supposed to be. It, too, needs a special sauce. There just is no flavor by itself. Plus, I only counted 900 layers. Just kidding. I would skip next time. The service here is great. Food comes out fast.

Interior

#151 sliced pork ears w/hot and spicy seasoning, #154 vegetarian delight (gluten puffs, bean curd, and mushrooms)

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Chinese Style Fried Chicken on Rice

Seven Grams

4.5(1.4k reviews)

6.9 mi

Overall (5/5) Really good spot for xiao long bao. Everything…read morewas tasty, the line moved quickly, and the whole place felt casual and clean. First Impressions (5/5) Casual spot that is not super fancy or overly crowded feeling. We were 9th in line and got a table within about 10 to 15 minutes, so they move pretty quickly. What We Got (5/5) * Regular xiao long bao: Really good and flavorful. * Crab xiao long bao: Strong crab flavor and falls apart in your mouth. * Spicy xiao long bao: Good flavor but not very spicy. * Mapo tofu: Not much meat, but the mala flavor is really good, with a nice salty and spicy balance. Came with a good amount of rice. Taste and Quality (5/5) Everything was very tasty. The crab xiao long bao was probably the standout, with a strong crab flavor and soft texture. Service (5/5) Very nice and speedy. The line moved quickly and we were seated pretty fast. Space and Atmosphere (5/5) Very casual with a clean feel and casual music. Good for a quick meal with friends. Was It Worth It (5/5) Definitely worth it. Good food, decent portions, and the quick service makes it an easy choice. Final Thoughts Great spot if you want xiao long bao without waiting forever. I would definitely come back.

Lovely Taiwanese casual spot with incredible prices!! My mom and I stopped by here for lunch and it…read moredid not disappoint. The wait can get a little long but the outdoor waiting area is in shade and there are a couple of benches. We shared the cucumber salad, chili sauce wontons, Seven Grams XLB, and a scallion pancake all for $33. Insanely cheap, tasty too. The scallion pancake was a little thinner than I'd like, not a ton of scallion flavor. But we especially liked the XLB - juicy and full of meat! The cucumber salad was light and refreshing and the chili sauce wontons were tender and tangy. Great lunch spot - would love to try something from the drink menu the next time I'm back! :)

Inside seating

Scallion Pancake 8pcs

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Pan Fried Shrimp&Chicken Dumplings (Whole Wheat) 8pcs

Xishang Roodle

4.4(244 reviews)

4.5 mi

I'm Chinese, but had never had Yunnan food before, so thought of giving it a try…read more I walked in and was immediately sat. It's a QR scan to see the menu and place your order through your phone. The food came out so quick. Less than 2 minutes and everything was in front of me and tasted fresh. The service is extremely fast. I got the classic Roodle and as soon as I put all the ingredients into the broth, they swung by and collected empty dishes immediately. The portion was large and ingredients fresh. I enjoyed the variety and the amount of rice noodle. The broth was salty and refreshing. They have some side sauces to adjust the flavor, but I found myself not needing it. The dish reminded me of a form of hot pot but a soup version. Loved it! I highly recommend and will be returning!

I decided to give this place a try because I heard their noodles were very authentic, and as…read moresomeone who loves noodles, I was excited to try it. I ordered their most popular dish, the A1 set, but honestly, it didn't really live up to the hype for me. The broth tasted pretty underseasoned overall. From what I understood, you're supposed to mix all the toppings into the soup with the noodles, but even after doing that, I still felt like the flavor was lacking. Yes, they provide seasoning on the side, but personally, I wish the broth already had enough flavor on its own without needing to adjust it myself. Would I come back? Probably not. Nothing really stood out to me enough to return, and it felt more like a one-time experience. Overall, everything was just okay.

We came from all over to meet at this Roodle spot in Santa Ana. Fun times.

Beef Stew Noodle

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Devil Chicken | $9.99

Noodle Nest

4.1(464 reviews)

2.6 mi•Westpark

Food was delicious, service was amazing, felt like eating a home cooked meal and the ambience was…read moregreat. Ask for Helen when you get there she'll give you great suggestions if you don't know what to get.

Lan was amazing and the food was great. I recommend the beef ribs with handpulled noodles as well…read moreas the chicken dumplings, so good.

Interior

Beef Roll.

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E6. Dry Fried Cauliflower

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26 reviews that are not currently recommended

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

Dj M.

168

699

3 years ago

My boyfriend and I had the most incredible experience at Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen located in Irvine! This was my first time visiting, although I'd seen countless mouthwatering photos and videos of their delicious dishes through social media. We arrived promptly at 11 am when they opened, and by the time we left around noon, the restaurant was bustling with customers. Upon entering, we were greeted warmly and promptly placed our order at the counter before finding a table to settle in. There is plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. The service was impressively quick, and our food arrived piping hot, which is always a good sign! For drinks, we indulged in their Thai tea, which was perfectly creamy and just the right amount of sweetness. As for appetizers, the cucumber salad was a delightful surprise with its garlicky, crunchy goodness, and the popcorn chicken was generously portioned and incredibly addictive. Moving on to the main course, everything looked and sounded so enticing that we found it difficult to decide. In the end, we definitely ordered more than enough food for two people, but we were thrilled to have the opportunity to sample such a diverse range of dishes. The beef rolls were a standout, bursting with freshness and flavor - a solid 10/10. The Thai fusion hot pot warmed us up on a chilly day with its rich, flavorful broth. My boyfriend couldn't get enough of the tender and flavorful garlic pork rib, while the pork and crab soup dumplings provided a comforting and cozy indulgence. The pork wontons in spicy chili sauce were a delight, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of heat. And let's not forget dessert! The sesame balls were a perfect ending to our meal - warm, crispy on the outside, and delightfully soft on the inside with a decadent red bean paste filling. What truly sets Northern Cafe apart, besides its delectable food, is the generous portions and affordability. We departed with leftovers and were already discussing our plans to return as the food was so good. Special shoutout to Skyler, the manager, whose hospitality and helpfulness made our dining experience even more enjoyable. His recommendations and friendly demeanor truly elevated our visit. Overall, Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen has earned itself a loyal customer in me. I'll definitely be returning for more delicious meals and exceptional service. Highly recommended! read more

Richad G.

138

3 years ago

Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen is a hidden gem for students seeking delicious and reasonably priced Chinese cuisine. I had the pleasure of trying two standout dishes that left me craving for more. First up, the Spicy Beef Pot was a fiery delight. The tender beef slices were generously coated in a mouthwatering spicy sauce that packed a flavorful punch. The pot was filled with a medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. This dish is a must-try for spice lovers! Next, the Tomato Beef Noodle stole the show with its comforting and satisfying flavors. The rich tomato-based broth was infused with savory beef, creating a hearty and delectable combination. The noodles were perfectly cooked, maintaining a delightful chewiness that complemented the robust flavors of the dish. It's a comforting bowl that won't break the bank. What impressed me the most about Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen was their commitment to offering high-quality dishes at student-friendly prices. Both the Spicy Beef Pot and Tomato Beef Noodle were reasonably priced, making it an ideal spot for students looking to indulge in authentic Chinese cuisine without straining their wallets. One additional point worth mentioning is that Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen operates on a self-service basis, allowing for a quick and hassle-free dining experience. Overall, Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen exceeded my expectations with their flavorful offerings and affordable prices. Whether you're a spice enthusiast or craving a comforting bowl of noodles, this place is a must-visit for students and food enthusiasts alike. read more

Kelly W.

212

3 years ago

If you're craving authentic Chinese cuisine in Irvine, look no further than Northern Cafe. From the moment you step in, you're greeted with warm hospitality and an inviting atmosphere. The menu boasts a wide array of dishes, ranging from traditional favorites to modern twists on classic recipes. Whether you're in the mood for dumplings, noodles, or stir-fries, Northern Cafe has you covered. The hand-pulled noodles are a must-try, offering a perfect balance of chewiness and flavor. Additionally, the dumplings are simply exquisite - whether steamed or pan-fried, each bite is a burst of savory goodness. I also highly recommend indulging in their Green Onion Beef Rolls, where tender slices of beef are wrapped around fresh green onions, creating a delightful combination of textures and flavors that will leave your taste buds craving more. The portions are generous, perfect for sharing with friends or family, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food you receive. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable, always willing to offer recommendations or accommodate dietary restrictions. The ambiance is cozy yet vibrant, making it ideal for both casual meals and special occasions. Plus, the location in Irvine is convenient with ample parking available. Overall, Northern Cafe exceeds expectations in every aspect - delicious food, excellent service, and a welcoming atmosphere. I highly recommend it to anyone craving authentic Chinese flavors in the heart of Irvine. You won't be disappointed! read more

Jiayao Y.

140

3 years ago

I recently experienced the culinary delights of "Yifeng Garden," and it was nothing short of a gastronomic journey! The ambiance of this restaurant is a perfect blend of warmth and sophistication. As you enter, you're greeted by soft lighting and charming decor, creating an atmosphere that feels like a home away from home. The spacious and well-lit interior, coupled with thoughtfully arranged tables and chairs, provides a welcoming setting, making you feel right at home. Every table is adorned with exquisite tableware, and the touch of greenery adds a refreshing touch to the dining experience. The attention to detail extends to the artistic decor on the walls, adding an extra layer to the visual feast. It's not just a meal; it's an artful experience. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive, contributing to the overall pleasure of the dining process. In summary, Yifeng Garden not only tantalizes your taste buds with a diverse and mouthwatering menu but also captivates you with its inviting atmosphere and excellent service. It's not just a place to savor exquisite dishes; it's a destination for comfort and relaxation. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow food enthusiasts! read more

Michelle E.

857

101

263

2 years ago

My husband and I had an amazing dining experience at Northern Cafe! We started with drinks, and my husband loved their Thai tea so much he ended up getting two! It's definitely a must-try if you visit. As for the food, we tried a variety of dishes, and each one was exceptional: Shrimp Fried Rice: Deliciously seasoned with perfectly cooked shrimp. Comfort food at its finest, Orange Chicken: My husband's favorite! Crispy, tangy, and just the right amount of sweetness. Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs: Tender and flavorful, a delightful balance of sweet and savory. Bok Choy: Fresh and perfectly sautéed, a great complement to the richer dishes. Juicy Pork Dumplings: My absolute favorite! Bursting with flavor and incredibly juicy. Scallion Pancakes: Crispy and full of savory goodness. Definitely a must if you get any type of soup or noodles Pumpkin Pancakes: A unique and tasty treat, slightly sweet and very satisfying. Overall, every dish we tried was a hit, and the service was top-notch. We can't wait to come back and try more from their menu. Highly recommend Northern Cafe for anyone looking for delicious Chinese cuisine! read more

David M.

See more unrecommended reviews

219

712

3088

2 years ago

Northern Cafe Chinese Kitchen blends the casual, cozy atmosphere of a café with the diverse and flavorful dishes. **Menu Variety**: The menu offers a broad range of Chinese dishes, from well-known classics to regional specialties. Northern variations might include: **Dim Sum**: A selection of small, bite-sized portions like dumplings, buns, and rolls, perfect for sharing. **Stir-Fries**: Dishes featuring a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables, often cooked with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other aromatic seasonings. **Noodle and Rice Dishes**: From fried rice to lo mein and chow mein, these staples are often customized with locally available ingredients. *Hot Pot**: A communal dish where diners cook their own meat, seafood, and vegetables in a simmering pot of broth at the table. The service is personable and attentive. Staff really cares about your dinning experience. Overall, the restaurant offers a unique dining experience that combines the comfort and familiarity of a casual dinning with the rich, diverse flavors of Chinese cuisine. read more

Tiffany L.

2 years ago

This location has been open for two years, but it felt like they were still in a soft opening phase. The service was severely lacking. The restaurant only had one high chair and one booster seat, which is frustrating for families. The female server working the lunch shift on September 2, 2024, was particularly disappointing. She served our table and also helped at the cashier, and in both encounters, her customer service was terrible. She had a bad attitude and was quite rude. Before leaving, I asked for sauce to go with my popcorn chicken, and she barked back, "What sauce?! We don't have sauce for our popcorn chicken." In contrast, the male cashier with glasses was friendly and helpful. He offered different sauce options and provided good service. Overall, the food is pretty good, but the poor service overshadowed the entire experience. It's disappointing that after two years, they're still struggling with basic customer service and amenities. read more

Alan M.

2 years ago

This gem is right across the street from U.C. Irvine in that plaza with In-N-Out and Chick-fil-A. **How to order:** Find a table, check the menu and when ready go straight at cash register with your dish no. Then they will hand you a number to bring back with your table. **Service:** The food comes on a cart and you get it promptly. Everything doesnt come out at once, but all of it is served real quick as you like. **Food Quality:** 10 delicious, satisfying points! Those dumplings are just unbelievable-perfect eaten as is or with a bowl of rice on the side. Dan Dan Noodles: Hello, peanut butter base.deepEqualwest/TCT Mine are a bit fuller with punch and fragrance, but these will do the trick. **Chicken:** Crunchy and tasty. For someone who enjoys the CRISP crunch, this one is most definitely a great order. Overall: Really great addition to available dining options. Just delicious flavours & so much you need to test it out for yourself! read more

Aria M.

394

1 year ago

Northern Cafe at UCI is an absolute gem for authentic, flavor-packed Chinese comfort food. It's my go-to spot whenever I'm craving something bold, savory, and satisfying. The chili wontons are an absolute must--delicate, tender wrappers filled with juicy meat, swimming in a spicy-savory sauce that hits all the right notes without overwhelming your palate. The cumin lamb is bursting with flavor--aromatic, tender, and perfectly spiced. It's one of those dishes that keeps you coming back, bite after bite. And let's not forget the beef scallion roll--crispy on the outside, packed with juicy beef and just the right amount of green onion for a satisfying crunch and balance. Portions are generous, prices are fair, and service is always quick, even during busy hours. It's casual, fast, and consistently delicious--everything you want in a campus eatery. read more

Lucia Y.

677

2 years ago

The Northern Cafe I came to today is right next to UCI. We can have stir-fried dishes, pasta and hot pot, so six of us ordered a large table of dishes. The four big snacks are in the first 100s, and they are also packed. The portions are really sufficient and cost-effective. Although it is a fast food restaurant, the quality is authentic, the food is served super fast, and you can eat it for $20 per person. The service was also very good. At first, we couldn't find a table for six people. The clerk quickly helped us coordinate the table, packing self-service and lemonade self-service, which was very convenient. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seats. When we come out, the indoor seats already need to wait for seats. The parking lot is very large. read more

Chloe C.

130

135

3 years ago

Discover a culinary treasure near UCI, where the extensive menu of hot pot, noodles, stir-fry, and more meets unbeatable value. This cozy spot shines with its generous portions at wallet-friendly prices, perfect for students and anyone craving authentic Chinese flavors without breaking the bank. The hot pot is a communal delight, the noodles boast perfect texture, and the stir-fries are packed with wok-fired goodness. Despite its popularity, service remains quick and friendly, making every visit a pleasure. For a satisfying meal that promises leftovers, this restaurant is a top choice. read more

Mimi D.

190

3 years ago

Today, my family came to this Chinese restaurant to spend the weekend, and man, it was delicious, just like the real deal Chinese food we used to have back in China. The Cold Skin Noodles, the Golden Soup Beef Hot Pot, and the Spicy Chicken were spot on! Every dish was so generous, like, one plate of chow mein and you're stuffed. And the prices? Super reasonable! We couldn't even finish everything and had to take some to go! Also, the dining environment in the restaurant is pretty nice. If I come back for dinner next time, I plan to try the outdoor seating. Seems awesome! read more

Annie D.

1001

3 years ago

My friend and I recently had the pleasure of dining at this establishment, and we were thoroughly impressed with every dish we tried! Among our favorites were the spicy dumplings, flavorful shrimp fried rice, mouthwatering popcorn chicken, delectable scallion beef rolls, and the satisfying hot pot. The service we received was exceptional, and we were impressed by the cleanliness of the restaurant. Needless to say, we are already looking forward to our next visit! read more

Eugene H.

3 years ago

I returned to this place once more, driving 50 minutes from West Covina for dinner. The food here is truly exceptional, especially considering the price. We genuinely appreciate the culinary experience and wish there was a branch closer to our area. Everything, from the delicious dishes to the impeccable service, exceeded our expectations. We're eagerly anticipating our next visit. read more

R. H.

321

3 years ago

This was our first time visiting at dinner time, my wife and two children. We seated ourselves indoors but I think it will be great to have lunch outdoors. The dished offered pretty quick, and the Golden Soup BeefPot, Dumplings, Crispy Durian Cake, Beef Roll are excellent. The delicious food is incredible for its price, highly recommended! read more

Alma B.

2 years ago

Northern Cafe offers decent Chinese food, but nothing too special. The dishes are generous in portion, which is a plus, but the flavors felt a bit flat. Service was friendly, but the wait times were longer than expected. Overall, it's a nice spot if you're craving Chinese takeout, just don't set your hopes too high. read more

Kevin H.

107

4 years ago

Just eat here. You will not regret it. I'm from the SF busy area where they have best Chinese food in CA. I moved here 3 years ago and stumbled on this gem by accident. If you want real good quality Chinese food, eat here. Otherwise, don't even bother eating Chinese. read more

Isaac S.

2 years ago

A++ will be returning in the future with more KYT Dental Services staff members to enjoy the fantastic food, outstanding service, and inviting ambiance. Our entire team thoroughly enjoyed the experience and looks forward to coming back to Northern Cafe! read more

J T.

4 years ago

Did not let me know when my food was ready, so I was waiting over an hour for pick up! Also, my chicken noodle dish only came with a few pieces of chicken, so while the rest of the dish was great, it was severely lacking in this respect. read more

Shelly L.

530

3 years ago

Flavors and everything was spot on! I will be back soon! Get their cumin lamb since I still think about it! Also their noodles are really good too! Close to UCI Instagram: Missmichelleluu read more

Northern Cafe - chinese - Updated October 2026

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Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles

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If you've never had Yunnan style crossing the bridge rice noodles before, it's such a fun…read moreexperience because the ingredients are served separately before being added to the piping hot broth. Everything came out fresh, the portions were generous, and it was the perfect meal. I think you can share it with others but I ordered one for myself. The Original Crossing the Bridge Rice Noodles was easily one of my favorites. The broth was rich but light enough to not feel too heavy. I loved adding all of the ingredients into the steaming bowl myself. The Tomato Sliced Beef Brisket Rice Noodles had a completely different flavor profile with a slightly sweet and tangy tomato broth that paired really well with the tender sliced beef. Both soups had chewy rice noodles that soaked up all of the flavor beautifully. We also tried the Signature Mildly Spicy Chicken Fried Rice Noodles and the Signature Mildly Spicy Beef Fried Rice Noodles. Both had great wok hei and plenty of flavor without being overwhelmingly spicy. The beef version and chicken version were both good! To start the meal, we ordered the Rice Cake with Brown Sugar, and it was delicious. Crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside with just the right amount of brown sugar sweetness. Highly recommend!

I've come here multiple times and I'm always greeted by the nicest uncle at the front. This spot…read morehelps satsify my cravings for yunnan noodles and when I want something quick and easy. You can customize your own bowl DIY-style, choosing your broth, meats, and toppings separately. My favorite is the Sichuan broth, but you can also order the ready-to-go noodle pots or try their spicy stir-fried noodles, which yelp doesn't have the menu for. Quite a small shop with little employees so be patient, especially if you don't speak chinese as they're chinese owned. This spot opens till 1:00AM so I can see why a lot of the international students at UCI come here.

Super Yummy

4.4

(52 reviews)

The fried chicken here was seriously so good--crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full…read moreof flavor. The owner and staff were also incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure we had everything we needed throughout the meal. They were very generous with the portions too, which was a nice bonus. Overall, we had a great experience and will definitely be coming back to try more items on the menu. Highly recommend!

I came specifically to try the luosifen (snail rice noodle soup), and I'm really glad I did…read more The cook actually came out before making it because he was worried I might not know what I was getting into. someone else had ordered it, disliked the sour/funky flavor, and left a bad review. I'd checked with ChatGPT beforehand so I knew it was gonna have some funk. And yeah, the first smell is intense. Not like durian but maybe sort of like a stinky cheese. The pickled bamboo shoots are pretty intense. But I like stinky cheese pickles etc so I know how to give something a try. That broth man. It's so umami perfection. I loved the cabbage, it really carried the broth. I could eat a whole bowl of just cabbage and broth haha. If you order the luosifen, don't expect a conventional noodle soup. Expect something authentic in a way it reminds someone other than you of the taste of home. Really a good stop, and I appreciated how much the chef cared about making sure I understood what I was ordering. I'll absolutely come back.

Spicy Master

4.3

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There are plenty of parking spaces, but it can get really packed depending on when you go. They…read morehave lower-level parking spaces, too if the top-level is full. You scan the QR code from the table to order, and the portions are huge, so that's why some of the prices are on the expensive side. Everything is family style, and you have to pay extra for rice. They are known for their spicy dishes, but some dishes are mild or not spicy upon request. We ordered their Black Pepper Beef Short Ribs and Jianghu Dry Pot Organic Cauliflower. Both were delicious and flavorful. My favorite was the Black Pepper Beef Short Ribs because the sauce was packed with so much flavor, it made the short ribs really delicious. Recommendation(s): - Black Pepper Beef Short Ribs - Jianghu Dry Pot Organic Cauliflower Service: 5/5 Tip(s): - Plenty of parking spaces, depending on when you go - Restrooms available - They do have lower-level parking spaces underground - Accept Apple Pay - Scan QR code to order - Portions are big

We enjoy Spicy Master's flavorful dishes which all have great Szechuan dishes. There are some…read morepretty exotic dishes, but we stick to mapo tofu, beef noodle soup, eggplant and their ginger-flavored fish, which are all delicious. The only thing is that their beef noodle soup seems manufactured and has a spaghetti-like texture and shape. The parking lot is bad because it's crowded most of the time and it's hard to find a spot. Also, sometimes the service at the restaurant is slow and the food can take awhile. Still, the food is good which is why we go back.

A & J Restaurant

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Chic Now Hainan Chicken Rice

4.3

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This is ghost kitchen location and I'm usually skeptical with ghost kitchen restaurant, but I tried…read morethe one in Stanton and it's been my favorite one of my favorites actually for hainan chicken rice and I feel like the rice is solid. It It could have been better tho because it's a little bit dry but most importantly is a very flavorful rice which what chicken rice is supposed to be. The food came up pretty quick and like Argo's kitchens they have their own pick up ways or methods and it's pretty easy to do as well plenty of parking in the plaza. Staff is very nice to give me extra sauces. The pickup place is designed to pick up other ghost kitchens restaurants in the same building so they have some instructions on that.

Unfortunately, I've had much much better hainan chicken. The rice is bland and the scallion ginger…read moresauce is extremely salty with no other flavor. I'm talking "I'm basically dipping my chicken in salt" salty. Their red sauce is like a sweet hot sauce and the brown one I believe is soy sauce. On the bright side, the chicken was very tender and yummy! And they are generous with the soup which was also delicious. For the place itself, it is a ghost kitchen shared with several other food businesses so you can also order things like sushi or Thai food! There's some seats and tables outside. Parking is limited, but it wasn't busy when I went on a Thursday evening.

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3.9

(899 reviews)

Food is Chinese and we ordered the garlic chicken wings, spicy sausage fried rice, bao buns,…read moredumpling noodle soup. All were yummy and the value wasn't that bad for what you get. Flavors were good and tasty. The service was good being that there are only 2 waitstaff. On top of things! The place was nice and clean and we do go back here once in a while when cravings kick in. Verdict- yes!

Always awesome …read more.. Massive lot that usually has lots of room, big place with lots of seating. I tend to go at lunch time early so always lots of options. At times the local hotels will have conference and then things can fill up fast. Service is great, they watch the tables and think ahead for what you need. Im addicted to a specific soup here but keep looking at all the amazing options, I still walk in and order what I ordered last time. Clean place, great staff, awesome food. This is a weekly lunch go to for sure many times Ill hit them 2 or more because they are that good.

Little Pan

4.4

(1.5k reviews)

we ordered pan fried buns, wonton soup and kasu bento. The…read morepan fried buns piping hot so be careful. It was good dipped in the wonton soup. I love wonton! Katsu had that crunch as katsu should. It is the little things that add to this small shop. As we were ordering, a contracted fridge maintenance person was there working on the shops equipment. As he was finishing up, a table was set for him with the same pan fried buns that we ordered, soup, and a drink - for him. You could hear his response "for me?". His job usually goes invisible in the background. They took the time to say thank you in the best way possible. A small shop mindful of those they serve, and those that serve them. I commend you on your generosity and thoughtfulness. This is the kind of shop i like going to. THANK YOU!

House special pan fried buns: Everything was great except the meat. I loved the texture of the bao…read moreand the crispy bottom. However, the texture of the meat was incredibly disappointing. The inside of the bao was juicy and flavor was great, but the meat, which is central to the dish, was tough and dry and flavorless. Mini fried bun with cup drink: The fried buns were okay. It's the same issue where the meat is just tough and grainy. The drink, though, I did not enjoy at all. I ordered the jasmine soy milk and there were just free flowing jasmine tea leaves inside the drink. It was like getting a mouthful of tea leaves each time I wanted a sip. This would have been much more enjoyable if they had filtered out the leaves before serving the drink.

Yuchun

4.0

(94 reviews)

First time trying Yuchun and I really enjoyed it! Everything came out fresh and flavorful…read more I ordered the beef bulgogi, and it came out sizzling hot with a really good savory flavor. The beef was tender and had a nice amount of onions and vegetables. I also loved all the little banchan that came with the meal. Overall, the food was delicious and the portions were good. Definitely a nice spot when you're craving Korean food in Irvine. I'd come back to try more of their menu!

Yuchun is my favorite Korean cold noodle spot. Originally would go to Korea town in LA to get this…read more So happy it's nearby home in OC! $20 for cold noodles sounds steep but I'll pay it any day. I would never make this at home because I'm the only one who enjoys this in my family of boys. Must add some vinegar and mustard to give a tang. Portion size is huge. Don't forget to ask for complimentary hot broth. It's the best thing ever. In the H mart Alton food court. Love the ease & other options for other people. There is always parking & a seat in here. Service is as good as can be!

Sen Thai Noodle Bar

4.4

(96 reviews)