Dishes are so authentic and delicious! Reminds me of my memories of china staffs there are enthusiastic, and service is pretty good! read more

QJ Kitchen - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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QJ Kitchen has the best mapo tofu that I've had so far in OC! You know this Sichuan restaurant is legit because they have frogs and rabbit on the menu. Since my tastes aren't quite as adventurous, we ordered the Sichuan sweet and spicy chicken and the mapo tofu. I wasn't sure what to expect from the chicken dish, but it reminded me of a chicken in garlic sauce. The portion was very generous. full of meat, and not very spicy at all. Likewise, the mapo tofu wasn't that spicy but it had a lot of Sichuan peppercorns, which provided that mouth-numbing feel. The serving was large enough that we had leftovers (and the chicken dish, too). Maybe because my husband is not Chinese, they toned down the spice level - which is funny because I'm the one that can't handle spicy. The restaurant is nice and modern. They have QR codes for the menu, but they also have physical copies as well. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the menu was much larger than the menu pics I had seen uploaded on Yelp (I added a bunch of new ones). Service was fine (though they were arguing over whose fault it was that a customer was ignored, which gave it that authentic feel). Plenty of parking in the lot. read more

QJ Kitchen - Sichuan sweet and spicy chicken - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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I love that this place surprised me, the seabass is really good it tastes fresh, the soysauce and the ginger really added to it's great flavor. The crispy pork/porkchop is good too but eat it immediately as it becomes chewy since it's deep fried. The egg fried rice is decent, your average fried rice. The tom yum is my least favorite, this one lacks flavor and for me it needs more tom yum flavor. The service is exceptional for me, as soon as we were seated we were given cold water. The staff is nice, it was just him that time but he is still very attentive which I really appreciate. The place is aestethic and I like that you can order via QR code. Overall, I like this place and I love their service. read more

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We visited QJ kitchen for Sichuan cuisine and it was good. We made reservation ahead of time but I think you can probably walk in without a reservation. The staff there were really friendly. They prepare dishes in a somewhat unusual way where they would cook dishes for an entire table before moving to the next table. At least based on what they told us it worked like that. As a result of that we had to wait for about 20 minutes before getting our first dish but once we had it, rest of the followed immediately after. The food was delicious, especially the beef dish we ordered that came with additional broth. Overall I would recommend this place. read more

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My husband and I frequent restaurants in the Lake Forest/Irvine area because he works in this area and we are happy to say that we have found an Asian restaurant where we really enjoy pretty much most of all the dishes we have tried! IYK us you will know that we will love Chinese food and we favor the Cantonese style; however QJ has made us a fan of their Schezwan dishes as well. We love to add bean sprouts to our fried rice and Omg the crispy fried pork with the seasoning that they provide for you to sprinkle over the pork is to die for! I enjoy the seasoning for the pork so much that I sprinkle it over the stir fried cabbage as well! The lo mein noodles are great too! What I love about their food is that it is well seasoned but not greasy, under or over seasoned. Now the only dish that I'm missing and wish that they would put their take on is a traditional bbq sparerib or pork. The bbq pork that they provide is more of an appetizer and we are going to have to double our order in the future to not feel like we are missing out on something. The pork skewers are good however they do not replace the traditional bbq sparerib that we love so much! You can tell that QJ's takeout is just as appreciated as in house dining; because there are always a lot of customers coming in to pick up their orders. Another thing that I like dining in is that you get to see many other dishes that appear to so delectable you want to try them on your next visit; especially items that we would never order on our own. On our last visit I tried the Strawberry Passionfruit Ice Tea and I'm sold; it was so good! The restaurant is very clean and pretty modern opposed to some Asian restaurants that just seem to be old and cluttered. Parking is right outside in the center and sometimes can be challenging; especially during their prime time dining; however there is additional parking in the back. Last but not least; everyone working there is very courteous and provides exceptional customer service; especially J! read more

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We came here for authentic Sichuan and it didn't not disappoint. We got the Spicy Country-Style Grilled Fish and it was very good. They use sea bass which is my favorite fish. We will definitely come back here read more

QJ Kitchen - Spicy Country-Style Grilled Fish - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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One of the few restaurants that opens late in the area. It has plenty of parking and seating area. They get fresh seafood flown in overnight and they get ordered quickly so make sure you go early in the day. The taste is very authentic for Chinese skewers and the spice just hits the spot. They do use peppercorn and Szechuan peppers in their cooking, so beware if you can't handle the heat. Portions are large and the remaining food can be packed for another meal. The place gets busy with the takeout orders too, so the only downside is that staff won't have the time to go through menu recommendations, however, you almost can't go wrong with anything that you order from the menu because they all taste amazing read more

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Just grabbed some takeout from QJ Kitchen and wanted to share me experience. First off, the service was super efficient. I called in a to go order for the Kung Pao Chicken, and it was hot and ready literally the moment I walked through the door. Can't beat that for speed. The restaurant its nicely decorated with a fair amount of seating, looked like a comfortable spot to dinenin next time. Now for the food, the Kung Pao chicken looked fantastic and the flavor profile was excellent. It was seasoned juat right (not spicy at all) and very tasty. My only slight disappointment was that it was made with dark meat chicken instead of white meat, which i personally prefer. Overall, great flavor and incredibly fast service makes this a good choice for Chinese takeout. read more

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If you like spicy Chinese food then QJ Kitchen should be on your short list of places to eat. The dining area is basic one open space with tables and chairs. We picked a table by the window and I can see people walking by. We ordered 2 well-known Sichuan spicy dishes and a stirred fried vegetable for my friend who can't tolerate heats as much. We also had a pot of hot tea and 3 bowls of rice that's not included automatically. Mapo tofu was on the spot. I was surprised to find bean sprouts in the boiled beef but it tasted great. It wasn't busy when we arrived but it was pretty full when we left. There are a few of dishes I want to try so I'll be back soon. read more

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I never would have noticed this Chinese restaurant if a Yelp search had not made me aware of it. We ordered: - Dry-fried Green Beans, $13 -- tasty preparation, tender green beans; - Braised Whole Fish with Scallion, $22 (featured special. Regularly $30) -- hubby commented on the small portion size given its price (comparing it to other whole fish we've ordered). While we consumed the entire fish (which was moist and tender), we found that it lacked the savory flavors we were anticipating. In addition, we were expecting its sauce to be more of a light, thin broth vs. the thickened sauce in which it was served. The interior is very bright and clean, with comfortable padded chairs; I've confirmed that there is 1 large round table for a larger party behind the room divider; in addition, there are a few outside tables, too. As others have noted, the service was, indeed, impressively pleasant, welcoming, and helpful (5-stars) -- especially given this cuisine. read more

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One of 2 places around the area for spicy pepper chicken. They have diff types of soups that is served with a portable stove. Fun for big group and family style. You order from the phone and the staff is attentive and friendly. read more

QJ Kitchen - Spicy pepper chicken - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Easy take-out experience. The food was ready in 15 minutes so I was able to get in and out pretty quickly. Great, large portions with great value. I loved all three dishes - mapo tofu ($16.99), braised eggplant and green beans ($14.99), and wonton in spicy & sour chili oil broth ($12.99; I picked the one without mala spice). Everything was devoured by two ppl in one and a half meals. The mapo tofu did have mala spice in it, but it wasn't overdone, which I loved. The tofu chunks are big - also a plus. Can't wait to try new dishes here next time! QJ Kitchen is going on my personal top places to get spicy Chinese sichuan style food in socal. read more

Very large portions and delicious sichuan cuisine. We ordered the fatty beef in golden soup ( very spicy and numbing , lovely!) fish flavored pork ( too salty ), cold noodles (good), dumplings in red oil ( decent) and best of all, the dessert rice balls in fermented rice soup. We will be back, but have to remember to ask them to go soft on the salt.the service was friendly and prompt. read more

Solid food! Creative dishes. Great flavors. Nice staff. Enjoyed our lunch. Will come back read more

QJ Kitchen - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

This is my second time at Qiujin, and this time I came with friends for a group dinner! Since we all had kids with us, we ordered both spicy and non-spicy dishes, and everything tasted great . It's a very family- and group-friendly spot because the menu can really satisfy everyone's needs. Just a heads-up: there's only one big round table, so during busy hours you might want to make a reservation. Right now, the Spicy Crab and Braised Fish with Scallions are on special, and they're totally worth it! The crab lived up to the hype--so flavorful--and the kids especially loved the fish, which disappeared first. The bullfrog was tender and fresh (they said it's killed the same day), and both the cold noodles and liangfen were delicious, with that authentic Chengdu flavor. One thing I noticed this time is that the portions are huge! I don't remember them being this big on my first visit. If the portions stay this generous, I'll definitely be coming back more often. read more

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As of 5/19/2026, Google Maps shows Thanh Binh, a Biryani restaurant, and QJ Kitchen depending on how close you view the building in the street view. I am not from the area and wanted to go to this restaurant on Thursday. I wanted to see where it was and confirm it exists since Google Maps got it wrong. There is a heavy language barrier if you do not speak Chinese (which I do not). The host / waiter was barely able to confirm the address which was a match to this page. I plan on attending and will update my rating if I go or delete it if my guest does not like Sichuan food and I don't get to go. She might also had trouble hearing me. read more

My fav dish is fish filet with pickled veggie! The ambience is great and nearby highway 5. read more

QJ Kitchen - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I've tried mapo tofu all over OC and this one is my favorite. They know what they're doing. Service is really good too and everyone's really nice. Highly recommend for the tofu. Could be enough for 2 lol read more

QJ Kitchen - Mapo Tofu with Ground Pork - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

What a find! Truly a local gem hidden amongst the hotels and office buildings. We were looking for a place that was open on Christmas Day and was truly happy to have found this place. While the inside is unremarkable, the food surely wasn't! We started with spicy wontons, perfectly steamed and bathing in a spicy Szechuan sauce. Next was mapo tofu, silken and served bubbling hot! Along side weee the sautéed string beans, tender and crunchy with garlic. I'd eat more vegetables if they were all made like this! Decor is minimal and service is ok. Plenty of parking and clean bathrooms. read more

If you're looking for amazing authentic Chinese food, this is definitely a place to check out. I've been there twice now with the family and both times we were very impressed with both the food and price. I'd say the quality and favors are right on par with Meizhou Dongpo and much more affordable. A place you can go to regularly and not break the bank. The staff is polite and attentive. It's very clean inside and the food comes out quick. Both times I've been there it was busy so be prepared for a short wait if you go around dinner time. read more

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With the growing number of Chinese restaurants popping up all over OC.... it's getting harder and harder for any one place to stand out. But QJ Kitchen, despite only being open a few months, has already made a name for itself through word of mouth, and for good reason. This place delivers super authentic Szechuan cuisine with flavors that hit all the right notes: bold, spicy, and satisfying. The portions are generous, perfect for sharing. My personal favorites are the La Zi Ji (辣子鸡) stir-fried spicy chicken buried under a mountain of dried chilies. It's crispy, fiery, and absolutely addictive. The stir-fried string beans are another must-try, perfectly blistered and packed with umami and beat the ones at DTF. read more

QJ Kitchen - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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很好! Went to check this place out and actually surprised me! Food was delicious and authentic, great dining area, and fast service. read more

QJ Kitchen - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

First time in this restaurant. Coming from NorCal ordered 99 dollar set menu for 3 people. Plenty of choices and my husband said it's as authentic as when he travelled to Chengdu. Definitely will Be bringing my family and friends over more in the future. Want to try the bullfrog hot pot next time. read more

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Awesome service - they gave us complimentary drinks and rice! Loved the mapo tofu and tender beef- the mala was the perfect amount of numbing and tasted delicious. They had a spacious and clean seating area that made me feel right at home! read more

QJ Kitchen - szechuan beef - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Highly Recommended for Authentic, Flavorful Chinese Cuisine I had a great dining experience at QJ Kitchen. The food was incredibly flavorful and well-prepared, with rich spices and authentic taste. Every dish was fresh and satisfying, especially the spicy selections, which were bold without being overwhelming. The variety of dishes made the meal enjoyable and perfect for sharing, and the overall quality easily justified the price. Service was efficient, and the atmosphere was comfortable for dine-in. If you enjoy authentic Chinese food with strong, well-balanced flavors, this place is definitely worth a visit. I would gladly come back and recommend it to friends. read more

QJ Kitchen - 99.99套餐 - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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New Chinese restaurant in Irvine/Lake Forest. Definitely authentic Szechuan cuisine, nice and clean environment, with super friendly servers. Highly recommend the Stir - Fried Spicy Chicken! The best one I had ever have all over the US All dishes are good price with big portions. We ordered five dishes and they were all amazing. I will be definitely hangout with my friends there for their food! read more

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This is a great place to get Sichuan Food. The cashier was also really friendly Menu is fairly small compared to traditional chinese places, they have about 20ish items vs other places have like 100+, but what they do have it's solid. Overall it's a bit on the pricer side, but i feel it's justified as the portions are good for 2 people with some leftovers. Ordered: Double cooked pork - 4/5 solid choice, plenty of pork belly with good spice, not too over powering unless you eat the chili straight Fried spicy chicken 4/5- don't let all the chilis fool you, as it's not terribly spicy, had a decent amount of fried chicken pieces, but not super large. Think popcorn chicken size, but a bit smaller mapo tofu - 3/5 comforting, but mid nothing to write home about, also not a ton of ground pork in it. wonton in chili sauce 4/5 - almost at the level on dintaifungs wonton in chili black pepper beef fried rice 5/5 - super tender beef and had great pepper flavor. They also do not skimp on the beef. read more

QJ Kitchen - Black Pepper Beef Fried Rice QJ Mapo Tofu 10 Piece Pork Wonton in Chili Sauce QJ Double Cooked Pork Belly Stir - Fried Spicy Chicken - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

One of the best Chinese restaurants I've tried in the area! Every dish was flavorful, well-seasoned, and served piping hot. Portions are generous, and the menu has a great variety without feeling overwhelming. The staff were friendly and efficient -- our food came out quickly, and they were attentive without being pushy. You can tell they really care about customer experience. Overall, amazing food, great service, and a clean, welcoming atmosphere. I'll definitely be back and will be recommending this place to friends and family! read more

QJ Kitchen - Pickled Cabbage Fish - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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I really enjoyed the delicious Sichuan cuisine here. All the dishes were very flavorful. My favorites were the spicy wontons and the bullfrog. As someone who has been to Sichuan several times, I feel the food is definitely authentic. I ordered a mild level of spiciness, and it came out just right--not too overwhelming, but still very flavorful and natural tasting. The portions were very generous, and the service was attentive. read more

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service is prefect. The food is authentic and very good taste. I like the frog and crab a lot! read more

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A great spot for some late night noodles. The owners welcomed us warmly and introduced us to the menu. The bbq pork skewers are fire read more

QJ Kitchen - Braised Beef Noodle Soup - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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The food at QJ Kitchen was absolutely fantastic! I really really liked the spicy chicken, fresh from the farm, with the spicy fish, which has really food soup bases and/or sauces in the meat dishes to spice up your plain rice. 10/10 would recommend. read more

This Sichuan restaurant uses very fresh ingredients and delivers truly authentic flavors. I highly recommend the bullfrog, cold rabbit, and twice-cooked pork -- all of them were outstanding. This is honestly the best and most authentic Sichuan food I've had in the U.S. The spice level is perfectly balanced -- flavorful and aromatic without being overwhelming. You can really taste the quality, and everything feels clean and natural (no artificial aftertaste or excessive additives). I didn't even feel thirsty after the meal! Definitely coming back to try more dishes next time! read more

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Hmm. What to say. Their website says they open at 11:30, coworkers and I arrived around 11:45 and all the lights were off. Including their "open" sign. We checked to see if they were open, and the door was open - after confirming they were in fact open, we decided to give them a try. The food was okay, but there were many, many red flags: - The lights remained off until about half an hour after we were seated. Keep in mind there were 2 other parties sitting inside too. - There was no heater turned on, everyone was freezing at our table - We asked them to refill our tea 3 times before we finally gave up - Their twice cooked pork had a taste that made it feel like it wasn't fresh - They served us day old rice. There were noticeable rice "blocks" if you will, that signaled it wasn't fresh rice - They rung us up incorrectly. We ordered their lunch special with an extra order of Stir Fry Spicy Chicken. They rang us up for lunch special + many, many orders of their stir fried potato strips. - When we complained about the day old rice, the server was very adamant about the restaurant serving only fresh rice daily Our favorite dish was their Mapo Tofu. It was def more on the spicy, numbing side and not too salty. But, judging by the service we got ... I don't think that 1 dish is enough for me to want to go back. read more

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Had a great meal here! The spicy pork intestines were really flavorful and delicious, and I highly recommend the shredded chicken as well. Everything tasted fresh and authentic. Would definitely come back again! read more

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Food**// I rarely give 2 stars but tbh their fried rice was subpar... I heard them discussed in the kitchen and the cook was just like "oh the rice is just what it is" this to me is a big no to serve some soft mushy stuff to customer. Service**// service was ok, I was expecting lunch special and the lady was offering it. Then later on she came over and say it can only be done if order in bulk like 10 Ambiance***// reg Chinese restaurant you will find. Feels new but you will see some details like restroom kind of lack frequent check ups read more

QJ Kitchen - Szechuan Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Also got the spicy Sichuan fried chicken but forgot to take a picture they removed the peanuts for this dish when we got it, although I heard sometimes they do still add peanuts? Not sure, but they may be inconsistent with it. Anyways, everything was really good! A bit on the salty side, but that's what rice is for Service was attentive and helpful, and the atmosphere was really nice and clean too. read more

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3.0 Stars Authentic but just okay. Portions were good. Price was fair. Food simply did not taste that good. Parking is ample, but still can be challenging, as the lot is shared with a Harbor Freight Tools, a Bank of America, and several other stores. Xiao Lung Bao was so-so. It was warm versus hot and tasted a little underdone. Chicken Lo Mein was okay but nothing special at all. Service was neither good nor bad. The one thing I would compliment them on is that the buildout of this restaurant makes this restaurant a lot cleaner and more attractive than its rther dilapidated predecessor. No recommendation one way or another. read more

Reallly flavorful food. Variety of choices. Clean and open restaurant. The gizzards had really great flavors and they were cooked perfectly. Just the right about of heat. The curry noodles were also very tasty. We will be back to try more. read more

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Second visit to this restaurant. Very satisfied with lunch. We ordered only 2 dishes this time, dan dan noodles and Kung pou chicken. The chicken platter was more than adequate. The noodles serving was not as large, although it was adequate for us. In all the service was good, not intrusive, and we took home some leftovers . The spiciness was not overwhelming and we were happy with our visit. read more