Guidebook for Irvine
Food Scene
Best ramen in town! It's also very close to us within 10 mins drive. If you're a ramen lover, you have to give it a try!
14 localnici recomandă
Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai - Costa Mesa
891 Baker StBest ramen in town! It's also very close to us within 10 mins drive. If you're a ramen lover, you have to give it a try!
Boiling Point is a Taiwanese chained restaurant. It's famous for its personal hotpot. If you like soupy and spicy, this is the way to go! Also, they have great selections of drinks if you're into boba drinks, too. There's usually a line during peak hours for lunch and dinner. However, with 2 spaces close to each other, they finally digest the crowd faster than before now
34 localnici recomandă
Boiling Point
14140 Culver DrBoiling Point is a Taiwanese chained restaurant. It's famous for its personal hotpot. If you like soupy and spicy, this is the way to go! Also, they have great selections of drinks if you're into boba drinks, too. There's usually a line during peak hours for lunch and dinner. However, with 2 spaces close to each other, they finally digest the crowd faster than before now
Din Tai Fung is a Taiwanese restaurant that's famous for its dumplings. NY Times once rated it as 10 restaurants you have to try at least once in your life! Their flavor isn't too far off from the original store in Taiwan --- which both my husband and I love going there all the time! I'd highly recommend their classic dumplings(Xiao-long-bao), the fried pork chop, and the fried rice.
On weekdays, it's usually a short wait if you avoid the rush hours. Otherwise, it could be quite a long line on the weekends no matter what.
85 localnici recomandă
Din Tai Fung
3333 PlazaDin Tai Fung is a Taiwanese restaurant that's famous for its dumplings. NY Times once rated it as 10 restaurants you have to try at least once in your life! Their flavor isn't too far off from the original store in Taiwan --- which both my husband and I love going there all the time! I'd highly recommend their classic dumplings(Xiao-long-bao), the fried pork chop, and the fried rice.
On weekdays, it's usually a short wait if you avoid the rush hours. Otherwise, it could be quite a long line on the weekends no matter what.
This is a Taiwanese restaurant that's famous for its noodle dishes. When you're here, the (spicy) beef noodle is a must try. Also, don't forget the meat-juice-squirting pan fried beef bun --- very delicious and tasty! This is cash only place. Don't forget to get some cash before you go!
A&J Restaurant
14805 Jeffrey RdThis is a Taiwanese restaurant that's famous for its noodle dishes. When you're here, the (spicy) beef noodle is a must try. Also, don't forget the meat-juice-squirting pan fried beef bun --- very delicious and tasty! This is cash only place. Don't forget to get some cash before you go!
When it's hot in summer, the shaved ice from Class 302 is such a treat to yourself! Also, if you're addicted to boba drinks, Class 302 has a good variety of drinks in Taiwanese style, too! This place is cash only. Don't forget to get some cash before you go!
19 localnici recomandă
Class 302
18090 Culver DrWhen it's hot in summer, the shaved ice from Class 302 is such a treat to yourself! Also, if you're addicted to boba drinks, Class 302 has a good variety of drinks in Taiwanese style, too! This place is cash only. Don't forget to get some cash before you go!
This is a Taiwanese restaurant that's famous for its bando-like dishes. When you're hungry for a decent quick meal, this is the place to go! Even though this place has "Ramen" in its name, don't get tricked by it! Personally, I think their specialty is their lunch specials. Anything fried here is just A.W.E.S.O.M.E! Cash/Credit card are both accepted.
17 Cafe Ramen
4250 Barranca PkwyThis is a Taiwanese restaurant that's famous for its bando-like dishes. When you're hungry for a decent quick meal, this is the place to go! Even though this place has "Ramen" in its name, don't get tricked by it! Personally, I think their specialty is their lunch specials. Anything fried here is just A.W.E.S.O.M.E! Cash/Credit card are both accepted.
We were introduced to this place by a couple of our guests who are into Korean food. This is definitely one of the best Korean food we've tried. They have great selections for Korean food. If you're also into spicy Asian food, this is the place to get spiced up!
11 localnici recomandă
BCD Tofu House
2700 Alton PkwyWe were introduced to this place by a couple of our guests who are into Korean food. This is definitely one of the best Korean food we've tried. They have great selections for Korean food. If you're also into spicy Asian food, this is the place to get spiced up!
If you happen to be in Irvine on Saturdays, this is a great place to visit from 8-12pm on Saturdays! This is the B.E.S.T. farmers' market in town. There are quite some varieties from vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, plants, flowers, little boutiques, and also food stands. If you'd like to experience the local fresh food, this is one of the best place to go if you happen to be in Irvine on Saturday mornings! Not to mention this is a place with only 7 mins on foot!
8 localnici recomandă
Irvine Farmers Market
5001 Newport Coast DrIf you happen to be in Irvine on Saturdays, this is a great place to visit from 8-12pm on Saturdays! This is the B.E.S.T. farmers' market in town. There are quite some varieties from vegetables, fruits, meats, seafood, plants, flowers, little boutiques, and also food stands. If you'd like to experience the local fresh food, this is one of the best place to go if you happen to be in Irvine on Saturday mornings! Not to mention this is a place with only 7 mins on foot!
=== New location just opened at 4501 CAMPUS DRIVE
IRVINE, CA 92612. This is less than 1 mile from our home, and in a walkable distance (around 20-25 mins one way.) ===
The BEST burger in a fastfood restaurant, period. If you never try this place before, then you're living in vain. Forget about In-N-Out, they're nothing comparing to The Habit Burger.
69 localnici recomandă
The Habit Burger Grill
2777 N Main St=== New location just opened at 4501 CAMPUS DRIVE
IRVINE, CA 92612. This is less than 1 mile from our home, and in a walkable distance (around 20-25 mins one way.) ===
The BEST burger in a fastfood restaurant, period. If you never try this place before, then you're living in vain. Forget about In-N-Out, they're nothing comparing to The Habit Burger.
This is a Taiwanese restaurant beloved by UCI students and surrounded residents. They have decent Taiwanese food for your best bang for your buck! A lot of times people are comparing Pig Haus to Cha for Tea, but I personally think they're good for different reasons. If you like a quick meal nearby, and doesn't want to hurt your wallet too much, Pig Haus is a good place to go!
Ding's Garden
4535 Campus DrThis is a Taiwanese restaurant beloved by UCI students and surrounded residents. They have decent Taiwanese food for your best bang for your buck! A lot of times people are comparing Pig Haus to Cha for Tea, but I personally think they're good for different reasons. If you like a quick meal nearby, and doesn't want to hurt your wallet too much, Pig Haus is a good place to go!
Pacific Whey is about 7 mins one way by car --- which considered very close in Irvine standard (normally everything is usually 15 mins one way.) This restaurant is beloved by the surrounded residents for its brunch hours. They have cozy seatings in a cute shopping area. If you'd like to spend your brunch time with a reasonable price and nice seatings, Pacific Whey is the place to go!
Pacific Whey Cafe
2622 San Miguel DrPacific Whey is about 7 mins one way by car --- which considered very close in Irvine standard (normally everything is usually 15 mins one way.) This restaurant is beloved by the surrounded residents for its brunch hours. They have cozy seatings in a cute shopping area. If you'd like to spend your brunch time with a reasonable price and nice seatings, Pacific Whey is the place to go!
Drinks & Nightlife
Bosscat is a great place to go if you'd like a place to hang out at night. Great food selection along with good cocktail options. You won't be disappointed!
19 localnici recomandă
Bosscat Kitchen & Libations
18169 MacArthur BlvdBosscat is a great place to go if you'd like a place to hang out at night. Great food selection along with good cocktail options. You won't be disappointed!
Sightseeing
This is Little Corona Del Mar Beach, which is a beach only locals go to. This is a great place to go if you'd like to see the beach without too many tourists. It has free parking on the street. Also, it has many tide pools that you can explore! Remember, it's against the law to bring anything home from this beach. Take pictures, and leave its beauty there for others! :)
33 localnici recomandă
Little Corona del Mar Beach
This is Little Corona Del Mar Beach, which is a beach only locals go to. This is a great place to go if you'd like to see the beach without too many tourists. It has free parking on the street. Also, it has many tide pools that you can explore! Remember, it's against the law to bring anything home from this beach. Take pictures, and leave its beauty there for others! :)
Crystal Cove is famous for its beautiful scenary there. If you're already around, it's so close to us that you don't want to miss this spot! :)
101 localnici recomandă
Crystal Cove
Crystal Cove is famous for its beautiful scenary there. If you're already around, it's so close to us that you don't want to miss this spot! :)
Essentials
Trader Joe's provides good quality food mostly with their own brand. Their price is also decent for the quality you're paying for. Trader Joe's is always my first go-to place when it comes to grocery shopping!
175 localnici recomandă
Trader Joe's
3329 S Bristol StTrader Joe's provides good quality food mostly with their own brand. Their price is also decent for the quality you're paying for. Trader Joe's is always my first go-to place when it comes to grocery shopping!
This is my favorite Japanese grocery store after they newly opened in early 2016. Before Seiwa, I used to shop a lot at Mitsuwa for my Japanese food needs. Now with Seiwa, they provide many more current and hard-to-find items comparing to Mitsuwa and Marukai. If you're like me, who enjoys shopping at a Japanese grocery store, you'll love this place immediately!
Seiwa Market
3151 Harbor BlvdThis is my favorite Japanese grocery store after they newly opened in early 2016. Before Seiwa, I used to shop a lot at Mitsuwa for my Japanese food needs. Now with Seiwa, they provide many more current and hard-to-find items comparing to Mitsuwa and Marukai. If you're like me, who enjoys shopping at a Japanese grocery store, you'll love this place immediately!
Shopping
A well-known chain store for wholesale items. For whatever reason, we have so many Costcos around us. By far, this particular one is my favorite one among all the ones around us.
47 localnici recomandă
Costco Wholesale
2700 Park AveA well-known chain store for wholesale items. For whatever reason, we have so many Costcos around us. By far, this particular one is my favorite one among all the ones around us.
Citadel Outlets is the closest outlet mall from Irvine. They provide enough varieties that if you don't have enough time to shop, and you'd still like to pay a quick visit. Without traffic, it's about 45 mins one way, and it has a lot of well known brands for your shopping urge! :)
281 localnici recomandă
Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel DrCitadel Outlets is the closest outlet mall from Irvine. They provide enough varieties that if you don't have enough time to shop, and you'd still like to pay a quick visit. Without traffic, it's about 45 mins one way, and it has a lot of well known brands for your shopping urge! :)
Desert Hills Premium Outlets is famous for its various brands that you can think of. This is a place where you can spend your whole day easily for shopping, yet you probably won't have enough time to go through all the stores you want to. However, this place is far away from Irvine, you'd need to plan your trip well to avoid the rush hours.
193 localnici recomandă
Desert Hills Premium Outlets
48400 Seminole DrDesert Hills Premium Outlets is famous for its various brands that you can think of. This is a place where you can spend your whole day easily for shopping, yet you probably won't have enough time to go through all the stores you want to. However, this place is far away from Irvine, you'd need to plan your trip well to avoid the rush hours.
Getting Around
This is one of the closest car rental place we usually use. Normally we book our car rental through Costco Travel to get the best discount, which we can do for you without a cost, too. You have to pay the fee when you go pick up the car by yourself. To be honest, it's not necessary to have a car in Irvine since Uber / Lyft are very convenient. However, if you plan to go to a lot of places, it's still better to have a rental car for your ease of mind.
19 localnici recomandă
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
3300 Jamboree RdThis is one of the closest car rental place we usually use. Normally we book our car rental through Costco Travel to get the best discount, which we can do for you without a cost, too. You have to pay the fee when you go pick up the car by yourself. To be honest, it's not necessary to have a car in Irvine since Uber / Lyft are very convenient. However, if you plan to go to a lot of places, it's still better to have a rental car for your ease of mind.