For years, I’ve told people that I don’t like going out for Chinese food. “But you’re Chinese!!” Well yes. I love Chinese food but I like my mom’s cooking. I’ve been lucky to have been spoiled with authentic home cooking all my life, so many Chinese restaurants just don’t cut it. D also loves Chinese food, but neither of us can cook like our mothers. So whenever we went out to eat, guess what we ate a lot of?
The past month of March before our big trip has been the month of the “last meals”. And not surprisingly, we ate a lot of Chinese food, as we suspected that good Chinese food may be somewhat lacking in South America (and yep, upon our arrival in Chile, our suspicions were confirmed).
During my short time living in Irvine, California, I’ve grown spoiled and fond of Irvine’s delicious food. I’ve said before that Irvine is kind of boring, in that overly sanitized kind of way. But what Irvine does have is good Chinese food. And a lot of it. Chinese cuisine is not just orange chicken and beef broccoli, as a certain Chinese fast food giant would have us believe. Chinese food is incredibly varied. Just look at the size of China! Each area has their own distinct style and flavors.
So below in mostly pictures, let me take you through a tour of the best of Chinese cuisine (aka my favorite Chinese dishes), as seen through the city of Irvine.
Favorite street food: Buns and dumplings!
Chinese buns and dumplings are some of my most favorite foods in the world! It’s hard to get really good, fresh home-wrapped ones, but luckily Irvine has no shortage of authentic dumpling houses.
Shanghai xiaolongbao (literal translation: little dragon buns) – these are mini pork dumplings filled with soup that pour out as soon as you bite into them. So eat them in one bite! Most commonly eaten dipped in black vinegar and ginger strips. Juicy and delicious!
Where to get:
101 Noodle Express | 5408 Walnut Ave, Irvine, CA 92618
Tasty Noodle House | 15333 Culver Dr. Irvine, CA 92604
Shanghai grilled pork buns – Steamed buns are a staple in China! These pictured here are made with an extra step: fluffy doughy skin filled with pork and sprinkled with black sesame and green onion, and the bottom grilled for a layer of crisp.
Where to get: Tasty Noodle House | 15333 Culver Dr. Irvine, CA 92604
Dumplings – being a Beijing-er, I could eat dumplings all day, everyday! Dumplings and other doughy dishes are very popular in the northern region of China. They are usually eaten dipped in black vinegar, and often with chili paste or minced raw garlic. My favorite combination is dill and pork, and my favorite style is boiled.
but I like them pan-fried as well!
Where to get:
101 Noodle Express | 5408 Walnut Ave, Irvine, CA 92618
Wei Shian Noodle | 5408 Walnut Ave Ste I, Irvine, CA 92618
A&J Restaurant | 14805 Jeffrey Rd. Ste D, Irvine, CA 92618
Favorite budget meal: Beef rolls (aka. Chinese burrito)
Every country has their version of the burrito/roll/wrap! The Chinese beef rolls are made from Chinese pancake (flat pan-fried dough) layered with slices of roast beef, cilantro, and diced green onion, drizzled with a sweet black bean sauce, and then rolled up burrito style.
Where to get: 101 Noodle Express is famous for their beef rolls. An order will run you about $8 and is enough for 2.
Favorite regional food: Sichuan
Sichuan (or Szechuan) cuisine is all about spice! They are all about generous use of chili peppers, garlic, and the special Sichuan pepper, which creates a tingly numbness instead of mouth-on-fire hot. As I LOVE spicy foods, Sichuan cuisine is something I can’t get enough of!
Dandan noodles: Dandan noodles is a spicy noodle made with with minced pork, chili oil, Sichuan pepper, and preserved vegetables. Sometimes, the sauce can also have a bit of peanut paste or sesame paste.
Fun fact: The name literally translates to “noodles carried on a pole”, as this was a popular dish sold by walking street venders who carried the noodles and sauce on two baskets attached at either end of a pole.
Where to get:
101 Noodle Express | 5408 Walnut Ave, Irvine, CA 92618
Wei Shian Noodle | 5408 Walnut Ave Ste I, Irvine, CA 92618
Shuizhu fish (literal translation: water-cooked fish): Incredibly tender pieces of white fish filet over a bed of napa cabbage, and filled with dried chili, Sichuan pepper, garlic, and other seasonings. Sometimes, this dish is served with soft tofu pieces as well. The fish is so tender because it’s poached in boiling water instead of stir-fried.
Where to get:
Spicy City | 14310 Culver Dr., Irvine, CA 92604
Chong Qing | 5406 Walnut Ave. Ste C, Irvine, CA 92604
Tasty Noodle House | 15333 Culver Dr., Irvine, CA 92604
Favorite homestyle dish: Tofu with chives
Nothing says “home” more than this dish – basically just firm tofu strips stir-fried with chive (a wonderful combination!). Could be embellished with strips of pork as well. This has been one of my favorite mom’s dishes for as long as I can remember, and sometimes I can’t help but order it at a restaurant too.
Where to get: any authentic Chinese restaurant (pictured above is from Tasty Noodle House.)
Favorite stinky food: Stinky tofu!
Stinky tofu can be found almost everywhere in China now, but many believe to have originated from Taiwan. This common street food sounds pretty much like the name describes, and you will certainly smell it before laying eyes on it! The tofu is fermented which produces its famous stink, and then cubed and deep fried, creating a delicious crispy skin with fluffy airy tofu within. But don’t worry, I promise this dish tastes better than it smells! Often served with a sweet chili paste and pickled cabbage slaw.
Where to get:
Tasty Noodle House | 15333 Culver Dr., Irvine, CA 92604
Yu’s Garden | 5408 Walnut Ave., Irvine, CA 92604
Honesty time: My #1 absolute favorite Chinese dish is actually not included on this list! Because it is a dish not found too often in Chinese restaurants in the US, and even if a restaurant sells it, it severely pales in comparison to how my mom makes it and how I had it while in Beijing. Basically, I’ve yet to find a restaurant version that I like. Perhaps that will be a post all of its own!
I’m already drooling for some of my favorite Chinese foods! Even though this post features restaurants serving my favorite Chinese dishes in Irvine, these are all foods you ought to try should you come across them at any Chinese restaurant.
What are your favorite Chinese foods? Did I leave any off of this list?
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Foodie Friday is a series in which I talk about what I like doing the most: eating! As I travel around the world, I hope to be introduced to a variety of local foods (and try them, no matter how bizarre). I hope to bring it all to you and connect you to cultures through food, all while accompanied by photographs delicious enough to eat!
Yum!!!
Great choices, but my personal favorite Chinese regional foods are Cantonese and Chaozhou. I like Cantonese food for its versatility and fanciness, while I like Chaozhou for its simplicity abd subtlety.