“ We got a tip to come check this place out, so we did. I must say, I don't usually give Chinese restaurants this high a rating because either the food was really good, but the service was rude and unfriendly, or the food was good, but the place was a dump, etc. Gosh, this place got full marks for pretty much everythinig I'd always look out for......decor/cleanliness, quality of the food, friendliness/helfulness of the staff.....and you know what? This place had it all! To start off, we headed to the "salad bar" and selected a few of our favorite cold dish items.....pickled cucumber, lotus root, and tofu skin.....absolutely delicious, so refreshing, and a great way to start off our lunch. So, this place is one of those where you scan the QR code on the table where you'll be directed to their app, and this is where you place your order for whatever you want. Ok, This was our first time here, so we did miss an item or two using the app, but the server was nice enough to let us just tell her what we wanted, and she'd enter it manually......so nice, friendly, and so willing to help out....nice! Ok, I will admit that everything on the menu looked so yummy, and we so wanted to try as much as we could to get a better idea of the quality and taste of the food here. So, we went ahead and ordered the Scallion Pancake, Pan-fried Chicken Dumplings, Juicy Pork Dumplings...steamed, Chicken Wontons in a Spicy Sauce, Sauteed Green Beans, and half a Smoked Chicken. Everything came out pretty fast too....no long waits. I think one word pretty much sums up the quality, taste, and presentation of the food here....WOW! I mostly liked that the dumpling skins were neither too thick nor too thin...just right....the meat fillings were generous.....and they came out hot, fresh, and juicy.....and not too salty. Oh, and I loved the golden pan fried crisp at the bottom of the chicken dumplings...great combination of textures and flavors. Anyway, to sum up everything we'd ordered.....ingredients were all very fresh, dishes were skillfully prepared to perfection, and everything tasted absolutely delicious!.....perhaps the best dumplings I have ever eaten around these parts. This place is seriously good....and has now become one of my absolute favorite Chinese restaurants ever......nice and pleasant interior, excellent food, great and friendly service.....you really can't ask for anything more. ”

“ Northern Cafe is in the HMart shopping center so there's plenty of parking. We came in on a Friday and was seated right away. The restaurant is clean and there's restrooms in the back. Ordering is self service by scanning the QR code and placing your order. Everything but the popcorn chicken came out in good timing. I asked to cancel the popcorn chicken because we were already done eating but it came out anyway. The rice, dumplings and the ribs were good. I wouldn't recommend the steamed buns. I would come back again and check out their other menu items. ”

“ Great, quick Chinese food spot! Portions are huge, and servers bring it to you right away after ordering. When it came out we were so worried we ordered too much, but it was so good that we completely killed it. (Note: the beef roll is BIG) Best parts were the pork skewers HONESTLY, sauteed green beans. We couldn't stop talking about the green beans and how surprisingly amazing they were. They were super garlic and covered with all kinds of spices. Never had anything like that. The ambiance is super sit-down restaurant, where we were seated right away. Its pretty no frills, and a great apot to just eat some good Chinese food for a great price! ”

“ Delicious food, fantastic environment and fast & friendly services. In this restaurant, food is not only a taste enjoyment, but also an artistic experience. Their dishes are exquisite and unique, and each dish is a carefully drawn painting, which is pleasing to the eye. Whether you are a food lover or an art seeker, this place can make you linger! ”

“ Nice portions, food came out quick and hot, all yummy and flavorful. Would definitely come again ”

“ My new favorite noodle and dumpling house in Irvine! The restaurant itself is very clean and well appointed. The service is friendly and efficient. You order using a qr code at the table. The food itself comes out hot and steamy. Love how much juice there is in their juicy dumplings! A well deserved name! The house beef noodle is tasty and the beef is so tender. The Shanghai rice cakes are so fun to eat and so full of flavor! Come early in the evening as this place gets busy and you'll have a wait. A wait worth it but still a wait! ”

“ Food taste delicious and fresh. Location is very convenient. Service is great. I enjoy the food. ”

“ Northern Cafe is a well known spot in the Irvine community for its authentic and comforting Chinese cuisine! This review is basically a two in one since wifey and I stopped by here for a late night dinner and then again for lunch. This spot is located in the same plaza with Hmart and Sprouts and there is a good amount of parking spots. Both times we went, there was no wait and we were seated right away. They have a pretty spacious setup with about 8-10 tables for seating. Once you are seated, there is a QR code on the table to scan and place your order. When wifey and I came for our late night dinner around 10:30pm, they had a different menu consisting of just hotpot and skewers. We opted to try the Spicy Beef Pot and the Lamb Skewers. For our lunch run, they had a more expanded menu with a lot of Chinese comfort food staples. We opted to try the Pan Fried Shrimp, Pork & Chive Dumplings, Juicy Lamb Dumplings, Beef Rolls, and Spicy Beef Noodle Soup. Literally everything we tried here was beyond delicious, authentic, and comforting to the soul. Every bite was as good as the last! All of the staff here are very friendly and welcoming. In addition to the amazing food served here, this spot is also typically open until midnight everyday! We will definitely be back for another satisfying meal. ”