Around Irvine｜Restaurants I Keep Going Back To (Part 1) 🍽️💖

Irvine can feel like a small city where food options seem repetitive at first, but there are a few spots I truly crave. Here’s one I think of whenever I’m hungry: Hiền Thanh Restaurant Technically not in Irvine—it’s about 20 minutes away in Westminster—but this cozy Vietnamese hole-in-the-wall is worth the drive.❤️😘 Friday and Saturday nights are always packed with locals, and even with the wait, it’s the first place that comes to mind when I don’t know what to eat. My regular orders: 🐟 Braised Fish with Pork Belly & Chinese Sausage Fish braised in fish sauce and caramel, with pork belly and Chinese sausage for extra aroma—a Southern Vietnamese home-style dish. Savory, sweet, and rich, it’s perfect over rice and totally addictive! 🍲 Sour Fish Soup Hot Pot A balance of sour, sweet, and savory, with pineapple, tomato, squash, and fish in a hot pot. Might look unusual at first, but the broth is surprisingly delicious and appetizing. Another great rice companion!💕😊 They also have shrimp spring rolls with peanut sauce and braised beef with carrots—both solid choices. Highly recommend if you’re in the area! 🥢 #IrvineEats #OCFood #VietnameseFood #HiddenGem #ComfortFood #WestminsterEats