I’m always on the look out for interesting and delicious food places to try. Sometimes some restaurants are so hyped up that after you tried it you are disappointed. Below are 5 local Must Try Places in Orange County that I had to share. Leave any comments if you have any other places you would like to add to the list!
1. Chaupain Bakery
Chaupain Bakery is a family owned business that specializes in french pastries and artisanal breads. They were featured on “21 Best Bakeries in the West” in Sunset Magazine. A MUST try is their Elfroy Croissant which is a pastry filled with French custard and sliced almonds! It has the right amount of flakiness and this soft, but dense texture along with buttery almond and vanilla bean flavors that fills your taste buds with wanting more. If you are looking for something more savory then try their ham and cheese croissant. Chaupin Bakery is really a hidden gem in Orange County!
Note: Mainly opened for breakfast and lunch only. Also make sure to call if they have the Almond Croissant left if you do go later during the day because they do get sold out.
2. Fukada
Fukada is an authentic Japanese restaurant in Irvine that specializes in homemade soba and udon noodles as well as other Japanese dishes like curry and donburi. Chef Fukada has been crafting his skills for over 20 years and dedicates to bring the best by using organic ingredients and making most items from scratch. You can definitely taste how everything is so fresh and so flavorful unlike any other soba or udon noodle soup restaurant that sometimes makes you feeling thirsty from the soup being too salty or like it came from a package. One of the best part is also how affordable it is. There is option for adding side dishes with your main entree. You MUST try their spicy tuna don along with your choice of soba or udon noodles (my favorite would be the Sensai udon noodles). Add a little soy sauce on top and it will be the BEST spicy tuna don you have ever tried.
Note: Go half and hour earlier before they open or there will be a wait. Parking is relatively easy to find. They do not take reservations.
3. Oc & Lau Restaurant
If you are a die hard seafood lover than you have to try Oc & Lau in Garden Grove. It is unlike any other seafood restaurant for the vast choices of shellfish and how it is prepared. They specialize in seafood hot pots and steam or grilled seafood cooked in butter, garlic, shallots, and other spices that is really out of this world. They have dishes like grilled scallops with fish eggs, garlic butter queen clams, peppered escargot, and coconut prawns, but their MUST try is the Lobster Hot Pot which comes with a whole lobster and veggies. As it boils, you can smell all the aromas of fresh seafood, herbs, and spices.
Note: They do have two locations , but usually the one on Garden Grove is more packed and does not sell alcohol. Expect a line since they do not take reservations so usually it is better to go with a small groups.
4. The Straw: Modern Milkshake
The hip decor, the friendly service, the chill environment, and of course their milkshakes which is all created by the owner. Each milkshakes is so creative in their combination of ingredients you will not find them anywhere else. If you want an even better time then try their “spiked” milkshake and floats like The Pink Lady which is strawberry milkshake topped with sparkling rose or the Spiked Hot Chocolate which is spiked with soju. The Must get comes down to two favorites: Purple Reign which a is fruitier and slightly healthier with acai and the Donkey Kong that has bananas and cookie butter topped with a cannoli shell.
Note: If you are around Orange County on Friday and Saturday nights, there is usually a DJ playing music which makes it a really lively hangout spot. They also starting to serve some savory foods so you can stop by for a meal and desserts along with it.
5. North Italia
North Italia is a trendy Italian restaurant that is great for any occasion. Some tantalizing menu items include white truffle garlic bread (super yummy), zucca chips, braised short ribs, burrata tortelloni, and a variety of pizza choices. The MUST try is their amazing Chef’s Board filled with prosciutto di parma, pecorino toscano, crescenza, grilled piquillo pepper, pesto zucchini and much more. It is truly one of the best charcuterie and cheese boards I ever had!
Note: They do take reservations so that will be a good idea especially during the weekends. North Italia also has some really unique cocktails worth trying.
