Irvine is a diverse city and attracts crowds from all over Southern California who come just for food. Because of this, Irvine’s food industry is booming and bustling and makes the lines last hours. While long lines are a pain to wait in when you’re feeling ravenous, there are many spots in Irvine that are “Worth the Wait.” Here are a few treasures that won’t make you regret your time spent idling in line. 

(Courtesy of HiroNori)

HiroNori

HiroNori is a ramen shop located at The Trade in Irvine and always has at least an hour wait. While the line may be dreadful to wait in, the creamy milk broth melts in your mouth and is a must. Yelp waitlist is handy to use before arriving and shortens the wait. The Trade also has a variety of games to play outside while waiting to be called. Although the lines at HiroNori is almost always long, the creamy soft noodles give it value and make it worth waiting.

(Courtesy of Omomo)

Omomo

Omomo in Alton Square is a boba place infamous for their long lines going out the door. The wait tends to run from 60 to 90 minutes long. However, there is a reason to why people willingly wait hours in line. The fresh ingredients and chewy boba are loved by many. The creamomo drinks are a favorite among the crowd and priced well within reason. The chewy boba and refreshing drinks make Omomo worth the wait.

(Courtesy of Tim Ho Wan)

Tim Ho Wan

Tim Ho Wan in Diamond Jamboree has long lines and, at times, the wait can be up to two hours. This Chinese dim sum places comes with a large variety of options. The pork buns have the perfect amount of crunch and crumble and the crispy noodles have a rich texture. The silky milk sticks are heavenly and a delicious dessert to top off the meal. To avoid the wait, it tends to be less crowded at 3 p.m.

(Courtesy of Kitakata)

Kitakata

Kitakata in Heritage Plaza is a fairly new restaurant with Japanese cuisine. The wait time can last up to an hour during dinner. Their tsukemen is an authentic Japanese dipping noodle in which the noodles are dipped into the broth. The chicken is crispy on the outside, yet tender and warm on the inside. The long lines at Kitakata are definitely worth waiting for.

BCD

BCD is a tofu house located in Diamond Jamboree and is notorious for their long lines. There are multiple options perfect for sharing and this spot is great for a night out with friends or family. BCD is the best spot in Irvine for late night food adventures and is open 24 hours. The tofu served with the warm and delicate meat is a deal that is worth waiting for.

(Courtesy of Stacks)

Stacks

The line at Stacks Pancakes in Walnut Village may appear intimidating as people from all over Orange County travel here just for a hearty brunch. However, this line is nothing compared to how heavenly and fulfilling each bite is. The drink options here are numerous and they serve a delicious eggs benedict. The California eggs Benedict and the iced Mexican chocolate are the ultimate combination that makes the line move like lightning.

(Courtesy of Huí Lau Shan)

Hui Lau Shan

Hui Lau Shan in Alton Square attracts quite the crowd in China and is accumulating more and more popularity at their Irvine location. Hui Lau Shan Irvine is one of the three locations in the United States and the only location in California, making the lines even longer. This mango dessert restaurant is booming and the sweet silky shaved ice is full of flavor. The fresh mangoes make this spot so valuable and are the reason people voluntarily stand in line.

(Courtesy of Breakfast Republic)

Breakfast Republic

Breakfast Republic is new to Irvine and just opened at University Town Center. One of the city’s only dedicated brunch spots, it’s already attracting a crowd. Since not too many people have discovered it yet, the wait is usually only around 30 minutes. The organic and fresh menu items are rich in flavor, and the warmth and delicacy put into the meal makes Breakfast Republic worth waiting for.

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