Sam HingcoThe winter season is right around the corner — and this cold breezy weather brings the strong craving for a warm, hearty meal. Luckily, Irvine is filled with a variety of restaurants to satisfy this craving and keep you cozy in the winter weather. From creamy broths to crispy chicken to sweet heavenly donuts, Irvine hosts a multitude of restaurants perfect for warming you up in the cool winter days.
Shin-sen-gumi
Shin-sen-gumi
Shin-sen-gumi in Woodbury Town Center is a popular Japanese franchise serving an amazing seafood tomato cream udon with a milky broth that melts in your mouth. Although it may be a bit pricey, the servings are perfect for sharing and more customers will share a large bowl of udon or ramen along with a serving of meat to split the cost. Shin-sen-gumi also offers a menu which includes “Special Udon for Cold Weather” which is perfect to keep your stomach full and warm in the cold winter.
HiroNori Craft Ramen
HiroNori Craft Ramen
HiroNori is located next to Trade Food Hall and is infamous for their long lines, but attracts the public eye due to their fresh original noodles, stock and sauce. Their shoyu and tonkotsu ramen are rich and crafted beautifully. They serve a variety of ramen and meat bowls which will fill you up fast. Hironori’s gourmet ramen and amazing customer service are sure to keep you cozy in the cold weather.
Chan Chan
Chan Chan
Chan Chan in Heritage Plaza is unseen to the public, yet the quality of their food is surprisingly high. The spicy squid rice cakes heat you up in the cold weather and are drizzled with a warm and savory sauce for extra comfort. Chan Chan’s sweet garlic chicken has an amazing sweet-and-sour sauce. The combination of the mouth-watering rice cakes and crispy chicken are the perfect match.
House of Shabu Shabu
House of Shabu Shabu
Many are unaware of this small Shabu Shabu spot, hidden within the crowded and bustling variety of restaurants on Jeffrey. House of Shabu Shabu is perfect for the cold weather and has $21 all-you-can-eat meat, broth, noodles and sushi during dinner on weekdays and during weekends; $14 during lunch on weekdays. The meat is tender and pairs perfectly with the piping broth. While most known for their shabu shabu, House of Shabu Shabu includes all you can eat sushi on their menu and fills you up quickly.
Qin West Noodle
Qin West Noodle
Qin West Noodle is a buried treasure among the apartments near UCI. Qin West offers authentic and traditional Chinese noodles that manage to remain uniquely their own. They also offer customizable spice levels accommodating to different customers. These heavenly noodles pair perfectly with their sizzling broth. Qin West’s fresh handcrafted noodles are perfect for a cold winter day.
Duck Donuts
Finding a dessert is difficult in the cold winter season as most establishments serve cold desserts. However, Duck Donuts is perfect. Duck Donuts in The Trade is a gourmet donut shop which features toasty donuts that are made fresh, right in front of you! The s’mores and maple bacon flavored donuts are drizzled in a hot and silky sauce. These sweet, warm velvety donuts are the perfect winter dessert that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Boiling Point
Boiling Point
Boiling Point is a popular hot pot franchise, located in Heritage Plaza, infamous for their sizzling bowls of broth — the perfect winter meal. They mixture of the warm broth and the tender meat make the absolute combo. Although prices are fairly high, many will share one bowl since the broth is bottomless. Boiling Point’s warm simmering broth and tender meat make the ultimate winter meal.
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