Cotogna, Perbacco, Angler
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Depending on where you are, Mister Jiu’s might be walkable. I enjoyed my meal there quite a bit. Aphotic has also been recommended to me.
I’d probably just end up going to Angler for the radicchio salad and sundae in the end…
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Yes, that potato dish.
And I agree with others that Angler in the Embarcadero is an obvious choice. Their potato is also awesome.
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san ho won
cotogna
nari
four kings
izakaya rintaro
ernest
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Birdsong
San ho Wan
Ernest
Best meals I had last trip
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Good restaurants in walking distance of Embarcdero will be tough but with short Uber drives there could be, Californos, Ernest, Rich Table, Ssal, Nari
Most of these recommendations would be a really long and not that nice walk from the Embarcadero.
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Yeah it’s looking like Angler for dinner and possibly a bang bang with Four Kings.
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I have a friend who’s coming to America for the first time and I would like recommendations on what to eat in Orange County. They’ll only be down here for 2 days.
One of the meals will definitely be In N Out.
Another might be Porto’s
The Dive Oyster Bar is something I’ve been thinking of going to since I miss the Oyster Bar at Palace Station and it has been 9 years since I had Pan Roast that good.
What are other “affordable” places are there?
If I were in SF, anywhere, state bird is a no brainer.
If you had any interest in Aphotic, they are closing at the end of the year so if you’re going to SF before that it will be your final chance: San Francisco’s Michelin-Starred Fine Dining Restaurant Aphotic to Close - Eater SF
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What area are you in?
What country are they coming from?
I would probably go with these depending on what area you’re in
Mexican - Tacos Los Cholos there are a few locations or El Farolito
Lebanese/Middle Eastern - Sababa Falafel or Zait n Zataar
Korean - Mo Ran Gak, MDK or Eight KBBQ
Chinese - Seven Grams, J Zhou,
Vietnamese - Brodard, Cococane, Ba Le
Beer - Green Cheek CM for smash burgers or Monkish with packing district next door with lots of food options
So many options for good affordable eats.
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We’re in Orange, though we’re driving as far to Irvine Spectrum and South Coast Plaza.
I’m liking your Tacos Los Cholos idea.
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I would second @js76wisco recs. I’ve lived near Little Arabia/Little Saigon/OC Ktown for years. It’s truly a great area for food. Probably the most underrated food scene because it’s in the shadows behind the large city/county of LA.
Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Korean, Mexican should not be missed.
I would add donuts and breakfast burritos to the list as well. OC is where the Cambodian donut shop started. Great variety from the high end places like Oliboli/Sidecar to your corner pink box places. It’s a must and very much apart of the So Cal culture. Same with breakfast burritos.
If they are super food geeks into Asian than there is Cambodian food in Long Beach and Laotian food in Garden Grove that is worth a meal.
2 days is not enough!!!
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I would second hitting up 7 grams. Very serviceable xiaolongbao, and perhaps competitive with what you could find in SGV.
If you’re in that part of the county, there is a Sichuan Impression in Tustin. Also in Tustin is an amazing donut place that @JeetKuneBao usually drops here: Oliboli. Finally, Tustin again for Japanese: Haubya for Okinawan.
I always thought Ohshima was in Tustin, but I guess it’s in Orange. Excellent sushi for the price and related fare.
Some people really rave about Meiji Seimen in Costa Mesa, but the last few times I was there I did not have the greatest time. For soba and that southern-central part of the county, I’m definitely going to Fukada. I am not sure if they have re-opened for indoor dining, though. Excellent soba! Something else not be missed in CM would be Aoki no Chuuka, which does Japanese-style Chinese fare.
You can probably tell there’s so much more. THH Sandwiches for quick banh mi; the new Northgate Market fare. Also throwing in for Kaju Soft Tofu in Garden Grove (but only that location). Love to eat in OC!
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Hmmm, I remember that Mitsuwa is a place for Japanese food court. Is that still recommended?
Ooooo, 7 grams looks good!
Gyutan Tsukasa is probably the best thing at Mitsuwa Costa Mesa.
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What are your favorites there?
They specialize in one thing, grilled beef tongue so you can’t go wrong. Haven’t been in years fyi