To be honest, I actually think Irvine isn’t too bad. There is diverse array of Chinese options (Diamond Jamboree along with some places on Culver), some Korean options, Japanese options (Ootori and Hiro Nori Ramen come to mind), Asian supermarkets, Italian (Angelina’s), and plenty of Persian restaurants and supermarkets (Super Irvine is a solid grocery store as well if you’re near the 5 rather than the 405). Also there are plenty of good standbys (Houston’s, Ruth’s Chris, In-n-Out, Mendocino Farms to name a few).
This is not to mention the proximity to Santa Ana where there are great Mexican food trucks; Tustin where there is an area with tons of different options from bakeries to Japanese food to Indian; Costa Mesa with Sidecar Donuts, Taco Maria, Vaca, Arc, Din Tai Fung, the newcomer Marugame Udon; Newport Beach for other Hillstone faves (especially Bandera), Marche Moderne, Pizzeria Mozza, the solid-but-sometimes-pompous happy hour scene around Fashion Island.
Irvine isn’t perfect for scoping out food but I think that many things are within grasp.