Tustin’s Chinese food scene gets a lot of buzz, which means we field plenty of questions about where to find the real deal. Fortunately, there are standout spots that go way beyond the standard takeout menu. Whether you’re a local craving authentic flavors or just passing through Orange County, here are the top contenders for your next meal.
EverSpring Modern Chinese
$ | (949) 818-3388 | WEBSITE
In the evening, crowds gather at EverSpring Modern Chinese in Tustin for some of the area’s best Mapo Tofu—a steaming, fragrant dish that arrives at your table with perfect consistency. You could grab the crispy beef for a remarkably satisfying takeout meal that balances sweet and savory notes beautifully. But it’s also worth dining in, because there’s so much more to discover. Like the spicy eggplant: tender, richly sauced slices with just the right kick of heat.
Or the dumplings, which come plump and juicy with a delicate wrapper, and are a delightful shared starter for the table. The whole experience feels fresh and thoughtful, especially with those little robots gliding by with compostable plates.
Yang’s Braised Chicken Rice
$ | (714) 731-7777 | WEBSITE
This is a Chinese street food spot in Tustin, but when you walk in and see the earthy color palette, simple presentation, and walls that feel clean and modern, you’ll briefly wonder if you’re in a minimalist café. Yang’s Braised Chicken Rice is a good spot for a meal with a couple of people who want to pay a reasonable amount of money for a braised chicken bowl, a side of yakitori sticks, and the rich, savory broth that comes with it.
Thai Chaiyo Tustin
$ | (657) 232-1064 | WEBSITE
It’s hard to miss Thai Chaiyo Tustin if you’ve been around the local office buildings. It’s right there on the main strip, and you’ll often see people popping in for take-out or waiting for a table during lunch hours. If you step inside, you’ll notice the pleasant, welcoming atmosphere and the attentive staff ready to help. The cozy dining area offers excellent Thai dishes, but we recommend sticking to their signature plates for the full experience.
We especially like the crab lump fried rice, which comes with generous portions of crab, perfectly cooked rice, and just the right amount of spice. Once you’re done, consider grabbing some pad Thai to go—it’s consistently tasty and fresh.
Fast Hotpot
$ | (657) 720-1141 | WEBSITE
There are two different ways to experience Fast Hotpot. In the main dining area, there’s the casual counter service, where you can grab ingredients by the pound and pay around $12–$15 for a satisfying meal. If you want a fun alternative to fast food that feels less like a chain and more like a friendly neighborhood spot, that’s where you should go. But we prefer the dry pot option with the spicy ma la sauce, where you can enjoy a tingly, numbing sensation from the peppercorns.
If you need a quick, affordable meal to explore some bold flavors, stop by and customize your own bowl.
Seven Grams
$$ | (657) 600-8212 | WEBSITE
Much like craving and complaining about craving, Din Tai Fung was big in Southern California before Seven Grams arrived in Tustin. Tustin’s location of this Chinese spot tends to be busy. So consider whether you’re prepared to wait a bit for dinner, and if you are, put your name in.
(If you’re not, consider a weekday lunch instead.) Once you’re seated, you want the beef roll (around $12), which comes with fresh cilantro and stands out, or the original Xiao Long Bao (about $14 for eight), featuring thin skin and plenty of broth inside.
China West Express
$ | (714) 544-2222 | WEBSITE
China West Express is small in Tustin, and their take-out focused spot is right there on the local strip. (There’s also a loyal following.) It’s known for Americanized Chinese food, which comes in all kinds of classics—shrimp fried rice, chicken sweet and sour, cream cheese rangoons, etc. One Lunch Box deal is enough for a meal, but the menu has other dishes worth ordering as well. The space is simple, and quick, and it works for a fast pickup or a driver’s wait.
Min Chef
$$ | (657) 235-8870 | WEBSITE
The appeal of this Chinese spot is its authenticity. At Min Chef, you can grab a quick lunch of Shrimp Fried Rice for around $15, or you can settle in for a full Northern Chinese feast in the cozy, unassuming dining room. If you’re going for the full experience, don’t miss the Min Chef Steamed Cold Noodles and the Braised Eggplant.
Pick Up Stix Fresh Asian Flavors
$ | (714) 573-0992 | WEBSITE
Pick Up Stix Fresh Asian Flavors is a reliable classic that will impress anyone in the market for fresh and flavorful Mandarin dishes. Just know that a dinner here can get expensive quickly, and you usually can’t just walk in during peak hours. (Even the takeout counter is often too busy for you to find a quick spot.) Make a plan and come here with friends who won’t mind sharing things like hot honey chicken with its tangy and spicy kick, or orange chicken with fried rice.
Roast Fish & BBQ House
$$ | (714) 403-0628 | WEBSITE
Roast Fish & BBQ House is a solid pick for a lively group meal in Los Angeles. Head here for authentic charcoal-grilled specialties like the mildly spicy QingJiang Roast Fish and tender lamb skewers. They also have crowd-pleasers like chicken skin and corn. The dining room has a fun, energetic vibe with karaoke, and it’s a great place to gather with friends and share generous portions.
Sichuan Impression
$$ | (714) 505-9070 | WEBSITE
Ever since you and your coworkers realized you all live within a few miles of Tustin, you’ve been chatting nonstop about a group lunch. You need someplace lively, authentic, and reasonably priced—and Sichuan Impression is all these things. This Chinese restaurant is right in the heart of the city, and all the dishes are served in generous portions. Order some fried rice and kung pao chicken, and you might start gathering with these people more often (instead of just talking about it).
CHANG’AN
$$$$ | (949) 324-5558 | WEBSITE
This Chinese restaurant is impressive and a little bit dreamlike, with lovely old Chinese-style decor and a classy, comfortable atmosphere that feels both beautiful and relaxing. It’s always nice to sit in such a refined setting, but the real reason you come to CHANG’AN is for the food.
Start your meal with the signature Peking duck, carved tableside with crispy golden skin and tender juicy meat that melts in your mouth, and then get some of the spicy noodles that bring just the right amount of heat. This is an ideal spot for an upscale dining experience, and it’s perfect for when you’re looking to explore high-end Chinese cuisine and have some guests to impress.
Kim Huong Vietnamese and Chinese Restaurant
$ | (714) 838-6651 | WEBSITE
Think of Kim Huong as the fast casual cousin to those fancy Vietnamese spots in Westminster. Just like its counterparts, Kim Huong usually has a steady stream of customers, but the line moves quickly, and once you’re inside you can be in and out in 30 minutes. Unlike those pricier places, this spot does egg rolls, and they do them very well, overflowing with savory pork and crisp vegetables.
There’s no pretension—just a warm, welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff who make you feel at home—but it’s still perfect for a quick lunch with coworkers you already know everything about, or a weeknight dinner with family.
KPB Asian Bistro
$ | (657) 600-8668 | WEBSITE
Whether it’s a quick lunch break, dinner with friends, or a solo meal after work, this Chinese spot is a reliable pick for tasty, satisfying food in Tustin. It feels a little like a cozy neighborhood hideaway inside, with simple decor and warm lighting, and the food—from the rich cashew chicken to the flavorful beef broccoli—is very good.
China Palace Restaurant
$ | (714) 544-7167 | WEBSITE
When someone says “respect your elders,” they might as well be talking about China Palace Restaurant. This spot with its “old timey” atmosphere offers large lunch specials under $15, reasonably priced vegetarian options, and some of the best Honey Walnut Shrimp in Tustin, which is a fact we really enjoy telling people.
It’s a place we’re always happy to remember still exists, when in need of a quick, casual Americanized Chinese meal with Beef with Broccoli and Hot and Sour Soup in the comfortable, clean dining room, or a family dinner at one of the ample tables with plenty of free parking, or just a bowl of that exceptional and flavorful Honey Walnut Shrimp that everyone keeps recommending.
Hong Kong Express
$ | (714) 838-2578 | WEBSITE
Head straight to Hong Kong Express in Tustin whenever you need a quick Chinese meal. Their freshly made BBQ pork and flavorful orange chicken all cost less than $10. Order the $9.95 lunch special with an egg roll and drink, and enjoy it at one of their simple tables.
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen
$ | (714) 259-1125 | WEBSITE
Typically, you find yourself at a fast-casual spot because that’s what’s most accessible. Perhaps you’re grabbing lunch during a busy workday, or maybe you’re picking up dinner on your way home, because those are the common scenarios for this type of dining. But there are no circumstances where you just stumble into Pei Wei Asian Kitchen. You have to intentionally choose this reliable Asian restaurant—and you definitely should.
The diverse selection of homestyle dishes here is one of the better everyday options you can find in Tustin.
Mama Lu’s Dumpling House
$$ | (714) 316-7712 | WEBSITE
If Chinese comfort food had a flagship restaurant, Mama Lu’s Dumpling House would be it. At this Tustin staple, you’ll find the same sort of authentic Chinese dishes they’ve been perfecting for years. Depending on what you’re craving, you might order things like their signature juicy pork dumplings, sautéed string beans with sausage that snap with flavor, or Shanghai rice cakes with that perfect chewy texture.
The space is super clean and spacious, with plenty of seating that feels welcoming and relaxed. It’s certainly a great value, and you might have trouble finding a table during peak hours, but this is the perfect place for a comforting and filling meal just about any day of the week.