Top Asian Restaurant in Lake Forest
Pinoy Pams Best
23635 El Toro Rd Ste G, Lake Forest, CA 92653, United States
DO NOT EAT HERE. IT IS NOT WORTH IT.First off, I read bad yelp reviews of this place about how the food was horrible and the staff are incredibly rude and don't care about the customers, but being Filipino, I decided to give them a chance and have a meal here today. I had 2 main dishes with some rice, the 1st dish (adobo) was pretty good, 2nd dish (tocino) was totally disgusting. The meat tasted really old like it was in the freezer for a very long time or it was recooked for multiple days. I thought about it for a while and ultimately decided to have my 2nd dish changed and went up to the counter, I wanted to avoid insulting them or anything so I say with an easy tone, “I think the meat in this dish is kind of off, can I get it replaced?” and the cashier instantly puts on this face like she was uninterested and didn't want to deal with my complaint. She then calls the attention of a middle-aged women, which I'm guessing is the manager and cook of the place, and tells her I think somethings wrong with the food and want to get it replaced. She too, puts on this irritated face and asks me whats wrong with the food, I tell her the food doesn't taste right and that I want it replaced with a different dish, she then tells me that I shouldn't be complaining about how the food tastes because that's the way she's been cooking the dish for years. She also adds that she won't replace my food cause I already ate some of it. At this point I'm ready to just leave, I tell them to forget it, throw my the food in the trash and walkout. Now I'm here in my car heated, trying to calm myself while typing this review. Please if anyones reading this, DO NOT EAT HERE. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. OVERPRICED FOOD + RUDE STAFF ($11 for the food btw)
Panda Express
23572 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
This is a highly popular Asian fast food chain. As such, it is often crowded, and at common mealtimes (lunchtime and dinner time), you may be asked to stand in line outside. Customers are allowed inside one-at-a-time as other customers leave out the back door. If two people are together, you may be allowed to enter together. Once you are inside, you will see that the restaurant is set up semi-buffet style. But you do not serve yourself; instead, you tell the person behind the counter what you want, and they serve your side dish(es) into a Styrofoam container, then pass it to the next server, and so on. Your choices of entrees has been noted on the container. They have a standard variety of Asian foods such as fried and white rice, chow mein, orange chicken, kung pao chicken, beef broccoli, and several others. I must NOTE at this point--if you dont ASK for condiments, such as soy or teriyaki sauce, hot sauce, etc., you will not get them. I am increasingly finding this to be a standard practice at most fast food restaurants. I am disappointed about this. To me, fast food is all about convenience, and thats why people are willing to pay more for fast food than they pay for home-cooked food. To me it is THEIR job to make sure you have everything you need. YOU should NOT have to REMEMBER to ASK for such normal items as soy sauce, napkins, etc. (By the way, we did get one fork for each meal, with one napkin wrapped together with it, in a sanitary plastic wrapper. But we were not asked if we needed extra napkins.) If I could, I would take away 1/2 star for this oversight on their part. But the food is good, the service is okay, and the prices are okay. Drinks are not included in the combos, so this is an added expense, if you want them. You tell them what drinks you want, and they will serve them up and make them available just before you exit. The line proceeds in the front door, and out the back. One oddity I have noticed that is unique to Panda Express: the meals are described backward to my way of thinking. The most popular combo includes two entrees and one side dish. (HUH??) I cant help thinking it ought to be the other way around. I get around this anomaly by ordering half-and-half: half fried rice and half chow mein. As long as Im talking about side dishes, I might as well mention the fried rice at Panda Express tends to be on the dry-ish side. If youre like me, youre going to want to ask for lots of extra soy sauce. All-in-all, I would rate this place 4-1/2 stars. I did not want to downrate them a whole star for minor issues, so I gave them 5 stars.
Pick Up Stix Fresh Asian Flavors
16163 Lake Forest Dr Suite K, Irvine, CA 92618, United States
Well kept American Asian restaurant. This location tends to be a little less busy though its still crowded during the lunch hour. My favorite dish is the Grilled Bourbon Chicken with brow rice.
Minato Sushi
23505 El Toro Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I have not been to Minato in years! When I first moved to Laguna Hills a few years ago, I was so desperate for Asian food. I was also young and could not gain weight. Times have changed and I no longer take on food challenges... So when it was time to eat at another AYCE place. I wasnt ready to blow a year of hard work in one meal. Im not on a diet, but I did lose a few LBs this year.Heres a tip. AYCE doesnt mean MORE than you can eat. Just eat what you like and dont try to stuff your face. Theres enough people that do, so be a little different. Try to enjoy what you are eating.Heres the strategy:Rolls are the largest items. Make sure to only eat one or 2 rolls and share with your friends. If your friend doesnt eat much, dont order more than one roll, because a whole roll is too much for an average person.Appetizers. Skip it! The only exception is I would start with some miso soup, but you dont need rice to go with it. Also avoid all the fried foods if you can. After you eat a lot of food, the oil will try to get out of your stomach. Not trying to graphic, but you may need to release the evil within later.I know its tempting to load up on items that you like, but try not to order 3 or 4 of the same item. Use the first round to sample items that you might like (1 or 2) orders is fine.After the first round, thats when you turn it up a notch. NO MORE ROLLS! That seems like a rule you can use at any restaurant :). Since AYCE does not include sashami. Stick to the Premium and sushi its only!! A small piece of fish on rice is all you need. Eat slowly and enjoy. If you feel a little full, switch to your absolute favorite item.Once you are ready to throw in the towel. Finish your meal off with some green tea ice cream to clean your pallet.Lastly, raise your arms like a Field Goal was just scored and drop your napkin like its a microphone. You did it!Hit the gym tomorrow, but dont feel guilty today. You did it!If you are looking for descent-ish Sushi come here. If you eat a lot and you are not Asian, you will like this place. If you want quality or you are very picky, go somewhere else.Recommended to try, but you may either love or hate this place.
Mr Wok
22421 El Toro Rd G, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
June 2017: First time at this restaurant. The food was totally disgusting. Purchased almond chicken which was a little disappointing but worse was the almond chicken as the almonds were totally old and stale, I had to spit out all of what I tried to eat. It tasted rancid, stale just couldnt swallow this at all!! Then even worst was the vegetable roll which was dripping or oozing with oil... such unhealthy food. I couldnt eat any of it. I had also purchased a serving of the fried rice for my kids but there was just too much oil / grease in it, I or they couldnt eat a spoon of it. I ate the steamed vegetable but started feeling so sick while consuming the almond chicken. In 2 or three minutes I started getting severe headache and pounding of my heart, then I knew that I was poisoned by MSG from the food. The quality of their food is really bad, very disappointing. not many options and not tasty ones exist either. I Truly regret spending my $20 there for family lunch. Ill never again repeat this mistake. I should have kept my money with me Id have been be much better off purchasing a bottle of cold water.Next time Ill continue on to Panda express, you stand a higher chance to be pleased or satisfied. Mr. Woks food is quite disappointing in general except the orange chicken is not too bad but too much fat rather than chicken. Way too much grease, lacking flavour and containing MSG to damage ones health.
Diho Siam
23600 Rockfield Blvd #2l, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I used to come to Diho Siam pretty often when I used to live in Lake Forest considering that the Thai food they have here is pretty good and priced reasonably well. Even though we now live in Irvine, my girlfriend and I decided we wanted Thai food for dinner last night and came here after a Costco run. Im usually a big fan of Pad Thai when coming to any Thai cuisine, but decided to change it up and try out other things on the menu.Thai Iced Tea (3/5): Nothing too special here really... if anything its like any other Thai Iced Tea Ive ever had before. I think $3.00 for one of these is a tad bit pricey, considering I make just as good of a one at home with the tea leaves and some condensed milk.Spicy Meat Salad (4/5): My first time trying this dish out. Surprisingly it came out to be pretty delicious and the meat is cooked and seasoned well. The only thing that got me a little bit disappointed was that I was expecting literally a salad with just meat and no veggies and the portion was smaller than I would like. However, it is a salad and cant say that Im surprised you get enough to just satisfy your hunger pains until the entree comes out.Green Jungle Curry (4/5): Decided to get this with just the scallops instead of the seafood combo. Not sure if I regretted my decision or indifferent, but I was worried that the amount of scallops given in the seafood combo would consists of only a couple of them. The overall taste and quality of the curry though was pretty spot on to what youd expect from any Thai restaurant. Although the scallop route as a protein wasnt too bad, I think Ill opt for the beef next time for any other curry I try here.
Teriyaki Madness
23647 El Toro Rd # D, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I have always wanted to try this place but find myself driving up the street to Yogis for my teriyaki chicken fix until today when I actually went in as I needed a battery from the battery store next door.I ordered a large chicken bowl and asked for light rice... that didnt happen... I still got way too much rice and way too little chicken. The quality was decent but the proportions were off big time.As I ate in the restaurant I couldnt help overhearing the manager/owner talking to some marketing person in a meeting about how to boost sales.Forgive me if its unwarranted but I have had a lot of teriyaki chicken and from a customers viewpoint if the manager is reading this I would like to give an opinion about boosting sales from a customers perspective:#1) include bigger portions of chicken I am talking like 10% more chicken would have left me content (especially when the sign on the window reads big portions.... it just lead to a big disappointment when that was not the case. .. and if it isnt possible to that, at least cut the the chicken into small pieces to give an impression that there is more chicken.... that would help!#2) Give bigger sides of teriyaki sauce and not those little tiny cups reserved for hot mustard at Chinese restaurants. I mean I needed like 4 or 5 those tiny little sample cups and wasnt able to completely cover my rice.... bigger sides of teriyaki make people who enjoy teriyaki come back.3) as a customer I want more options for fixings instead of just steamed veggies, especially for me like an option for green onions is standard at most teriyaki spots.... I did enjoy the steamed vegetables (I requested on the side) but I would have been content with scallions on top and paying extra for mixed veggies (if I wanted them).Sorry for the long message but the food isnt bad here its just not served correctly and no amount of marketing will help if customers like me dont care to come back on a normal basis.Hope this place finds its footing... it could be great instead of just barely average.
WaBa Grill
23646 Rockfield Blvd #603, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I ordered food through their website for delivery. This store utilizes DoorDash to deliver their orders. Unfortunately, the DoorDasher did not deliver the food. I tried calling the store, but the person who answered the phone couldnt help me. I contacted DoorDash. They attempted to contact the driver and informed me that they could not get ahold of them and they never received proof of delivery (a photo). I was then charged an additional time for a reorder that I did not approve, but it looks like it was done without the delivery fee. DoorDash then informed me that they would have to submit a ticket to the company to refund the amounts because the orders were purchased directly through WaBa Grills website.I finally got ahold of the store and the person I spoke with said that they always refund DoorDash orders because they dont deliver the food correctly and it is not fair to them, so he will only be refunding 50% of the total amount because DoorDash didnt do their job and its their responsibility. I told him that they are in partnership with DoorDash because they utilize them for delivery so this really has nothing to do with the customer. I didnt pick DoorDash to deliver my food, they did. He responded with so its our fault??. No, but you are working with them so you have to accept responsibility for it. If you are constantly refunding orders then stop working with DoorDash. Its not rocket science. Anyway, I will be submitting a chargeback for products not received.
Kanji AYCE Sushi
21212 Bake Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
I don’t usually leave reviews, unless something is really good or really bad. Unfortunately, in this case it was the second one. We came friday night with my girlfriends an hour before closing time, at first we were not told that the kitchen is closing at 9 but just given menus for ayce, by the time we decided what we wanted we were told about the kitchen closing and that we can only order one more time after this one (even though it says that the place is closing at 9:30), if we knew we wouldn’t come here in the first place. But we were so hungry and it was late already, so we decided to order a la carte instead.The music was sooo loud and so obnoxious (think house techno and club pop), I felt like i am in the club and not in a sushi place. We couldn’t hear each other and after some time we asked to lower it, to which they said “ok” but it didn’t get any better. Our male server was kind and patient but another lady (asian lady with blonde hair, a lead or manager, idk) kept coming to our table, rushing us to order while screaming (maybe she lost her hearing because of the loud music and had to scream now, who knows), we felt stressed because of the music, because she rushed us, and was talking to us in a loud tone. She was also running around the restaurant and talking to other servers very loudly. To be fair, the food was 5/5- tasty, fresh, good looking … no complaints there… but the service and the atmosphere… I didn’t have such a bad experience in years. I think the management should know about this to create more pleasant experience for their guests in the future
Royal Rasoi
24288 Swartz Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630, United States
This is an amazing place to eat . I’ve been coming here for a long time and I’ve never been close to disappointment. This is one of the best south Asian food restaurants you’ll find in so cal