# Northern Cafe > Northern Cafe — Chinese restaurants in Irvine, CA. ## Key facts - **URL**: https://frankiapp.com/business/northern-cafe-181724 - **Type**: Restaurants - **Cuisine**: Chinese - **Location**: Irvine, CA - **Address**: 3831 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606 - **Phone**: 949502-7111 - **Price range**: $ - **Coordinates**: 33.683265, -117.813238 - **Claimed**: unclaimed ## About Northern Cafe is a scratch-made Chinese restaurant located at 3831 Alton Pkwy in Irvine, CA, sitting in the same plaza as H Mart. The menu spans classic Northern Chinese fare, from steamed soup dumplings and pork pancakes to beef rolls, cold dish combos, and noodle soups. Guests consistently praise the large portions and reasonable prices, with most dishes coming in well under $15. The hot sizzling plates and family-style format suit groups and families well, while the casual, laid-back setting works just as easily for a quick solo lunch. ## Highlights - **Scratch-made dumplings** — Every dumpling is made from scratch, with steamed pork soup dumplings a crowd favorite. - **Noodles done right** — From Dan Dan noodles to hearty noodle soups, the noodle menu earns consistent praise. - **Generous portions, low prices** — Large, satisfying dishes come in at budget-friendly prices, often under $13 each. - **Sizzling family plates** — Hot sizzling plates served family-style make Northern Cafe ideal for group meals. ## FAQ ### Where is Northern Cafe located? Northern Cafe is located at 3831 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606, in the same plaza as H Mart. ### What type of food does Northern Cafe serve? Northern Cafe specializes in Northern Chinese cuisine, all made from scratch. You can expect steamed soup dumplings, pork pancakes, beef rolls, cold dish combos, and a full noodle menu featuring options like Dan Dan noodles and noodle soups. The menu is well suited to family-style sharing or a satisfying solo meal. ### How much does it cost to eat at Northern Cafe? Northern Cafe is budget-friendly, with most dishes priced under $15 per person. Many popular items like the steamed pork soup dumplings and pork pancake come in at $12.99 before tax, so you can enjoy a full, generous meal without spending much. ### What is Franki? Franki is a restaurant discovery app that helps you find great places to eat through real video reviews from actual diners. You can browse reviews, photos, and videos of Northern Cafe on Franki, and earn cash back when you dine there. Download Franki on the App Store or Google Play to start exploring. ### What are popular dishes at Northern Cafe? Diners rave about the steamed pork soup dumplings, the layered pork pancake, and the beef roll. The Dan Dan noodles are also a standout, and the cold dish combo lets you mix and match your favorite items. Noodle soups are another go-to for regulars. ### Is Northern Cafe good for families or groups? Northern Cafe is a great fit for family meals and group hangouts. The hot sizzling plates are served family-style, the portions are generous, and the pricing keeps the total bill very approachable for larger tables. ### Does Northern Cafe offer outdoor dining? Yes, Northern Cafe is noted as a spot suitable for outdoor dining, so you have the option to enjoy your meal outside. ### How can I contact Northern Cafe? You can reach Northern Cafe by phone at (949) 502-7111. ## Reviews ### tuan_hoang — 5.0/5 · Jan 26, 2025 Northern Cafe ### esurie — 5.0/5 · Jul 26, 2025 Northern Cafe delivers hot sizzling plates perfect for family style eats! ### agent_g — 5.0/5 · Mar 8, 2026 Reasonably priced and large portions. The steamed pork soup dumplings (a set of 8) were delicious. The pork pancake (cut into 5 pieces) was also very good - three layers of meat. Took a little while to steam and cook them; but it was worth the wait. Each of these two dishes was $12.99 before tax and tip. For the same price, the pancake slices had the better cost-performance ratio. Waitresses had a good attitude and were friendly towards children. ### eatingwithedmund — 5.0/5 · Jan 12, 2025 I was so happy to see a new dumpling restaurant open up, where everything is made from scratch and taste delicious at a reasonable price. Northern Café is in the same plaza as a new H Mart, making a quick lunch and a shopping trip an enjoyable afternoon. ### live2eat_dine — 5.0/5 · Oct 15, 2025 “Nothing But Noodles Day” : Noodles soup and dried noodles… ### loyalturtleflies260 — 5.0/5 · Mar 21, 2026 I love their cold dish combo here. Pick your favorite items! So yummy! ### kecedy — 5.0/5 · Mar 3, 2026 So good! Perfect for a Sunday lunch! ### naathaantran — 4.3/5 · Mar 10, 2026 Yum ### naathaantran — 4.3/5 · Apr 17, 2026 Yum ### newplacenewfood — 5.0/5 · Jan 27, 2025 Love the beef roll