# Northern Cafe > Northern Cafe — Chinese restaurants in Irvine, CA. ## Key facts - **URL**: https://frankiapp.com/business/northern-cafe-206012 - **Type**: Restaurants - **Cuisine**: Chinese - **Location**: Irvine, CA - **Address**: 3831 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606 - **Phone**: 949502-7111 - **Price range**: $ - **Coordinates**: 33.683395, -117.81312 - **Claimed**: unclaimed ## About Northern Cafe is a budget-friendly Chinese restaurant located at 3831 Alton Pkwy in Irvine, CA, just a short distance from UCI. The menu features generous, shareable portions of classic Chinese dishes, with guests raving about the beef noodle soup, beef wraps, skewers, and fish in chili oil. Most dishes come in under $20 and are large enough to share family-style, so the value is hard to beat. The space is clean and relaxed, with a quiet atmosphere that suits family meals, group hangouts, and quick weeknight dinners alike. Orders are placed by QR code and food arrives fast. ## Highlights - **Generous portions** — Most dishes are large enough to share family-style and priced under $20. - **Standout beef dishes** — The beef noodle soup, beef wraps, and fatty beef with scallion are crowd favorites. - **Fish in chili oil** — A hearty serving of fish and napa cabbage that diners praise for its great value. - **Clean, relaxed space** — The subdued, quiet environment suits everything from family dinners to quick solo meals. ## FAQ ### Where is Northern Cafe located? Northern Cafe is at 3831 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92606, close to UCI. ### What type of food does Northern Cafe serve? Northern Cafe serves Chinese cuisine with a focus on hearty, shareable dishes. Popular items include beef noodle soup, beef wraps, skewers, fatty beef with scallion, and fish in chili oil. Most dishes are generously portioned and well suited to family-style dining. ### How much does it cost to eat at Northern Cafe? Northern Cafe is a budget-friendly spot, with most dishes priced under $20 per person. Portions are large enough to share, so your total bill can stretch even further when dining with a group. ### 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. ### How do you order at Northern Cafe? Once seated, you place your order by scanning a QR code at the table. Food arrives almost instantly, so it is a great option when you are looking for a quick and satisfying meal. ### Is Northern Cafe good for groups and families? Northern Cafe is a solid choice for family dinners and group hangouts. The large, shareable portions and low per-dish prices make it easy to order a spread for the whole table without breaking the bank. ### How can I contact Northern Cafe? You can reach Northern Cafe by phone at (949) 502-7111. ## Reviews ### user_purplepolarbear — 5.0/5 · Nov 18, 2025 Dinner ### sgv_oc_foodie — 5.0/5 · Dec 27, 2025 Northern Cafe near UCI is a great local Chinese spot. The skewers were flavorful, and both the beef noodle soup and beef wraps were excellent. Highly recommend if you’re in the area. ### user_0829da — 4.3/5 · Apr 16, 2026 Tried the fish in chili oil. Good portion of fish and napa cabbage! Good value! ### killerbee — 3.3/5 · Nov 18, 2025 Dinner with the college kid. ### foodie_nomnom — 5.0/5 · Dec 5, 2025 The side dishes! ### hungryarchives — 5.0/5 · Nov 23, 2025 My new go to spot for Chinese food. All the flavors were delicious, the portions were huge, and the food came out fast. ### agent_g — 5.0/5 · Mar 8, 2026 Under $20 for each dish, which are large enough to share family-style. Once seated, place your order by QR code and the dish is delivered to you almost instantly. The fatty beef with scallion is not spicy and is served in generous portions. Clean and subdued environment. Quiet place for a quick lunch.