Ren Asian Bistro (Irvine, Orchard Hills)

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ps99472

ps99472

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http://www.yelp.com/biz/ren-asian-bistro-irvine

Not bad, when I'm lazy or tired, this will be my go-to joint.  Kung Pao is decent (though I still like Oriental Seafood Noodle House's version).  Had the bbq pork today, a tad on the sweet side and was hoping for leaner cuts so the meat just crumbles in mouth.  Having lived in SF, my measuring stick for chinese bbq pork will always be Cheung Hing, (so I guess I will forever be disappointed in my life).  Also got the seafood lo mein.  Was hoping for thicker/chewier noodles instead of the thinner ones I got, and it was a little bland.  Seafood was tasty but a little skimpy.  At least better than Pan of Asia's version. 

They have a few items written in Chinese next to the register.  Kung Pao fish filet, pot stickers, wontons in chili sauce, and an $18.99 dish that involves sea cucumber.  Might give that a try.  Good service for a chinese place, friendly and someone always come out of the kitchen to say hi to me.  Gonna chat up the chef next time, maybe they can cook me dishes on the side on a secret menu :)
 
Yeah - we tried it a few days ago.  Good prices, good food, big servings.  Definitely going to be a regular place to eat!

We had the egg-drop soup, Mongolian Beef, and garlic shrimp. Lo mein looked really good. Will probably try that next time.
 
Got the orange peel chicken and prawns in crystal white sauce.  Chicken was pretty good, something we would get again.  Prawns were decent but the sauce is a bit lacking in flavor (wok roastiness?  cooking wine?  more salt?).  Decent sized prawns, and the vegetables were crisp and good quality.  Portions were decent and with the coupon it was a cheap $14 dinner for two and enough for breakfast tomorrow.  Who needs a wok room :)
 
Tried this based on some pretty good reviews, used the 20% off coupon but they only gave me 20% off one entree not the whole check like ps9 reported  :)

Food was pretty good, I would definitely return.  We tried the following:

Mongolian Beef - This was my favorite, very tasty and I love the sauteed onions
Thai Coconut Curry - This was the most disappointing, it had good reviews but I found the flavor quite plain
Orange Peel Chicken - Very good and lots of flavor, used all white meat chicken which was a bonus

Also I like that they don't charge you extra for brown rice, and the brown rice was pretty good.

Will be back to try some of those more unique dishes (crystal sauce, etc).
 
The coupon was for 20% off each entree, still a decent coupon for about $3 off and you get a free drink.  Recommend the basil fish filet.  My new favorite dish there.  They put the garlic shoots with the basil, lots of flavor.  Gonna ask if they can do the Chinese ham with garlic leek stirfry next time. 
 
bones said:
USCTrojanCPA said:
How long of a lead time do they need if you call in the order for take out?
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Quick. I ordered while there, went to get gas at the gas station in The same plaza and it was ready when I got back.
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Sweet, looks like I'll be ordering some Orange Peel Chicken tonight to watch the GB game and the Clipper game.  :D
 
Went there this weekend, the chef is actually from the now defunct Tri-Village in Cypress Village Shopping Center.  He said this is meant to be a Pei-Wei style restaurant, so the menu is a little different from the typical Chinese joint.  Food was okay for me, seems to be catered more to non-Chinese clientele.
 
We like the food there.  The portions are large.  Thai Curry was thinner last Friday compared to previous visits, though.  Basil Fish Filet is also my favorite at this place.
 
Owner is too nice, don't know why he would say peiwei, it is much better than any of the chain westernized Chinese food places.  Not on par with Tasty Noodle but is now my go to place due to convenience and service (tasty noodle still sucks).
 
ps9 said:
Owner is too nice, don't know why he would say peiwei, it is much better than any of the chain westernized Chinese food places.  Not on par with Tasty Noodle but is now my go to place due to convenience and service (tasty noodle still sucks).
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I think he was referring to the menu.  I was a little taken aback by the step 1, pick your meat, step 2 pick your style kind of menu...didn't know how to order.  But once you break it down, it actually kind of make sense.  Kung pao chicken is basically chicken kung pao style, black pepper beef is beef black pepper style, etc.  So they were basically able to fit like  50 different Chinese dishes on two columns.

The food is definitely more authentic than Pei-wei, but the menu is, like said previously, IHO-style.
 
bones said:
Can people post their favorite combos b/c I always somehow end up with combos that aren't that tasty?  So far I've read:

1) Basil fish
2) Kung Pao chicken (tried this one? only ok)
3) What else?
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Good Idea Bones, we can avoid disasters together.  I've tried the following:
1) Mongolian Beef - Very good, about a 7.5 (just wish it had those white crunchy things)
2) Orange Peel Chicken - Good as well, 7
3) Chicken Thai Coconut Curry - Not enough flavor, too plain, too thin (despite good reviews) - 4

Would like to try:
- Honey Walnut Chicken
- Salt & Pepper Pork
- Crystal White Beef
- Sweet & Sour Pawns

Yum, getting hungry.
 
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