Came for my birthday on Saturday. Preordered a tableside duck and arrived with high expectations.I always drive by the restaurant but since you can't see inside from the street I never thought much of it until I saw it highlighted on some random food blog.Quite honestly the interior is beautiful. Service is attentive and accommodating. These were the very first two things that jumped out at me.Then I realized it was full and all the patrons were chinese. Always a good sign at a chinese restaurant.I was getting hyped by the time I sat down. The duck did not disappoint. Best presentation and best tasting peking duck. The other dishes we ordered failed to match the duck but in truth we had to o...
The duck is probably the only dish that is worth a try although interior staging really gives you the feeling of a high end restaurant. Other than that, you can probably get the same quality of food at a much cheaper price in most Chinese restaurants, even in Irvine. Smoked duck meat is really special and the best dish of all. The reason I gave two stars for the service was mainly because the waiter kept telling us that what we ordered was not enough for everyone and pushed us to order more. In the end, we couldn't finish all. Also, one of the veggie dishes he recommended was actually soup. But we already had one soup for everyone, why would we need more soup? It's something he could remind...
First the restaurant is beautiful. Excited to finally have a new restaurant in this long vacant place. Empty when we arrived. Bad start no alcohol yet. We ordered. Food came out extremely slowly, out of order, long waits before first appetizer arrived, then several dishes at once, then another appetizer. Weird as at the “rush” only 3 tables occupied. The food in general is quite good, although a little under spiced. Portions decent. The big shock is the price. Numerous dishes over $100. Cod at $65 per person. Ordinary dishes $38 50. We are not afraid of high prices but this place is not worth it. Won’t be going back. I don’t see this place surviving for more than 6 months.
Finally, a Chinese restaurant that's at par with the finer establishments in China. For authentic Chinese fine dining(palace style food), no other place in SoCal could match Chang'an. The Peking Duck is exquisite need to order ahead of time. Exotic appetizers like the cordyseps is a brave dish to serve in the Orange County and one can only hope there are enough audience for such interesting texture and taste. The modern interior decor is elegant and subdued. Service is top notch. There are too many good things to say about the food so just go try it. For those that are into price comparison the only reasonable way would be to compare it to French/Italian fine dining.
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This upscale Chinese restaurant is truly a rarity. The decor is elegantly designed, creating a sophisticated ambiance. If you visit, be sure to indulge in the Peking duck—ordering anything else would be a missed opportunity. The presentation, flavor, and texture of the duck surpass any other version I've tried. They even smoke a portion right at your table, making for an unforgettable experience. While their other menu items are also excellent, they tend to be a bit pricey. The staff is very professional, adding to the overall positive experience.
Interestingly, our friends dined there just a few days later and had the exact same experience: they too found the food quality acceptable but were frustrated by the aggressive upselling of dishes. I also came across similar reviews from other customers, suggesting this is a recurring problem. It feels like the staff aren’t operating in a way that supports long-term success for the restaurant. Unfortunately, I will not be returning due to these unethical practices, and I will advise my friends to avoid this place as well.
We had quite the experience at Chang 'An with my 13-year-old and 11-year-old sons. They’re used to burgers and pizza, so fine dining isn't something they typically encounter. However, our visit to Chang 'An was fantastic for them, especially as it introduced them to authentic Chinese cuisine. We’ll definitely return, but probably not too frequently due to the cost.
We had pre-ordered the Peking style duck, and it was perfect for the four of us. The duck was excellent, and the presentation was beautifully done. For dessert, we shared a Blue Pear, which was a delightful and light option—ideal for us since we only wanted a small taste of something sweet.
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The only suggestion I have is that the food was served a bit too quickly; slowing down the pace would help keep the dishes hot.
They don't have a liquor license, so make sure to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal.
