Sam Woo Seafood - Irvine

I don't like this place. I don’t like how there is a division between the “high” area compared to the “normal” area. I usually don't like the food. Most foods are too fat or too salty. I felt disgusting after eating here... feeling that I usually don't mind if the food is good.

There are 2 no, there are 3 Sam Woo’s. The on Culver in Irvine has attached a “fast food” BBQ. Sam Woo also has another restaurant in Irvine on Walnut and Jeffrey. This review is for the Culver Seafood version. I ate there twice in December. One was a private party in the back room. I think there were 4 round tables of 8 people. Apparently there is a minimum order of $350 to book the room. The food was absolutely delicious. Served family style and presented on a turntable, faul Susan, I never had such unusual and tasty Chinese selection. I really can't tell you what I ate most, I tried everything. The orange chicken was the best I ever had – not tender and ill sweet as most places are suitable to serve. I was a guest in the restaurant and not paid, so I'm not sure the prices, but I think someone gave it $35 per person, no alcohol. We had English speaking Asian servers that were well trained and personal. The second visit was with some friends during the week, All older women, except 2 of us, we are all also Caucasus. I mention this because this restaurant is the meeting place for many Asian men at lunch. The waiting staff was excellent, they even gave the 7 checks separate from us! The food we individually selected with the help of the waiting staff was served family style. The waiter patiently explained ingredients and contents of hotness. We had 7 cakes plus rice and cookies with tea. The bill came a little over $10 per person. There was another lazy Susan who made life easier for us. We had 7 different dishes, some were so well served by the staff. I think nothing was mediocre. Several in the group went back during the holiday period when they visited relatives to feed. I recommend each of their ducks, but the shrimps were also special. We were over two hours, eating and chatting, and nobody looked at us.

I remember my dad taking me to Sam Woo whenever we took trips to Southern CaliforniaFor some reason, I always wanted to go here.

The restaurant gets busy on a SundayThere's a long wait to get a table.

I keep thinking Sam Woo will get betterAnd I keep attempting to come back here.