A & J Restaurant, Irvine

Located in an Asian shopping center, where each restaurant needs to find its own competitive niche, A&J doesn't seem to try too hard. The service is minimal, and the restaurant is cash only. However, the prices for the wide variety of comfort foods from different regions in China are very attractive. Noodles, wonton (dumplings), rice dishes and buns - there are about 50 kinds, in addition to appetizers and breakfast items. The Scallion Pancake is probably everyone's favorite. For an appetizer, if you dare, try the Bean Curd with Thousand Year Egg. The rice dishes, whether with meat or vegetables, make the fried rice in regular Chinese restaurants feel boring. Just get whatever catches your eye - nothing can go wrong here. -Hoiyin Ip