I'm deeply saddened to learn of the permanent closure, Sam Woo's restaurant has been a part of our lives since we arrived in the area around the same time 28 years ago. In the last few years, even though I've moved away from the area I continued to drive from LA to pick up food here on a regular/weekly basis as my family loves the food. On the takeout side, food was always being replenished during peak times and the portions given were so generous. Consistency in the freshness, quality, and taste was maintained throughout. By far, this was the number 1 location among all the others (Cerritos, San Gabriel, etc). Regrettably, I must've blown past that closure sign in the last dozen visits -- so when I got there on 12/13 1:30pm. To my horror, lights were out except for one person inside stacking up the steam trays. Even then, I must've still been in denial because I didn't see the sign until someone actually pointed it out to me. That sudden realization hit me like a ton of bricks and I'm still devastated by it. Many, many fond memories through the years, I'm grateful for the staff, they've always been so wonderful and friendly over the years, *especially* on the take-out side, I will miss you. I wish I had a chance to give my thanks to each of the staff in person. Thank you to the owner Edith and family for an amazing 28 years.

Came here with my family for lunch. Food came out quick and was all traditional cantonese food. We had salted fish fried rice which wasn't listed on the menu, string beans, beef with chinese broccoli, roast pork, taro with fatty pork, chicken feet, siu mai, and honey walnut shrimp. The waiters spoke cantonese and there was a diverse clientele. Sad to see this place close, but glad we got to try it once before it did!

Sad to hear the news that Sam Woo's is shutting down permanently - not as a casualty of COVID but because the owner was found guilty of tax fraud. The Irvine restaurant was a local favorite of my dad's and he always got the VIP treatment, so we've enjoyed countless family meals there over the years. Feeling thankful and blessed for one final dining experience before closing time. Food photography is for my remembrance and nostalgia purposes.

FYI... word on the street is that this Irvine location of Sam Woo Restaurant & BBQ Express will be closing for good soon because their lease is expiring, and the rent is being increased. Between that and a shortage of workers, I'm sure the stress level among the staff has got to be high. You may encounter a lady at the hostess stand who can be rude when you ask about seating availability or the status of an order. Our group came recently on a weekend to enjoy a Friendsgiving dinner. The reservation was made early, and we showed up at 5 pm. We were one of the first parties to be seated in the dining room of the seafood restaurant side of the business. The place can hold about 80 customers, but they don't have enough workers to serve everyone efficiently if the room is at full capacity. The original intent was for each person to order a dish and share it with the group. While the conversation was happening, it ended up being one or two people who ordered all the food. Our dinner consisted of... * Peking Duck * Yang Chow Fried Rice * Honey Glazed Walnut Shrimp * Mongolian Beef * Sautéed Black Mushrooms with Baby Bok Choy * Fish Fillet with Spicy Salt The duck was easily the favorite of the bunch. It was served across two plates... the first containing the sliced meat with crispy skin along with twelve pillowy buns, and the second holding the leftover internal meat near the bones. Scallions and hoisin sauce were available to add as toppings to the duck as you enclosed it within a bun before devouring. I also enjoyed the black mushrooms as they were large juicy pieces that were a nice change up to the proteins. The only things missing to make the medley complete were a soup and a pork dish like char siu. I had few complaints about the food quality. The cost per person including tax and tip was $20 which was a really good value for six dishes.

Pretty decent quality dim sum for OC -har gow, siu mai, rice rolls, fish balls, bbq pork buns all very good. My only quibble is the shrimp rice roll that's visually a total disaster though tasted good. Reservation required, but if you come early when they open you might get lucky. A line usually forms before their 10:00am weekend opening.

Great service and food was so fresh and delicious. We were there right at 10am when they opened and had the restaurant all to ourselves for awhile till two more groups came in so we were spread out. All the servers had mask on and they were so helpful and friendly. We ordered Hai Gow, Sui Mai, BBQ pork bun, Egg tart, Spareribs, Shrimp noodle roll, Beef Chow Fun, Scramble egg with shrimp, Salt and pepper pork chops, Spicy green beans. The food came out like in 5 minutes so there was no wait at all. We love coming out here for dim sum from Riverside since there isn't any good dim sum and Chinese food places in Riverside. I highly recommend this place if you want authentic Chinese food.

The employees are probably still being underaid, as they are working unenthusiastically and rude to customers. When you are at bbq, make sure a male adult place an order as they give more food when a man places an order. But the food is great, the price is great. Being yelled at or sneered at is a cutural experience (have u been to China?) so that is accetable, right?

Ordered takeout from them through Fan Tuan app, we got $15 off when ordering $40+, what a good deal!! Got the whole duck and the bbq pork for meat and seafood tamarind soup. The duck is very flavorful, the leg meat is a little bit dry, and the duck breast is my fav. Overall, the roasted duck is probably the best in Irvine Bbq pork is great, it's sweet and meat is on the dry side. Seafood tamarind soup is so good!! Sweet, sour and spicy, perfect for the summer day.

I have mixed feelings here about the Duck Panda Express. 4 stars for sitdown and 3 stars for the takeout. On one hand, I've had this place many times since forever so there is hella bias here. On the other hand, I do recognize that maybe it's not as good as I thought it was anymore with rising prices and declining quality lately lol. I've put off reviewing this place for so long, so might as well get it out of the way. Sam Woo is pretty well know among the Chinese community in Irvine- literally every Chinese person who grew up here knows it. There's two parts: the sitdown "fancier side," and the takeout. Personally, I've done the sitdown everytime I visited but due to COVID it's takeout only. And there was good reason for why I normally don't do takeout. I'll start with the negatives. For one, the soup is fine when you're seated, but it was absolutely disgusting at the takeout. Like sour gross, I wouldn't recommend even though it was complementary with your 3 part meal. Their veggie options like Tofu weren't great either. Don't bother coming if you're a vegetarian, this place seems to mix a lot of weird flavors together if you know what I mean. CASH ONLY PPL. They're pretty tough on that rule so keep that in mind if you want a smooth experience. Lastly, don't expect much service. However, Sam Woo does have some really STRONG positives. Pricewise, they're really cheap, even cheaper than bigger chains like Panda Express which has way worse food for the same price. Honestly, you can't go wrong with a place that gives a ton of cheap MSG filled food sub-$10 in 2020. I generally like the meats at Sam Woo too. I've had their duck and sweet pork and those are my favorites. Even the beef and fish with bb sauce that I got for to-go were decent. Also, if you ever dined in, their hot tea is really good and authentic. Plus it's free and unlimited. Hence why I find the sitdown experience to be superior to the takeout everyday. Overall, solid authentic Cantonese spot.