These 8 Orange County Restaurants Are Worth Their Michelin Status

Many chefs, if not most, dream of receiving a coveted Michelin Star. Some are great enough to be awarded more than one while others strive to reach perfection. California residents are lucky to have more than a few Michelin Star-winning restaurants to enjoy, and we’re going to look at a couple of them in Orange County.

We’ll also discuss another Michelin distinction, that of the Bib Gourmand badge. Since 1955, this honor has gone to restaurants that offer quality dishes at affordable prices. Named for the Michelin mascot, the Bib Gourmand holds quite the weight in terms of culinary awards, and Orange County has eight restaurants with that distinction.

Here are two Michelin Star restaurants in Orange County, followed by the eight restaurants with a Bib Gourmand. (This is the must-visit restaurant in every state .)

Hana Re, Costa Mesa — 1 star

Hana Re runs under the masterful eye of chef Atsushi Yokoyama, and you’ll get to watch a true “chef’s table” sushi performance. This is traditionally called “Omakase,” and entails a close look into the local ingredients, techniques, and final products of these skilled sushi chefs. Dishes include a pike eel with plum sauce, squid sashimi, and gizzard shad sushi. These change seasonally depending on the ingredients. Michelin recommended the cuttlefish dashi and the almond panna cotta with strawberries.

Knife Pleat, Costa Mesa — 1 star

Knife Pleat is a collaboration between chefs Yassmin Sarmadi and Tony Esnault. A smaller, yet elegant operation in comparison to some of this duo’s other fabulous Los Angeles restaurants, it features a French-inspired menu from which Michelin recommended the confit duck thigh and the layered chocolate cake. The current menu features delicious options like caviar with cauliflower custard, Maine lobster, and a pomegranate-almond sorbet.

Heritage Barbeque — Bib Gourmand

Heritage Barbeque offers Texas-style BBQ in San Juan Capistrano. Michelin said it awarded this location a Bib Gourmand rating after trying its smoked brisket with a side of cheddar jalepeño biscuits. Menu offerings include tri-tip, brisket tacos, chicken, pulled pork, and other delicious meats. Sides include mac and cheese, chili, coleslaw, potato salad, and brisket beans. Don’t forget to grab a cup of banana pudding for the road!

Fable & Spirit — Bib Gourmand

Fable & Spirit is a modern eating establishment in Newport Beach with roots in Irish culture and storytelling. Michelin raved about the harissa roasted cauliflower and the 12-hour-long braised porchetta with Calabrian chili. The latter comes with polenta, Romanesco, and chimichurri sauce. There’s also Guinness brown bread, Hawaiian blue prawns, grilled bone marrow (pictured), and wood-fired pizzetta on the menu. For dessert, Michelin recommended the brioche bread pudding with fresh blueberry compote.

Phở 79 — Bib Gourmand

Phở 79 has classic items like crispy egg rolls and more unique items like skewered pork balls and shredded pork skin salad rolls. Michelin recommended the goi cuon. Many of their dishes come with protein, like pork and seafood. If soup’s not what you’re after, they have a number of steamed rice plates and several desserts.

Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen — Bib Gourmand

Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen in downtown Fullerton serves traditional Indian cuisine with chef Imran Ali Mookhi at the helm. Michelin pointed out the creative presentation and said the meat is tender and flavors plentiful. The menu is 100% halal and includes some of the highest-rated Australian Wagyu beef. Signature dishes include Chicken Karahi and Khan Biryani.

Hiro Nori Craft Ramen — Bib Gourmand

Hiro Nori Craft Ramen in Irvine was selected for a Bib Gourmand by Michelin in 2019. Among diners’ favorites are the Tonkotsu Ramen, the Shoyu Ramen, and the Spicy Cold Dipping Noodle. Bowls can also be found on the menu, including the Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl and the Salmon Poke Bowl.

Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen — Bib Gourmand

Gabbi’s Mexican Kitchen opened in Orange in 2006 under executive chef Gabbi Patrick. Serving indigenous and regional recipes of Mexico, Gabbi’s was awarded a Bib Gourmand because “the cooks here understand the essence of regional Mexican cuisine.” Michelin pointed out the citrus-tinged achiote pork, the tacos, and the Puebla with spicy sausage, carne asada, smoked applewood bacon, and morita salsa.

CHAAK Kitchen — Bib Gourmand

A sister restaurant to Gabbi’s, CHAAK Kitchen in Tustin serves smoke- and spice-focused cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula. Michelin recommends starting with a mezcal cocktail, customized with tamarind and mole bitters, or a Mexican wine. Then try the charred habanero salsa with crisp corn empanadas filled with Oaxacan cheese and epazote, or the regional favorite Sikil p’ak—a pumpkin seed dip.

Ramen & Tsukemen TAO — Bib Gourmand

Ramen & Tsukemen TAO owner-chef Toshimasa Sano was trained at Tsujita in Tokyo and was inspired to open his ramen shop specializing in miso ramen and tsukemen. Michelin said the Buena Park spot serves “soul-stirring comfort food made with passion and dedication,” and recommended the spicy red miso ramen and chicken ramen. (Here’s a look at the 20 must-see destinations in California right now .)

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