Annapoorna Indian Cuisine

Orange County’s Indian restaurants were unquestionably damaged by both the pandemic and subsequent inflation, which delivered one-two punches to the concept of affordable buffets. Large buffets contracted or shut down entirely, then operating costs rose, creating challenges for sub-$20 meals of virtually any kind. Thankfully, Annapoorna Indian Cuisine, a small but respected restaurant hidden on the edge of Irvine’s Heritage Plaza, has outlasted the storm mostly intact.

Offering a menu of Indian and Indo-Chinese classics during the day or night, Annapoorna’s non-buffet items – including chilli garlic fried shrimp, a Tamil chicken chettinaadu, and giant-sized paper masala dosas – reflect proper kitchen techniques, ingredients, and rapid delivery with a combination of spicy heat, tender meats, and appropriate crispy outsides. You’re not paying for or getting pre-heated items just waiting to be scooped into takeout containers or plates; plates are made fresh to order, and taste it.

The buffet is an option every day – including weekends – and in our most recent experience, very compelling. Like virtually every Indian buffet we’ve visited post-pandemic, there aren’t a ton of choices, but what’s here is actually quite good for the $16 per person price: all-you-can-eat access to over 16 savory items plus salad, naan, and four desserts.