Dolan’s Uyghur Cuisine
In Irvine, an opportunity to sample Uyghur recipes from a small LA-based chain
When the name “Dolan’s” appeared on coming soon signage at the Walnut Village plaza in Irvine, the fact that it was referring to a Uyghur restaurant wouldn’t have been immediately obvious to those unfamiliar with one or two Dolan’s locations in LA County. Although the possessive ” ‘s ” might lead one to assume that Dolan is the owner or founder (see: Tony’s Little Italy), it’s actually a reference to the Dolan people, culture, and region of Xinjiang, China – part of a group that has been targeted by the Chinese government for ideological reprogramming, language instruction, and forced labor due to its distinctive ethnic identity.
Located near Omomo Tea Shop, Aloha Stacks, Trader Joe’s and Smart & Final, the Walnut Plaza restaurant opened in 2023, and is Dolan’s first Orange County location. Beyond having an opportunity to experience legitimately warm and impressive Uyghur hospitality in a comfortable, nicely decorated space, there are several dishes that make the visit worthwhile.
We enjoyed all of our meal, but were most amazed by something you’ll never see at a typical Chinese restaurant: fried naan with beef. If you’re excited by the concept of a northern Chinese, cumin-style flavor creating a bowl of spicy croutons and meat, you need to try this dish, which we could see Stove Top turning into a packaged version several years from now. Dolan’s manta dumplings are rich with meaty filling, and the desserts – especially the cherry baklava – are pretty unique.
As there are multiple versions of Muslim Chinese food available outside of Orange County, it’s great to see one of them making a proper appearance here. Dolan’s does a nice job with everything from food and service to ambience, and we’d recommend checking it out – we’re still planning our next visit.
Stats
Price: $$
Service: Table
Open Since: 2019 (CA), 2023 (OC)
Addresses
14425 Culver Dr.
Irvine, CA 92604
949.299.2878
Instagram: @dolans_uyghur_cuisine