Sam Woo Seafood & BBQ in Cerritos

Always a delicious destination for authentic Chinese cuisine.

I came here with my husband last weekend and was not impressed by our experience. We had dim sum and a lunch special; the steamed chicken feet was not steamed enough, the porridge/congee was bland and had huge chunks of ginger in it, the rice was dry, the Mongolian beef was tough to chew, the steamed shrimp rolls were really doughy and cold. However, the egg rolls and har gow was yummy. The service was okay even though the waiters would come by us and only three other tables to ask if it was our dish they were bringing to us. I feel like they could be more organized since it was just a few tables they were serving. Not sure if it was an off day but I loved the Sam Woo in Mississauga, Canada, but I won’t be returning to this one.

This place was actually pretty good. Friendly service and really tasty food. We tried it for lunch and weren't disappointed. Good prices and ample parking.

worst service ever. waited outside for 20 mins then another 25 mins inside wait after ordering. They just wanted you to pay first and let you wait forever without caring

Recently ordered take out from here. One side is a sit town restaurant and the other side is quick service food to go. I always try to go right when it opens because the food is the freshest then. 🤤 everyone is super friendly, speaks English, and quality is great for the price. Although SGV may be a bit more authentic or have higher turnover, this Irvine location is pretty good, and you don’t have to drive an hour. Enjoy!!

Straight forward order your food, eat, pay and get out la! sorta place, i love it

As usual, this was was very busy, but the wait was only about 20 minutes for a party of 4. All the food was very fresh, and you can definitely tell from the seafood. My favorite dish are the clams, which are very large and meaty. There might not be as many, but each one has more meat than 3-4 clams at other restaurants. In addition, they were juicy rather than flat and tasteless.

This is a neighborhood gem, very popular and with good reason. I found the food to be fresh, well-prepared, nicely presented, and with generous portion sizes. Our servers were unobtrusive. They came to our table at just the right times during the meal. There are interesting daily specials featuring seafood of all kinds. Dim sum is also on the menu. You'll see big Asian families enjoying their meal here, business people, couples, people of all ages and all walks of life! The food, clean pleasant surroundings and convenient parking brings them back.

Each Sam Woo location is quite different from one another. This location is a bit fancier than most in terms of atmosphere and some dishes. Still a good choice for some authentic food and reasonable prices.

The food was pretty good. It's pretty cool that Obama came to eat here. You just check the dim sum items you like and they bring it to your table. You don't have to wait around for the ladies with the carts

Absolutely incredible food. The rockfish melted in my mouth, tasted so fresh and clean. Veggies were perfect. Roasted pork changed my life.Can't wait to return.

I frequent this restaurant a lot and those visits were great. Food and service has always been outstanding. Free birthday photo. But today, I was very disappointed. Service was very very slow, they got our food and drinks wrong and the dishes seem to taste a little different too. Maybe they just have an off day today.

Damn good Chinese food that won't break the bank. But you have to sit in the less fancy dining area next to the take-out section. Still nice, but without the fancy table cloths. Same food, cheaper prices.

We like a lot eating out. Last night we went to this delicious place which friends recommended to us. We spent a lovely experience there with great food and a well-trained crew and a professional chef. We put this restaurant in our phone list and we will certainly come back very soon. We highly recommend.

Best spot to have something when in a rush. The service is quick, prices are reasonable, awesome atmosphere. Keep up the good work

Nice Chinese Restaurant. Reasonable low price.Good service. Very popular for local Chinese.

The Sam Wood BBQ carry out was good, but nothing special. I used to LOVE this place, but now their char siu, roasted pig and Soya chicken was only as expected. It didn't stand out. I think there are many newer and better restaurants with new flavors and offerings, this old school place is standing still, thus falling behind. I'm sure my parents will still like this kind of food.

Nice very large restaurant serving Cantonese style food. The service was excellent and food was very good. Although we had to wait and they said 20 minutes, they actually took us in 10 which was great. There are quite a few people so don't be in a hurry when coming here. If you are in a rush, they have a take out side that serves your basic Chinese food at a less expensive price. Quality is just as good, $6.95 for two sides which is not bad a much better than some places. You can even order a whole duck or slab of Chasu (BBQ porch meat)! Great for small events at home.

Food used to be mediocre but now it's too salty for my taste. My BBQ platter seem like it was from the previous night. Service was below average but was not horrible. The melamine wear had strong bleach smell that made me loose my appetite. Not coming back again.

The best Chinese food outside of mainland. Thank you Sam Woo!

Went for the takeout during COVID. The food was good, and they still gave you a heaping portion of the express side to do. They also included soup as well if you purchase the combo items.

Personally I love the BBQ express side more than the seafood restaurant. You really can't go wrong with anything you order. My personal favorite which doesn't have a picture here is their beef brisket wonton noodle soup!

Got food from the take-out section. Nice stop for a quick, no-frills lunch at a reasonable price. Mapo tofu missing the ma and the la, but could be worse. Fried rice pretty good, especially if you grab a couple chili oil cups.

Food is great but the service is slow. We asked for additional orders from the busboy, and informed us that they will advise the servers - more than 20mins has passed and the busboy was cleaning a table near us - and inquired if the servers came , they didn't. The only time they came was to hand us the bill , and we informed him that we are ordering desserts. If not for the service , I would have given higher stars.

True authentic Chinese restaurant. Visited this place for a business lunch. I liked the variety in dishes.

Decent Chinese food. Service is efficient. The place is always full whenever I was there, but things move fast without being rushed. The restaurant has 3 different areas from fast food to cheap eats and a bit above average. However my favorite has been their noodle soup which is offered in the middle room.

Good dim sum. Can't go wrong with coming here during lunch. The lines aren't bad. Food is good. There's a good selection. Didn't have to wait too long for the food to come out. You need to order from the menu. I don't think there's a cart that rolls around, that's a bit unfortunate. Service was good, everyone was friendly. Would recommend.

Wonton soup was delicious and Singapore noodles were just the right amount of spice with huge juicy shrimps. Definitely coming back!

DELICIOUS! If you want authentic Chinese.. sans westernized modifications to traditional dishes.. this is the place. Soooo good we almost ate dinner twice

This review is not about the food but the customer service to order take out. During the pandemic the take out service on the Sam Woo (fast food side) took card service as a form of payment. My last visit where I ordered one 2 item and one 3 item now requires a $24 minimum to use a card. There is no posted sign or any other communication on the window or door (yes I checked as I left). The person at the cashier was rude and if not for the fact that I had the cash I would have left without food. I will now rethink anytime I consider ordering at Sam Woo (I have been a customer for over 30 years... they just lost a regular customer). I am sure they do not check reviews so this is for all who go to Sam Woo.

It is a change from my husband's Chinese food. The only drawback is that crisp meats don't take out well. The plastic container makes the steam soften the crispy outside. No fault of the restaurant. Just the drawback of take out.

Pretty good Chinese restaurant, but a lot of people are there almost all the time. Take out might be better for you because of long waiting time.The taste of foods are fine and the prices are reasonable. Lots of menus are pros as well.

This place is my preferable place. Of all restaurants I know I like it most. I always suggests to my friends to go to visit this place. Whenever I feel like having a decent lunch, this is the place that comes immediately to my mind. extremely good and diverse food and a rich menu.generous team, and good vibes. Also, the expence is decent. I suggest this spot with great pleasure.

nice fast chinese food, 1 dish is 4.5 and 2 dishes is 6.5. also has table service restaurant. BBQ pork is good.

This review is for Sam Woo BBQ Dining in. We ordered roasted pigs and soy sauce chicken over rice. The portion is on generous side and tasted pretty decent. Service is improving.

Fantastic atmosphere and very amiable service. The meals were crisp and yummy. Will absolutely recommend this place to my friends. Reasonable rates and generous portions. Good job.

Best Chinese Food in Orange County my favorite spot for a decade!

Yesterday my daughter and I, went to buy chinese food take out.We experience a better taste in different items... such as the chow main cook perfectly, good cantonese flavor..string beans...the pork ribs...the eggplants...the fried rice..the blackpepper meat. Shrimps etc. Everything we order was excellent!! Its been awhile that I have not eat your food, we live South Orange county. Last time we we're there we didn't like different dishes that we ordered...maybe you have a new chefs...CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM!!THE TASTE WAS THERE TRULY CANTONESE!!!HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON...IN THE RE-OPENING.SINCERELY. IBAÑEZ YAÑEZ FAMILY.👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋

Was a chain of the Sam Woo restaurants in Los Angeles and Orange county. The location of this branch (or individually owned and operated) gave it a distinct style and choice of food that one may or may not find in other Sam Woo. Besides ordering from the regular menu, don't forget to check out the pictured menu and lunch/dinner specials.

The food was okay with lunch special price. But they really need to improve their service. The server totally ignored us once the food delivered on the table. After we done our main courses, I asked server for an additional dessert. He was so mad, he even tell me, " can you see I am busy right now?"It's very disappointing their services went down. We have been to this restaurant for the past 16+years. Lately, I always feel the services not very nice.

This place gives great service as well as enjoyable meals. One of the best spot ever. The meals came out quickly and the prices are affordable. I recommend this place.

Have been going here for years. Just incredible, never dissapoints- service is fantastic. Good for casual dining.

This spot constantly delivers. They serve great food for reasonable rates, there are no long waits even when they are loaded.

One of my favorite places, Love their barbecue pork and black bean sauce chow fun.

My girlfriend and I had a coupon for the duck, so we decided to try this place. We were sat quickly, which was nice. The food was pretty good, the duck skin was crispy. We also got a BBQ pork appetizer which was delicious. Service was okay, a waiter just comes to your table and it can take a bit. It's also pretty chaotic in there around dinner time, not a great place to have a conversation. Still, food was good so we'll be back.

Cantonese restaurant. Live seafood. Dim sum. This place is newer, cleaner, bigger than most. The price and portion is what would be expected. The quality of the food during was just OK. Parking is the other downside.

I have been here for both lunch and dinner. I can tell you lunch is not the best time to go. The Dim Sum for lunch is mediocre and you have to wait almost an hour if you arrive around 11:00am-12:00pm.For dinner, the portions are generous and taste nice. However, the food is a little oily. If you're active the food won't be a problem for you but if you're a bit older like my parents, the food might not be for you.

This is the kind of chinese food that I love. The service was also good. It gets packed so make sure to make a reservation especially around Chinese celebrations.

Don't listen to any other reviews. I have been coming here for several years. The food is pretty decent, although not excellent compared to other more expensive Chinese restaurants elsewhere. But it is reasonably priced and decent food in Irvine. I am combining foods, service and prices, and giving them 4 stars. Now, for their prices in Irvine, their foods are pretty good, so anyone saying otherwise are not taking into account Irvine area and prices. No question I tasted better Chinese foods at more expensive restaurants and in NY Chinatown but you will be hard pressed to come up with a better Chinese restaurant at reasonable prices in Irvine. This is why a lot of people still come here.

The food usually is pretty decent. The snow pea shoots stir-fried with crushed garlic and sea food dishes like steamed fish are my favorites. They have a good selection of vegetarian dishes as well, including gong bao tofu (deep fried), stir-fried lotus roots, celery and other veggies, and a couple of mushroom dishes whose names escape me now. Even though I don't normally go for the sweet and sour type dishes, I make exception for their sweet and sour fish, which is very yummy. A family member ordered a lobster dish (stir fried with ginger and green onion) once as a treat. The flavor was rather bland compared with other lobster dishes that I have tasted back in Toronto. The place tends to be busy in the evening and could be quite noisy. If you go in the summer, make sure to bring a cardigan because some parts of the restaurant could be very cold due to the air-conditioning.