Starwok Express

+ Chinese food takeout is available
+ One of few places open early at train station
+ Friendly owner
+ Outside seating
-/​+ Prices are a little high
I walk by this place every weekday at the Irvine Metrolink/​Amtrak train station. Fortunately it is one of the only places open early (6am sometimes) mornings. You can pick up some tea/​coffee/​breakfast here if you skipped it at home. The owner also works at Donut Star on Irvine Blvd on other days as well as I’ve seen her there. Very friendly.
Prices are a tiny bit high, but nothing crazy. I’ve noticed the muffins are from Costco (since I buy them too haha).
Based on other reviews, this place also has Chinese takeout afterwards. I don’t think I would ever be in a spot to come here for actual food, but I’m glad there’s the option. There are a lot of businesses close by and it is the perfect area. There is also plenty of outside seating.
I’ve noticed the hours of operations isn’t always adhered to strictly. The first year or two I came by, it would be closed at 6:00am. Now sometimes it is open. I try to save money by not buying breakfast here, but sometimes when I’m in a bind, and it is closed, I have to go hungry for a few hours for my train ride to LA.

These individuals who make up this team are truly magnificent, intelligent, kind –hearted, and most of ALL generously kind & Respectful Team-​members who operate this restaurant. They serve such a wide variety of inexpensive healthy, & amazingly delicious food. There Chinese food is bar-​none. In fact, there Chinese is damn near the best out of ALL of Irvine, Ca !!! These women are hard working. I give my them my entire respect for treating me with the upmost courtesy, and sincere care when delivering a tasteful meal, or snack. So conveniently located on the premises of the Irvine Amtrack station. Star Wok is easily amongst the more affordable food worth your buck restaurant. When eating here, one never has to worry about being jipped on their paid product in the least bit. As a customer to Star Wok, many can find their food not only nourishing, but also beautiful to look at. The eye popping colors of their dishes bring a healthy, vibrant appeal to not only your most favorable diets, but as well as an augmentation of well-​served pleasure to any open minded food enthusiasts life !!!

I found a metal object in my food. Enough said. The food here is not that great to begin with but there really is no alternative around here. I found a metal object in my food. Enough was enough.

A super convenient place for a quick meal by the train station in Irvine. They serve donuts in the morning, cheap Chinese food during lunch.
This is located on the NW side of the Amtrak, you can park on the curb for about 20 minutes, which is enough time to grab some food here. Or you can park inside the structure.
They have your usual Chinese fast food on warming trays: orange chicken, BBQ chicken, beef and broccoli, chop suey, mongolian beef, crispy chicken wings, chow mein, fried rice, etc. Not the best, but it’s pretty decent. A bowl is about $ 5, and they give a big proportion, so it’s well worth your money.
It’s been around for years, has a pretty loyal yuppie and train traveler clientele, and it’s walking distance from work. The owners are also friendly and chat with you, especially if you come by often.

Pretty typical run of the mill Chinese fast food. Decent enough and they usually give good portions. Wouldn’t be my first choice for Chinese obviously, but it’s walking distance from work so I usually come here at least once a month

Omg, so disappointed, ok the rice and chow mien have no flavor which sucks but due to the language barrier or obvious miscommunication on her part to the cook I received the completely wrong item, I asked for honey walnut shrimp and I got fried shrimp with onion and like peppers or Jalapenos or something!!! I mean cmon that’s not even close to honey walnut shrimp! And I made sure with her three times bout what it was I wanted and it turned out to a terrible lunch, the shrimp had the heads and legs still on it and tasted like garlic and spice, this was not what I wanted, such a bad experience,

After reading the other reviews, I found myself a bit bewildered. Nearly everyone had positive things to say, yet all of the reviews were a small amount of stars. After pondering it for a bit, I thought of what could be the reason why: they don’t want anyone else to find out about this hidden little gem!
This Star Wok Express/​Donut Star is tough to find if you’ve never been, after all, and I’m sure many people have driven away thinking «it’s closed,» but it isn’t. They haven’t any big neon sign, nor anything indicating that there even is a Chinese restaurant there, but if you use the photos others have taken as a guideline, you should find it.
As for my two item meal ($ 6.20), I was wholly impressed. I went in knowing that it was Americanized Chinese food, and despise the inexpensiveness of it, the chicken was cut into cubes without gristle – a rare find when it comes to cheap Chinese faire – the vegetables were soft but not mushy, the chow mein didn’t lump together and was easily enjoyed with chopsticks, and everything was enjoyably flavorful. Since one of the items (kung pao) was almost out, they gave me more of the second one (mushroom chicken), and both were delicious.
Also, they haven’t any hours posted on their window nor door, so I asked the lady, and she said that they close around 6:00PM or 7:00PM. She seemed to be leaning more toward 7:00PM, so I suppose they may have a late evening rush that keeps them open till then.
Due to that, and their lack of non-​bottled beverage variety (as some milk tea and/​or iced coffee beverages would be great), I’m docking a star, though I can’t say it’s their fault – I’d assume that better business would keep them open later, and I don’t know if that’s to be found in this area. Maybe it will come, though, and I’ll get to go there for dinner too! Though I suppose I should take a breakfast-​time trip and try out the other half of their business: the donuts, muffins, and the like…

Stuck at the train station for a couple hours and no other options nearby, so stopped in. The trays of Chinese food sitting on display were totally dried out, and looked like they’d been sitting there all day. Opted for a couple egg rolls — ok, but not great.

I’ve been to the ‘Train Station’. I have to admit that their food there is pretty good. The only downside is that they don’t give you that much. Even when you ask them to give you just a little more, they end up just putting two or three more pieces of meat on there. The fried chicken or shrimp (which is very good) they charge you for the 2 or 3 extra pieces you ask for. I’ve been to fast food Chinese places that gives generous amounts of food… to the point where they can barely close the lid.

At work we call this place the «Train Staion» as it is located next to the train station. Aren’t we geniuses?
It’s your typical fast food Chinese place, but you can actually see the kitchen to the side. I love it when they run out, because what that means is that you wait for about 5 minutes and you get fresh hot items!
I usually get the fried rice and orange peel chicken. Coworkers love the bbq chicken…
Sometimes I just feel like fried rice and will order a large fried rice. Prices are pretty good…
Today I got a softserve ice cream in a cup for $ 1.20. I didn’t even realize they had softserve.
They also have coffee and donuts but I haven’t gotten those.
You can eat out in the courtyard area… although I usually just take it back to work.