The Source OC in Buena Park: A Local's Guide to Food, Coffee, Shopping & More
Last Updated: July 2026
If you ask me where I usually take friends when they visit Anaheim, Disneyland is obviously on the list. But after a full day at the parks, most people are ready for something a little slower. They don't necessarily want another tourist attraction. They just want good food, a good cup of coffee, and somewhere they can relax for a few hours.
That's usually when I suggest The Source OC in Buena Park.
I've lived around here long enough to watch this place change from a quiet shopping center with a lot of empty storefronts into one of the busiest gathering spots in North Orange County. Looking at it today, it's honestly hard to believe it's the same place.
Back when The Source first opened in 2016, I remember thinking the building itself looked impressive. The design felt modern, the open-air space was beautiful, but it also felt... empty. You could walk through several floors without seeing many people, and quite a few stores hadn't even opened yet. It looked like a grand project that was still trying to figure out what it wanted to become.
Fast forward to now, and things couldn't be more different. The Source has quietly evolved into the vibrant heartbeat of Buena Park’s Koreatown.
The open-air walkways at The Source OC in Buena Park — a four-level complex that has grown from a quiet development into the lively heart of the local community.
Getting the Basics Out of the Way
Before jumping into the food and spots, there are a few practical layout things that are worth knowing if you don't come here all the time. The Source is located right off the 5 and 91 freeways at 6940 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621. It's incredibly easy to get to, but the parking setup requires a little strategy.
Parking is entirely free, which is rare and fantastic for OC. The multi-level structure is massive, but because the complex has gotten so popular, finding a spot between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM on a weekend can test your patience. If you’re coming for prime dinner hours on a Friday or Saturday, save yourself the headache and drive straight up to the 3rd or 4th levels. It takes an extra minute to drive up the ramps, but you’ll find a spot instantly rather than circling the lower levels like everyone else.
The general complex hours are listed as 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM from Monday through Thursday, extending to 9:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and wrapping up at 7:00 PM on Sundays. However, these hours are mostly for the retail shops. Many of the popular restaurants, dessert cafes, and entertainment spots stay open much later into the evening, making it a perfect spot for dinner and a late hangout.
Catch a Movie First: The Regency Theatres Setup
If you haven’t been to The Source in a while, you might still think the movie theater on the upper level is a CGV. That actually changed recently. The theater has taken on a new chapter and is now operated by Regency Theatres.
One of my favorite ways to spend a relaxed afternoon or a low-key weekend evening is to check Regency Theatres' location map and details ahead of time to map out the night. You can also easily find their up-to-the-minute daily showtimes by quickly searching 'Regency Theatres Buena Park' on Google).
Because the theater shares the complex with so many incredible food and drink spots, you don’t have to do the usual rush of eating somewhere else and then driving over to catch your trailers. You just park once, enjoy a film, and walk right out into the open air to grab dinner or dessert. Landing a 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM movie time works beautifully. By the time you walk out of the theater, you’re perfectly timed for a great dinner before the massive evening rush hits the restaurants downstairs.
Where I Actually Eat: Honest Food Recommendations
With dozens of choices spread across the levels, it’s easy to get choice paralysis here. I’ve eaten my way through most of the directory over the years, and these are the specific places that have earned a permanent spot in my rotation.
dPot (AYCE Shabu Shabu & Grill)
Technically located right on the edge of the property at 6982 Beach Blvd, dPot is easily one of the best hot pot experiences in North OC. Most people know about standard all-you-can-eat shabu shabu, but what keeps me coming back here is their cedar wood steaming option (편백 찜).
- The Experience: Before you start boiling your meats in the broth, they place a large, structured cedar box over your stove filled with layers of fresh beef, cabbage, mushrooms, and bean sprouts.
- Why it works: The steam cooks everything gently while infusing the meat with a clean, incredibly subtle woody aroma. It feels light, healthy, and completely distinct from the usual heavy dining options. Once you finish the steamed portion, they remove the box, and you dive right into the traditional shabu shabu broth. It's a two-in-one meal that never gets old.
Il Fiora (Elevated Italian)
Sometimes you’re just not in the mood for Korean food, or you need a slightly quieter, more traditional sit-down environment for a celebration or a catch-up. Il Fiora is a lovely Italian spot tucked away in the complex that feels upscale but entirely unpretentious.
The moment you sit down, they bring out a basket of warm, crusty bread with a really good balsamic and olive oil dip. It’s dangerous because it’s easy to fill up on it before your actual food arrives. Their pasta dishes are consistently well-executed, the portions don't skimp, and the salads are incredibly crisp and bright. It’s an ideal spot if you want to sit outside on a nice evening and actually hear the person across the table from you without competing with loud music.
Pelicana Chicken (The Real Deal Korean Fried Chicken)
If you're just looking for something casual to share with friends, Pelicana is a massive name in Korea for a reason. Their fried chicken hits that perfect balance where the skin stays remarkably crunchy even when it’s completely coated in heavy sauce. The meat inside stays incredibly juicy.
If you've never had proper Korean-style fried chicken, skip the plain options and go for their signature sweet and spicy or soy garlic glaze. Pair it with some pickled radish cubes to cut through the richness, and you have an incredibly satisfying, straightforward meal.
The Food Court (Grub) — Go to 'Mao' for Jjamppong
On days when I’m short on time or just want something fast and comforting without dealing with full table service, I head straight to the food court, which goes by the name 'Grub'. There is one specific spot here that I absolutely swear by: Mao.
If you love spicy Korean-Chinese noodles, their Jjamppong (Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup) is incredible. I had it again just a few days ago, and it consistently hits the spot. The broth is perfectly fiery and savory, and it comes packed with a very generous amount of seafood like squid, shrimp, and crab. The portion size here is incredibly substantial—if you aren't a huge eater, it's easily large enough for two people to split. My tip is to share the Jjamppong and order one of their delicious side dishes to round out the meal. On a chilly Southern California evening, there is nothing better.
Where to Hang Out: Coffee & Dessert Spots
One of the best things about the open-air layout is that it encourages you to linger. You don’t just eat and run; you naturally end up wandering into a cafe afterward. The cafe culture here is huge, and there are three distinct vibes depending on what you’re looking for.
Seed Water Café
This is one of the newer spots in the complex, and it has quickly become my absolute favorite place to decompress. The interior design is incredibly spacious and airy, featuring an open lounge concept with comfortable seating that doesn't feel like they jammed tables together just to maximize space. They have a fantastic selection of specialty drinks, beautiful cakes, and freshly baked breads that smell incredible.
Another massive plus that locals appreciate: the restrooms inside Seed Water are large, modern, immaculately clean, and completely separate from the main mall restrooms. If you need a place to answer some emails on your laptop or have a long, uninterrupted talk with someone, this is the spot.
IN-SIT COFFEE (The Local Hidden Gem)
When I’m less focused on lounging and just want a genuinely exceptional, properly crafted espresso drink, I head to IN-SIT COFFEE. Now, a fun bit of local trivia: the sign reads IN-SIT with a little macron line over the 'I', matching the phonetic spelling for how it's pronounced ("In-sight"). But because of how it looks, a lot of people playfully call it "In-sit"!
Jokes aside, the coffee here is phenomenal, and the barista behind the counter clearly knows their craft. The lattes are perfectly balanced and silky. It's a smaller, focused footprint compared to Seed Water, making it ideal when the coffee quality matters most.
Monday to Sunday
This cafe has a classic, welcoming Korean dessert cafe vibe. It’s lively, cheerful, and serves as a fantastic spot to grab a sweet drink and people-watch. It feels very youthful and energetic, especially on weekend nights when groups gather here after dinner.
Cheesetella & Okbingseol
If you're looking for a treat to take home or something icy to beat the heat, these two are staples.
- Cheesetella: They specialize in traditional Taiwanese-style giant castella sponge cakes. They bake these massive layers fresh and slice them into large, comforting blocks right in front of you. It is barely sweet, incredibly light, and has that signature pillow-soft, slightly jiggly texture that almost melts in your mouth. It's fantastic with a morning coffee the next day.
- Okbingseol: For the height of summer, this is the go-to for traditional milk-ice bingsu and warm, fish-shaped bungeoppang pastries filled with sweet red bean or custard.
The True Neighborhood Character
What I love most about watching The Source evolve over the last decade is how naturally it fits into the daily lives of the people who live here. You see older Korean couples doing their morning walks through the shaded corridors, younger crowds hitting the screen golf simulators at the Olympic Golf Zone, residents stepping into the local Woori Bank branch to handle their finances, and families hunting down their favorite K-beauty essentials before grabbing a weekend treat. It doesn't feel like a manufactured tourist trap; it feels like an authentic community square that happens to have incredible food.
If you haven't dropped by in a while, or if you only remember it from those quiet early days, it’s well worth planning a return visit. Look up the location map, pick a restaurant you haven’t tried yet, and give yourself a few hours to just walk around and take it in. It’s a wonderful slice of what makes living in Orange County so unique.
📍 The Source OC: 6940 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621
🕐 General Retail Hours: Mon–Thu: 10AM–8PM | Fri–Sat: 10AM–9PM | Sun: 11AM–7PM (Restaurants and cafes open significantly later)
🌐 Official Directory & Events: thesourceoc.com