Happy Thursday, North OC Digest!
And Merry Christmas!!! 🎄
If you’re reading this on Christmas morning, first of all… respect. Whether you’re up early before festivities kick off, sneaking a quiet moment to yourself, or just scrolling while something’s in the oven…
I’m glad you’re here.
Between Christmas falling on a Thursday and the rain nonstop lately, everything feels slower in the best way. Perfect excuse for comfort food, cozy drinks, and zero-pressure plans.
I also want to say a huge thank you. We’ve had so many new people join the North OC Digest recently, and seeing this community grow has made putting these editions together even more fun — especially during the holidays.
So here’s a very low-pressure, very on-brand Christmas ask:
👉 Give someone this newsletter as a gift this Christmas.
If you know a friend who loves good food, coffee, or just needs better ideas on what to do around North OC, send it their way.
And to make it fun:
🎁 Invite 2 people and you’ll get 15 minutes of fame — a shoutout in the next newsletter. No pressure, just my way of saying thanks for helping this thing grow.
Alright — let’s keep it cozy.
Now, in today’s edition:
A bowl of beef noodle soup that hits especially hard this time of year
One of the freshest additions to OC cafe culture (with some seriously creative drinks)
And a lighter events list — because it is Christmas after all
— Mark Yi
Restaurant of the Week: Noodle St
A Fullerton noodle favorite with rich broth and crispy beef roll pancakes
If you’re craving hand-pulled noodles and hearty Asian comfort food, Noodle St in Fullerton is one of those spots locals keep talking about again and again.
People love how the menu delivers consistently flavorful noodle soups, chewy handcrafted noodles, and creative sides that make the meal feel satisfying from start to finish.
Here’s what people keep coming back for:
Spicy Beef Noodle Soup — The go to. Rich, beefy broth and chewy noodles (especially knife-cut or triangle shapes) that make the whole bowl feel comforting and bold
Beef Roll Pancake — Crispy outside, tender beef inside, loaded with green onion and cilantro for a flavor pop people rave about (I have to order this every time I go, it’s so good)
Other favorites like the garlicky cucumber salad, dumplings, and other noodle variations keep people coming back and trying something new each visit
Generous portions and friendly service make this spot feel great for a casual dinner or a nice night out!
📍 2323 E Chapman Ave, Ste B, Fullerton, CA 92831
🕓 Mon–Sat: 11AM–10PM • Sun: 11AM–9PM
Click Here: To view the full menu and plan your visit!
Cafe of the Week: Auria Coffee
One of the freshest additions to OC cafe culture — and the drinks show it
If you’ve been paying attention to the Buena Park coffee scene lately, you might’ve spotted Auria Coffee. This cafe has been quietly building buzz for creative drinks and a welcoming vibe.
This isn’t your ordinary, run of the mill coffee shop. Auria brings flavor twists you don’t see everywhere, and it’s exactly the kind of spot people love discovering before it gets too hyped.
Here’s what people keep coming back for:
Biscoff Latte — sweet and creamy… a dessert-in-a-cup that still feels like coffee.
Sweet Corn Einspanner — one of those drinks you have to try to believe just how good it is
Black Sesame Espresso Latte — nutty, bold, and beautifully balanced
Delicious banana lattes like the banana cream matcha, banana bread latte, and banana cream top latte
A welcoming vibe with indoor/outdoor seating — great for meetups, casual hangs, or just a slow morning.
📍 5254 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90621
🕓 Daily: 8:00AM – 11:00PM (open for Christmas)
Whether you’re meeting a friend, getting in a study session, or just want a fun coffee experience that goes way beyond the basics, Auria Coffee is a must-visit on the North OC cafe map.
Click Here: To view the full menu and plan your visit!
🐶 Adoptable Dog of the Week: Willis
Meet Willis — a 10-year-old Siberian Husky who still has plenty of love left to give.
Willis is friendly, great on walks, and loves meeting new people. He’s also not shy about asking for attention — expect a gentle nudge when it’s time for pets. At 46 pounds, he’s the perfect size for someone looking for a calm, affectionate companion without the puppy energy.
And if you’re feeling a little extra in the Christmas spirit this week and want to spread some good cheer, consider spreading it with Willis, our Adoptable Dog of the Week. Senior dogs make incredible companions, and who knows, this might just be the best gift you give (or receive) this holiday season.
Willis is currently hanging out at OC Animal Care and is ready for his forever home. His Pet ID is A1848749 (go to the OC Animal Care site and search by his Pet ID).
Want to e-meet Willis right now? You can watch a video of him here!
Exciting Events:
Music 🎵
Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas | 8PM, December 26 (Tickets)
Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Description: Celebrate the season with Jim Brickman’s signature piano holiday concert full of warmth and festive spirit.
A Magical Cirque Christmas | 8PM, December 27 (Tickets)
Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Description: A high-energy holiday show blending cirque performance, acrobatics, music, and Christmas storytelling — fun for all ages.
Community Fun🎆
Winter Fest OC | Ongoing through Jan 4 (Tickets)
Location: 88 Fair Dr. Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Description: SoCal’s biggest winter festival transforms the fairgrounds into a holiday wonderland — think ice skating, snow tubing, lights, carnival rides, holiday market booths, food & drink, and family entertainment.
The Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market | 9AM-1PM, December 27 (Free)
Location: 303 West Palm Avenue, Orange, CA 92866
Description: The Certified Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisans Market sources farmers from the Southern California region who hold a California Certified Producers Certificate (CPC), keeping produce local and fresh.
Buena Park Farmers Market | 9AM-2PM, December 27 (Free)
Location: 8000-8092 La Palma Ave, Buena Park, CA
Description: This busy farmers market runs year-round every Saturday from 9am to 2pm. They offer everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to flowers and leather goods.
Special Events🥂
Knott’s Merry Farm | All Day, December 22–28 (Tickets)
Location: Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park
Description: A full holiday takeover of the park with snow-covered streets, Christmas shows, festive treats, and classic seasonal charm.
Sorry for so few events this week… it is Christmas after all.
To make it up to you, here are the best places to go see Christmas lights this week!
Christmas Lights🎄
Fullerton Light Show — classic neighborhood synchronized light show you can drive/walk through. (Link)
Fullerton “Sparkle Balls” (Yale Ave) — hundreds of glittering lights in one residential block (Link)
Naples Island Christmas Lights (Long Beach) — iconic canal neighborhood lighting & decorations. (Link)
Lots of smaller ones in Long Beach — the most instagrammable holiday spots in Long Beach (Link)
Brea Christmas Light Neighborhood — another great festive neighborhood drive-by on Yelp (Link)
East Lake Village Christmas Lights (Yorba Linda) — a festive neighborhood display that’s popular with local families for strolling or driving through holiday lights around the lake (Link)
Yorba Linda’s Annual Holiday Decorating Winners — view this interactive of the best houses doing holiday lights in Yorba Linda! (Link)
More general ones in Yorba Linda — holiday lights map from the city of Yorba Linda! (Link)
Anaheim Historic Colony Christmas Light Show — a classic Anaheim holiday light show with creative, detailed lighting — fun if you want a spot beyond typical neighborhood displays (Link)
Anaheim Hills Neighborhood Light Streets — explore Nohl Ranch Rd, Equestrian Dr & Symphony St — not one central event, but well-lit zones locals love
Kooiman Family Christmas Light Show — A cozy family-run display with decorations and holiday lighting (individual street/home display at 515 Cedar Ave, 5:30-10:PM Sun-Thurs, 5:30-11PM Fri-Sat) (Link)
How was today's newsletter?
Thanks for reading the North OC Digest! Let’s chat again on Tuesday!