For my Cafe Hana Irving second visit review, I returned after enjoying the Pork Katsu Sando during my first visit. This time, I wanted to explore more of the food menu instead of ordering another sandwich.
We ordered Pork Katsu Teishoku and Mentaiko Udon Pasta, and both turned out to be excellent choices.
The Pork Katsu impressed me with its crispy breading and tender meat, but the slightly sweet, sticky rice served alongside it was an unexpected highlight.
The Mentaiko Udon Pasta was just as satisfying. I had previously enjoyed mentaiko pasta at Chinchikurin in Carrollton, so I was especially interested in seeing how Cafe Hana’s version would compare.
After this second visit, my impression of Cafe Hana became even more positive. It was no longer just a cafe where I enjoyed a good sandwich. I had now found two more dishes that I would happily order again.
Returning to Cafe Hana Irving
My first visit to Cafe Hana left a strong impression because of the Pork Katsu Sando. I enjoyed the combination of crispy pork, soft bread, and shredded cabbage enough to want another meal at the cafe.
Rather than ordering the same sandwich again, I decided to try the Pork Katsu as a full meal and the Mentaiko Udon Pasta.
The Pork Katsu was a natural choice because I already knew I liked Cafe Hana’s fried pork cutlet. The pasta was more of a comparison opportunity since I had enjoyed a similar dish at another restaurant.
The atmosphere still felt clean, calm, and comfortable. I appreciated that familiar setting, but this time I was much more focused on the food than the interior.
Fortunately, both dishes gave me new reasons to recommend Cafe Hana.
What I Ordered at Cafe Hana Irving
For my second visit, the two dishes I focused on were Pork Katsu Teishoku and Mentaiko Udon Pasta.
The menu listed Pork Katsu Teishoku at $14 and Mentaiko Udon Pasta at $13.
I liked that these dishes offered completely different eating experiences. One was a Japanese fried pork cutlet meal with rice and accompanying sides, while the other featured thick udon noodles in a rich, creamy mentaiko sauce.
Both were satisfying, but for different reasons. The katsu stood out for its texture and the rice, while the mentaiko pasta impressed me with its flavor and creamy sauce.
Pork Katsu Teishoku: Crispy Pork and Surprisingly Good Rice
The Pork Katsu Teishoku was one of my favorite dishes of this visit.
The pork cutlet had a crispy, golden breading, and the meat inside remained tender and juicy. I enjoyed the contrast between the crunchy exterior and the softer pork.
The cutlet was served sliced with sauce, shredded cabbage, and a side of potato salad. Rice and miso soup completed the meal.
What surprised me most, however, was the rice.
I usually consider rice a supporting part of a katsu meal, but the rice at Cafe Hana stood out enough that I paid almost as much attention to it as the pork.
It had a slightly sweet flavor and a sticky, chewy texture that I particularly enjoyed.
That texture worked well with the crispy katsu. Alternating between the pork and rice made the meal more satisfying than I had expected.
I also appreciated that the accompanying cabbage and side dishes provided some variety alongside the fried pork.
My recommendation: If you enjoy Japanese pork cutlets, I would confidently recommend considering the Pork Katsu Teishoku at Cafe Hana. The katsu was delicious, but the rice was what made the meal especially memorable to me.
Mentaiko Udon Pasta: Rich, Creamy and Memorable
The Mentaiko Udon Pasta was another highlight of my second visit to Cafe Hana Irving.
Unlike a typical spaghetti dish, this pasta used thick udon noodles. The noodles were coated in a creamy, lightly colored sauce that made the dish look particularly rich.
What I enjoyed most was the savory flavor and the way the sauce coated the noodles.
The creamy sauce brought the dish together without making the flavor feel unbalanced to me.
I had previously tried mentaiko pasta at Chinchikurin in Carrollton, where it became one of the highlights of my visit.
Because I had enjoyed that dish so much, I naturally compared Cafe Hana’s version with it.
The two versions tasted noticeably different, but I found both equally satisfying in their own ways.
I would have difficulty choosing a favorite between them. Chinchikurin had already made a strong impression on me, and Cafe Hana delivered another version that I genuinely enjoyed.
What made Cafe Hana’s dish distinctive was the combination of the thick udon noodles and creamy mentaiko sauce.
Would I order it again? Absolutely. The Mentaiko Udon Pasta is one of the dishes I would recommend most from my second Cafe Hana visit.
For another perspective on this type of dish, read my Chinchikurin Carrollton first visit review.
Price and Portion Size at Cafe Hana Irving
Based on the menu I photographed, the Pork Katsu Teishoku was $14 and the Mentaiko Udon Pasta was $13.
I felt satisfied with both dishes, especially because each offered more than just a simple main ingredient.
The Pork Katsu Teishoku included rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage, and side items alongside the cutlet, making it feel like a complete meal.
The Mentaiko Udon Pasta was satisfying in a different way, with thick noodles and a rich sauce that made it enjoyable as a main dish.
Considering the quality of the food and my overall satisfaction, I felt both dishes offered reasonable value.
If I returned and had to choose between them, my decision would probably depend on whether I was craving crispy pork cutlet or creamy noodles.
How My Second Cafe Hana Visit Compared With the First
During my first visit, the Pork Katsu Sando was the dish that convinced me Cafe Hana was worth returning to.
I enjoyed its crispy pork cutlet, soft bread, and balanced sandwich filling. However, I had only explored a small part of the menu.
My second visit gave me a better understanding of what the cafe could offer beyond sandwiches.
The Pork Katsu Teishoku confirmed that I enjoyed Cafe Hana’s fried pork cutlet as a full meal, not just inside a sandwich. The slightly sweet and chewy rice made it even more memorable.
The Mentaiko Udon Pasta showed me a completely different side of the menu. Its rich, savory sauce and thick noodles were just as satisfying as the katsu.
Having positive experiences with different types of food made me more confident in recommending Cafe Hana.
The relaxed atmosphere also remained consistent with my first impression.
You can read my Cafe Hana Irving first visit review for my experience with the Pork Katsu Sando.
Why Cafe Hana Became a Must Try Spots Contender
After this second visit, I started seriously considering Cafe Hana for my Must Try Spots category.
I do not want to recommend a restaurant as a must try based only on one enjoyable meal. I prefer having multiple visits and different dishes to support that decision.
Cafe Hana gave me a strong first impression with the Pork Katsu Sando, then followed it with two more dishes that I genuinely enjoyed.
The Pork Katsu Teishoku impressed me with its crispiness and accompanying rice, while the Mentaiko Udon Pasta gave me another favorite from a completely different part of the menu.
That consistency across different dishes was the main reason my opinion of Cafe Hana became more positive after the second visit.
It also made Cafe Hana a strong candidate for my Must Try Spots category.
My Final Verdict on Cafe Hana Irving Second Visit
My second visit to Cafe Hana Irving was even more satisfying than my first.
My katsu recommendation: Pork Katsu Teishoku. The cutlet was crispy outside and tender inside, and the slightly sweet, sticky rice was an unexpected highlight.
My pasta recommendation: Mentaiko Udon Pasta. I enjoyed its rich, savory sauce and thick noodles just as much as the mentaiko pasta I had tried at Chinchikurin.
Price and value: The menu listed the Pork Katsu Teishoku at $14 and the Mentaiko Udon Pasta at $13. I was satisfied with both dishes for those prices.
What stood out overall: Cafe Hana impressed me with more than one type of food. After enjoying the Pork Katsu Sando on my first visit, I found two more dishes that I would happily order again.
Would I return? Definitely. The Pork Katsu Teishoku and Mentaiko Udon Pasta are both dishes I would confidently recommend based on my experience.
If you are looking for a Japanese cafe in Irving that serves more than sandwiches and drinks, Cafe Hana is worth considering. My second visit showed me that its pork katsu meals and creamy noodle dishes are also worth exploring.
Location
📍 1030 W John Carpenter Fwy #150, Irving, TX 75039
Related Posts
Cafe Hana Irving Review: First Visit
Cafe Hana Irving Review: Third Visit
Chinchikurin Carrollton Review: First Visit