Indian & South Asian SoCal: Little India & Irvine

Irvine

A large international supermarket with a strong Indian, Persian, and Middle Eastern selection plus prepared-food and bakery counters. A practical one-stop for families shopping across several cuisines.

🗓️ Open daily ~7am–10pm

Chino Hills

A large hand-carved stone Hindu temple in the BAPS Swaminarayan tradition, with gardens, a visitor center, and the vegetarian Shayona Cafe. Modest dress is expected and shoes are removed before entering.

🗓️ Visitor center daily 9am–7pm; mandir hours vary

Buena Park

A Sikh gurdwara serving Orange County with daily prayer and a community langar (free vegetarian meal open to everyone). Visitors cover their heads and remove shoes before entering the prayer hall.

🗓️ Open daily ~6am–9pm; busiest weekends

Cerritos · Weekend school

A community organization (founded 2006) teaching Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and Bengali to children (from age 3) and adults, helping families pass on their heritage languages. Confirm the active term's location.

🗓️ Weekend / after-school classes (school year)

💵 Tuition-based classes

Ashoka the Great Cuisine of India

Artesia · Restaurant

A long-established North Indian restaurant in the heart of Little India, known for its buffet and for tandoori and curry dishes. A sit-down option for families touring the Pioneer Boulevard district.

🗓️ Open daily, lunch & dinner

💵 $$ North Indian

Little India (Pioneer Boulevard)

Artesia

The largest Indian and South Asian commercial district in Southern California, running along Pioneer Boulevard. Families find Indian and Pakistani restaurants, sari and jewelry shops, sweets makers, and grocery stores across a few walkable blocks.

🗓️ Open daily; many shops 11am–9pm

Surati Farsan Mart

Artesia

A long-running Gujarati farsan (savory snacks) and mithai (sweets) shop making dhokla, samosas, and barfi fresh daily. Vegetarian, with a casual chaat counter for eating in.

🗓️ Tue–Sun 11am–9pm; closed Mon