Trip to Little Saigon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Saigon


Yesterday afternoon I drove down to Little Saigon in Orange County, California. Off the 405 at exit 10, you can turn right immediately and find yourself innundated by vietnamese writing on all the shops! There's a huge grocery store - almost vietnamese mall, technically - in the shopping center, as well as a lee's sandwiches, a fixture to the LA area. http://leesandwiches.com/2008/ 


First, though, we entered the parking lot and ate at the large restaurant on the far side of the shopping mall. It was exhuisite and authentic! So good I couldn't tell if the goodness was from the authenticity, the MSG (sodium bicarbonate, they label it), or the two combined. Needless to say, I'd go back there immediately. I ordered a spin off my favorite item, which I experienced as breakfast in Vietnam: Banh Uot Cha Lau, Banh Tom... think:

except I was forced to order it sans "Uot cha." Instead of getting a sheet of rice noodles, I got a sheet that was stringy (had holes in it), so was somewhat more noodley and less savory. My dish came with barbecued pork and a tofu/sticky rice that was made from shrimp paste. Extremely good! I added veggies (chives, red pepper paste, lemongrass, mint, cilantro, sprouts) and the vinegary requisite fish sauce (wow!) and dug in.

I am sad to say that I didn't finish my dish, but my stomach was not sad. We ventured into the shopping mall/grocery store (looks just like you're in Vietnam!) and then over to Lee's sandiwches. There we ordered mung bean filled sesame balls, some little waffley cream delight, and smoothies. I mistakenly ordered the durian smoothie, which had me smelling like durian for the next 24-hours. I threw the smoothie away in a parking lot and apparently caused a smell explosion when the smoothie hit the garbage can!

None the less, I maintain my love for the stuff :) Authentic or not, my smoothie was strong.


I look forward to many more adventures south to Little Saigon in the coming months :)

Giac Loc of My Tho

In a busy intersection near the catholic churches and buddhist temples of My Tho, Vietnam you can find  a lovely corner restaurant that surpasses all expectations. Workers in the restaurant wear uniforms. The selection is incredible and includes two multi-tiered carts of meat options. The only thing is - there's no actual meat in this place. I don't think I'd ever know the difference. I had - honestly quite close to - the finest beef and sausage I've ever had in my entire here. This is my taste bud mecca. Come one, come all, to the circus!

Tofu and Rice noodle rolls with peanuts and mixed greens

At the intersection of delight and harmony - I should say - is where you'll find this place. We got the opportunity to dine there with fellow buddhists (vegetarians) from the university on one occasion and just had to come back.  We had already eaten about an hour or two prior to coming and asked not to have anything. Instead, we imbibed some sting (big red-ish/energy drink tasting) and green tea and enjoyed several dishes.


I was amazed at the quality of the food. They can think of 1,000 different things to do with tofu to make it not taste, look, or think like tofu at all. Tofus were alive at one point, right? Anyway, my soy senses were satisfied but not overdosed at this amazing restaurant. We ate some pho and then had the real treat, pictured above. I could have eaten the whole, friggin thing! Take some lettace, some cilantro, peanuts, lemongrass and mint, and devour rice noodle rolls and sausage/baconesque tofu that tastes like really good beef/sausage and looks kind of like savory bacon in a kabob form (if that's possible). Wow! It was really exquisite! I cleaned the house on that one!

Selection of fus (tofus, that is)

When we came back just two days later we  ordered freely and the highly of our order were the fresh spring rolls served with a due serving of sauces. Wow! Fresh and excellent. They substitute every meaty item appropriately there. I thought I was eating good-tasting fruit de mer instead of fu fu fu my tofu. It wasn't quite as pinnacle as our premier experience, but still gave us shelter from the rain and an incredible view of kids playing in the puddles on the street.


This restaurant does have a bathroom, in case you're in the vicinity, as does the post office.