Filed under: Com tam, asian foods, banh beo, bun bo hue, central Vietnamese Food, dinner, lunch, pho, resturants, unusual foods, vietnamese foods
Hello hungry bellies out there! I am finally giving you one of many great restaurants in Little Saigon that I go to. This is a true secret and I don’t think anyone of my friends know about this little gem. Alas, the shroud of mystery is revealed in the heart of Little Saigon at an old strip mall that has been around ever since I have moved to CA and even before the area was officially named “Little Saigon”.
First of all let’s go over the ground rules of most places in this town.
- Don’t expect great service. The service is the same everywhere at all restaurants and don’t take it personal. They treat their most common customers as well as new ones the same. Not Rude but indifferent.
- If the waiter or waitress seats you and then stands near by to take your order right away don’t be bothered with it. They assume you know what you want since most restaurants specialize in a particular dish so they are waiting for an order of how much and how you want it.
- Also got to order drinks at the same time when ordering food.
- Always pay cash. Most restaurants in Little Saigon don’t take credit cards, and if they do I would consider them “fancy”.
- You can ask them what their specialty is but most likely they will try to explain in their limited English skills. Some places have picture books since I do notice that a lot more Mexican families eating at these places. I think they know good, fresh and cheap food. Best value in town.
- Fish Sauce “Nuoc Mam” is king in this town. If in doubt dip it in Nuoc Mam and it all tastes good.
With all of that being said check out DA NANG TRAN QUY CAP tucked in the corner of a strip mall in 9607 Bolsa Avenue, Westminster, CA 92683 near Bolsa and Bushard Street.
This place specializes in 3 types of food varieties. COM TAM -which is a broken rice dish with various versions with BBQ pork, Grilled Shrimp, Quiche, on the side. It is like a Vietnamese version of Hawaiian plate lunch. Except the rice is literally broken. The jasmine rice is cut in half to give a more fragrant flavor in every bite as well as having a texture similar to couscous in your mouth. I always imagined that they have kids with small hands cutting each rice kernel in a factory somewhere. I will review this dish on another day since this place ranks as top 3 places in my opinion for Com Tam.
The other dish is the “Darth Vader” of noodles to its well-known brother Pho. It is a popular dish in Vietnamese cultures named after where it is originated in the old imperial capital of Central Vietnam, HUE. The rice noodle used in this soup is different (much thicker) from the one used in Pho. The noodle is most similar to the Japanese soba noodle in size and texture. The broth is prepared by cooking bones for a long period of time, as well as a large variety of different spices including lemon grass and chili. In this belly warming soup usually includes thin slices of marinate beef shank, chunks of well-cooked oxtails, and pig’s knuckles. It can also include cubes of congealed pig blood (jello blood). Before I gross you out, it is a delicacy but honestly I usually order this soup without the HUYET (jello blood). If you are adventurous GO FOR IT. This soup is very similar to Menudo but with a more robust flavor in lemon grass. BUN BO HUE is similar to Pho in the sense that it is commonly served with bean sprouts, lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, and thinly sliced banana blossom. Bun Bo Hue is one of my favorites on a cold day or if I need to sweat out any chills that I have. You marry flavors of sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and blend in the accompaniment of the fresh vegetables, sprouts, and banana blossoms it makes this soup complete. I understand now why this dish is revered to be a staple of the old imperial capital of Vietnam.
The second dish, I had was served as an appetizer, BANH BEO, This light rice noodle/crepe style dish is steamed in a little sauce dish and then topped with finely minced shrimp, sauté green onions, fried shallots/garlic, and fried pork rinds for crispy accents. You have to scrape the noodle off of the dish and add a sprinkle of the “Vietnamese Holy water” (NUOC MAM-FISH SAUCE) and then slide it all in like an oyster shooter. I think this place makes one of the best Banh Beo dishes in Little Saigon.
Overall, Da Nang Tran Quy Cap earns a 4 AND HALF RUBS OF THE BUDDHA BELLY. I would give it a 5 Rub but the service taints the rating. Check out my secret and introduction to Central Vietnamese food. COME TO THE DARKSIDE!!! J
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Christina!!! I recently had a nice lunch at a Villa Amalfi on 480 North Main Street, Corona, CA 92880 and took a friend/co-worker out for her special day. This place was a very nice Italian restaurant that was a little upscale in appearance but seemed to be a local favorite. Definitly a step from a Mac Grill or an Olive Garden (not blog worthy places). We were well greeted and seated a formal style table (real cloth table linens). It was a quick lunch so I ordered the MEAT LOVERS PASTA, which included sausage, meatballs, mushrooms and melted mozzarella chees on top sprinkled with italien parsly and basil all in a rich red tomato sauce. I added more basil because I like it that way. I was very pleased with the food tastes and it seemed very fresh and not commercial. Christina ordered the CLAMS WITH PASTA IN A WHITE GARLIC SAUCE. and it looked great as well. Losts of clams both in it’s shells as well as mixed in with the sauce. The portions were generouse and after I was done I still had some home for dinner later. Great 2 for 1 meal, eh?
I give Villa Amalfi 3 AND HALF RUBS OF THE BELLY, and look forward to going back again sometime soon to try other items.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Hello Buddha Bellies out there, for breakfast I often don’t follow the traditional American “round eye” favorites like pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, etc.. but usually opt for hot noodles or at times treat myself to a nice salty greasy DIM SUM. If you haven’t had a Dim Sum experience before I highly suggest it. I think one of the things that I love about eating Dim Sum is that there are so many variety of foods and flavors. Every dish is it’s own unique tasting. My family and I had a quick bite at SEAFOOD PARADISE in Westminster, CA and it is a “fix” for my cravings but it those not come close to quality, taste or uniqueness to other Dim Sum Houses. Nothing really to be enthused about at Seafood Paradise even though it was Zagat rated a few years ago and the walls are adorned with articles of the restaurant. My opinion is that it has lost it’s charm over the years and is sort of runned down as well with the service. We were 4th group to be seated in the place when it opened but it seemed like everyone was running around like headless chickens and very disorganized.
I give Seafood Paradise a generouse 2 RUBS OF THE BELLY for their Dim Sum. I would not eat there for Chinese food though but only if I am having super cravings of DIM Sum. I will save my comments for Dim Sum on better places in the near future.
Filed under: asian foods, dinner, drinks, fine dining, food, pho, resturants, unusual foods, vietnamese foods
I had a special dinner with my two close friends of mine Joe and Steve that I haven’t see in months and to celebrate we decided to try someplace that I would never thought I would eat at. The Hungry Buddha Belly knows his vietnamese food very well and know where to get the best of anything Vietnamese. Being so close to Little Saigon Westminster I can appreciate the vast assortment of foods for great prices near by but The S Restaurant being the closest true Indochine food to my home has been opened for over 2 years and I have never been in it until tonight. It is “S” because Vietnam as a country geographically looks like an “S”. I usually feel that most high end Vietnamese restaurants are the biggest rip offs since you can get the same food for rock bottom prices in Little Saigon. However, you can’t approach this place like that. I have been told from my friends that they make Vietnamese food slightly different.
My first impression was WOW what a very elegant and chic restaurant. If you didn’t tell me this was a vietnamese/chinese restaurant I would never guess it. It has very nice hints of Asian influence in its decor, a beautiful lounge and bar area where big plush soft leather sofas await you to order the many special unique martinis they have to offer including the fully stocked bar. The atmosphere is very relaxing and warm. I have been told they got the same designers who decorate PF Changs and when remodeled form an old Bennigans restaurant they spent a 2.5 million budget. Definitely money well spent with real wood and rod iron screens hand blown glass lighting fistures and various Asian themed artwork through out adorning the walls. I have to say the detail of this restaurant is very nice it does exudes what it claims “Sensuous, Stylish, Superb”. The hostess was dressed a beautiful traditionall Vietnamese dress seated us quickly. Our waiter Brian was very attentive and knew his Vietnamese food. The odd thing was that he was American/white and he pronounced all of the food correctly in Vietnamese, that was very surprising to see and hear this since a tall Caucasian gentleman schooling me on what Vietnamese food was. Obviously very well trained and knew his food as well, big ups to him.
So I had a special martini called LYCHEETINI. which was unique since it had 2 lychees on a bamboo stick mixed with vodka, a splash of cranberry and lychee juice, great way to warm up the belly and refresh the palate for the tastings ahead. Another added touch that I liked was that not only did they have a wine list but a tea list as well with all types of asian teas ranging from Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Maybe one day I will try out a tea to get the my YANG UP 
For appetizers there were many of the same items I see on other vietnamese menus like spring rolls, egg rolls, etc… however we decided on 2 starter that I don’t usually see and was claimed “special”. We ordered a cool and refreshing CA Cuong a Vietnamese ceviche with fresh fish, shrimp, in a lime vinaigrette mixed with peanuts, shallots, and mint all served in a martini cocktail glass for show. To add to the crunch fresh fried shrimp chips accompany the ceviche to which you put the seafood salsa on. One bite it was like busting through a wave at the ocean in my mouth. The second item was a hot and rich escargot baked in a Thai coconut basil curry sauce with toasted french bread for dipping. YUMMY! The escargot was not chewy or tough it was very well prepared with melt in your mouth characteristics, plus a little heat from the curry kept me in check for the Asian flavors that was to come ahead.
For the entres we decided to get a family style dinner approach since we all wanted to try what each of us ordered. There was the BO LUC LAC a french/Asian inspired filet of beef stir-fry with garlic, shallots and a sweet soy sauce cooked to a very nice medium rare served with rice and some pickled cucumber salad. My friend Joe claims it was the best Bo Luc Lac in Little Saigon, I would have to differ since Steve and I agreed that it was good but it was no match to Kim Su’s version. I will have to blog about that restaurant another day.
We also ordered seared scallops topped with black bean sauce and julienne ginger, Chinese chives and drizzled with olive sesame oil. This dish was very sweat and salty and the scallops were cooked to perfection. I like the garlic, nutty sweet flavor of the black beans to accompany with the jasmine rice I had with it. This dish I heard was very good with their Chilean sea bass as well. The final entre we had was the best item that I think sold me as fine dining and definitely unique to any other Little Saigon eateries that I have been to. I would highly recommend with extra stars to this dish get the CA NUONG LA CHUOI which is the halibut fillet bedded with sliced of ginger and topped with cilantro pesto, baked in a banana leaf on top of lemongrass sticks. This dish was sooooo goood and so simple that I thought I was back in the mother country. The halibut was very moist and flaky with blends of lemon grass, ginger and the hint of banana from the leaves and the cilantro pesto perfumed the fish with it’s natural flavors. Presentation and function of the leafs is nice when they plate it and serve it to you.
Now my friends and I unusually after a big meal like this don’t order dessert. We are not dessert type of guys however I was intrigued to find out what desserts does a fine Vietnamese restaurant offers? There were a couple of items that sound appealing to try. The one items that we didn’t order which we should of have on the menu was Chuoi Chien a batter dipped banana topped with rum caramel sauce served with ice cream. Brian our waiter suggested the mixed berry frangipan (a berry pie) with ice cream. I ordered the Espresso Kailua Flan- coffee custard baked with Kailua liquor and topped with a golden caramel sauce. Joe claims that they make the best tiramisu around. Now I like tiramisu and have had it in all types of places as well as fine italian restaurants but this was a bid claim expecially coming from a Vietnamese place. Quickly the assessment of desserts, the mixed berry fangipan, ok, nothing exciting there. The Kailua Liquor flan not bad, a little strong on the coffee flavor but I understood what they were trying to execute. BUT the TIRAMISU TRIFLE was the BOMB!!! It was the best if not tie for first on any tiramisu dessert I had. The Tiramisu had layers of marscopone cream, butter sponge cake drizzled with Kailua and espresso and chocolate shavings served in a large red wine glass. Stick a fork in me because I am DONE GOOD!
Overall the S Restaurant gets 4 AND A HALF RUBS OF THE BELLY for decor, service, unique approach to Vietnamese food and fine dining touches. I definitely would go back on special occasions or a very nice night out with the wife (leave the kids at home) and be treated to a special experience. Be prepared for an expensive night but well worth the moment.
The restaurant is located at 545 Westminster Mall Drive, Westminster, CA 92683. www.sfinedining.com.
Here it is, my first food blog. I am following in the footsteps of my favorite eating buddy, Tony.My family and I decided to try a new restaurant last week. A new Mexican place opened near the Bella Terra Mall on Edinger called La Choza. They advertise, “Traditional Mexican Food Since 1976″ and boast of a successful restaurant in downtown LA. Upon first walking into the restaurant, the decor is distinctly traditional Mexican with brightly painted walls and simple decorations. I could tell that there was going to be some decent food here because, when you first walk in there was a short Hispanic woman diligently making fresh tortilla’s out in the open behind the seating area. The smell of the fresh tortilla’s being made was a goooood start. It set that rumbly in the tumbly feeling! Besides whats cooler than seeing tortilla’s being made right in front of you.We were immediately seated with enough room for my family of five who has a appetite for a family of ten. My kids attacked the chips on the table like they’ve never eaten a meal before (note to self… don’t forget to feed the kids regularly). A quick note on the service… wow. My water glass was never half full and the chip baskets were never empty – excellent service. The kids got the traditional taco, rice and beans, my wife got the standard Combo #-whatever that you find on most Mexican restaurant menu’s, but I decided to be adventurous and order one of the specials. I got the Plato de Barbacoa. The combo’s weren’t’ anything special, just the normal enchilada, taco, rice and beans. But holy huevos rancheros Batman… the Plato de Barbacoa was a tasty treat. This dish described as, ” Jucy Mexican Style BBQ beef prepared with an appealingly different blend of spices” was just that. The meat was tender and came bathed in a reddish sauce that was distinctly abuela’s (grandma’s) recipe. It was served with a pile of onions and cilantro; rice and beans; and a side of the fresh tortilla’s. Mix all that up, and pile it onto a tortillas with the yummy salsa verde (that came with the chips) and OOOHHHH YEAHHHH! Me was a happy Buhdda Boy. Washed that down with a Pacifico and life is good. If you go to La Choza, don’t bother with the standard combo fare. It’s no different than you find at the typical Mexican restaurants. Go with the Especiales senoires y senorita’s.. esta muy delicioso!. My personal choice for any restaurant is to as myself, “would I go back?”. I would go back to La Choza, specifically for the Especiales. I La Choza 3 Belly Rubs.
Happy Eating,
Scott Buddha
Hola Hungry Buddha Bellies,
I recently had a very “deliciosos” lunch at my favorite Mexican hole in the wall near my work in Corona, CA. i discovered this place one day when I was hanging out with the local workers in the wharehouse and asked them where do they go for a great, cheap, and fast place to get lunch? I emphasized on CHEAP and GREAT. They reccomended me to EL TACO LUCAS off of Lincoln Street exit in Corona. It is a small family run business a “hole in the wall” establishment which always mean very authentic and tasty.
I have had lots of items here in the past with so many lunches here from tacos, burritos, tortas, and Shrimp Diavolos, All MUY BUENO (very good). Today I had their chorizo tortas and an Al Pastor soft taco. I know I had the cravings of Jamon (pork) today and I thought the smokey, salty, greasy meat would do its job. If you have not had a torta before it is a fluffy soft sandwich with lightly grilled buns and stacked with items made fresh with a mixture of lettuce, tomatos, onions and cilantro topped with a red smokey chipotle salsa. YUMMY!!!. To add to the spicy flavors I love their grilled seasoned jalapeno peppers. I can only eat the outside skin, avoiding the seeds, which at first bite is sweet but then you get a hint of salt from the charred outside skin, and then after 10 seconds you feel the HEAT, Caliente to say the least!!! My little Buddha Head was totally beadding up with sweat and I was feeling pretty good and pumped. All That for 7 bucks including a drink, not bad, si?
To quench my thirst I had their homemade Jaimaica (hibiscus flavored) drink. Tasted very refreshing and flowery frangrace that compliments the spice. Finally as an idulgence I went around the corner to the Mexican market CARDENAS and got myself a special treat to cool off my spice. I got myself one of the best things I discovered this summer which was mexican coconut popscicles. I first discovered this sinful treat at a friends birthday party where they had rented an icecream man truck to stop by and give all of the kids their choices of treats. My “Latin Flavor” friends suggested to try this “Healdos Mexico premium all anatural ice cream” popscile and with one bite I know if just found bliss. Look here senor and senoritas, the popsicle is like a creamy milky ice with slivers of real coconut that reminds you that it is all natural. Took me back as if I was on the beach in Los Cabos enjoying the warm tropics.
I would like to give El Tacos Lucas 4 RUBS of the belly for “deliciosos” fast mexican food. Try it out if you are in the Corona area. If it is good for the locals it’s good for me. Enjoy!
So I had lunch with ”my Boyz” at this new place that just opened up in HB called Rodrigo’s Mexican Food. It’s a very nice restaurant, very chic and a great competitor for El Torito which was literally across the street from them. Rodregos used to be the same building as Don Jose but definitely very updated and everything is brand new. I know this is not the first “Asian” experience that the Hungry Buddha Belly should report about but it is the first of many blogs in the future. I was excited about starting, so forgive me.
We were the first people in when they opened the doors at 11am and I was very impressed the the enctrance, decor and hostess. HOWEVER one of my “pet peeves” as my friends know is where I was seated. When my boyz and I were eating at another establishment called DON RAMONES we get the same issue everytime. As expected if you are the FIRST customers to come in a restaurant you should be seated at the BEST Table in the whold place. Instead we were seated by the entrance in a corner booth sort of cramp and dark. I would of preferred to be seated in a big booth near a well lit window to see my food and menu.
The service does make up for any short cummings though. The waiters, bust boys, water refiller guy, was very attentive and ON IT! Traditionally I can make a pretty good decesion about food in a Mexican restaurant by the chips and salsa and the taste of the chicken taco. So I got a Tacos de Pollo and my friend got a chimichanga. The chips were excellent, very flaky and crispy and not heavy. THe salsa was about average but seems to be very fresh, it could of used just a little more heat in the spice area. We also ordered the fresh made Guacomole and that was good and well presented in a bowl with lettuce accents.
We got our food and the Chimichanga look great except they loaded up the Sour Cream on the Chimi like it was a giant whip cream on a sundae. I tasted the Chimichunga and it was ok, nothing to be wowed about. The chicken tacos was uneventful petty basic. Now we did ask our hostess what was the best think that she thought Rodrego’s has to offer and she reccommended the appetizer tacos and the fajitas. Unfortunately this was lunch and I think I would give another chance for Rodrego’s to change my mind about the food maybe during dinner one day and a taste of the Fajitas.
Overall, I would give Rodrigo’s 2 BELLY RUBS. The service was exceptional and the ambiance is great and hip but the food that I tasted needs improvements in the more “authentico” area. I would say this place is at par with El Torito. As I mentioned I think I would give myself a dinner moment to re-evaluate my opinon.
Filed under: asian foods, breakfast, dinner, drinks, food, japanese food, korean food, lunch, pho, resturants, snacks, tasty travels, thai food, unusual foods, vietnamese foods
Hello Belly Rubbers,
As you know I started this to get my friends and family enthusiastic about all the different foods out there. I hope you enjoy my blog since I am passionate and very excited about what I eat and where I eat. I hope my experience transends all appetites and at least give you an idea of my personal taste and as well as getting your Buddha Bellys great cravings to try out !! Enjoy and please let me know what you had to eat, feel, and overall experience.
Now you all have seen in most asian restaurants the Happy Buddha statue or figurine that stands by the cash register or near the door way. I believe that if you rub the Happy Buddha statue’s belly it makes him and you happier. When I see one of these funny statues I make it a point to rub it for luck! With that being said I would like to quanitfy my overall experience on a scale of 0 to 5 rubs of the belly with 5 belly rubs considered the “best” or “happiest”.
Hope you all enjoy what the Hungry Buddha Belly has to offer.
