Fatty belly and spicy miso shabu? Yes, please. I love it when there’s a Mokkoji nearby—there’s one close to our church, @mokkojiorange, so it’s super convenient. I usually get the spicy miso broth, and the fatty belly is my favorite cut on the menu. It’s a flavorful, comforting shabu shabu meal—as you can see, we wiped it clean. 😋
It’s not all-you-can-eat, but the portions are generous, and the servers are always quick to refill our veggies when we ask. We’ve tried a few locations across Orange County, and this one was a good stop.
L
Stopped by Canton House and got a bowl of fish porridge—been a while, but it’s still one of my comfort go-to’s. I also really like their chicken porridge too. They’re now serving it in these new bowls, which was fun to see. And yep, I had to get the Chinese donuts.
📍Canton House - 8550 Westminster Blvd, Westminster.
$11.95 - Fish Porridge
$2.75 - Chinese Donuts
Stir-fry Ong Choy with Garlic, a quick and easy veggie side. I usually make this with braised catfish and canh chua cá—one of my favorite Vietnamese comfort combos. Recipe’s down below. You can skip the ice bath if you’re short on time. It just helps the greens stay bright and crisp.
Stir-fry Ong Choy w Garlic:
1.5 lb Ong Choy
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp of fish sauce
1 tbsp of hot water
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 tbsp of veggie oil
Discard end of ong choy, then cut into 2-3 inches.
Mince garlic and set aside.
Wash ong choy well.
Mix together 1 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1 tbsp hot water well, and set aside.
Boil water, add 1/2 tsp salt, add ong choy and boil for 1:30 min.
Transfer to an ice bath & let sit for ~15 min.
Place in a colander to drain.
Heat wok & add 1-2 tbsp of vegetable oil.
Add minced garlic and cook until aromatic, add ong choy, stir fry for 1-2 min.
Add 2-3 tbsp of fish sauce mixture. Cook for 1-2 min.
Enjoy!
#occomestibles #raumuongxaotoi #ongchoy #vietnamesefood #vietnameserecipes #homecookedmeals #vietnamesecuisine #easyrecipesathome #ocfoodie #vietnamesecomfortfood
Tried the new spring dishes at @eatpuesto yet?
Chef Raul Casillas, @raulis_acd, put together a fresh lineup:
- Kampachi crudo + tuna ceviche, both with a nice kick.
- Asparagus + ribeye tacos. And yes—get the corn flan. It’s really good!
This is such a light and flavorful meal, and you get three dishes from one chicken—steamed chicken, garlic ginger rice, and daikon soup. Thanks to my friend for this easy steamed chicken recipe.
Recipe:
* Season 2.5 lbs chicken thighs with salt, ginger, green onions & 1 cup beer (marinate 1 hr).
* Brush with oil, steam over ginger & green onions (40 min).
* Use the broth to cook rice with garlic & ginger.
* Simmer daikon in broth for a light soup.
The chicken turns out so juicy and pairs perfectly with the rice. Up next, I’ll show you the ginger dip and daikon soup!
We stopped by Grandpa’s Kitchen and found a $9.99 menu that’s a pretty sweet deal. I figured the portions would be small for that price, but I was wrong. I got crispy chicken with dry mix noodles (added $1 for the mix—still a steal!). The portion was impressively generous, and the flavor was on point. It even came with a side of soup and fresh bean sprouts. I couldn’t finish it, so I took the rest to go—they charge $0.50 for takeout containers. The $9.99 menu is for dine-in only, but even with the extra charge for takeout, it’s totally worth it. @grandpaskitchen.grillbar168
📍14208 Brookhurst St, Garden Grove
$10.99 Waterfall Crispy Chicken Mixed Dry Noodle
Nothing fancy, just crispy Banh Xeo from a spot that’s been around for 25+ years. Roll it up with mustard greens or lettuce, and herbs, dip it in nuoc cham, and enjoy. It used to be just $4.95—anyone else remember that?
📍Van's Restaurant-14122 Brookhurst St, Garden Grove.
$8.95 - Shrimp Banh Xeo
@kaizenshabu in Santa Ana was packed and for Restaurant Week, @ocrestaurantweek, their combo meal did not disappoint. I chose Angus beef and Swai fish in spicy miso broth, with a bottle of hot sake, and green tea ice cream to finish. Everything hit the spot—give them a visit soon!
$35 - Combo Meal: 2 choice of proteins, 1 choice of broth, 1 bottle of hot sake, & ice-cream
Orange County Restaurant Week, @ocrestaurantweek, is here! From March 2nd to 8th, enjoy special menus at some of OC’s best restaurants. Here are some great bites we had at their sold out launch party this past weekend ... @villaromarest, @lorea.hb, @sushirokunb, @redorestaurant, @nirvana.laguna, @sevillaoc, @scratchbakerycafe, @pacificcatch, @novakitchenbar, and many more. Don’t miss out—make your reservations now!
👉🏻 https://t.co/4sm4n8vWX2
We checked out a new restaurant, and it did not disappoint. The fried chicken cartilage was crispy and addictive, and the beef fondue had just the right amount of spice. We were surprised the rice paper didn’t need to be softened—just add vermicelli, herbs, and beef, roll it up, and dip. Such a great combo. Definitely coming back. @ocachayseafood
📍Oc a Chay - 13289 Brookhurst St, Garden Grove.
$15.00 Salted Fried Chicken Cartilege
$27.99 Beef Dipped in Chili Sauce
You can never go wrong with pho at a friends’ gathering. My friend, always the most thoughtful host, made sure we had everything—steaming bowls of rich broth, fresh noodles, tender meat, and plenty of herbs. And even more dishes to enjoy. Good food & great company.
@storyanaheim is creating some buzz in Anaheim, and we see why! Cozy spot, busy nights, and some good eats—Miso Butter Noodles, Yuzu Lobster Pasta, and more. Put it on your list!
📍Story Restaurant & Bar - 8150 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd, Anaheim
There’s something about those rolling carts that just hits different. My usual orders are shrimp hargow, tendon, tripe, and those silky steamed rice rolls. And dim sum is best with family and friends so you can order everything. 😋 What’s on your table when you dim sum?
📍Seafood Cove - 9211 Bolsa Ave, Ste 106, Westminster @seafood.cove
Valentine’s Day is almost here! If you’re looking for a cozy spot with amazing food and drinks, @twentyeightoc is a solid choice. We started with parmesan truffle fries and black tiger shrimp, and my New York steak with chili crunch was perfect. Highly recommend for a special night out!
Ever tried waffling Banh Tet? We put it to the test! Waffle maker, panini press, and my go-to—pan-frying. The verdict? That golden, crispy crust from the pan wins every time for me. So good! How do you like yours?
If you love thick, chewy noodles, this one’s for you! Bánh canh is one of my favorite noodle soups, and their tapioca seafood noodle soup is so good. The noodles have the perfect chew, and the broth is thick, rich, and packed with flavor. Plus, they don’t skimp on the toppings—crab meat, jumbo shrimp, quail eggs, and fish cake. It’s quite comforting and satisfying. Where’s your favorite spot for bánh canh?
📍DK Cuisine - 9856 Bolsa Ave, Westminster
$14.50 - Seafood Udon
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! 🎊 Tết is all about tradition, and every year, I look forward to making my chicken bánh tét from scratch. I spend the whole day assembling, wrapping, and cooking—it’s worth every moment. My favorite part? Pan-frying it until crispy. Here’s how it all comes together. 🧧
It’s soup season and Sup Nuoi is my childhood favorite, and it’s so easy to make. Parboil chicken, then add charred onion, ginger, shallots, and tomatoes to your Instant Pot. Pour in 10–12 cups of water, 2 tbsp of a 1:2 salt-to-sugar seasoning mix, and 1 tbsp of chicken bouillon. Cook on manual for 20 minutes, then release after 10. Pair with cooked elbow macaroni and enjoy! Leftovers? Reheat in a clay pot to keep it warm.
Hien Thanh is my go-to for Vietnamese desserts and sticky rice. The che chuoi and the chewy mochi balls desserts are a must. Their sticky rice is great for a quick, budget-friendly meal. Every trip, I overbuy—it’s like my Vietnamese Costco. Who else does this? 😜
📍Thach Che Hien Khanh - 9639 Bolsa Ave, Ste A, Westminster.
This past weekend, I had the honor of going behind the scenes of the Vietnamese American “Journey of Dreams” @rose_parade float, brought to life by @love2yeu and @aes_creative. Seeing the intricate process up close was truly humbling.
I was also honored to meet @itsrachelewin from @nbcthevoice, season 24, and hear inspiring words from Vietnamese icons @thekieuchinh and @leynanguyentv. Their presence reminded me of how far we’ve come as a community and the dreams we continue to pursue.
This float isn’t just a beautiful work of art; it’s a powerful symbol of our Vietnamese community’s resilience, achievements, and the dreams our parents sacrificed so much for us.
So be sure to watch it on New Year’s Day to see this beautiful float proudly representing the Vietnamese American community. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this unforgettable journey! Happy New Year!