While Vietnamese pho and banh mi sandwiches are plentiful throughout LA, other Vietnamese dishes are not as readily available. If you venture south to Orange County, you’ll find Little Saigon, home to many people of Vietnamese descent and authentic restaurants to fulfill the demand. I recently had the opportunity to frequent two in Garden Grove – Garlic and Chives and Ha Noi Corner.
In 2019, Garlic and Chives was awarded Bib Gourmand by Michelin. A few years ago, the restaurant guide created this award for eateries that provide a more straightforward style of cuisine with good value to the diner. Garlic and Chives was one of only five restaurants in Orange County recognized with Bib Gourmand distinction.
A strong waft of garlic greets you as you walk into the restaurant. The interior is typical Little Saigon, and tables separated with tall acrylic partitions and ceiling fans protect against airborne viruses. Food is served family-style with hot pots on many tables.
If you are indecisive, their extensive menu can take a while to peruse. The menu heavily leans Vietnamese but has many fusion dishes and Thai offerings. While they have the starters, soups, salads, wraps, entrees, they also have hot pots, clay pots. The seafood-forward menu contains sea snails cooked in coconut sauce, steamed chili lemongrass sea snails, and pork meat stuffed in shell and served with ginger fish sauce.
Salmon Belly ($10) is one of their signature dishes. Thinly sliced strips of the salmon belly are breaded and fried, and tossed with sliced chiles, cucumbers, onions, green onions, and lettuce. It is served with a fish-based sauce, giving this an umami flavor boost.
Giant Black Tiger shrimp adorn their Garlic Noodles ($13) dish. Grilling the shrimp over charcoal gave the shrimp a pleasant taste, but I was somewhat disappointed that the noodles didn’t have a strong garlic flavor.
Lemongrass Seafood Soup ($10) is made with seafood broth and steamed lemongrass. Included are squid, clams, and shrimp. The soup is mild, which would be a dish I would order if I were under the weather. The menu pic is misleading because this is mostly broth and not loaded with seafood.
Salad lovers would enjoy their Pineapple Salad Goi Thom ($12). An attractive tall mound of shrimp, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, peanuts, basil, red onion, and cilantro. This vibrant and fresh Vietnamese salad has crunchy vegetables, and the fresh herbs give it a pleasant aroma and taste.
Garlic and Chives, 9892 Westminster Blvd # 311, Garden Grove, CA 92844; 714.591.5196; garlicandchives.com They operate a second locate in Artesia.