Ultimate Asian restaurants in OC

[josephnl]

It seems to me that there was a thread like this several months ago. I can't find. Could someone either direct me to it, or let's start a new one.

With so many Asian ethnicities heavily represented in OC, what are the two or three very best restaurants in each category?

[maiweezy]

Japanese/Korean bbq - Tsuruhashi
Chicken Pho (N. Vietnam) - Pho Dakao

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Tsuruhashi
18798 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

[groover808]

Thai - Thai Nakorn
Japanese bbq: Tsuruhashi
Udon/dons: Fukada
Mochi: Mochilato
Chinese bakery: 85 degrees in Diamond Jamboree
Ramen: Santouka
AYCE Korean BBQ: Cham Sut Gol
Chinese Islamic: Ma's Islamic
Persian: Naan and Kabob
Lao: Vientiane Thai Laos

Here's my breakdown of Viet Food:
Chiu Chow style noodle soups: Trieu Chau
Central Viet (Hue) food: Vien Dong
Viet desserts: Hien Khanh
Viet sandwiches: Banh Mi Che Cali
Bun bo hue: Ngu Binh
Banh xeo (sizzling crepe): Van's Restaurant
7 courses of beef: Thien Anh or Anh Hong
Banh cuon or rice rolls: Any of the Banh Cuon Tay Ho locations

[Das Ubergeek]

Pho: Pho Thanh Lich
Com Tam: Com Tam Thuan Kieu (but not by much over Tran Quy Cap)
Com Gia Dinh (family-style): Xanh
Banh Mi: Cho Cu or Nhu Lan rather than Che Cali
Food to go: Huong Huong

[huaqiao]

Favori for the whole baked catfish. Not sure if there are other places in Little Saigon that do it better, but Favori's always the first name that pops into mind when I think of that dish. It's really worth trying out if you've never had it before. I like to think of it as the fish equivalent of Peking Duck...except with more herbs!

[maiweezy]

If you don't mind listening to karaoke (usually there's a wedding or some special get-together going on), try Royal Seafood Restaurant. Ca nuong is one of my favorite dishes, and this place makes it the best in Orange County, imho. I tried Favori and thought it tasted muddy. It's only open on weekends!

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Royal Seafood Restaurant
12342 Brookhurst St, Garden Grove, CA 92840

[josephnl]

I'll enter Bluefin for sushi!

[justagthing]

Cafe Hiro in Cypress for modern Japanese

[OCAnn]

Japanese: Honda ya (Tustin) for izakaya, Santouka (Costa Mesa) for ramen, Tsuruhashi (Fountain Valley) for Koreanish BBQ & Shibucho (Costa Mesa) for sushi.

Chinese: Ten Ten Seafood (Anaheim)

dim sum: King Lobster Palace (Orange) & Ten Ten Seafood (Anaheim)

Indian: Royal Kyber (Santa Ana)
I believe Little India in Artesia is in LA County proper, so while close, I didn't include those restaurants.

[mrhooks]

Also for Japanese, Shin Sen Gumi in Fountain Valley for yakitori.

[tammykazem]

Do you know if Honda Ya (Tustin) is open for lunch? I'm looking for other good Japanese restaurants open for lunch in the Tustin area, any suggestions?

[tammykazem]

Honda Ya is not open for lunch. They open only for dinner.

[peppermonkey]

hey ann for the dim sum places are these cart places or check list places? and how do they compare to the elite's, nbc's, empress harbor's in la

[OCAnn]

These are cart places. I haven't been out to LA for dim sum in years; hopefully, someone else can speak to that....

[Tony]

Thai - Thai Nakorn in Garden Grove or Stanton

Vietnamese - Brodard -This is a tough one. I think the strange thing about Vietnamese restaurants is that each restaurant is strong at a couple dishes with the rest being OK. There could be a whole post just subdividing Vietnamese dishes and what restaurants make the best.

[OCAnn]

2nd Thai Nakorn.

[josephnl]

I think that Thai Nakorn is closed in Garden Grove. Is the Stanton restaurant as good?

[Wonginator]

The Garden Grove location of Thai Nakorn just reopened last month.

To add to the list, for Cantonese Chinese food, my favorite is SW Seafood in Irvine. For dim sum, King Lobster Palace and Seafood Paradise are my top two choices. Many others like China Garden.

[OCAnn]

The GG location reopened at the end of August: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6314...

[hobbess]

While I liked their rolls, I've never understood the love for Brodard. To me, it seems like the place somebody would enjoy if they also thought Lee's Sandwiches had the best bahn mi.

[justagthing]

That's the reason, the rolls. But I do enjoy their duck salad as well. BTW...not a big fan of Lee's.