Lucas tries catfish, bánh cuốn and unbeatable Vietnamese drinking food in Orange County | Off Menu
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
- In this episode, Lucas visits Orange County chef Shawn Pham, formerly of the restaurants Simbal and Fiona, for some of the best Vietnamese food in the country. Shawn, who grew up in Orange County, takes Lucas to Bien Hen in Westminster for some classic Vietnamese drinking food - razor clams, spotted escargot and an enormous grilled catfish. They also go to Bánh Cuốn Luu Luyen in Garden Grove, where Delena Ta runs a small family-owned operation that specializes in bánh cuốn, or Vietnamese rice sheets.
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Everyone! Thanks again for watching. The places we went to in this episode are fantastic - if you haven’t gotten down to Little Saigon, you have to go! Please like, subscribe, comment, submit fan fiction etc. Until next week! Lucas
Thanks for visiting Little Saigon and reminding folks we have so much to offer here!
holy shit, are you not on eater anymore????
So this is why Eater hasn't been uploading Dining on a Dime, eh?
Dear LA Times, we like Lucas's videos. Please pay him more to do them. Sincerely, UA-cam
As a first generation Vietnamese, and also a passionate home cook, the last segment of this video gave me extreme PTSD --but in a good way. Cooking for my own mom is stressful, and the comments back are always "not as good as how I make it." Thanks for taking the time to tell this story. It's a story that resonates with so many first generation immigrant kids. So much heart. These are the food stories you need to tell.
glad this hit home for you. thanks for watching!
100%
This is why I love Lucas. He always recognizes that there's so much more to the food then just what you eat. It's about where it came from, where the dish is from, what inspired it and the stories behind it. I will forever be a fan of Lucas and his honest charisma for food, and families.
Grant Ruffinengo appreciate that - thanks for tuning in 🙏
The best part of this video was seeing the kids finding their own way and making great food inspired by their family's traditions. It's basically impossible to make the same dishes here as they make them in Việt Nam. On top of that dishes can really vary from region to region. Bún ốc (snail noodle soup and one of my favorite dishes) in Hà Nội is different from bún ốc in Kon Tum. Both are wonderful dishes and both are different. There's even a mild difference in bún bò Huế between Đà Nẵng and tp. Huế.
Drinking is big in Việt Nam but it's mostly beer outside of Tết when there's also a lot of rượu đế (rice wine). There's great joy in just sitting outside of a neighbor's convenience store in a little plastic, red chair on a hot summer night having a few bia Larue over ice with friends. Also being loud and drunk is rare outside of Tết.
If you haven't been to Việt Nam you have to go. The people are sweet, the food is IMO the best in the world and the sights are breathtaking. Just have an open mind towards what you'll eat and not eat. Also eat as much street food as you can. It was my home for a while and a place I dearly miss.
I was very impressed with your knowledge about Vietnamese culinary since most of the foods you had named is so unfamiliar to me which makes me very ashamed of since I am identified as Vietnamese. for sure the next time I come back to Vn, I will try all the food you have listed.
more of that shawn guy! he's so knowledgeable and translates vietnamese culture well!
Nguyen Bui that’s my cousin!!! Ayyy!!!
I like Shawn too, do an update on him.
This video makes me miss my mom (rest in peace, mom). When I cooked for her, I remember that she was my toughest customer. When I cooked non-Vietnamese food, she thought it was okay. But when I tried cooking Vietnamese food, she let me know if she didn't think my food was good haha.
This just made me so happy. Especially when Lucas went "I felt that way too" when they were talking about wanting ham sandwiches for lunch as kids starting from 10:56. Lucas would have been a great host to not just a food show but virtually anything, and that just makes me appreciate this series more. He could be anywhere doing anything but he's here, letting people tell their stories and mingling into family homes like nobody can. This really is the most comforting content on the internet
glad you liked it. thanks so much for watching!
I appreciated the discussion of "authenticity" here and am thankful for this webseries!
Elizabeth S. Thx Elizabeth!
that was some premium asian mom content right there, thank you lucas! (& +1 to more of shawn!!)
she is indeed one to be reckoned with. thank you for watching, mysterious viewer!
Glad to see Lucas on this show now. Keep him coming!
Instantly the best food series out there. Thank you Lucas!
🙌🙌🙌 Thanks for watching!
These "Off Menu" episodes are Rocking! I rarely get the emotional connection to content that I get to these. GREAT JOB!! Thank you!
Lucas has this talent of creating a narrative beyond the topic of just the food and keeping the viewers interested from start to finish. Excellent journalism. Good to see he still makes videos.
Bánh Cuốn Luu Luyen is definitely on the rise recently. It's taken out OC's previous #1 Bánh Cuốn spot Bánh Cuốn Tay Ho, which it's second location sitting nearly empty on most days. Bánh Cuốn Luu Luyen is always packed and has really good service. There are so many reasons as to why it's become a new favorite in town. Definitely stop by and try it.
This is fantastic. We need more in depth heartwarming interviews and intersections of ethnic cuisines such as this in our lives. Keep up the great work. Best of luck to Shawn in his future endeavors.
Fantastic, Lucas! Love the vlogs; you always leave me looking forward to the next one!
What an amazing episode! I truly enjoyed how you were able share this family's story while highlighting all the places!
Tiffany Chang thanks for watching :)
Lucas!!! I'm so happy to see you back hosting another show! Missed your videos!
Wow! Just stumbled on this (thanks UA-cam for the recommendation!) and I'm so glad to have found Lucas again! My son is particularly interested in learning more about Vietnamese food and culture and I am looking forward to sharing this with him...and with watching more LA Times Food videos! (So sorry to hear about Fiona closing and hope everyone lands somewhere great!)
Lucas.Thank for those eye-opening videos about cooking with different cultures. Especially when you are being yourself, mingle with the chef, pleasant to watch.
These get better and better! Love this channel
Excellent episode. Loved the visit to Shawn’s parents’ home.
YAYYY !!So glad Lucas is back giving us premium food show hosting content. Having honest conversations about food representation is so important and it dictates how we view the culture/ethnicity of the people behind specific food. Also, Lucas, your Vietnamese accent isn't too bad!
Awesome series! Thanks!
YASSS!!!! I love this video! Its so calm and genuinee
Nice show as always. True and thoughtful.
The food looks delicious!!! Shawn's mom must be a fabulous cook and be so inspiring to him. I appreciate the discussion on authenticity - but if it tastes good it shouldn't matter imho! I hope I can go eat at these places some time and catch Shawn's next venture.
I love your new show, Lucas. I have no doubt that Los Angeles is a paradise for food lovers but I hope this new series takes you to many other major cities in the US and hopefully to Europe also. Barcelona would not be a bad starting point. :-) Keep up the amazing work, you rock!
great video! Love how you showed how the food is made etc.
So cool to see this! Westminster represents! Viet food so good and many options, eat it every time I come back...Thanks Lucas !
Loved the content, great job
Thank you for sharing. Great video ! Will have to try next time I’m in town. Cheers fr Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
It's a little sad to see how food that's made with that much love and regard for tradition didn't do well at Fiona's. I'm aware it could be factors other than the actual food, but I would like to know that Shawn is moving on to something else that brings his passion to other people.
As always, great work, Lucas!
i wish i went. I bought their pies and baked goods but never got to the restaurant. it was crowded when i went.
running a restaurant is truly a brutal business. I was also bummed when Fiona closed.
It was in Beverly Hills and white folks only know Vietnamese food Pho. They wouldn't try other dishes. Every time I go to a Vietnamese restaurant with my coworkers and Pho is only dish they order.
Great episode!!
YAY, LUCAS!! I'VE FOUND U AGAIN!!! SO HAPPY TO SEE U ON A SHOW AGAIN!
Such a grate video, a lot of useful and interesting information, I like the way their family ate and gave comment about the food, the mother said " nem nuong" was not as good as she made, a family atmosphere, love it!
I'm Filipino and loving the Asian vibes in this video!! I can relate so much haha.
Cheers to Lucas, to Chef and his family. The food looks great, I'm drooling & can't focus at work lol 👌❤🍻
Every Vietnamese mom is basically Marie Barone. Cooking is the most important thing they do for their kids, so when kids start doing it themselves, it’s a mom's existential threat.
Great narrative as usual. Definitely enjoyed the Little Saigon coverage which is a real gem. Also look into pho there, one of which recently received a James Beard.
I'm fortunate to live in another city with lots of Vietnamese food. So good!
love your channel. I also want to remember the great, late Jonathan Gold. More episodes, please.
Enjoyed watching. Definitely will try the places when I'm in LA.
Enjoyed how u told the story...sad that the restaurant is no more
I love this series. I can't wait for more spotlights into foods and lives beyond the restaurant. The intimacy is so nice and provides great context.
thanks mark -- appreciate it
Omg! Lucas has a new job? Love this!
Yo is this Lucas show? The reason I used to watch EATERS was because of him. Hopefully it is because I subscribed.
Thanks for subscribing! Every Tuesday, Lucas brings a new episode of Off Menu. Look out tomorrow for the next episode.
I had flashbacks to cooking with my Vietnamese mother or listening to her critique Vietnamese restaurants we dine in, haha. Going to have to try those restaurants, haven't been to those yet.
this is so pure
Thank you LUCAS!!!
Great video nice vietnamese family and food
Love the lady at the beginning and her success story I’m definitely going there. Never had Northern food
Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll be in LA again next week and am definitely going to Bien Hen now! Thank you
Just to clarify that the restaurants that were shown are not anywhere near LA county but in Orange County, about a 40 minute drive from LA. It's a huge misconception that the OC area is in LA. They are two different counties.
Allison Tran yeah I was aware of that as I checked the commute times already. 40 min drive is no problem for me. Checking out Banh Cuon too. Thanks for the heads up though.
@@Lee-bg9xy I just wanted to clarify it since the OC area isn't well represented other than Disneyland (which is in Anaheim). There's a huge misconception for some reason that the OC area is part of the LA area, which is not true.
@@Lee-bg9xy the best banh cuon is in SD! If u ever go u have to stop by
Great job Lucas!
Lucas, I am writing down the names of the restaurants so the nexxt time, I am in the LA area, going to try out some of these. Thanks for introducing me to them
These restaurants are in Orange County - a 40 minute drive from anywhere in LA. It's a huge misconception that the OC is in LA even though LA itself is a huge county just by itself.
Love these family stories - AsianFoodNerd
Anyone know what Shawn is doing today? Would love to know if he’s got a new venture going. Absolutely loved this video!
lucas is back!!! 😭🥰🙏🏼
Yes Lucas!
The foods looks so yummy .
Great story Lucas
I go to Vietnam twice a year and have been to a lot of bars. Never heard of “they hold your bottle” before.
The mum's knife is very cool
I didn’t know about these spots. Sorry to hear about Fiona. I’m looking forward to their next venture.
BRODARDS is a must go to!
in Melbourne we have a banh cuon place that started in a house too
Do more of the garden grove n Westminster spots my man.
Agree! More of these spots 🙌 I just posted an east side centric food vid too, they’re so underrated
11:53 I did. I did enjoy this episode.
watching two bros slowly falling in love with each other over a warm meal.
Lucas, my man!
i didn't like vietnamese food (thought it was bland) until i ate in little saigon. most of what i had was so good.
Idk what viet food ur eating then
I find viet restaurants are 50/50 in taste, the best viet food is homecooked
Little Saigon is nothing compared to traveling to Vietnam and taste the food there, that is, if you can afford to travel.
funny!!! I bought the same pork patty from the asian grocery store (second sandwiches)
Wow fiona's was so popular so I'm shocked to hear it closed! I'm sure shawn will be successful in his next endavour
I love Orange County vn food
I agree w/ authenticity because I came back to Vietnam and some dishes are not the same as I had in my childhood. Vietnamese there would claim their food authentic, but not to the older Vietnamese who left Vietnam for a long time. Food evolves as culture evolves.
Southern Vietnamese food in Vietnam has been modified by northern Vietnamese communist influence after 1975.
Southern Vietnamese food in California cooked by older Vietnamese who left South Vietnam in 1975 is the authentic Southern Vietnamese food, i.e. without northern Vietnamese communist influence.
Politics affect the economy and therefore affect which dishes can be afforded by most people; affordability in turn affects how dishes are cooked / modified.
Cute
Lucas! Lucas! Lucas!
I'm gonna keep you to myself!
Please visit a soul food restaurant
I always used to hate rice paper in Vietnamese food because it always left I really nasty taste in my mouth when I ate those spring rolls. But years later I found out it was actually the damn cilantro. Tastes like soap.
Lucas bring back your cool t shirts 👕
It's no good, it's no good ahhhhhhh. I say that because, i am craving for vietnamese food at 3am. Lol
The food looks awesome. Lucas is hot. On to the next video.
Where was the catfish? There's like 20 food items
6:16
7:15
1:03 BON KWUN.
I found lucas!
I think if anything, the parents are now aren't as closed up. I find S.E Asian parents are very closed minded when it comes to exploring other types of cuisines.
they make awsome food, but "banh cuon" is too dry, they should be cook by steam not from metal
She said she left Vietnam in 1975 when Communist took over, which is technically true, but she sounded as if it was a bad thing. Vietnam kicked out the US invader and unified the country, doesn't matter if Vietnam is a Communist country or not. She left the country when the country was at its weakest from being war torn.
@Victor Pham You are correct. Those who worked for the enemies must be punished.
That’s the narrative of the Vietnamese government. To her and many south Vietnamese, it’s a different story that you won’t hear in school.
@@doctord1681 South Vietnamese government was nothing but a puppet for the US. The Vietnamese in the south were poor and suffering, that's why they joined the North to unify the country. So to her and many south Vietnamese, it's also the narrative of the South Vietnamese government.
@@titiung and what about the soldiers that came in and took every piece of land/jewelry with the "communism" ideology? Her country could've betrayed her first. Many others had their houses and properties taken away, just to be given to the top officials of the communist party.
@@reehji You're wrong about that. You need to provide concrete evidence. There are oversea organizations, especially in the US, fabricated stories and accused Vietnam government for the past 44 years such as Viet Tan. Your claim must be backed by detailed information about who, what, where, when, causes, etc.
I’m not okay with the ideal aspect. I can’t sympathise.
Used to love Lucas on eater but this show just feels flat. I don’t know why.