Anna's Mondu - Garden Grove(OC)

This ever happen to you? I'm having dinner at Sammy's, and in keeping with the neighborly atmosphere I start up conversation with a nice young fellow, whom I've never seen before. And of course, the conversation drifts to food.....and to Orange County(where this young man is from), with sights directly set on Garden Grove(where this fellow lives). During the conversation, he mentions a little hole in the wall that makes hand made Mandu(aka Korean Dumplings). Talk about getting my attention...not having paper handy, I quickly scribble the name down on the back of my hand near my wrist. Oookay, I get home, grab some paper, and as I'm ready to write down the name of the place....and I notice that part of it is smeared...so it looks like "Ahn's Mandu" or maybe "Ann's Mandu". No problemo, the Internet is such a great tool, so I start typing this stuff in, and several combinations, and nada! So I check all my favorite Orange County Food Blogs; Chubbypanda, Monster Munching, Wandering Chopsticks...but again, nothing! Egad...what to do?? I'm left crying over smeared ink, or lost mandu....like two dumplings passing in the night..... After stewing for a few weeks, I finally had to make a trip down to Orange County, and vaguely recalling the directions; "22 freeway West, exit Brookhurst, it's on Garden Grove", I arrived in the area I call "Koreatown South", the Korean Business District that runs along Garden Grove Boulevard. Boy, is this place growing like crazy....looks like at least 2 new "gallerias", as they call 'em, are under construction.

After a short drive on Garden Grove Boulevard, I see this sign:

Geeez no wonder.....it's spelled Mondu, not Mandu like I'm used too. And right in the front window was a large laminated copy of Gustavo Arrellano's OC Weekly Article...... I entered the tiny hole-in-the wall, the dining area consists of 4 tables, 3 four tops(I'm being very generous with the term "four"), and one sorta, kinda communal table. There was one young man reading a magazine, and an older woman with a warm smile who greeted me in Korean....to which my response was a fumbling, "sorry, I don't speak Korean", etc, etc, etc..... The woman smiled and pointed to the "menu" posted on the wall:

I recognized a few items like Dduk Bo Ki and Kimbap(think Korean futomaki), but I had come here for Mandu, or if you prefer Mondu. So I asked the lady, who half answered, half pointed to the "combo A"($7.95), as well as the nice photo on the opposite wall. Which looked great to me.

I had a seat, and a battered old tea pot with a tea bag tag sticking out arrived. And after a while, the young man's Dduk Bo Ki arrived, as well a a couple of dishes of panchan. A few minutes later a large steamer arrived at my table:

As I removed the steamer lid, the smoky-woodsy smell of a well seasoned bamboo steamer met my nose...a scent so warm and comforting, that I wanted to give that 'ol steamer a bear hug. The steamer contained 5 pork and vegetable steamed mandu, and 4 large rustic looking mandu that I've never had before. Later I would learn that these are called Wang Mandu.

Along with the steamer, 3 plates of panchan arrived:

The best of the lot was the Water Radish Kimchi, which was so very refreshing.

The wang mandu is sort of like Baozi, the filling was a pretty tasty combination of  various vegetables and pork. I'd have preferred my dough a bit more light and fluffy. The steamed mando was also pretty good, nice wrappers were a bit on the dry side, but there was nice home made feel to it. These were fine with a light dip in soy-vinegar-chili powder.

For me the best item was this:

Once, a friend of mine back home in Hawaii, made some home made Fried Mandu for my Birthday, the likes of which I'd never had before. This was the closest I've ever had in terms of texture; initially crunchy, with a good chew, and well flavored filling to boot. Not the most photogenic mandu, but I loved the rustic and home made look. The woman, who I'm assuming is "Anna" enjoyed watching me eat....and asked me how the food was several times. When I mentioned that everything tastes good, and hand made, she stuck her hands out palms down and said with a proud smile, "yes, everything made with this...."

While I continued eating, "Anna" sat down with what looked like some Japchae, and started eating. A minute later she, asked me, "you eat squash?", and proceeded to pass me a little bowl of panchan. Sticking her hand out and putting her index finger and thumb parallel with a space of about an inch-and-a-half between them, squinting one eye, she told me, "this small squash".

This was actually squid, and it was delici-yoso, spicy, sweet, umami.....surprised that I enjoyed it, my bowl was refilled twice.....just like Mom would!

The damage....a grand total of $8.50. I left Anna's stuffed and satisfied. For me, decent hand made mandu is a rarity. And I thoroughly enjoyed the homestyle service. This was a one man, or more accurately one woman show, at least on my visit. Things may take some time.....but you wouldn't rush Mom, would you?

Anna's Mondu
9972 Garden Grove Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92844

Comments

[Kathy]

Hi Kirk!
Awww man, I miss these great deal you get on Asian food in SoCal...we've got so much variety here in NYC, but I must admit a slight pang of homesickness for my two years in SoCal every time you post! :)

[nhbilly]

I didn't know Korean had dumplings too I thought all this time it was just bbq, cold noodles, and tofu. I guess every Asian culture has some sort of influences on one another. Sounds like a great mom's shop to visit.

[Jessica H]

I love mandu. Arirang down here has some pretty good mandu.

I may have to make a drive there just to try them. Any idea what time they close?

[Wandering Chopsticks]

Hey Kirk, What a coincidence! I just had king-sized mandu soup this weekend. Best mandu I've ever had at a Korean restaurant. I was gonna put up my post some time in the next few days. :)

[Reid]

Kirk,

I love homemade mandu too and my aunt makes some pretty killer kim chi mandu.

I still have half a zip lock bag full. I think I need to make a trip to the North Shore to replenish my stock!

I never had wang mandu, but seeing it here makes me want to try a recipe that I got from a friend many years ago.

[farrah]

yummy
i may have to go up and try that place out. considering they have fish cake soup and dduk bok ki i wonder if they make the dduk bok di with the fish cake soup--my fave--with that particular fried mando in it...holy cow, i'm craving it now.

btw, costco hawaii has those wonton chips in the huge jugs. i always end up buying a jug when we go back. i forget how much it is though.

thanks again for the yummy blog
farrah

[Jenn]

Mmmm! That looks really yummy! Now I've got a hankering for mandu. Luckily, I don't have to go very far to get me some.

[elmomonster]

How did I miss that OC Weekly article?! I'm usually on top of Gustavo's finds.

[janfrederick]

Not the most photogenic? Uh...I'm going to go ahead and disagree with you there. those look sooooo tasty!!! I'm about to lick my screen.

[Kat]

I'm glad you were able to find the place, looks delicious!

[Carol]

Oooo, I think I was drooling while reading your post, Kirk. Maybe Anna wants to move to San Diego? Those fried mandu looks heavenly.

[WanderingTraveller]

In my experience, the more simple your means of travel, the more exciting and rewarding the entire trip will be.

[Kirk]

Hi Kathy - Really? I'm somewhat envious of the variety you have in NY!

Hi Billy - Oooh mandu is good stuff!

Hi Jessica - I've found mandu in San Diego to be pretty mediocre, so I've just stopped ordering it...though on your advice, I'll check it out next time I'm there! Thanks for the recommendation.

Hi WC - It's something new for me as well....I never these existed.

Hi Reid - Hopefully, I'll see the results soon!

Hi Farrah - I'm sure they'll make it for you.....

Hi Jenn - LOL! Not too far at all.....you are so lucky!

Hi Elmo - Check it out when you have a chance...the Owner is very, very nice.

Hi Jan - Those were the best fried mandu I've had in a very, very long time.

Hi Kat - Yes, it was worth the effort....

Hi Carol - How's your Korean? Maybe we'll be able to convince her? ;o)

Hi WT - Not quite sure what to make of your comment....for the sake of your comment, does this mean if I walked the 90 miles for my mandu, instead of driving I'd enjoy it more???? I'm sure I'd be thankful...but probably just for being alive....

[White On Rice Couple]

We've seen this place a gazillion times, but have never stopped in. There's so many cool Korean food finds along GGblvd. We'll stop by there this week, for sure!

[sher]

Sigh. That sounds like a wonderful place! Now I'm going to have that stuck in my mind for days........!

[Kirk]

Hi WORC - Nice home made dumplings....

Hi Sher - Pretty good stuff, the lady running the place is so very nice.

[Chubbypanda]

Oh man... I let the team down! =( Thanks for picking up the slack, Kirk. Now I've gotta follow in your footsteps and give Anna's Mondu a try.

[Kirk]

Hi CP - You never let the team down.....

[Laura]

Hey, I'm a teenage Korean gal, and I say Mondu rocks! And kimchee, and rice. Sheesh, it looks so weird when you write it! It sounds a lot more natural to say it. uh... my mom just buys frozen mondu from korean grocerys, and just fries em up. Yum! Now I'm hungry. ;)

[Kirk]

Hi Laura - Welcome....and Mandu does...ummm, rock! ;o)