Road Trip: Vientiane Thai Laos Restaurant - Garden Grove (OC)

It had been such a long time since the Missus and I went on one of our eating road trips. First I was busy, than the Missus was busy, than I got sick, than the Missus was busy....you get it. I'd say those hours of being sick were the worst. You get into these periods of melancholy, followed by periods where you daydream about being somewhere else, anywhere, away from the body aches, coughing, the irritated spouse, you get it, right? For some reason, my mind kept taking me back to Laos. I can't put my finger on it, but there was something about that trip, that stayed with me......

So as soon as I felt better and we actually had a free weekend day, we were itching to head "up North." And what better place to check out than a Lao Restaurant I'd heard about.

Vientiane Restaurant is located in one of what may be a couple hundred strip malls in the Westminster/Garden Grove area.

It is tucked back, away from the street, over-shadowed by Pho 54 in Saigon Plaza. The sign simply says "Lao & Thai Food". The restaurant itself is tiny, comprised of four tables. When we arrived there was just a woman on her cell phone waiting for an order, and no else up front. We checked out the cold case, and were comforted at all the Jeow (dips) and other items. It indicated that we were at the right place.

Now comes the funny part. A very nice woman seated us, and handed us menus. When we were ready to order, I started giving off menu item numbers. No dice. I started reading off the English, translations.... wasn't going to work. The woman giggled. I pointed to the items on the menu (no Lao script - but English translations). The woman leaves, and another very motherly woman comes out..... same drill. The previous woman comes out, points to the menu and tells me "you read it to me." I start cracking up, the Missus is rolling Her eyes....She always gives me grief over my terrible pronounciations, and this might be downright painful. This was going to be much harder than "tres tacos Al Pastor". For some reason, this exchange took me right back to Laos.... So I start, and it is quite interesting.... "Mok Pa", "eh", "Mok Pa", "fish?"," yes, Mok Pa". "Ooooh, Mok Paaa!" The Missus is covering Her eyes. She can't bear to watch this disaster. At the end of the whole drill, the woman laughs, and exclaims, "you say good!" More eye rolling from the Missus. The woman starts walking back to the kitchen, turns and makes a spoon to mouth motion, "rice, you want rice!" I make the Lao three finger to mouth motion and go "sticky rice". "OK!" I thank her, "kopchai lai lai", She starts laughing, and the Missus has a look like She's just returned from the dentist, and says, "we'll see if we get what you really wanted to order."

Well, at least the sticky rice was going to be right.

A large container of perfectly made sticky rice. In San Diego, I believe that Asia Cafe is the only place that consistently makes perfect sticky rice, and this was on par.

Of course, right at this moment a gentleman enters carrying several sacks of groceries. He speaks excellent English.

Next up, one of my Death Row dishes - Nam Kao ($6.50):

Man this was good, the textures, the pork skin, the mildly sour fermented sausage, the smokey, almost sweet toasted chilies. Served with all the requiredveggies and herbs, this was such a vibrant dish. The second best I've had, next to the one in Vientiane. Crunchy crisp rice, chewy sausage and pork skin, amazing flavors, a symphony of textures.

 Next up the Larb Pa Thong - in this case Catfish Larb ($7.99):

At first I was worried, as I'm not a big fan of catfish and the muddy flavors. But in this case, the muddiness was muted by the strong savoriness of the sauce. The roasted rice powder added a nice nuttiness, and the mint and galangal helped to cleanse your palate.

As good as the Nam Kao was, the dish that I've been craving is the Raw Shrimp ($7.99):

 

Even though I know they went easy on us in the spice department, this was a fantastic dish. The shrimp was slightly toothsome and sweet, the amount of garlic and lime was balanced in a never ending tug-of-war of flavor. Heck even the tomato slices tasted good with the sauce! We finished every single piece of everything on the plate, even the shredded cabbage. It looked like we vacuumed the plate. As much as I enjoy the Naked Shrimp at Sab E Lee..... you get the point, right? 

The last dish was the only clunker of the day, the Mok Pa($4.00) - fish in banana leaf:

Even though the menu says steamed, it looked like it had been placed on a brazier. The fish was very boney, and not of high quality. The banana leaf also looked past prime, and didn't deliver the wonderful slight smoky flavor that I love. Also, for strange reason, the flavors seemed very muted. Maybe it's because I make this at home once in a while? I dunno.....

  Even though we always like to check out different places on our road trips, we'll without a doubt be back here.

Vientiane Thai Laos Restauarant
10262 Westminster Ave
Garden Grove,CA92843

Hours: Mon - Thurs 11am - 9pm
  Fri - Sun 10am - 9pm
Closed Tuesday

Postscript:

As went to wash my hands before and after  (eating sticky rice, you know) the meal, I walked past the kitchen (spotless clean just like Asia Cafe), and the three women were singing. One humming, two singing different parts of a song. I was reminded of the housekeepers in our hotel in Vientiane, three girls, barefoot (this is Laos), always singing together in harmony while they worked.....

I really don't need much prompting to be taken back to Vientiane....

 

Or to Luang Prabang for that matter.......

This post is dedicated to some great FOYs (Friends of Yoso) "J & D" who are headed off to Laos in a month or so. I hope you both enjoy Laos as much as we did!

I hope you're all having a great week! 

Comments

[foodhoe]

wow, that all sounds so good! one day I really have to travel just to SD to try some of these awesome dishes... seems like I'm reading about alot of Laotian restaurants these days

[Dallas]

Hi Kirk - I love Larb Fish. My mouth watered just looking at the picture. Unfortunately if I want something like that around here, I have to drive about 1 hour to Fort Worth. Otherwise, I have to make it myself.
Sorry about the Mok Pa. It didn't look as appetizing from my end either. The word "Mok" is as you described it. It is mean the food is wrap in something then cook on an open fire like that on a brazier. Lao word for steam is sound more like "Noong".

[Judy @ TinkerWithFood]

that fried rice looking dish looks absolutely mouthwatering!!!

[sawyer]

hey kirk, this place looks pretty good w/ your pictures and descriptions. raw shrimp? is it cooked w/ acid? it sounds pretty interesting...will def. put this place on the to try list next time i'm in gg

[kat]

glad most of the dishes you tried met up to your tastes! also glad to hear you are feeling better :)

[BlackBelt]

Hey Kirk, is that photo of the temple doctored at all or is it actually glowing like that?

[nhbilly]

Did know there was a place like this in OC. Wish I knew about it.

[Tammy]

Nem khao? Wow, I love that dish! Is it better than cafe Asia? Do they have lao's nem in thy fridge for sale? I have the recipe for this dish.

[Lynnea]

such a fun post =)
thanks!

[Mscinda]

Hi Kirk - loved the post! I feel awkward trying to order items off Asian menus. I am extremely bad with pronounciations. And I get laughed at by my significant other whenever I try to order Mexican food. He speaks Spanish and I don't. I think it's great that you attempt it. The nam khao looks yummy. I've always preferred mok gai over mok paa. Wow I'm getting hungry just thinking about all this Lao food. Thanks for sharing.

[Wandering Chopsticks]

That reminds me of a similar time I tried to order char siu bao. I'd say it, point, say it again. Then the waitress finally said, "Char siu bao!" Umm, wasn't that what I said? My friends couldn't stop laughing during the whole exchange.

[Kirk]

Hi FH - You won't have to come that far South for this one. It's in Orange County, and much better than anything here in San Diego.

Hi Dallas - We were pretty impressed overall, only one clunker for this meal is a good batting average.

Hi Judy - Oh man, the textures are amazing....

Hi Sawyer - Just slightly cooked by lime juice..... like the naked shrimp at Sab E Lee, but this was better.

Hi Kat - Thanks, I'm fully recovered now!

Hi BlackBelt - Wow, you know, the Missus & I never even noticed that until you mentioned it. No the photo hasn't been manipulated. I think it's just the reflection of the sun off the gold leaf painted Stupa. Pretty cool though.

Hi Billy - This place is worth a visit.

Hi Tammy - I think it's better than Asia Cafe. And yes, there were fermented sausages in the bottom of the cold case.

Hi Lynnea - Thank you for reading!

Hi Mscinda - I'm glad that I'm not the only one that has problems with pronounciations.... ;o)

Hi WC - That's funny.....

[BlackBelt]

Dood the tree on the right is glowing too. I think you may have actually captured some spiritual energy radiating off of the premises.

Btw long time reader and first time commentor, I've found some great restaurants off of this blog and I think you and I have really similar tastes, because I've often visited a restaurant and thought "Kirk would love this", and sure enough you end up posting about the spot later (Sab E Lee and it's former incarnations for instance)

[Kirk]

Hi BlackBelt - Now you've got me wondering........ Thanks for reading and taking the plunge and commenting.

[Beachbum]

Long time no see Kirk. I have been to this restaurant recently. Food is actually pretty good. I actually like it better than Thai Nakorn. I still owe you one for skipping out on that lunch. I will make it up to you some day

[Kirk]

Hi Beach! It's so nice to hear from you. I hope we'll be able to grab a bite soon and catch up on things! You don't owe me a thing.... if anything it's the Missus and I who owe you big time.