One of the greatest mistakes many Orange County residents make, is not taking advantage of the rich cultural experiences that are available within a few minutes drive. Despite the portrayal of the O.C. on television as the land of gate-guarded communities and wealthy soccer mom’s, Orange County remains a diverse, cultural melting pot.
One of the best places to experience the wonderful diversity of Orange County is Little Saigon in the Westminster and Garden Grove area. Little Saigon, home to one of the largest concentrations of Vietnamese immigrants in the United States, is a feast of sights, sounds, smells, and tastes.
The heart of Little Saigon, and probably the best place to jump feet- first into Vietnamese culture, is the Asian Garden Mall on Bolsa Ave. The 165,000 square-foot Asia Garden Mall is home to over 300 unique shops and restaurants, and makes for a great afternoon of exploration. In fact, over 200,000 tourists visit the mall every year!
For me personally, it’s all about the food. Just inside the front entrance is a large food court that features everything from sit-down service to assembly line fast food. My personal favorite is “Hien Vuong” which has a full menu of chicken, beef, fish and veggie dishes. For the money though, it is hard to pass up a bowl of their classic chicken “Pho” soup.
For my wife, it’s all about the shopping. The Asian Garden Mall has one of the greatest assortments of shops around, with everything from unique Asian products to classic fashions. The thing that makes it more fun than your average trip to South Coast Plaza is that many of the shop owners are willing to bargain on larger purchases!
The Asian Garden Mall also houses one of the largest groupings of independent jewelry manufacturers and dealers in Orange County. If you are looking for a good deal on some great jewelry, this is the place to go.
One of the coolest parts of the mall though, is its “center stage”. The center of the Asian Garden Mall is set up to host everything from concerts to fashion shows. There’s ample room for seating in the adjacent food court, allowing you to simultaneously take in some great entertainment and food. Additionally, there’s “box seating” around the rim of the mall’s second story, looking down on the stage area.
The Asian Garden Mall is located in the heart of Little Saigon on Bolsa Ave., between Brookhurst and Magnolia. The Asian Garden Mall is open 10 AM – 7 PM daily. Parking can be a little tight in the front parking lot, so be sure to check around the back of the building.
The Asian Garden Mall
[where: 9200 Bolsa Ave, Westminster, CA]
