I Can Make It Through The Rain

Last year during the Lunar New Year I was in Vietnam, watching the fireworks, browsing the flower markets, and riding on motorbikes. This year’s 2009 lunar festivities included a trip to the “Vietnam” of America--Orange County, California. However, it wasn’t for celebrating, it was for an interview with a graduate school. It was a whirlwind trip, all wrapped up into four days and three nights. With two of those days being traveling days, one whole day devoted to a tour and interview at the school, a surprise work day, I only had one real day to enjoy SoCal…And it rained. Rain** in Orange County?!

Although my beach plans were canceled, I still had a great time eating out and catching up with my brother and extended family. We ALL love eating out when in the O.C. Whenever I’m out there, I always make a list of places that we must go to. My brother does the same, albeit, his list is much longer than mine.

So here ya go, a list of a few places (emphasis on "few" because there are so many great places that I have no listed) that my brother and I enjoy! I will not give details about the food at these places. However, if you are ever in the Orange County area, you should check out this food blog that has all of the information about the restaurants I've listed: Monster Munching.

Pho79
Lee's sandwiches
Com Tam Thuan Kieu
Capital Seafood
Yaqui tacos
Thanh my
Pho thanh long
Pho vinh ky
Boba house
El Pollo Loco-- I don't know why I love this place so much!
In-n-Out
El Zarape
Yogurt World
Che Hien Khanh
Shinsengumi
Seafood World Dimsum
Shwarma
Pinkberry
Xooro
Funnel cake factory
Brodard's
Thai Nakorn
Pink's hotdogs
Alerto's
Passion berry
The Hat
Eric Schats bakery
Slocum's
Shea Schats bakery
Hu Tieu Nam Van
Kaji soft tofu restaurant
Langer's delicatessen
Dino's chicken and burgers
Tajima Japanese restaurant
Seaside Bakery in Newport
Jane's Corndogs
Chomps
Kasen

**Rain in Southern California cannot be compared to rain on the east coast. California rain does not entail people to need a real umbrella (with wind vents) or galochas because the rain only lasts for a few minutes at a time. But the sky gets grey; the air feels chilly, preventing people like me from wearing flip-flops. Bummer.