GARLIC & CHIVES

Yesterday my family and I went to this Vietnamese restaurant called Garlic & Chives in Little Saigon (Orange County). The food was DELICIOUS and relatively cheap AND it was near this amazing boba place called Almond Hause. Here's some of the dishes that my family and I had!!

This is a special kind of rice called crispy rice, and they cook it in this metal pot thingy and the edges get kinda crunchy. The restaurant is called Garlic and Chives, hence the garlic (and onions) on top. I didn't think RICE could taste this good. 

Probably the BEST fried tofu I've ever eaten, and I've eaten A LOT (in Vietnam, San Gabriel, Alhambra, Gardena, literally every Asian place) and this tofu is literally so bomb. The golden exterior is not only crispy but also slightly crunchy, as the outside batter is not thin like most fried tofu. The salty, savory addition of garlic perfectly complements the tangy and slightly spicy sauce that comes with the dish.

Salmon on a cast iron pan. They literally serve this to you on a pan thingy! So everything stays hot and delicious. The salmon is slightly crispy on the exterior, but so soft and buttery on the inside. And the slightly sour sauce that comes with it is the perfect complement to the salmon. And this dish was $9!! And SO filling (couldn't even finish it!) 

Deep fried calamari, my friends. It's not completely coated with breadcrumbs and a flour exterior like most fried calamari. Instead, the exterior is thinly coated with salt, pepper, onions, and garlic. The accompanying grilled onions are incredible and go so well with the calamari. Like the rest of the dishes, the sauce is a MUST.

AND as if this place couldn't get any better, the actual restaurant is so aestehtically pleasing. They literally serve you water in mason jars! 

IF YOU'RE EVER IN OC, GO HERE. Find it in your heart and soul to deviate from the usual Pho and have a taste of authentic, not over-priced, Vietnamese food. 10/10.