Your TL;DR Guide to Little Saigon, Orange County
- A Brief History Behind the Little Saigon Community
- The Logistics
- What to Do in Little Saigon’s Asian Garden Mall
- Nearby Businesses to Visit
- Posts
Like the start of all great adventures, I was driving around the Little Saigon area when I decided to pick up a banana matcha from Truong Nguyen and hop on over to the Asian Garden Mall for some browsing.
The biggest disappointment – I didn’t have my camera! I love walking around and taking photos, so it was a small bummer because (as always) Little Saigon was gorgeous. Nonetheless (obviously), I had a fantastic time wandering around and thought I should share a little bit about this OC neighborhood with you all!
Usually, people think of the beaches and Disneyland (and sometimes shopping centers like South Coast Plaza) when they travel to Orange County – but there is so much more to see! So the next time you’re in town, consider swinging on by the wonderful community of Little Saigon.
A Brief History Behind the Little Saigon Community
Now, if you’re from Southern California, you’re probably at least somewhat familiar with Little Saigon. But if you’re not, it’s helpful to know a little bit about the history of this community.
In the 1970s, fleeing political and social unrest in Vietnam, many people immigrated to the United States – settling most notably in the Orange County communities of Westminster, Garden Grove, and Fountain Valley.
Many folks, who left their homes and things behind, began to rebuild and find connection in what would eventually be known as Little Saigon. Small businesses, like Danh’s Pharmacy, began opening – and soon over 600 small business lined Bolsa Avenue. Today, Orange County’s Little Saigon is the largest “little Saigon” in the United States.
In 1987, the “Asian Garden Mall,” or Phước Lộc Thọ (meaning fortune, prosperity, and longevity) was opened by Frank Jao, a vietnamese-chinese refugee who came to the United States in 1975.
While Southern California has no shortage of shopping malls, Phước Lộc Thọ is special. A local gathering place, this mall and the businesses surrounding it give you a glimpse into the heart of Little Saigon’s community. With small shops, family-run legacy businesses, and some delicious eateries, there is so much to appreciate here.
Today, we’re focusing mostly on the mall and local businesses, but I encourage you to learn more about the Little Saigon community here in Orange County. The OC Register has this timeline to put things into perspective, spanning key events from the 1970s to today. In addition, this article highlights the “intangible cultural assets” of Little Saigon and raises some important questions about protecting the community in an everchanging future.
The Logistics
At a Glance
Address: 9200 Bolsa Avenue, Westminster, CA 92683
Parking: Free
Hours: 10AM – 7PM daily
Logistics-wise, things are pretty straight forward. The parking lot can get busy during holidays and events, but a little patience and you’ll be just fine. I personally recommend entering the parking lot through the back entrance along Bishop Place – the front (off of Bolsa Ave) gets the most crowded the most often.
If you’re using public transit, the closest stop is Bolsa-Cultural Court.
What to Do in Little Saigon’s Asian Garden Mall
The Asian Garden Mall is two stories and filled with (over 200) various shops, stalls, and carts. I highly recommend strolling around to get the lay of the land, getting some food or coffee to fuel-up, and then finishing off your trip by focusing more in-depth on the stores that caught your eye.
For a full list of vendors, check out the directory here.
Shopping
Asian Garden Mall is home to a ton of different vendors – from clothing, to beauty, to a (very expansive) jewelry department.
When you first enter, there are a few shops with specialty gifts, home goods, and trinkets. I recommend walking around and then going into to explore whatever shop catches your eye – there are lots of goodies tucked away into the various shop corners.
If you’re looking for something to start off with, I recommend checking out the painted conical hats, clothing shops, and skin care shops in the back.
There is also a cute plant store located towards the middle-back of the mall. There are also several places that focus on more holistic health/traditional medicine products and more traditional Vietnamese clothing and gifts.
Towards the back of the second floor, you’ll find the jewelry center. Photos and recording aren’t allowed here, but it is pretty expansive – and worth a look through if you’re in need of some accessories.
While many places do accept credit card and tap to pay, I recommend bringing some cash as a few places are cash only or prefer it.
Dining
This mall stands out as a community gathering space. Food-wise, while there are a TON of options to check out in the area, the dining options are more limited in the mall itself.
That being said, there is a small food court near the entrance where you can find baked goods, dim sum, coffee, pho, and a few other goodies. These businesses are on the smaller side, so anticipate a little bit of a wait (especially if the mall is crowded) after you order.
Events
Annually, Asian Garden Mall hosts an outdoor night market starting mid June through the end of August. The market runs from 7pm to 11pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Many people also like to visit the mall during the Lunar New Year, where the mall runs several special events and decorates to help usher in the new year. You can read about last year’s celebration here.
Nearby Businesses to Visit
Little Saigon is full of great shops, eateries, and (my favorite) cafes. If you’re looking to expand your trip beyond the mall, here are a few places I frequent.
Lately, I’ve been in a cafe kind of mood, so most of my recommendations are coffee shops… Let me know if you’d be interested in a coffee-shop focused guide to the area!
- The Legend of Troung Nguyen
- Thrifting at Salvation Army – Brookhurst
- Sip
- Kei Coffee
- Da Vien Coffee
- Mile Square Park
- Koreatown (Garden Grove)
- Pho 79
Little Saigon’s Asian Garden Mall is great stop while you’re in Orang County – and a fantastic way to break up visiting Disneyland or the coastal cities. Have you spent some time in the Little Saigon area? What are some of your favorite spots?
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