Nguyen’s Kitchen in Orange is a modern, casual eatery offering fresh and flavorful Vietnamese and Asian dishes inspired by American cuisine.
The no-nonsense menu offers a modern take on traditional Vietnamese and Asian cuisine using high-quality ingredients. And with some items featuring an American twist, you’ll find options like Cajun garlic fries and crawfish pasta.
The place is busy at all hours, including late at night when they close at 2:30 AM. Many visitors, including hospital workers from nearby St. Joseph’s Hospital, come for the food and affordable prices.
Today, Nguyen’s Kitchen has locations across Southern California, including Santa Ana, Carson, Costa Mesa, Southgate, and Orange. Recently, I visited their Orange location.
Interior of Nguyen’s Kitchen
The interior of Nguyen’s Kitchen was small but open and bright thanks to large windows, the lighting, and wooden accents.
The dining room was L-shaped, with booths lining one side, along with a communal table and a few more tables at the other end.
A small counter seating area with four seats lined a semi-open kitchen. While I didn’t have the best view into the kitchen, I could hear and smell the chefs cooking pork, chicken, and beef on the flattop grills.
While the décor was simple, it was modern and clean, with a casual ambiance. Music played softly in the background but not loud enough to drown out conversations.
The cashier was at the front of the dining room, near the entrance. This is where I ordered on my visit. After ordering, I sat and waited for the chef to call my name. I then picked up my food at the counter.
There were also a few tables outside for those who chose.
Nguyen’s Kitchen Menu
While the menu at Nguyen’s Kitchen was simple, it had many great and unique options.
The menu had multiple sections for signature sandwiches, specialties,
rice bowls, classics, and refreshments.
For sandwiches, there were options with pork, chicken, and bulgogi. Same with rice bowls, except for the addition of shrimp.
Under Specialties, you will find noodles and pasta. Under classics were sliders, wings, popcorn chicken, Cajun garlic fries, egg rolls, and a salad.
As for refreshments, there was Vietnamese iced coffee, various teas, and fountain drinks.
Bulgogi Steak Bowl
First up was the Bulgogi Steak Bowl ($14.95). This beautiful rice bowl had bulgogi short rib steak, steamed jasmine rice, chopped lettuce, sliced cucumber, pickled carrots, and daikon. On the side were two sauces, a green sauce and a brown sauce.
After being grilled on the flattop, the sliced bulgogi short rib steak was tender, almost melting in my mouth. While thin, the beef was never chewy. Sesame seeds topping the beef added even more texture.
Its flavor was sweet, with a hint of saltiness from soy sauce. Slivers of fat added extra flavor.
Under the beef was a generous amount of jasmine rice. The rice was simple, with large grains that were soft yet retained their texture, with a sweet, nutty flavor.
This bowl was finished off with chopped lettuce, sliced cucumber, pickled carrots, and daikon. The thick cucumbers added a fresh, crunchy bite, while the pickled vegetables added a sweet and salty component.
The green sauce was delicious. It had jalapeños and garlic, possibly some butter or mayonnaise, and a hint of sweetness. It was creamy and spicy, and I couldn’t stop eating it.
The other sauce, the brown sauce, was salty, sweet, and rich with an umami flavor like the bulgogi marinade.
Grilled Pork Sandwich
Next, I ordered the Grilled Pork Sandwich ($10.95). While it wasn’t named Bánh mì on the menu, this is what I would call it.
This sandwich, served on a toasted and buttered baguette, included grilled pork, cucumber, pickled carrots and daikon, cilantro, and parsley. The same delicious green sauce came on the side.
There was a lot of grilled pork packed into the baguette. After being grilled, its flavor was smoky and salty, with a bouncy yet tender texture. The pieces were quite thick and not very fatty, which I enjoyed.
Complementing the smoky pork were sweet, salty, and crunchy pickled carrots and daikon, along with crunchy, fresh cucumber spears.
A generous amount of cilantro added a fresh, citrusy flavor and aromatic component that brought the sandwich together. But I didn’t notice any parsley, or maybe it was missing.
The final component, the toasted and buttered baguette, was simple but fresh and held together until the last bite. Its exterior was crispy, while its inside was soft.
While there was no pâté, the butter was creamy and worked well with the other ingredients.
Service at Nguyen’s Kitchen
Being a fast-casual restaurant, on my visit to Nguyen’s Kitchen, I ordered with the cashier at the front and picked up my food from the counter when I heard my number called.
Therefore, I had limited interaction with the staff. That said, the cashier was friendly, and my order was correct and was ready only a few minutes after ordering.
I also noticed how the staff constantly cleaned the restaurant whenever they had the time, which I appreciated.
Conclusion
Whenever I am in the mood for fast and affordable Asian and Vietnamese food in Orange, I head to Nguyen’s Kitchen.
Though countless hospital workers visit daily, I consider the small restaurant a hidden gem. If you were driving by, it would be easy to miss.
While the menu was small, the food was fresh, delicious, and different from the typical Asian eateries I visit.
The food, like the décor, was modern and colorful. The ingredients, from the pork and beef to the bread and vegetables, were fresh and high-quality.
And that green sauce was amazing. I would return just for that.
So, if you are looking for a casual Asian restaurant with simple but fresh and delicious flavors, then
Nguyen’s Kitchen in Orange is the spot for you.
Pros
- Colorful plates using quality ingredients
- Generous portion sizes
- Delicious green sauce
- Quick service
- Open late
Cons
- Parking lot can be tight for larger vehicles