Garlic and Chives

This was our first time visiting and we really enjoyed it. The clay pot fish with pork belly is so good, we ordered two orders. The green beans were also so good! Be prepared to want to try a variety of dishes, family style. We'll be back again!

Best place to visit

This is a Michelin-star restaurant. All the dishes are delicious. Vietnamese and American food is carefully prepared and beautifully presented, with good service. As Vietnamese people, when you meet, you often drink together. Beer is available here, and you can easily enjoy it, but the food is both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. With a plate of crab stir-fried with tamarind and a plate of beefsteak. My Vietnamese friend and I had a meeting full of Vietnamese identity after a long time. We will save this address and want everyone to come and share smiles and enjoy food

Garlic and Chives in Garden Grove, CA, absolutely lives up to its Michelin Guide recognition (2019, 2021, 2022). This Asian fusion spot brings big flavors and inventive twists to each dish, making it a standout in Orange County’s food scene.

The salmon belly was a highlight—fresh, buttery, and perfectly seasoned. For fried rice lovers, the Fried Rice with Salted Fish & Shrimp is a must-try: fragrant, savory, and loaded with umami. The Lotus Root Salad offers a refreshing crunch and balance with every bite. And don’t miss the Black Tiger Shrimp on Garlic Noodles—the noodles are silky and rich, soaking up all the garlicky goodness while the shrimp remain juicy and sweet.

Garlic and Chives delivers on both taste and creativity, earning its Michelin nods with every plate. Highly recommended.

I love it ,sooo delicious.

I stumbled upon this restaurant while scrolling through Instagram, and it immediately caught my attention. It’s pretty rare to find Vietnamese restaurants featured on the Michelin Guide, but this spot has earned a place on the OC Michelin Guide for several years. I’ve been obsessed with Vietnamese food lately so I’ve been making quite a few trips to the Little Saigon area and this visit did not disappoint.

Garlic and Chives is tucked inside the Mall of Fortune, alongside other well-known spots like OC Lau2, Pholover, and 85°C. Unfortunately, many smaller shops in the mall have closed, so it’s not as lively as it once was, but these popular restaurants and bakeries still manage to draw a crowd.

As soon as we were seated and started to look the menu, the first thing I noticed was their special selection of dishes featured on the Michelin Guide in 2019, 2021, and 2022, a pretty impressive feat. I also browsed through the menu while scrolling IG for recommendations and came across the Heo Quay Porchetta with Fine Rice Vermicelli. I tried to order it, but the server called out the chef to explain that this dish requires four hours of preparation and needs to be pre-ordered. Of course, I had unknowingly chosen something that wasn’t even available.

What We Ordered:
1. House Special Pork Chops $16
One of their Michelin Guide dishes! The pork chops are marinated in a unique house-made sauce that’s a perfect balance of salty and sweet. For my taste, it leaned a little salty, but pairing it with the white rice made every bite just right.

2. Salmon Belly Chien Gion $12
This appetizer features crispy fried salmon belly served over a bed of fresh salad. The portion isn’t huge, but the fish is perfectly fried and pairs beautifully with the dipping sauce.

3. Grilled Blood Clams (So Long Nu Ong Mo Hanh) $15
Served sizzling on a hot plate, these blood clams are chewy and packed with flavor.

4. Black Tiger Garlic Noodles (Mi To I Tom Xu Nuong) $16
I’ve had a similar dish at Vox Kitchen before, and this version was just as good. The shrimp was plump and juicy, while the noodles had a rich garlic flavor and came in a generous portion, super satisfying.

5. Hot Tea $2 (each person)
Simple, comforting, and a nice balance to the richer dishes.

From the ambiance to the flavors and service, Garlic and Chives delivered a solid dining experience and I will come back and try some more.

📍 Garlic and Chives
9892 Westminster Blvd. #311, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Garlic and Chives at 9892 Westminster Blvd. #311, Garden Grove, located in the Mall of Fortune, is a top-tier spot for incredible Vietnamese food in a lively and welcoming setting.

The moment you step in, you’re greeted with a bustling, energetic vibe, reminiscent of the late-night food culture in Vietnam, where people gather to eat, drink, and enjoy good company. The food here is bursting with flavor, expertly prepared with fresh ingredients and bold seasonings.

Some standout dishes include their crispy salmon belly, garlic butter wings, and shaken beef—each dish perfectly balanced in taste and texture. Whether you’re here for a casual meal or a feast with friends, the menu has something for everyone.

Service is quick and attentive, and the portion sizes are generous, making it a great value for the quality you get. If you're looking for a place that brings the spirit of Vietnamese dining to life, Garlic and Chives is a must-visit in Garden Grove! 🍽️🇻🇳🔥

Had my birthday dinner here a while ago, all of the food was great! Very roomy inside and its great for big groups and family dinners. Also good for small dinners and affordable

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had a late night dinner here with my sons last week (Aug 9, 2024). The food was generally good, and the service was acceptable. However, my order of "Sticky Rice w. Chinese Sausage, Eggs, Shredded Pork" ("Xôi lạp xưởng trứng chà bông") was a huge turn-off: the lạp xưởng (Chinese sausage) reeked of a rancid taste. I'm not sure why, since I expect a good turn-over such that those sausages shouldn't be on the shelf for too long; perhaps they got a bad batch? In any case, although the boys enjoyed their meal, mine was ruined. I did let the waitress know, and she seemed concerned, but nothing came of it at the end, as I also let it go, leaving the rest of the sausages untouched. Kristin, if you're real and still in charge: do frequent quality control - your patrons pay for this.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

I took my mom here for her birthday dinner and very disappointing. We arrived at 6 pm and it wasn't that crowded but it took more than 20 minutes for the server to come and get our order. We ordered wings and fries as appetizers But the appetizer came out after most of the main dishes which is kinda annoying. Food is mediocre. It cost almost 150 for three people and we aren't even full. This would be my first and last time here. Wouldn't recommend it.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

I took my mom here for her birthday dinner and very disappointing. We arrived at 6 pm and it wasn't that crowded but it took more than 20 minutes for the server to come and get our order. We ordered wings and fries as appetizers But the appetizer came out after most of the main dishes which is kinda annoying. Food is mediocre. It cost almost 150 for three people and we aren't even full. This would be my first and last time here. Wouldn't recommend it.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 1

Wow! It has Michelin stars for a reason! Great food is all about sauces and seasoning that elevates food. That’s Garlic & Chives. Fried salmon belly (so crispy), salmon roll with tamarind sauce (great compliment), crispy fried tofu (not a dull moment), razor clams, and Hanoi vermicelli (not only very different but the patties and broth were explosive). I always try many dishes and none disappointed here. The must likely “fail” suspect was fried tofu and I’d order it again. The atmosphere is nothing special, but it’s fine and the “crab boil” setup is actually nice for friends and family vibe. This could be an expensive high end restaurant with the food they are serving and yet it’s very affordable.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sò Lông Nướng Mỡ Hành Blood Clams, Nghêu Nướng Mỡ Hành, Deep Fried Salmon Belly

Small restaurant within the Fortune Shopping strip mall. The food is very tasty!! It's Vietnamese food with a modern twist. All the dishes were well seasoned and nicely portioned. Highly recommend the paper rice salad and salmon belly summer roll! The server was really sweet. There's a wide selection of seafood dishes. Think atmosphere can use a makeover. Foodwise, it was delicious!!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Garlic Noodles with Grilled Shrimp, Salad, Goi Buroi - Pomelo Salad, Stir Fried Green Beans with Garlic, Rolls, House Special Lobster

most of the dishes are very mediocre
garlic noodles had 0 garlic taste for a place called garlic and chives

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 3

Amazing flavors and fresh seafood!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5