Westminster is probably my favorite city in Orange County. Home the Little Vietnam and Bradley Nowell's grave. Here the pho flows like water and the bahn mi are the best of its kind. The bus stops look like pagodas and English is not the first language as witness by the signage on the buildings.
I guess when you start your Friday off right, your whole weekend follows suit. It started with Uber Ice Cream delivering some Dippinn Dots. We were able to get one to deliver to our office. It was pretty magical. I mean, Dippin Dots are the way of the future right? It was pretty rad that they delivered ice cream because the ice cream man doesn't visit around the business parts of Orange County. But honestly if I had a choice between Dippin Dots and say any other ice cream, I would have chose any other ice cream. Dippin Dots are weird. But we had an ice cream truck, that played no music in our parking lot come by and visit and I will take that any day of the week.
Omar is pretty excited about Dippin Dots.
Fire is always a good sign. We went to a night market in Westminster. Whenever I go, I feel like I am in another world. English is not the first language. The sights, the smells and the people make this experience so special. On this trip we took our friends Mike and Taylor. They are heading out to Thailand this Fall and we thought this would be training wheels for the trip.
The air is filled with the smell of cooked meats and anise. It's the best. Whole families are out and having a good time. Children throwing poppers at each other or waving around their new light up swords. Parents doing parent things like eating, buying the light up swords and giving their kids money to feed the dragon. It is a lot to take in really, especially if you are new to these things. So many different options. You smell on thing and want that, or see someone else walk by with a pork ball and want that. There can be a lot of indecision but the good thing is that it is every weekend till September. I didn't get my soft tofu this time but next time, you will be mine.
Pho wraps.
Quail and a fish sauce wing. The quail was crispy but as always, I want rice with everything. Not only are they great complements, they are pretty good edible napkins.
Word of the wise, bring wet naps or a pack of baby wipes.
Word of the wise, bring wet naps or a pack of baby wipes.
Sea Snails. Highly Recommend! Make sure you don't eat their door.
No balut this time, but next go around look out little duckies! Yes, I have eaten it before and on multiple occasions. Yes, I am that Filipino. Take it another step, I used to have pet ducks and I ate their balut. #fearlesseater.
I love the night market in summer time and I feel, although, I have never been to the 626 or the OC Night Market, but I really liket his one. It's small and it serves the community weekly throughout summer. It is authentic. Even if there is a ramen burger or two. I feel almost at home here. I leave stuffed to the muff and happy and four boxes richer in poppers.
Then on Saturday I went to get the brakes fixed on my car. The car shop is in Westminster. I had the courtesy shuttle drop us off at Pho Nguyen Hue. It was hot as balls outside too, so this was a nice change of pace.
Good amount of meat and fat globs, my fave! Also a fair amount of tripe that would make the UK Tripe Marketing Board happy.
Then it was off to our neighborhood EJ Malloy's for the usual medium wings and this tie a burger. Then it was off to get a foot massage in, you guessed it, Westminster.After a massage that was full body at $15 for like 45 minutes it was off to the Snow Monster.
Pistachio macaron with thai ice tea ice cream. It was really good and a great end cap to out weekend and it was only 6pm!
I love you Wetminster, I really do!