Guide to Little Saigon Quan Nhaus

Quận nhaus are the equivalent of pubs in the western world. Quận nhaus have their roots deep in the motherland of Vietnam. The drinking and socializing culture their is unmatched, and it is normal to enjoy drinking at any time of day.  However, similar to other cultures, the most common time to drink is right after a hard day's work or later.  Most quan nhaus only have a license to sell beer and wine, so like Vietnam, the drink of choice to 'nhau' is beer, usually a Heineken or Corona. There is also wine or soju, a light Korean distilled rice liquor. 

Quận nhaus have grown in popularity in Little Saigon Orange County, most likely due to the lack of good bars or hangouts locally. They also have features that distinguish them from restaurants or bars  which help provide a more social and fun experience. Similar to Vietnamese coffee shops, quan nhaus typically have young pretty girls working as waitresses. The girls are usually wearing  wearing sexy matching dresses or outfits. They tend to be more friendly  than girls you would find at the cafes as they will usually be the main waitress for  your table. If the the quan nhau is not busy, it is not uncommon for the girls to sit down and have a drink or chat with you.

Although quan nhaus serve good Vietnamese food and are considered restaurants, don't expect to be in a restaurant environment.  Quan Nhaus don't have signs saying  they are quan nhaus, but you can tell most of the time by the setup, such as lots of flat screens, karaoke stand, smoky, dimly lit and sexy waitresses.  If you just want to have a quiet Vietnamese dinner then this may not be the place to go, or it s best to choose an earlier time  when it is not crowded. Weekends at night will generally have the most people.  If you are looking for more fun than just dinner then you may find quan nhaus enjoyable.

Quan nhaus can also be very different from each other depending on the crowd. Some quan nhaus cater to an older more traditional Vietnamese crowd such as Diem Hen, or Sky. Some have a younger traditional crowd like Rex, Ocean Blue.  While others may have a more Americanized crowd like Artist, Tram Chim or Quan Gio.

The Food

food at quan nhaus are mostly Vietnamese dishes. You will find common items  such as bò lúc lắc (Vietnamese shaking beef), cơm chiên (fried rice), lẩu (hot pot) and most other vietnamese dishes. The food items are meant for eating family style as this is suppose to be socializing experience eating and drinking together.  Shellfish ,such as clams,oysters and snails, are also very popular items.  American bars foods such as buffalo wings, french fries, and calamari are also available as appetizers. Some quan nhaus also offer exotic food  items, likes eel, alligator, or rabbit. The food at quan nhaus are usually more expensive than a regular Vietnamese restaurant.  A dish of fried rice may cost around  $12 while bo luc lac will run about $15. Most places will also have a happy hour and beers  can  be as low as $2.

The Experience

When you enter the quan nhau, you may choose a table or the waitress will help you to a table. She will give you a mneu and ask you what you want to drink. Since this is drinking place, you are expected to order an  alcoholic beverage, commonly a Heineken.  She will ask you if want to order a 'bucket' which is a bucket of 10 beers in ice. If you don't drink all the beers they will not charge you for the leftovers. The bucket helps them from going back and forth to get beers and also makes it easier to get you drunk.  Traditionally Vietnamese also like to drink their beer in a mug or glass of ice, so you can ask them for a 'ly đá' if you that is your choice. The glass of ice helps extend the drinking experience and keep you from getting drunk too fast.

While you wait for your beer, another waitress will come over and setup plates, napkins  and utensils, for your you. They will also usually give you a free cup of peanuts. If you know what  you want to order then she will take your order or just take your time to look over the menu. Usually only one waitress works per table, but all the girls will help out. When the other waitress comes back with your beer you can give her your order. Expect the wait on food similar to a restaurant or a little longer if it is busy. In the mean time you can munch on your peanuts and toast your friends. When the food comes out, eat, relax and enjoy.

As you drink, the girls will regularly check on you to see how much you are drinking. If you drink out of glass, she will pour your beer for you as soon as you've taken a few drinks. When the bottle reaches empty, she will ask you if you want another, or she may automatically grab a beer out of the bucket and crack it open.  If you don't plan on drinking anymore, make sure to stop her from cracking the bottle open.

While you are drinking, there are plenty of flat screen tvs for your viewing pleasure. The waitress are also there for your viewing pleasure. Quan nhaus can get very loud and rowdy from a number of audio sources. Once customers get their drink on, the decible level goes higher and higher. There is loud music playing in the background. Usually a mix of Vietnamese and American music. Most quan nhaus also have karoake or live music, usually later in the night.  This can be the loudest of all, especially if you are unfortunate enough to sit by a large speaker. The karaoke songs are usually Vietnamese tunes but they also have English songs.

 As the night goes on, you will notice it starts to get really smoky inside. You will also have to yell when you speak to your friends to overcome the loud noises. Earplugs are recommended during peak hours if you value your hearing.

When you are done with your food you can chill and drink more or ask for the bill.  Pay for  your table and tip your waitress and you will have completed your experience at the quan nhau.