Lion Plaza

When we went to this place, I parked our car correctly. We went here to into the food court to try bun bo hue outside of bun bo hue an nam. It was okay or lower than the average, you can eat it. Then after we ate, we went exploring into the stores they have there for an hour or so. When I returned back, my car had a medium size dent on the back. :(It was noticeable from about 20 feet. The parking lot wasn’t good.

This pLaced USED to be the spot to hang out and grab some of the most authentic Vietnamese goodies back when I was young. Parking was horrendous and the shopping center was aLways super packed with famiLies.
Fast forward to today: this pLace has gone on a downward spiraL. Parking is stiLL horribLe and be on the Look out for even more terrible drivers. The stores have not aged gracefully and the crowds are no Longer here.
Each year i Look forward to making at Least a pit stop to Lion PLaza during Tet/​Chinese New Year. That seems to be the the onLy time this place seems to come back to Life: Parking Lot is fiLLed to the brim, famiLies are shopping for produce/​necessities, gambLing is avaiLabLe at every corner, and kids run around happiLy while fire crackers are going off.
OveraLL: It’s a good spot to hit up when I’m craving for authentic Vietnamese food or to drop by to pick up a few things. Jazentea is probabLy the onLy spot worthy enough to kill some time and hang out; they have wonderfuL snacks and a variety of drinks to chose from.

Reason for my visit was to pick up a fragrant-​asian magnolia plant and was told this gentleman sells a variety of plants like orchids (various colors and man-​made fluorescent colored ones), thai pepper plants, plumeria, etc on the weekend.
Score! I found the gentleman and he wrapped the pot in plastic and put into my car. Yay! Highlights of this plaza are:
* Viet food court — Thien Huong Bahn Cuon Trang Hoi is my favorite with their rice plates and egg rolls
* pandan waffle from Euro Delight bakery — coconut-​y flavored waffle. still good when cold
* Van’s Bakery — french macaron ice cream sandwich
* Jazen Tea — jelly, boba tea place
* Lion Market — to shop for asian ingredients or frozen prepared foods
Otherwise, this place has a lot of jewelry, ethnic clothes stores, some bakeries that don’t really interest me… and random older, asian men standing around smoking or ‘digging for gold’ as if no one was watching… Gross!

Lion plaza in general is really dirty and wouldn’t want to come here just to «hang out.» When I was younger, this place used to be filled with people! Tons of children running around with other kids, playing on the mini merry go round they have there. The adults would be watching their kids from a distance or just go shopping. Today, it’s empty, a bunch of old men just gambling, and a few people in the food court.
If I could give this place some stars, it would be the banh xeo they have inside the food court… IT’S. AMAZING… The banh xeo is super huge! And really really yummy! So if you wonder what’s there to do in lion plaza, I’d tell you to eat the banh xeo in the food court. Only reason I would come here.

I went here a lot when I was younger, and till this day I go fairly often. I’ve noticed over time how much they kind of let this place go. It’s gotten filthier and the buildings have gotten worn out, but that’s just time changing it. Time doesn’t really change how good the food is in each store is. My favorite restaurant their is An Hong. I love the 5 – 7 course beef ! ! I plan to still go here from here on out, for the food is very affordable :)

This plaza is okay. I use to go here a lot when I was little with my dad and grandma. I remember going here and looking
This plaza use to be clean and they didn’t have homeless around asking for money.
I only go here for Jazen Tea. Love to get their Strawberry Frenzy or Mango Berry.
I wish they still have the animé store here. This was the closes animé store to home. I use to buy my Pokémon cards here when I was a little kid.

«Anh con nho hay quen? Tren phở chieu dong nguoi, tay tiem lay tay nhau, bang khuang loi gia tu» — Chung Mong by Nhu Quynh.
For some reason I decided to trek over here after my visit at the temple at Chua An Lac. I was listening to some Vietnamese music, something I rarely do however, the recollection of my childhood continued to follow me. I was thrilled to see the place after so many years. Ok, I lied. I was here over a year ago to dine at Nha Trang but it seriously has been over 10 years since I have been in this plaza.
My parents used to use this place as a form of punishment. I don’t know why my sister and I hated this place. I hated it w/​all my guts. Every time I got grounded, sure enough my parents took me here to top the punishment off. Ugh.
I wish it was 15 years ago. So much have changed. I have endured so much. Though I am over it but it would be nice to go through life w/​o looking back at the past. I am thankful for so many things and blessed w/​so many things (roof over my head, a job, etc.) but I forgot the feeling of waking up and feeling pretty. For those that personally know me. I mean my scars.
Moving forward. I have my dreams and future to look forward to. Once I am settled down in Los Angeles, I think that is when I will wake up feeling pretty everyday. «I can’t wait, Kevin.»
P. S. food court opens 9am-​7pm everyday and cash only.