Brodard
| Brodard | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Location within the Los Angeles metropolitan area  Location within California  Location within the United States | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | October 1996 |
| Owner | Diane Dang |
| Food type | Vietnamese |
| Dress code | Casual |
| Location | 16105 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 |
| Coordinates | 33°43′44″N 117°57′18″W / 33.7289°N 117.9549°W |
Other locations | 9100 Trask Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92844 |
| Website | www |
Brodard is a Vietnamese restaurant in Fountain Valley, California. Formerly located at the Mall of Fortune complex in Garden Grove, it is known as one of the most popular restaurants in Little Saigon and one of the most successful independent restaurant franchises in the county.[1] It is especially known for its nem nướng, which it is credited with popularizing in Southern California.[2]
Description
Brodard serves Vietnamese cuisine, which includes bo luc lac, mì Quảng, bánh khot, gỏi cuốn, and the restaurant's famous nem nướng, which has led to the restaurant also selling other specialty rolls.[2] Most dishes come from the central part of the country, although there northern foods as well, such as bun cha and Chả cá Lã Vọng.[3] In 2017, it was reported that Brodard locations made over 10,000 nem nướng daily.[1] Its dipping sauce is also renowned.[4] French pastries and desserts are also sold.[2]
Brodard also operates a fine dining location in Garden Grove called Brodard Chateau. It is located in a building modeled after a Victorian house and features extra menu items including wild king salmon, filet mignon, and tiger prawn.[3]
History
Brodard was opened by husband-and-wife couple Thuong and Diane Dang in October 1996. The Dang family had previous restaurant experience, with Diane's parents opening a bakery, Hoa Bien, in Nha Trang in the 1950s. After emigrating to the U.S. in 1989, the family took over Ngoc Huong in the Asian Garden Mall. Brodard was founded after Thuong got the opportunity to take over a 2,000 sq ft (190 m2) space in a mall complex. He was able to secure a restaurant following local investments, but suffered a stroke that left him bedridden before the grand opening, causing Diane to have to take charge.[5] The mall complex was sold in 2000 and Brodard moved to a 7,500 sq ft (700 m2) space inside the Mall of Fortune.[1]
The restaurant's famous nem nướng were first sold in 1997, after a customer asked Diane's daughter, Chau Dang-Haller, to buy what she was eating for lunch. Dang-Haller later opened her own restaurant, Bamboo Bistro, in Corona del Mar in 2002.[1] After word got around, the restaurant's popularity boosted. Chau Brodard Chateau, the restaurant's fine dining location, opened in July 2006. Thuong died in 2008.[5] In late 2017, Brodard moved its flagship location to a larger, 8,000 sq ft (740 m2) space in Fountain Valley.[1][4][2] Brodard Express, a quick-service expansion at the John Wayne Airport, opened in 2023.[6] The restaurant opened its fifth location at the 2ND & PCH shopping center in Long Beach in 2026.[7][8]
Reception
Food critic Jonathan Gold gave a positive review of Brodard Chateau when writing for the Los Angeles Times in 2014.[3]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Lin, Joy Hui (July 26, 2017). "Brodard: An Empire Built on Spring Rolls". PBS SoCal. Archived from the original on December 12, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Escárcega, Patricia (October 24, 2019). "Brodard in Orange County is famous for pork spring rolls — but don't skip the pastries". Daily Pilot. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Gold, Jonathan (March 21, 2014). "Jonathan Gold | Restaurant review: Brodard Chateau elevates Vietnamese street food". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- 1 2 Goei, Edwin (March 7, 2018). "Legendary Vietnamese Restaurant Brodard Moves to Fountain Valley – OC Weekly". Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- 1 2 Bharath, Deepa (April 30, 2015). "10,000 spring rolls a day: Brodard's food tells a community's story". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on January 5, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- ↑ Luna, Nancy (May 15, 2023). "John Wayne Airport adds Taps Fish House, Brodard Express, and Greenleaf this summer". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- ↑ Guzman, Richard (January 5, 2026). "Orange County Vietnamese restaurant Brodard to open location in Long Beach". Press Telegram. Archived from the original on February 4, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- ↑ Addison, Brian (December 17, 2025). "One of California's best Vietnamese restaurants is opening in Long Beach in 2026". Longbeachize. Archived from the original on May 20, 2026. Retrieved June 15, 2026.