When the war was winding down in Vietnam in the 1970s, and American forces pulling out, thousands of South Vietnamese immigrated to the United States. A large number settled with families in and near the town of Westminster, in California’s Orange County.

Called Little Saigon, it’s the largest community of Vietnamese immigrants in the U.S. Of today’s Westminster population of 90,000, it’s estimated over 36,000 are ethnic Vietnamese.

There are many Vietnamese restaurants in the Westminster-Garden Grove-Santa Ana area. Just a few include:

Hot Pot City, 15606 Brookhurst St., Westminster CA 92683. This cozy little cafe is typical for when a savvy senior traveler asks where the local families eat. Customers sit at a table with a grill pot in the center, and choose from platters of raw vegetables, noodles, seafood and meats. Then all are barbecued right there and served steaming hot.

S Vietnamese Fine Dining, 545 Westminster Mall, Westminster CA 92683. This is one of the most elegant and expensive in Little Saigon. A favorite dish is Cua Lot Chien Don, and consists of fried soft shell crabs in spicy garlic and onion sauce, served with fresh vegetable mix and jasmine steamed rice.

Ngu Binh, 14072 Magnolia St., #116, Westminster CA 92683. A favorite is Buh Bo Hue, a spicy soup with pieces of beef, pork and noodles. For the main dish, there’s Banh Bot Loc Tran, rice dumplings wrapped around shrimp.

Sen Bistro, 1945 E. 17th St. #104, Santa Ana CA 92705. A small pub with limited ethnic menu compiled for local patrons. Example: Bo Kho, a beef stew with carrots, potatoes and lemon grass, with egg noodles.

Miss Saigon, 10947 Westminster Av., Garden Grove CA 92843. Example: Mi Hoanh Thanh, made with egg noodles, port, shrimp wonton and sliced pork. Specialty: Miss Saigon Appetizer Sampler, consisting of egg, spring and summer rolls, with tofu fries, chicken wings and kim chi (fermented spicy vegetables).