Pure "platinum" chowder on display here... I was still recovering from an illness but my palate was returning so I wanted soup. SMOKED PHO: -- this may be my only way to have pho moving forward -- the beef broth is delectable -- the crimson red in the rib tender delicious rib meat is perfectly cooked accounting for more cooking in the warm broth -- light on smoke -- ample sprouts, greens and noodles -- not too salty -- utterly fantastic -- nice portion of meat -- nice large portion but not jumbo RATING = A+ GARLIC BUTTER NOODLES: -- one marinated egg -- very creamy -- light towards medium garlic I feel but I will judge again when my palate and sniffer our fully back -- ample arugala -- medium portion size RATING = A STAFF are kind and efficient. read more

Not bad, but definitely not the most authentic Vietnamese food I've had. The pho was a little lackluster and needed quite a bit of extra sauce to really bring out the flavor. The meat was delicious, though--super tender and probably my favorite part. The shaking beef was tasty, but the flavors didn't really come together. It felt like the ingredients were just thrown together rather than really blending into one cohesive dish. The egg rolls, on the other hand, were great. No notes! read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - smoked pho + shaking beef - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

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The waitress changed us full price for items we ordered on the happy hour menu and presented a "combo" bill that disguised the itemized cost. Very unethical. The food is good but that's about it. It's also freezing in the restaurant. Probably a place to order a to-go order - and look at the bill before you go! read more

I have mixed feelings about LUA because my meal left a lot to be desired. To start, the Thai tea drinks are made with coconut milk, nothing too extremely different. However, the salted cream version was a total miss for us. It was overwhelmingly salty to the point that neither of us could drink much of it. We also ran into some confusion with our order. We pointed to what we thought was the Shaking Beef on the menu, but we were served Bo Kho instead, which is a beef stew. Our waitress seemed fairly new, and since the photos of the two dishes looked somewhat similar, I can understand how the mix-up happened. That said, we probably should have clarified before accepting the dish, so that's partly on us as well. The Bo Kho itself was okay, but it didn't really stand out. The potato wedges were so sparse, I think my friend and I only got about four- or five-pieces total. On top of that, the small baguette served with the stew felt out of proportion to the amount of broth. There wasn't enough bread to enjoy the dish properly, which left the meal feeling incomplete. We loved the Lechon Banh Mi, and that was the redeeming part of our order. Unfortunately, when it came to the other food and drinks we tried, they just didn't quite hit the mark for us. While we're glad we gave LUA a try, it's probably not a place we'll revisit for those particular menu items. read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Thai Tea - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

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We came here to celebrate a girlfriend's birthday and we had so much fun! The restaurant is nicely decorated and there is ample parking in the plaza. I really enjoyed our egg rolls, garlic noodles and the Brussels sprouts. The smoked pho was so flavorful and delicious. Staff was very attentive and nice. Only thing to be prepared for is the heavy onset of food coma afterwards! read more

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This spot is a hidden gem, as it seems everytime I go there is barely anyone there and I get seated right away. There food is amazing I have tried something different each time and it never disappoints! If you're in the area and want some vietnamese fusion this is the go too! It's very clean and nice inside also. read more

This was my second time dining at LUA and it was just as fantastic as the first. The dining area is contemporary, clean and comfortable. Service is excellent! The food is so fresh and flavorful and there is obvious pride taken in its presentation. We enjoyed LUA Bao, Brisket Pho Dip, crispy lechon banh mi and vegan vermicelli salad. All were delicious! read more

Knew I wanted to try this place because they were a Yelp's Top 100 spot. I got the pork bun to start, and it was so delicious! The pork was a sweet and salty flavor, paired with a refreshing slaw. For my main, I got the pho entree, which was a pretty decent sized portion. I will say, $20 for a bowl of pho is pretty steep, but it seems competitive for the area. They also gave me a side of this spicy chili, which added a good kick to the bowl. The restaurant is a medium-sized spot, with a handful amounts of 4-top tables. It wasn't busy when I came around late lunch time, and the servers were super friendly! read more

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Incredible food!!! Absolutely amazing!!! 55555 stars!!!! Smoked Pho - you HAVE TO try it!!! read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Smoked Pho and happyest boy - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

Service was okay... during the time we were there there was only one person working... and it was a little bit hard to find her for the things that we would need at the table... The food was okay we ordered that Brussels sprouts which was okay and then we ordered the garlic butter noodles which was super garlicky! And we followed with the crispy egg rolls which was okay it is not something that I would order if I ever come back... Next we ordered our entrees which were phos. The phos were ok my friend ordered the smoked pho which the meat was dry for my taste. I ordered the original pho which was supposed to to be brisket... the meat was tasteless but the broth were okay as well... they do have plenty of selection when it comes to drinks! We ordered the Hibiscus lychee which was amazing! My friend love the branzino but I thought it was okay unless you love fish! The chicken was okay it comes with rice,cucumber and some of the sauce on the side. Overall I would recommend it just because... not everyone has the same taste as me and lots of people seems to enjoy it. read more

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Went to Lua for lunch today. Their lychee drink was so pretty. Non alcoholic and sweet. I went in with some friends to celebrate a bday and we all enjoyed their dishes. I really enjoyed their dipping sauces as well. Chef took time to plate the dishes and they all looked beautiful. Place was quiet and had plenty of parking out front. The Staff was super friendly and attentive. Will definitely come back. read more

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Best pho I've ever had! This place is clean, has a visually appealing atmosphere and the food is 11/10! Tender fresh meat in the tasty pho broth! Highly recommended! read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

My husband and I love this place. They have a great Happy Hour from 2pm-5pm! The crispy chicken wings are awesome. The service is really great too. read more

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This was my first time visiting LUA and I absolutely loved it! First off the Interior is inviting, warm and very aesthetically pleasing. The employees immediately greeted us upon walking in and quickly got us seated and settled. I just got the avocado spring rolls, which were absolutely delicious! They were very refreshing, fresh tasting, and some of the best spring rolls I've had! I also got the mule, I can't remember what flavor it was specifically, but it was delicious! Very fresh and had a nice sweet flavor and balanced well. I really am looking forward to trying more things on the menu as they had a lot of delicious looking options. I will absolutely be back and I would highly recommend this place to anyone! Absolutely worth the visit! read more

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Not good, not bad. The food is just....ok. We had the brussel sprouts (very good), the Vietnamese wings (surprisingly dry), the smoked pho (flavor was off) and the chicken yellow curry. The presentation was beautiful but the taste was off on everything except the brussel sprouts. Service was great. read more

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Stopped in for lunch and the restaurant is really cute inside. Only a few tables were taken, so we were seated right away. Staff was friendly and attentive. We ordered the curry chicken and the pho baguette with soup and beef. Both had great flavor, but the portions were disappointing. The sandwich wasn't very big and definitely not meaty for the price. The curry tasted good but came in a half-full cast iron, which felt skimpy. Overall, while the food was tasty, for about $50 for two at lunch, I expected fuller portions. Probably wouldn't rush back but definitely worth the try. read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Call it a pho phase or a full-blown pho binge. We've been making more intentional pho stops lately, particularly at places that emphasize cleaner broths due to my husband's MSG sensitivity. Lua Eatery feels like a hidden gem and a special find. What makes their bowl stand out is that the herbs and condiments are already incorporated into the soup, creating a cohesive flavor experience from the first sip. The broth itself is quite tasty with a subtle smoky BBQ note that complements the traditional savory base beautifully. Despite being rich and deeply satisfying, it's not greasy or oily, which makes it feel indulgent yet balanced. Definitely a place we'll be returning to. And as as a bonus, the Dana Point Strand Beach is close by and a great spot to enjoy a post-lunch walk! read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Dana Point Strand Beach - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

Small strip mall location. The service was good. And the presentation was very nice. My vegan yellow curry was a bit heavy. Yellow curry is usually pretty heavy though. I wish there were a bit more veggies and a bit less potatoes. Though this is a bit of a trivial complaint because the wedges were very tasty. All in all a good experience. It's a bit pricey but it's a pricey area. read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Vegan yellow curry - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

Looked on Yelp for an Asian fusion restaurant in this area and Lua came up. It's on a hill at the corner of a strip mall. It's got a cute little vibe. Lots of live plants that were beautiful! We got the crispy egg rolls and the lechon banh mi. Both were delicious!! The egg rolls were crisp and had a yummy filling. The bread on the banh mi had the perfect crunch on the outside and softness on the inside. The lechon was tender and juicy and the accompanying chimichurri was so tasty! The servers were nice and filled our cups with water when we requested. I'd be happy to come back and try other menu items when in the area. read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

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LUA Asian Fusion Eatery is a fusion Vietnamese restaurant located on PCH in a large shopping plaza in the Laguna Niguel area. They had received rave reviews and I was eager to check them out. Ca phe sua da ($5) - This sweet Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk, vanilla and sea salt cream really impressed me with its strong and bold flavors. It's definitely one of the better ca phe sua da that I had and I found the pricing to be reasonable. Yellow curry chicken ($23) - This dish was served in a cast iron pan and consisted of chicken, tofu, potato, carrot, squash, mushrooms, in a creamy coconut milk based curry. Served with a side of rice this dish really impressed with it sweet and mild flavors. Smoked pho ($23) - This noodle soup with its 12 hour smoked short rib really impressed with flavorful and tender fall off the bone beef. It was served with bean spouts, shaved onions and fresh herbs. Sizzling bo kho ($26) - Braised beef, arugula, potato wedges, topped with cheese curds and a side of rice completed another winning dish here with the beef falling apart. Garlic butter noodles ($14) - This dish consisted of soba noodles with a garlic butter sauce, marinated egg, arugula, and pecorino cheese. Although it didn't have as strong a garlic flavor I had hoped for, this dish tasted incredible! Overall I was impressed with all the items that my group tried here. Pricing is reasonable and I'll definitely be back to try more of the dishes here, especially when I want to satisfy my Vietnamese food cravings. read more

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We stopped at LUA Asian Fusion Eatery for lunch on our way home from San Diego. It wasn't busy, and the staff was nice and welcoming. I ordered the Original Pho with ribeye -- the broth was rich and flavorful, and the ribeye was tender and delicious. The bathroom was clean, which is always a plus. I didn't order anything from the "fusion" side of the menu, so I can't comment on that, but overall it was a great stop for a comforting bowl of pho. read more

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Had the pleasure of dinning here a second time! The food is so good. Such amazing flavors. You have to try the smoke pho!! I will be going back and sending my friends and family!! read more

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The best pho in South OC! Great broth, tasty jammy eggs, delicious sticky toffee pudding dessert. The best part is the staff! Nice and cool atmosphere with soft music. Hidden gem in Dana Point. We love you, our home away from home read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Sticky Toffee pudding - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

Asian fusion done right. The hubby had the branzino udon sour soup and enjoyed it. A good twist on canh chua. The bo kho was interesting with cheese and potatoes. Not as soupy as the original Viet stew...more like a braise, but the teenage thoroughly enjoyed it and he is bit of a foodie! I had the smoked short rib pho and it also very good. I have to say Pho San Jose still makes the best smoked brisket pho, but this is pretty good in Dana Point. I like that they cut up the meat for you and there was def plenty of it. We left very stuffed and happy. read more

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Came in on a Saturday around 12 and ordered the smoked pho--no skimping on the meat, which was super tender. The broth was clean, flavorful, and good enough to drink to the last drop. Also tried the chicken yellow curry, which had a solid kick. Service was great, and the small, casual ambiance made for a relaxed lunch spot. The restaurant became busier as we ate so definitely recommend getting on the waitlist if you have a bigger group. read more

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I kept this paper asking good review for years since it is really bad vietnamese restaurant. Please do not go if you imagine reall pho noodle. There is some brazillan? only meat there...horrible taste. I left almost all of them. I went there because of such good reviews I know why because they ask a good review before serving even... That was awful. we visited there just for fun..but terrible experiance. read more

YUM! Stopped in after a day at the harbor and was very glad we did. My wife and I had incredible Vegan dishes. I had the vermicelli salad. It was bright dressing onthe salad and savory mushrooms cooked to perfection. It was topped with small vegan egg rolls. My wife had a Tofu and eggplant dish. The eggplant was also cooked well. The sauce was savory with beautiful fusion seasoning. The tofu had a wonderful crispy crust that held up throughout the meal. At first glance the room felt oddly shaped, but they made it work so don't judge this triangle by its obtuse angles. There is plenty of light and severs are friendly and attentive. I highly recommend and will be back! read more

It was a cold, rainy Saturday afternoon - perfect weather for a hot bowl of pho and a perfect time to try some place new like LUA Asian Fusion Eatery. I like the fact that LUA is located in a mall-like plaza, off the beaten path with plenty of parking. That alone already makes it feel like a hidden gem. The space itself is clean, casual, and relaxed, making it just as easy to enjoy a quick bite as it is to settle in for a longer meal. The staff is welcoming and attentive, and the overall vibe is low-key in the best way. (Thumbs up) My Order: Shrimp Spring Rolls ($10) - Just "okay." The shrimp had a slightly fishy taste which I found off-putting. Also, the accompanying peanut sauce leaned too heavily on hoisin; a bit more peanut butter would've gone a long way. Smoked Pho ($23) - Very good. Nice portions, plenty of meat, and the broth hit the spot - especially on a wet, chilly day. Prices are fair for the area, especially considering the quality. Dana Point isn't exactly known for bargain dining, but LUA delivers solid value without skimping on flavor or freshness. LUA Asian Fusion Eatery is a great pick for anyone craving approachable Asian fusion in a laid-back setting. Good service, tasty food, and a comfortable vibe make it a spot I'd happily return to. And again, I love that the restaurant is tucked away off the beaten path - hopefully that will keep the large crowds away. HA! I'm looking forward to trying the Crispy Lechon Banh Mi. - Big Aloha! Overall rating: 4 Stars Food: 4 Ambiance: 3 Service: 4 Value: 4 read more

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We checked out LUA Asian Fusion and tried the Smoked Pho, Sizzling Bo Kho, and Egg Rolls. The egg rolls were pretty basic -- crispy but nothing memorable. I'd probably skip them next time unless you're just craving something fried to start. The Sizzling Bo Kho was good, about a 4/5. It's hearty and comes with a generous portion of meat and potato wedges, so it's a good choice if you're hungry. That said, it didn't feel too unique -- similar to other braised meat dishes you can get elsewhere. The star of the meal was definitely the Smoked Pho. The smoked meat added a whole new depth to the broth and made it unlike any pho I've had before. Not sure I'd replace my go-to classic pho with it, but it's unique enough that I'd absolutely order it again. Service was great -- our server was super friendly and even gave us a 10% discount for next time since they were out of the dessert we wanted (apparently they couldn't get Vietnamese bananas imported). The vibe was nice overall -- chill atmosphere, not too loud, and a crowd that leaned young adult to middle-aged. It's a great spot if you want an upgraded, modern Vietnamese fusion experience without the noise or rush of a typical pho joint. read more

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This place is absolutely amazing!!! I had the Smoked Pho and it was some of the best I ever had. The brisket in the smoked pho could be its own entree. Smoked to perfection, full of flavor and tender as can be. The broth was very flavorful and I didn't need any thing extra. Wifey had the Vermicelli Salad with Shrimp and she loved it. My niece had the yellow curry and she loved it. The server was really nice just busy, but she was very friendly. Small place with about 12 tables so it can get busy real fast but there is cool music playing in the background to how the time pass. I promise you that you will not be disappointed!! read more

Went here with a friend last night 3/27/26 for dinner , no one to seat us, so we seated ourselves, our waitress had recommendations which was great, so ordered Avocado rolls, it was excellent. For entree we ordered Viet vegan yellow curry and the Bo Kho Sizzling plate, disappointed to say it was just average. Once we got the entrees we were unable to get our waitress to ask for anything else. read more

I wanted to try a new place to eat...so I stopped by LAU Asian Fusion Eatery. I found my new favorite spot for Pho and Asian curry! Their food is absolutely delicious! I highly recommend trying their smoked beef Pho. It's an original dish of theirs and tastes amazing. I also had their yellow curry with chicken. It was a 10/10! Their chef definitely knows his stuff. Their staff is very friendly and helpful when it comes to navigating their menu. The ambiance is casual, but it is also a good spot for a date night with your special someone. I highly recommend giving this restaurant a try and support them because eateries like this are one in a million. read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Menu - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

Love this place! We came here for the second time, we loved whatever we ordered. The ambience is nice and you can have a good conversation since is quite. read more

Tried this spot yesterday and ordered the smoked brisket pho. the brisket itself was excellent, super tender and flavorful, and it definitely stood out as the highlight of the bowl. The pho broth wasn't the best I've had, but it was still good and had a nice comforting quality to it. Portion size was generous and everything came out steaming hot. The staff were very friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. If you're a brisket fan, this is definitely worth a try just don't expect the most traditional or deeply complex pho broth. Overall, a solid and satisfying meal. Cheers, read more

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I ordered lunch today from LUA and delivery was fast and fresh. I ordered the Vegan Vermicelli Salad and it was really delicious! It is different than others I've tasted but very good and filling. Mushrooms were flavorful, tender and meaty, the tofu was soft, vegan egg rolls yummmmm! I really liked the packaging of the food. I went to this restaurant a while back so I know the service is good. It's a small restaurant but most importantly, the food is great and healthy! I will definitely have to make time to dine there soon. read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Vegan Vermicelli Salad - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

Visited for dinner with my gf and her family and LUA was incredible. The ambiance seemed upscale, yet authentic, and the service was quick and friendly. The food was incredible--we got two servings of egg rolls to share and our individual entrees. I got the lechon banh mi and it was the perfect amount of fatty and crunchy. Everything here was amazing. Definitely will be back read more

LUA Asian Fusion Eatery - Crispy Lechon Banh Mi - Asian Fusion Near Me - Dana Point, California

Must Try! If I had to recommend the best Asian food I've had this year, this would be the spot. The inside is clean and decorative. We were seated right away with our friendly waiter. The banh mi was such amazing flavor and great for sharing. The Branzino was lightly fried and was complimented by the lettuce cups that came with it. Amazing flavor and consistency. The bao was the only thing that wasn't my favorite (too chewy). The mocktail was really good too! read more

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I recently gave LUA a five-star review because of their excellent spring rolls. What I may not have mentioned is that, in my opinion, a spring roll is just an excuse to enjoy the peanut sauce. I love peanut sauce. So, when my wife and I were trying to decide where to get food last night , I thought of the peanut sauce. I could almost taste it. My wife eagerly agreed and I ordered spring rolls to go along with chicken pho. As I was leaving to get the food, my wife warned me, "You better check the order carefully so you're sure we got everything we ordered" . I assured her I would, and when I got to the restaurant and they handed me our order, I checked that the spring rolls were there and the chicken pho was there. Perfect. Then I got home and unpacked the bag. There was the chicken pho, there were the spring rolls, but the peanut sauce was nowhere to be found. I'm not sure if I was more disappointed about the missing peanut sauce or nervous that my wife was going to yell at me. She didn't yell. She just shook her head in disgust. I certainly wasn't interested in driving back the 25 minutes that it took me to get there, so we had to eat the spring rolls naked. They were okay, but it was a very disappointing experience. The chicken pho was fine. It had a nice flavor and plenty of chicken and noodles, but it did nothing to mitigate the disappointment and frustration that we felt over the missing peanut sauce. I guess next time, we will either have to eat there or I will have to open up each container to make sure that the order is complete. I guess I learned my lesson. I hope the restaurant learned its lesson to be more careful in the future. read more

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The high rating of this Asian fusion spot is well deserved, the food is really delicious, plenty of vegan options, and what makes it extra special is the service. We came by on our anniversary to have a nice meal together, and multiple staff came by to wish us a happy anniversary and made the occasion extra special for us. Our server Katrina was so attentive, cheerful, and enthusiastic about the dishes, explaining the dishes, and just making us appreciate the entire dining experience even more. We came in on a Saturday afternoon, and while we were able to find seating easily around 1230 when we arrived, the place started getting more busy after 1pm. Parking is plentiful at this lot, but it's also quite convenient to stop by if you prefer to take the Laguna trolley, which has a stop just a couple minutes walk away. read more

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I was staying nearby and stumbled upon this restaurant. It's a casual restaurant in the corner of the strip mall. I came a little before 5 and was able to enjoy their happy hour. I had the passion fruit cocktail, which was tart and didn't taste like it had much alcohol, but it looked really pretty. The pho had a nice beefy broth but was a bit sweeter than expected. The banh mi had a nice twist with a chimmichurri sauce, and the bread was nice and soft. Service was quick and friendly. read more

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