Tan Cang Newport Seafood

Welcome to Tan Cang Newport Seafood, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Santa Ana, California. Located at 4411 W 1st St and embraced by the vibrant Little Saigon community, this seafood restaurant stands as a testament to culinary excellence, blending traditional Vietnamese and Chinese flavors.

As a devoted food reviewer of Cafe Encore, my recent exploration in seafood brought me face-to-face with this incredible dining destination. Renowned for its extensive menu featuring everything from steamed geoduck to deep-fried oysters, Tan Cang is a haven for seafood lovers. Each dish is a celebration of freshness and authentic taste, and the restaurant’s specialty, the lobster, has garnered rave reviews from patrons. With options that include lobster sautéed in ginger and scallions or served over noodles, it’s clear why diners can't get enough.

  • Signature Dishes:
    • Elephant Clams: Steamed to perfection with a crispy fried head.
    • Clams: Available with black bean sauce or basil spicy sauce, each offering a unique flavor profile.
    • Deep Fried Tofu: An irresistible favorite, known for its delightful texture.
  • Service Experience:
    • Friendly and attentive staff ready to cater to your needs.
    • Quick service that ensures your food arrives freshly prepared.
  • Atmosphere:
    • A family-friendly environment perfect for gatherings.
    • Efficient seating arrangements that accommodate groups.

However, be prepared to navigate limited parking, especially during peak hours—an indicator of the restaurant’s popularity. Don't let this deter you; the culinary journey within is well worth it. My own experience at Tan Cang was enhanced by the humorous and pleasant nature of the servers, who created a warm atmosphere, making each guest feel right at home.

In the words of past diners, the flavors are undoubtedly authentic, with many recommending the lobster as a must-try. The freshness of the ingredients—particularly the Maine lobster—is evident in every bite. The vibrant clams paired with black bean sauce showcase a harmonious of flavors that linger delightfully long after your meal.

If you find yourself in Santa Ana, Tan Cang Newport Seafood is more than just a meal; it is an experience beckoning you to taste the ocean’s bounty. From the enticing dishes to the warm staff, it's a seafood dining destination that invites you to return for second helpings, promising a new discovery at every visit. Don’t miss out on what's quickly becoming a cornerstone of the local culinary scene.

Menu

Location

Address: 4411 W 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92703, United States
Phone: +1 714-531-5146

🕓 Work Hours
MON 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM
TUE 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM
WED 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM
THU 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM
FRI 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
SAT 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
SUN 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Business info

  • Wheelchair-accessible Car Park
    Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible Entrance
    Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible Seating
    Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible Toilet
    Yes
  • Offers Takeaway
    Yes
  • Serves Dine-in
    Yes
  • Fast Service
    Yes
  • Popular For Lunch
    Yes
  • Popular For Dinner
    Yes
  • Serves Alcohol
    Yes
  • Serves Beer
    Yes
  • Serves Cocktails
    Yes
  • Serves Coffee
    Yes
  • Serves Comfort Food
    Yes
  • Serves Vegetarian Dishes
    Yes
  • Serves Wine
    Yes
  • Serves Breakfast
    Yes
  • Serves Lunch
    Yes
  • Serves Dinner
    Yes
  • Serves Dessert
    Yes
  • Seating
    Yes
  • Toilet
    Yes
  • Casual
    Yes
  • Family Friendly
    Yes
  • Good For Groups
    Yes
  • LGBTQ+ Friendly
    Yes
  • Popular With Tourists
    Yes
  • Accepts Reservations
    Yes
  • Usually Has A Wait
    Yes
  • Accepts Debit Cards
    Yes
  • Accepts NFC Mobile Payments
    Yes
  • Credit Cards
    Yes
  • Good For Kids
    Yes
  • High Chairs Available
    Yes
  • Free Of Charge Street Parking
    Yes
  • Free Parking Lot
    Yes
  • Plenty Of Parking
    Yes

Last Reviews

  • Author: 3dogs1monkey

    24 May 2025

    Last weekend we went down to OC for Tet festival and we got to visit this favorite Chinese Seafood Restaurant, specialize in everything LOL. I haven't been here for almost 20 years. Didn't know it's still alive and well. I believe it's the same owner, now must be in the 70s. It's at the same location off the little Saigon strip Asian Garden Mall (Phuoc Loc Tho). The parking is not very big with another famous noodle house and other businesses so it's a little hard to find a parking space in the day time, but we came on Sunday's evening, it's not so bad and we found our spot. The servers here are extremely pleasant, attentive and humorous, we had fun chatting with them. He knows how to take group pictures too. Great photographer. My favorite dish is elephant clam steam and deep fried. The body is steamed and the head is deep fried, so crispy and tasty with both body and head. Everyone loved it. The deep fried tofu here is second to none. I tried to cook this at home but never succeed and couldn't find any place in the Bay Area to match. The hardest part is using silken tofu (extremely soft) and fried to crispy outside, soft inside without being broken. The Lobsters are to die for, we ordered 2 small ones (they're huge), one with special sauce and one with Ginger and scallions. Both are excellent but everyone preferred the Ginger over the special, because the special sauce is a little sweeter than Ginger. Octopus sautee is delicious in it's own way with the vegetable dish is so good that my wife loves so much. Mongolian Beef is cooked with perfection, just right amount of tasty sauce. My wife kept asking me why not to take her here more often. The answer is with 2 people, we can't share all the good dishes as with many people. She insists that we eat here again next time we come down to OC because there are so many dishes she haven't tried.

  • Author: Samantha Vang

    14 May 2025

    First time here and was recommended by my mother who ate here ten years ago. We came early(3:40pm) to avoid the traffic so when we came it was just us. First I wanted to say the person on the phone was a bit rude but it was forgivable because we had great waiters! Like seriously so kind and listened to us intently to really understand what we wanted. The food came out timely Ofcourse since it was just us but they also were timely with water refills and taking our dirty plates away. They gave us some desert after we paid our bill and we really appreciated it. I’m really happy we came here and hope everyone else experiences what we did.

  • Author: Ben Park

    04 May 2025

    Expensive, but the service and taste are amazing! Of course, get the lobster with noodles. The clams with black bean sauce and the loc lac are great.

  • Author: N S

    29 April 2025

    Outstanding food and attentive service. Authentic flavors and plenty of seating. Parking wasn't the best in this tiny plaza and the restaurant could use some updating, but otherwise great for large families that enjoy seafood.