Why you should experience A&J Seafood Shack in Anaheim, California.
A&J Seafood Shack is a humble seafood window where sizzling garlic, bright sauces, and bold Southeast Asian flavors turn casual takeout into something unforgettable.
Situated along Anaheim Street near Obispo Avenue at the edge of Long Beach's Cambodia Town corridor, this compact seafood stand serves freshly cooked dishes that blend Cambodian street-food traditions with the comforting richness of coastal seafood cooking. The space itself is simple, order at the window, wait while the kitchen fires up the wok, and carry your food to a nearby seat or take it home, but the aromas tell the full story. Garlic shrimp crackle in butter, lobster and crab are tossed in aromatic sauces, and plates arrive piled with rice, herbs, and vibrant toppings. A&J Seafood Shack captures the energy of neighborhood cooking where every dish feels handmade and unapologetically flavorful.
What you didn't know about A&J Seafood Shack.
A&J Seafood Shack grew from the culinary traditions of Cambodia Town, one of the largest Cambodian communities outside Southeast Asia.
The restaurant was opened in 2020 by chef Vannak Tan and his wife Manika, drawing on family recipes and influences that stretch from Phnom Penh street food to the garlic-heavy shrimp dishes popular on Hawaii's North Shore. Their approach blends Southeast Asian flavors with the hearty comfort of American seafood shacks. Signature menu items include Hawaiian-style garlic shrimp, crispy salmon with mango salsa and tamarind sauce, grilled oysters, and Cajun-style seafood bags loaded with shrimp, sausage, mussels, corn, and potatoes. The menu also reflects Cambodian culinary influence through dishes like lemongrass beef sticks and Khmer sausage, ingredients rarely seen in traditional American seafood restaurants. The result is a hybrid style of cooking that feels both street-food casual and globally inspired, rooted in immigrant family recipes that have been refined over years of cooking.
How to fold A&J Seafood Shack into your trip.
A&J Seafood Shack works best as a flavorful detour while exploring Long Beach's Eastside neighborhoods and the Cambodia Town district.
Arrive hungry and ready for takeout-style dining, because the experience here revolves around freshly cooked seafood served quickly and generously. Start with the garlic shrimp, one of the restaurant's most talked-about dishes, then add crispy salmon with mango salsa or grilled oysters for something richer. The plates arrive fragrant and bold, best enjoyed immediately while the sauces are still hot and the seafood glistens with garlic butter and spice. After your meal, explore the surrounding Cambodia Town area where markets, cafés, and cultural spaces reflect the vibrant Cambodian heritage of the neighborhood. A&J Seafood Shack becomes more than a meal stop, it's a window into the immigrant culinary traditions that shape Southern California's diverse food culture.
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