Planning commission approves CUP for new Korean–Vietnamese restaurant with bar and limited live entertainment

The Westminster Planning Commission on May 20 approved a conditional use permit (Case 2026-0039; Resolution 26-005) allowing a new full-service restaurant, Seoul of Saigon, to operate at 15100 Brookhurst Street in the Bolsa Road development with a Type 47 on‑sale general eating place liquor license and limited live entertainment.

Staff presentation identified the applicant as Tuan Nguyen and recommended approval. Planning staff summarized the proposal as a roughly 2,000-square-foot restaurant with about 51 seats, a full kitchen, a 15-seat bar area and proposed hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. The limited live‑entertainment allowance would permit karaoke or live music with three or fewer performers; staff noted code limits on sound and third-party promoters.

"The ABC license for a restaurant with a bar requires a CUP, and limited live entertainment requires an accessory permit—so we are bundling them in this application," planning staff said. Staff also said the tract is designated under the Bolsa Road specific plan and that staff recommended adoption of Resolution 26-005 to approve the CUP.

Applicant representative Truk Vo, who said he is representing owner Tu Nguyen, described the concept as a Korean–Vietnamese fusion restaurant called Seoul of Saigon and emphasized it as a unique offering for the area. "There are none," Vo said when asked how many Korean–Vietnamese fusion restaurants exist in Orange County, adding the venue would keep entertainment low-volume on a small (7-by-7) stage.

Commissioners asked about site layout and adjacent uses; staff explained the immediate east side is currently temporary parking for a planned hotel, the north portion of the development is retail, and a mobile home park sits nearby. Commissioners requested a tract map showing existing on‑sale licenses; staff displayed a Google Maps view and noted two other Type 47 licenses exist in the tract alongside several Type 41 (beer-and-wine) licenses.

The commission discussed and sought clarifications on several resolution conditions before voting: the applicant agreed to track records to ensure quarterly gross alcohol sales do not exceed 30% (a condition in the resolution); staff explained camera requirements for incident documentation; commissioners discussed posting signage advising patrons that alcoholic beverages may not leave the premises and debated whether the sign posting should be at entrances as well as exits; staff explained ABC rules and that the sign is typically posted inside, near exits.

Commissioners also questioned the resolution language for revocation if the business is convicted of selling alcohol to a minor. Staff advised the resolution uses "may" rather than "will" because revocation requires a future hearing before the commission and cannot be automatic. Commissioners considered adding language to require substantial conformance with the submitted floor plan but staff cautioned that such a requirement can restrict future interior tenant improvements and is not typical for CUP approvals covering interior tenant improvements.

After discussion, the commission voted to approve Case 2026-0039 and adopt Resolution 26-005. The motion to approve was moved by the chair and seconded by Vice Chair Anderson; recorded votes were affirmative and the motion carried. Staff noted the commission's decision will be final in 30 days (the statutory appeal period).

The decision authorizes the establishment to operate with the conditions contained in Resolution 26-005, including noise and entertainment limits, the quarterly alcohol-sales cap, camera requirements, and other operational conditions. The applicant and staff were congratulated after the vote.

Next steps: the commission's action becomes final after the 30-day appeal period and the applicant may proceed with tenant improvements subject to building and development review.