This spot is low key with a nice, clean interior and friendly service. I visited here to check out some noodles and crawfish. When I arrived there was nobody dining in the restaurant, that was a bit worrying, but I figured it was a bit early for the dinner crowd and late for the lunch crowd. Food & Drink - 4.5* First up was the noodles, I enjoyed them, but I wouldn't say the hype I'd heard about from some others was there. They had nice flavor, but there just wasn't anything "special." 3.5* Then it was on to the crawfish, and my oh my. Superb, the flavor is delicious and unique. This more than made up for the noodles dish. The potato and corn was good too. Service - 5* Solid. When I first arrived the owner was quietly reading a newspaper and eating his own lunch. He paused to greet me and advised that I could sit anywhere. He provided water and adequate time to determine what I wanted to order. The food came out quickly and he checked in a few times to make sure everything was ok. As time went by, the crowd of folks showing up increased quite a bit and he still managed to check in on tables consistently. Pricing - 4* This is where it was odd. Always subjective but I found the noodles to be overpriced for not only the size but what I felt was a pretty simple dish. The crawfish on the other hand was priced very competitively and made up for the overpriced noodles. I provided pics of the menu for someone to make their own assessment but in general I thought many of the dishes were pricier than they probably should be. I know inflation is certainly killing many businesses and consumers but even these felt a bit off. Overall - 4.5* This is definitely going to be one of my go tos for crawfish when in the area. The flavor is fantastic, the pricing is good, the size of them were solid. There are a couple of other dishes I may try on the next visit. The restaurant is clean, the owner is very nice, and it's a nice low key space to just enjoy a good meal with friends or family. read more

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One of the best Vietnamese places I've ever been hands down. I still think about it a year later. They had a very big variety of food on the menu, so you could have your fill of Vietnamese dishes. I believe the crawfish is seasonal, so go during crawfish season because this pho was delicious. The crawfish were so tender and the pho was so flavorful. The beef dish was also so good to eat and balanced. The fried beef balanced so well with the fresh salad and rice. I will say that when we went the parking lot was a little deserted at night. I would definitely lock your doors and take all your valuables. But that's all or Houston, so just stay safe! read more

Quan Ba Ky - Bun Suong Ba Ky (with crawfish) - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

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No questions asked -- this is hands down the best soup I've had to date. I was looking for an early-morning soup spot after coming back from Vietnam, because soup for breakfast is officially my new passion. This place happened to be open early, so I stopped in... and the name "Tik Tok Soup" immediately had me intrigued. The soup did not disappoint. It's rich, flavorful, and fully loaded with everything. I was so happy with it that I've had it three days in a row. The service is quick, the staff is incredibly kind, and even though I haven't tried the rest of the menu yet, it looks impressively extensive. Also, the place smells so good I legit wanted to take a bite out of the restaurant. read more

Quan Ba Ky - The infamous TikTok soup - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Tucked away in Alief, where Houston's Chinatown has grown into one of the city's richest food destinations, you can find some of the most comforting and authentic dishes outside of Vietnam. Alief has long been known as a hub of cultural diversity, where restaurants aren't just businesses--they're extensions of family kitchens and traditions carried across oceans. From Cantonese barbecue shops to Vietnamese noodle houses, this neighborhood has shaped Houston's reputation as a food city. Quan Ba Ky is one of those gems. I came specifically to try their Bún Suông, a specialty noodle soup you don't see everywhere. The broth is light yet deeply flavorful, with just the right balance of savory and sweet. The star, of course, is the shrimp paste "suông," shaped into tender little patties that hold a delicate bite. Paired with rice vermicelli, herbs, and crisp vegetables, the soup feels both refreshing and comforting--perfect for Houston's unpredictable weather. What makes this bowl stand out isn't just the taste, but also how it connects to the wider story of food in Alief. Dishes like Bún Suông remind me that Chinatown isn't only about dim sum or pho--it's a crossroads of flavors, histories, and immigrant experiences that have come together to create something uniquely Houston. I'm proud to live in the heart of it, surrounded by so much culture and incredible food. If you're looking for something beyond the usual bowls of pho, Bún Suông at Quan Ba Ky is absolutely worth the visit. read more

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Just came back again today! I got to try their bò lúc lác with garlic noodles, and personally, I think their shrimp is better. The seasoning for the shrimp is just too good. The bun suong was still good. So it's definitely consistent! Give this place a try if you haven't already. read more

Quan Ba Ky - shrimp garlic noodles - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Great service but also there wasn't anyone at the restaurant the day I went. Had their TikTok noodles soup with shrimp balls. Generous portions, but I wish they went light on the sweetness of the broth because after the first few sips, it can get monotonous for the palette. The shrimp balls were tender and not overcooked. Lots of noodles added as well so order it if you are really hungry or don't mind taking it home. read more

Quan Ba Ky - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

I really enjoyed the tik tok soup. Got it just like it comes although there is an option to order with rice noodles and fried shrimp balls as well. Shrimp balls tasted so fresh and clean. Soup was seasoned perfectly and I enjoyed the variety of flavors and textures. I would eat this once a week if I lived nearby. The herbs were really fresh and lovely. The fried egg rolls were good too. Service was very friendly but we were there for a late lunch and no one else was there. Wife had hieu tieu which she was so so on but I think you need to order the tik tok soup if you go. Her shrimp cracker was really good though. Restaurant seemed clean and bathrooms were fine too. read more

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Man I can't believe it took me this long to give this place a try. We came in on a Friday night after scouring yelp for places to eat. The restaurant was basically empty, I'm not sure if it's usually more busy but this place definitely deserves way more business. It was quiet and cozy inside, but I would imagine it becomes more loud and lively during the busy times. The service was very quick, we ordered our food and everything came out maybe 5 minutes later. -bun suong (5/5) this was my first time trying this dish and I will 100% be back for it often. The broth was light yet super flavorful, they were also very generous with the toppings from pork shoulder to shrimp tails, to shrimp balls. The shrimp balls were my favorite, seems like it was house made, it has a good bite texture and slightly sweet flavor. -shrimp garlic noodles (5/5) I love when restaurants use the asian lo mein noodles in garlic noodle dishes, I think it holds the flavor better vs when they spaghetti noodles. The shrimp was slightly coated, but not battered making it super crispy on the outside. This dish was buttery, garlicky, very delicious. All in all give this hidden gem a try if you're still on the fence about it, it'll for sure be one of your staples going forward! read more

Quan Ba Ky - Bun suong - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Thank you again to Yelp for pointing me to another gem! The TikTok soup (5+/5) is indeed unique and nothing I've ever had before. The broth was savory and the shrimp balls were ample and fresh. Not spicy at all so it really hit the spot for a filling noodle soup. We showed up around 7:30-8 pm and there was only one other table, which looked to be family friends. We did try some of the drinks, and I'm sorry, but the lemongrass drink was a bit too thick for my liking. It didn't taste refreshing to me. The wintermelon coconut was better imo although maybe just a 3/5. I saw some other interesting things on the menu (goat curry!) so looking forward to trying the other things. read more

I came on a Saturday during lunch and it was surprisingly very empty. But the food was 10 out of 10. I got the large soup and the shrimp balls were so generous and large, and the soup had such good flavor. The portion was also big explains. It's higher price point but wow, I want to come back again. The pho and bun no hue were good also but not amazing. They charge for to go containers. read more

Hands down the bun suong is amazing! I almost didn't order it, but I'm glad I did. It's a dish that I'll remember this place by. So great to see another amazing Vietnamese dish out there other than pho. read more

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We really wanted to like this place--the food looked great. Unfortunately, the cleanliness of the restaurant was a bit underwhelming. Poor Unc was running all the tables by himself, so we didn't have the heart to complain when we found a reddish-brown hair in the TikTok soup. You definitely won't get service with a smile but their crawfish was in demand. Hope your experience will be better than ours. read more

Quan Ba Ky - TikTok soup - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I came here for dinner on a Monday to try their viral TikTok soup and crawfish! It definitely lived up to our expectations, the soup had a good spice to it layered with the shrimpy broth whilst the crawfish hit all the right spots with the garlicky sauce. It wasn't too busy and the service was really quick, we go sat and served our food within 20 minutes. PLUS they have really funny chicken paintings! 5/5 stars no complaints! read more

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Great food and good service. It tastes as good as it looks! Small, warm, and cozy place. OK, the food tastes great! read more

Quan Ba Ky - Crab in Pho - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

This place was first recommended to me by a coworker, and I'm so glad she did! As with every Chinatown joint there's one signature dish that stands head-and-shoulders above the rest, and here it is the bún suông, affectionately called the "TikTok soup" on the glossy laminated menus. It's a rich, seafood-forward broth topped with springy shrimp balls, pork slices, garlic chives, peanuts, and a splash of chili oil. Soft vermicelli float underneath, awaiting bites of crunchy bean sprouts and grassy greens to capture all the aforementioned goodies with each pass of chopsticks or a fork. This is definitely what you want to order when you come, though the buttery crawfish noodles and miến gà were quite decent on past orders! As a side note, I feel like a VIP whenever I come as I never seem to run into anyone else - which is so surprising, since the friendly staff and eternal karaoke tracks playing in the background only add to the charm of this establishment. I'm already planning my next outing here the next time I go out to Chinatown - hope to see you there! read more

Quan Ba Ky - garlic shrimp noodles and bun suong ba ky - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

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price is high. Food taste only soso. Taro cake had no taro, not even taro flavor. Service was ok, nothing to write home about. read more

I've been on a bun suong kick and saw this was trending. While their rendition of this dish was good and had a proper spicy kick, the portion could have been bigger for the price compared to other places I've tried. read more

If you're wanting authentic Vietnamese cuisine, look no further! We came here to try the noodle soup dish (Bun suong ba ky)! It was all the rave! The noodles were tender, the seafood was juicy and the soup was so flavorful and soothing ! This bowl was everything you'd want even on a warmer day like the one when we visited. The lemongrass limeade is also a MUST! do not sleep on this! The initial flavor can be shocking with the lime flavor but as you drink more, the sweetness from the coconut comes through mellowing out the sour tart lime flavor. The crawfish was also delicious! We got it over Cajun style and compared to other places we visited it was so much cheaper ! However the quality was not reflective of the price. Whom I assume was the owner was so nice as well! While he may not have greeted right away, when he came over he began talking to us & took great care of us throughout our visit! Will visit again if I am in the area read more

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Tucked away off the beaten path in Houston, Quan Ba Ky is a no-frills Vietnamese restaurant that delivers traditional flavors at an unbeatable value. It's the kind of place that feels like a homey, Mom-and-Pop operation--complete with worn tables, Vietnamese TV shows playing in the background, and a karaoke machine tucked away in the back. There's something undeniably charming about the unpretentious atmosphere, and honestly, what's not to like? It feels authentic, welcoming, and, most importantly, focused on the food. We visited on an early Saturday evening, and initially, the place was quiet. But as we neared 6-7 PM, the dining room began to fill with a steady stream of Vietnamese patrons, always a good sign that the place is beloved by those who know best. We started with a round of Viet Cajun-style crawfish--a seasonal treat when fresh, but since it was off-season, the crawfish were frozen. Still, they were flavorful, and you could tell they'd be even better if we'd hit them at peak season. The seasoning was on point, with just the right amount of spice and buttery richness, though the crawfish themselves weren't as tender as they might have been if fresh. No complaints, though--it's clear the place does its best to provide a taste of a regional specialty even when it's not in full swing. The real standout, however, was the Bún Sườn soup. This dish has been getting attention on social media, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The broth was rich and flavorful, the perfect balance of savory and umami, and it came packed with an assortment of seafood, noodles, and herbs that made every bite exciting. Whether you're a fan of seafood or just enjoy a hearty bowl of noodle soup, this dish is a must-try. It's the kind of comforting, satisfying food that makes you want to come back for more. We also decided to try one of their limeade drinks, which was refreshing and tart, making it the ideal pairing with the spicy, seafood-heavy soup. The cool drink provided a nice contrast to the warmth of the broth and helped cleanse the palate between bites. The service was also top-notch. The owner, who served us, was kind and attentive throughout the meal, offering helpful recommendations and ensuring we were well taken care of. There's something genuinely warm about the experience, which adds to the overall appeal of the place. And the best part? The total bill for two people came to just around $30--an incredible value for the quality and quantity of food we received. In a city full of trendy spots, Quan Ba Ky's combination of great food, generous portions, and affordable prices is a real standout. If you're looking for traditional Vietnamese food with a homey feel and a focus on quality, look no further than Quan Ba Ky. It's not flashy or trendy, but it's authentic, delicious, and an excellent value. Highly recommended! read more

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No frills - just good Vietnamese cuisine. Order their top three dishes and you won't be disappointed (Bún Suông, Garlic Noodle Shrimp, and Bò Lúc Lắc). The Bún Suông reminded me of something my aunt would make at home. I'm not an expert at this, but I believe it's a rice noodle soup with a pork/shrimp base, typically with shrimp meatballs or shrimp formed sausages. Like most Vietnamese noodle soup dishes, it comes with an assortment of fresh greens/herbs, lime, and jalapeño slices. As usual, I add everything in there because I love the diverse explosion of flavors and textures. The jalapeños that I added delightfully turned the soup into an addictive burning concoction. The garlic noodle shrimp is such a simple, yet delicious basic dish. Noodles have a prominent garlic and butter flavor that goes well with the seasoned shrimp. The only aspect that people may have a preference on is that the noodle resembles the same texture as the instant variety. The Bò Lúc Lắc was good, but I felt like the protein was a bit lacking. Not surprised though, as most restaurants skimp on the serving of this to save on cost. Flavors are good and I would still recommend if you are willing to accept for the lower value in protein. There is also a slight sweetness to this dish, which some people may not prefer. The interior looks like an evolution of a long running business (though I think it used to be something else). Based on the slanted floor on one area of the room and different style of roof in the front, you can tell they expanded at one point. Decoration is ocean theme I think. Nothing high end but suitable accommodation for a sit down meal. Service was ok. The owner/waiter was friendly at the beginning but that tapered off towards the middle. I'm not expecting anything beyond a person taking my order, bringing us our food/check, so didn't bother me. Overall, the food is good and service is ok. It's not over the top and I am inclined to dine here again for the same dishes. read more

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I came back to Quan ba ky in bellaire for their bun suong. Apparently it's gotten popular because they also renamed it tiktok noodle?? I loved this noodle soup the first time I had it. So flavorful and something different from pho. I don't really see this dish served at other viet restaurants. I also got a banh bot chien as an appetizer. The bowls are huge and they're filled with shrimp, shrimp/fish cakes, and plenty of meat. It comes with some chili already in it but you can also add some chili that they give you or some sauces as well. The broth is really aromatic and has a rich and savory taste due to the pork. The banh bot chien is made of fried taro cakes and egg. Really good with soy sauce! The taro cakes were crispy yet chewy on the inside. Still doesn't tip tan tan's banh bot chien for me though, that minced garlic with the soy sauce is a game changer. They are also open until midnight so a perfect spot for a late night meal read more

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Southern seafood boils are a must try especially when you are in the south. I noticed there's a bunch of restaurants serving crawfish in Houston and simply went to Quan Ba Ky which was near my hotel. I came in around 3pm, so it was an odd hour and the restaurant was empty. I was served by the owner Andrew who took our order, he was very attentive with refilling our water and making sure there was enough paper towels. The crawfish was very fresh and was in season for the spring. The crawfish are definitely different in size and taste compared to the ones in California which are smaller and have a dirt taste. Portions were good and the pricing was fair for their food. Overall a good place to get crawfish and Vietnamese food. In my option it's simply Vietnamese Cajun food and there is also pho on their menu. read more

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Honestly one of the best noodle soups I've ever had! I got the bun suong and banh bot chien. The bun suong broth was so flavorful and I loved all the meats it came with. I also loved the banh bot chien, especially with all the peanuts. Service was quick and attentive. It did get a little loud since they started singing karaoke, but I didn't really mind. Overall LOVED this place and will definitely be back. read more

Great quality food and service! Came in for dinner one night and I was sad to see how slow they were. This place is truly a hidden gem. The owner came out immediately to seat us and serve us. You could tell he really cared about his customers. The food came out hot and fresh. Everything tasted amazing. I highly recommend their garlic noodles and soups. Must try this place at least once! Will definitely be coming back! read more

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food was amazing really authentic, service was ok and dining room was clean. The portions were pretty big.

We visited for our second crawfish meal in Houston, and overall, it was a good experience. The crawfish sauce was on the sweeter side and the crawfish was smaller in size compare to another spot down the street. It was still tasty and packed with flavor. The garlic shrimp was a standout--it was favored well and cooked perfectly. The shaken beef noodles were also excellent, with a great balance of flavors. The chicken wings had great flavor, but unfortunately they were a bit dry. The pork chop also suffered from being a little dry, which could have used more moisture or a different cooking technique. The TikTok soup noodle bowl was decent but didn't quite impress the group as much as some of the other dishes. It was okay: All in all, we had a great meal with some hits and a few misses. The garlic shrimp and shaken beef noodles were the clear winners! read more

From the planted ambiance, mom and pop shop feel, and food that pull you in for a warm embrace. Quan Ba Ky is a solid 8.9/10 in my book. Its Vietnamese authenticity is superb. Today I got the Lemongrass Pork Chop and my mom go the viral "Tik Tok soup." Both made to perfection and would definitely make a regular with me intending on coming back at LEAST once a month. Service was... service. I came here to grub, not chat so win, win. read more

Quan Ba Ky - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

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cutie little restaurant that is run by a very kind and personable man !! crawfish was delectable, a little on the salty side but flavor was otherwise well rounded with the spices bun suong was so savory with the perfect amount of sweetness. the shrimp balls were HUGE with a perfect bite and chew texture. the chicken salad was good too, nothing phenomenal but comforting nonetheless bo lúc lắc was tender and perfectly cut in bite sized pieces covered in a smoky and savory sauce it was a little smoky inside, hope they can add a better ventilation system will be coming back tho read more

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Loved the Bún suông, service is great, and the portion is big, the place is spacious and clean.

Stopped here on my drive across the country. Great good! Friendly staff. Good vibes. Had the garlic noodles and it was delicious read more

Was driving around the area looking for some late night pho and I came upon this spot. We tried the crawfish and TikTok soup which were both 10/10. Will definitely be coming back again! read more

I was in the mood to try something different for a lunch meeting with a friend. I saw the good reviews and thought I'd give it a chance. I had B1, a seafood noodle soup. About $15. Delicious. We also had some pork and shrimp egg rolls I think? I wasn't paying attention, but they were amazing. The food all came out quick and hot. Our server was friendly and very helpful. While the place doesn't look like much from the outside, it's clean and very welcoming inside. Overall, I'm happy and left full. Looking forward to coming back and trying some other stuff! read more

Quan Ba Ky - B1, AKA tik Tok soup - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I went here specifically for the garlic noodles that I saw online. They didn't disappoint. I ended up adding extra sauce to them and they were perfect. The lemongrass lime aid was so refreshing. Service was great. Food came so fast. There are many places that are restaurants in the same parking lot. I had to use the photos from yelp to find this one read more

Quan Ba Ky - Crab and shrimp garlic noodles - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

Service was very odd. Our server kept giving us things we didn't order/neglected to check in on us despite the restaurant being empty! She also pushed us quite a bit to order specific items. We had to fix our drink issue 3x. The garlic noodles were more on the sweet side, and I wish there was more of a garlic taste given the dish's name. Banh bot chien was great and very crispy! Would actually eat that again. Bun suong was very overhyped... I was looking forward to it, but it was very bland!! :( Food looked wonderful, but the taste did not live up to the expectations. Not sure if it was just an off day when I went. read more

Quan Ba Ky - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

If I could give this place 10 stars I would. I'm a sucker for sweet and tangy flavors and this really hit the spot!!! The juices (healthy drinks) are delicious and fragrant (I looooove both kumquat and coconut but have never seen the flavors paired) and the lemongrass kumquat is almost a bit savory. Soooo delicious. The lobster was perfectly cooked lobster was saturated in flavor even though gravy is light- and the noodles were perfectly garlicky. Finger licking good!!! The crawfish and shrimp were great too. Definitely make a stop in the area. We traveled about 45 min and it was worth it. Surprised there wasn't a long wait at all! Definitely great for takeout as well. read more

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If I could I would rate this spot a 4.5. I love seafood so when I saw there was a new spot serving bun suong which is basically a shrimp ball noodle soup I knew I had to try it out. We came on a Sunday and were able to easily get a 6 person table without a wait. For food we had: Bun suong: 4/5 broth was clear and light but still flavorful, the shrimp balls were fresh. Garlic shrimp noodle: 5/5 this was so good and will be the dish that keeps me coming back again Banh bot chien: 5/5 this is my favorite one in Houston now (sorry A1 iykyk) It was cooked perfectly to where it was crispy but not hard Overall, service was a bit slow but since it's a mom and pop I didn't mind. I believe the owner himself served us and was very nice. Apparently this place gained some popularity for their "TikTok noodle soup" which imo was good but the other two dishes I got were better. I also saw they sell crawfish so once the season gets started I'll def be trying that out next time read more

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If you are looking for an authentic Vietnamese cuisine this is the one. The Bon Suong ( a clear noodle soup) was bursting with veggies (spring onion, cabbage) creating a complex savory flavor with the lobster and shrimp. Except Bon Suong, G2- Garlic Shrimp noodle is another mouthwatering dish which all foodie must try. read more

Quan Ba Ky - Bun Suong, the best ever clean noodle soup, which is not only delicious but also very refreshing. - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

The place looks like most places in Alief. The the food was amazing, the service is on point , and the owner took time to come by and check on my wife and I, then had a short but quaint conversation with us. A good mom and pop shop. read more

Quan Ba Ky - The B1, on the menu. It's a shrimp dumpling, noodle soup with various greens. - Noodles Near Me - Houston, Texas

This place is SO good. Not the typical Vietnamese dishes I've had. The bun suong is top notch--broth is so flavorful and has so much shrimp and meat, I had to keep from drinking all the broth. The garlic shrimp noodles were also really good. The shrimp was delicious and packed with flavor and noodles cooked perfectly. I think the only thing that could make it better is addition of some veggies. Shrimps are also huge. The restaurant is huge and their hours are 9 am to midnight, which is also awesome. Highly recommend this place! read more

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We came on a Friday morning and it was not very busy. The decor is a mix of old school viet restaurant with a crab shack. The food was excellent! The bun had huge pieces of juicy shrimp patty and it was very flavorful. The garlic noodles were surprisingly super tasty as well. The bot chien was crispy and delicious. Lastly, the lemongrass lemonade was super refreshing! Overall, great dining experience! read more

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