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    Tau Bay

    4.4 (255 reviews)
    InexpensiveVietnamese
    Closed • 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Tau Bay Photos

    Business Info

    TAU BAY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Tau Bay

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    Reviews With Photos

    spring rolls
    Christy L.

    I've driven past Tau Bay so many times, and finally had a chance recently to try it. Upon walking in, I was amazed at how big the space was and how busy lunch service was even though it was the middle of the week at 2 pm. For starters, we got the crispy spring rolls, which were delicious and comparable to others you can find In Houston viet town. Pairing the spring roll with the fresh lettuce and fish sauce was delectable. I got a regular bowl of pho, which was very solid. The meats were good and the noodles were deliciously chewy. The broth was a tad bit light for me, but nothing some lime and hoisin sauce couldn't fix. Overall, Tau Bay offers pretty generous portions at reasonable prices and is a great option for a quick satisfying of pho cravings.

    Eggrolls
    Michelle O.

    I read the reviews and saw pics of the shrimp balls, so I decided to try it out. When a review said the area is a little rough, they should have mentioned the parking lot has numerous and deep holes. The restaurant is in a large shopping mall with only a few tenants. Mid-afternoon, there were a few people that came in while I was there. I decided I wanted just pho with the shrimp balls, so she charged me a custom price. I thought they tasted like boiled versions of fried shrimp balls with chunky bits of shrimp. Since they typically come in a more flavorful soup, their flavor seemed sort of muted in the pho broth. The eggrolls were crispy and had large chunks of meat, which stood out to me. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to eat here, but the food is okay if you want to eat Vietnamese food while in the area.

    Wanted some Pho for lunch, never been here before, upon checking the menu the Soup #17 got my attention... ((( Mì Cây Nhãn!!! ))) new favorite in my personal Vietnamese food podium!!! It's supposedly not Pho, but it's very close to what Pho represents! Clear, flavor-dense broth with veggies, only this comes with pork and chicken cutlets, shrimp and a piece of fried pork skin floating over egg noodles!!!! Life changing !!! Nothing else to say! I was afraid of risking the trip, since this restaurant is not close to my area, so didn't want to leave feeling I wasted a bullet by not ordering pho which is an addiction for me... but man.... the risky random choice paid off big time today! Spring rolls where good too, not pale, good flavor for the sauce, a touch of spicy, you could feel the care and love in the preparation, enough to feel it and dig it. Ambience and Service have that nice Vietnam feel and touch! This place is a Gem!!! 100% recommended!

    Pho chicken, grilled pork, spring rolls, fried egg rolls
    Grace C.

    Really enjoyed lunch today. Very clean restaurant, Service is quick and friendly, and the food is good and hot!

    Menu
    Jando S.

    Size isn't everything but that's all anyone can think of when it comes to Tau Bay (#1), which has to be the largest pho restaurant in all of Houston. Everything is massive, from the parking lot to the building to the food portions. It's so spacious in here that even 30 people eating would still make the place feel somewhat empty. This is the ultimate group friendly restaurant, with enough seating to accommodate the largest of groups. The high ceilings, minimal decor, and semi-newly renovated bathrooms are also big bonuses. Overall, I give the food a thumbs up overall. It won't pass muster for a lot of Viet purists, but the food leans a little closer to Teochew (#2) side. The pho broth is a tad lighter than I'm used to but it certainly puts the xe lua (#3) definition as literally as can be. The cha gio are like cigars: hearty and filling. The real winner here is the service and the prices. The service is quick and friendly while the prices are a little lesser than most of their competition. Add to fact the dishes are so substantial in portion that one is really getting a bang for their buck. Tau Bay has already been in the area for years, I am hoping they remain a fixture in the area for years to come. ____________ (#1) aka "flying boat" (#2) Hoa ky, but more specially the chaozhou folks of SE Asia. (#3) oh, just the largest pho size available.

    Tim C.

    The bun thit nuong....charcoal broiled pork with vericelli was very good, the meat was full of flavor and tender. The ca phe sua da was very good....French filtered coffee with condensed milk....they bring you a small drip pot that sits on top of a glass with condensed milk, when the dripping stops you pull off the pot and stir up the coffee and condensed milk and pour it over another cup of ice....5 stars. My wife enjoyed and shared a bowl of Mi Cay Nhan....special egg noodle soup with shrimp, chicken and pork. We split a small order (4) of fried pork and shrimp eggrolls with lettuce.

    Fried rice w spring roll

    Tau Bay has been my go to place for a few years. Their food is amazing. You have so many different choices. From pho, to rice plates. You can't go wrong with any option. The pork spring rolls are killer. Fried egg rolls go hard. All of their soups have wonderful flavor to them. They are always very attentive. This is one of those spots that I try to put everyone on to. Been coming here for about 6 years now. This place won't break your wallet either. Everything is decently priced and worth it.

    Kirklind N.

    Quick Pho lunch for two! Broth was good and your typical pho ingredients and sauces to complement! Location of the restaurant is somewhat of an eye sore but definitely worth the try! Inside ambiance was in need of a spruce! Noticed a good amount of people picking up orders. Service was quick and appreciated! We ordered pho bowl #6 and pho bowl #9. Vietnamese pork fried egg rolls which were the highlight! I also ordered the chargrilled pork and shrimp vermicelli. Price was $50 for two including tip! For the price I would definitely visit again.

    16. Hu Tieu Mi Dai
    Gina N.

    FINALLY! A viet place that isn't afraid to serve a flavor-packed broth. I honestly don't know what is it, but over the past couple months I've been to many Viet restaurants that serve very bland, one-dimensional broths. I was scared that was becoming the norm until I came here my boyfriend. I thought to myself "Now this is what Vietnamese soup is supposed to taste like". There's a nice variety of dishes including Pho, Com Tam (Rice plates), and Hu Tieu. My partner and I had the Hu Tieu and Bun which we both really enjoyed. The restaurant is spacious and looks a bit dated, but there's nothing like a nostalgic Mom n' Pop vibe. And just like any good hole-in-the wall Asian restaurant, the service is not good lol.

    Menu
    Laurie A.

    We went with some friends here last week as they have been going here since they were teens! Service was friendly and fast. Portions were great. Food was great. Family environment.

    Lauren I.

    Love this place! Big portions and great service to their customers. The eggrolls are my favorite and they do better than other places in terms of portion and cheaper prices.

    Menu
    Alberto M.

    This Vietnamese restaurant is tucked in a shopping center within Sharpstown. It's a huge room with lots of sitting which is perfect for big groups. I came in a party of 2 on a Friday night. It wasn't too busy and we decided to sit at a corner table. I have become a huge fan of pho since moving to Houston years ago (we have one of the nation's largest Vietnamese populations for crying out loud!). However, I will reluctantly admit that I haven't ventured into soups outside of pho. Today I decided to get the Mi Cay Nhan (Egg Noodle Soup) and I think I have a new favorite! The soup itself has a slightly sweet but savory flavor to it and the noodles are fantastic. The broth could stand on its own, but with me being Mexican, I had to add both spicy siracha and zesty lime. Huge fan. We also came specifically looking for the spring rolls (Goi Cuon) and overall had a great time here. If you're looking for a casual restaurant with soup options outside of Pho, visit Tau Bay!

    Lawrence V.

    This place has delicious food and great service. I'm picky when it comes to Pho, this is one of two places that have the best Pho in my opinion. Plenty of seating , and friend people waiting to seat you.

    Com Bo Nuong

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    7 months ago

    Great food! Great service! Reasonably priced! A good and convenient place for a quick bite!

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    1 year ago

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    8 months ago

    Never disappoints. Same great food and excellent service. Best pho in town. Plenty of parking.

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    2 years ago

    This place is always a hit, service is fast and friendly. The food is unbelievably delicious.

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    Awesome service, they always remember my name & my order! Food is delicious & fresh. My go to place for egg rolls, Pho, and fried rice!

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    Tau Bay Reviews in Other Languages

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    Xeo Yum

    Xeo Yum

    4.7(115 reviews)
    9.9 mi•Midtown, Fourth Ward
    •$$

    Xeo Yum is a Vietnamese eatery located in a food hall in Midtown. They are known for their bánh…read morexèo, which is a crispy Vietnamese crepe/pancake. The filling is placed in a pan and then a thin layer of batter made with tumeric and coconut milk yellow batter is poured on top. You wrap the lettuce around the bánh xèo/bánh khọt and dip it in the fish sauce. I got the bánh khọt and the bò né. Bánh khọt is like a mini, thicker version of bánh xèo and came with nine pieces. Their bánh khọt was crispy, sweet and savory, and went well with the fish sauce. Although the portions initally look small, they are very filling. The bò né was filling and sizzling when it came out. It also came with a side of salad. The meat was tender. I really liked the bánh khọt and would definitely come back for them. It's nice having an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in our area, close to us, so we don't have to make the trek to Bellaire every time we crave some Viet food!

    Typically, when an Asian business has a cheeky name like Xeo Yum, it's widely assumed that it's…read moreheavily Americanized and therefore shouldn't be taken seriously. I couldn't have been more wrong. Xeo Yum (#1) as it turns out is one of the most legit Vietnamese places in Midtown serving up some of the city's best banh xeo and banh khot. Located inside of a Food Hall (#2) in the back corner, they have low-key become a destination and without question, the most popular stall in the entire place. The fan base didn't happen overnight but is a direct result of Chef Cuong Nguyen's commitment to quality Vietnamese fare. Banh Xeo is their signature item, which is also known as a sizzling crepe or pancake made of rice flour, tumeric, and coconut milk. The banh xeo holds well, is perfectly crispy, and is nicely stuffed with an assortment of beans sprouts, shrimp, and some of the best grilled pork belly I've had. Another specialty item that doesn't get enough mention is their banh khot, which is similar but has a mini muffin / cupcake like appearance made in a specialty cast iron mold. This version is wonderfully crispy and pairs perfectly with fresh greens and fish sauce with some funk. It is my favorite item here. Some have argued they also serve one of the best bo ne (#3), the Vietnamese version of steak and eggs served in a skillet. The chunks of beef are nice and tender with just a tad of char, served with two fried eggs, and a banh mi baguette with a mix of butter and spare. Normally I think of spam or sausage included with the meats, but Chef Cuong's spin is with cherry tomatoes. It's a different approach and I'm not mad at it. Folks not looking for this can shoot for bo luc lac, aka shaking beef, which is also recommended. The staff here is sweet, hard-working, and very friendly. They also make a mean Vietnamese coffee and offer free iced self-serve water. The prices are what I would expect in a Midtown food hall, and there's plenty of seating. Anyone checking out the food hall need to make Xeo Yum as part of their eating itinerary. __________ (#1) A play on the Vietnamese sizzling crepe, Banh "xeo" and yum" (#2) Previously the Conservatory and now Stestí Food Hall. (#3) Boh-Neh. Not bone.

    Photos
    Xeo Yum - Menu

    Menu

    Xeo Yum - Follow!

    Follow!

    Xeo Yum - Banh xeo (Vietnamese savory crepe)

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    Banh xeo (Vietnamese savory crepe)

    Quan Ba Ky - Garlic noodle with shrimp. 2nd most popular dish

    Quan Ba Ky

    4.4(135 reviews)
    3.3 mi•Alief

    This spot is low key with a nice, clean interior and friendly service. I visited here to check out…read moresome 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.

    One of the best Vietnamese places I've ever been hands down. I still think about it a year later…read more 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!

    Photos
    Quan Ba Ky - Interior Mural

    Interior Mural

    Quan Ba Ky - The number B1

    The number B1

    Quan Ba Ky - B1. Also known as Tik Tok Soup

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    B1. Also known as Tik Tok Soup

    Huynh Restaurant - Lemongrass Chicken and rice plate

    Huynh Restaurant

    4.3(1.3k reviews)
    11.3 mi•Downtown, EaDo
    •$$

    Solid Vietnamese restaurant located in downtown/east downtown (EaDo) that's been around for…read moredecades. It's walkable from the George R Brown Convention Center and the Marriott Marquis where we found ourselves for a staycation in Houston. I've been to Huynh's many times but it had been a while since I don't frequent downtown nor the medical center as much as I used to. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it's only a 5 minute walk from Marriott Marquis. We walked in late on a Saturday evening (the night of an Astros game down the street at Daikin Park) around 8 pm. We were promptly seated, and the service overall was very good. Everyone was friendly and attentive. My glass of water was always full. We ordered a standard large pho with 4 meats. At first I thought the broth looked a little light, but overall it was delicious. Grilled pork vermicelli with egg roll was amazing as expected. And lastly the pan fried noodle seafood plate was a hit. Everything we ordered and ate was great and we devoured it all. I will say that Huynh's is pricey, so don't think this is like cheap Asian takeout. It's quite nice in terms of ambiance despite the tight parking and surrounding businesses being a bit dingy. Enjoy!

    Very good pho broth and noodles, but EVERYTHING ELSE is meh. The real community has moved outta the…read morearea. You should look for better options than this one in the city. Ppl are nice and service was great!

    Photos
    Huynh Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    Huynh Restaurant - Bánh ướt dipped in deliciousness

    Bánh ướt dipped in deliciousness

    Huynh Restaurant - This was the star!!!

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    This was the star!!!

    Old Saigon Cafe - Spring Roll with Grilled Pork (4)

    Old Saigon Cafe

    4.5(716 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    •$$

    My kids were on a mission to find a great-tasting bowl of pho, so we came across Old Saigon. And…read morewith a name like that, it has to taste homemade, right? The restaurant was easy to find, right off Main Street, and parking was a breeze. When we walked in, the restaurant had a modern look with a beautiful mural celebrating the homeland. We were greeted and told to sit wherever we'd like, so we picked a table and settled in. Our server came by with the menus, napkins, utensils, and plates, all neatly stacked, and then gave us some time before coming back to take our order. We ordered several different bowls of pho so everyone could try something -- salmon, steak and meatballs, and the combo (đặc biệt). Of course, we also had to try their dry pho. We also noticed they had a mango salad with a choice of protein, and since that sounded intriguing, we decided to give that a try too. The mango salad came out first, and I'm honestly still not quite sure how I feel about it. The mango was tart, and there was a creamy element that gave the salad an interesting texture and flavor. I did really like the grilled shrimp, though. Out of the protein options, I'd recommend the shrimp with this salad, although I could also see chicken pairing well with the flavors. Then came the pho. We tried several different broths, and they were all flavorful on their own. I didn't feel like they needed anything added unless you prefer extra spice or seasoning. I also really appreciated how generous they were with the basil. There was plenty to go around, which is always a win when you're eating pho! As we finished up, our server came back to the table with our check and small spoons filled with what looked like crème brûlée. We asked her what it was, and she said she didn't know. We mentioned that it looked like crème brûlée, and she agreed before walking away. I'm not sure if this was something complimentary, a leftover from another dish, or something we were supposed to know about, but it was definitely an unexpected ending to the meal. If you know what this was, I'd love to know! Overall, we'd definitely come back. The food was great, the pho was flavorful, and there were plenty of options for everyone. The service could use a little improvement. Our server seemed to have some difficulty communicating in English, and we could have used a few water refills during the meal. Nothing major -- we probably just needed to speak up more. Good food, easy parking, a nice atmosphere, and a family-friendly menu. We'd come back to try more of what Old Saigon has to offer.

    I was so excited to try this restaurant because it was so highly rated on here…read more We ordered delivery and both ordered the pork bowl with a Bogo spring roll deal. The spring rolls were pretty good, but nothing to write home about. The dipping sauce they packed for both the spring rolls and pork bowls had a faint flavor of something that could have had potential, but did not deliver. There was a small garnish of pickled onions and shredded carrot that went so well with the pork bowls. If they included more of that, the bowls would have been star status. But they didn't. And they weren't. Overall, I had a decent lunch. Maybe next time I'll dine in to see if that makes a difference.

    Photos
    Old Saigon Cafe
    Old Saigon Cafe - Old Saigon Special Bowl...soooo good!

    Old Saigon Special Bowl...soooo good!

    Old Saigon Cafe - Goi Cuon - summer roll

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    Goi Cuon - summer roll

    Bún Nhân Quán - Bun Dau Mam Tom

    Bún Nhân Quán

    4.1(93 reviews)
    5.3 mi

    One of the best Banh Khot dishes I've tried at a restaurant so far! The food here tasted very…read moreauthentic and fresh pertaining to Vietnamese cuisine. The Pha Lau blended really well with the crunchy bread they provided us. The Banh Khot was so crunchy and crispy with all the flavors provided in the dish. The service was nice and knowledgeable when we had questions about the food. The inside looked standard, but still clean and nice. Overall, a nice Vietnamese restaurant in the Houston area.

    Located in the My Hoa Market Plaza, this restaurant is a one-stop shop for satisfying all your to…read moreVietnamese noodle soup and street food cravings. The menu extensive, so there's definitely something for everyone. While the price might seem a little high at first glance, but the portion are generous and many dishes are made to share. The Bun Mam was packed with abundance of fresh seafood and it came with great noodle portion, enough to split the bowl between the table. The Banh Khot was perfectly crispy on the outside, while staying light and delicate on the inside. It paired great with their house-made kumquat dipping sauce. It was a little sweet for liking, but diluting with some water balanced it out nicely. I had a great experience and left impressed by both dishes I've tried. I'll definitely will be back to explore more of their menu, especially their variety of snail dishes which looked incredibly delicious.

    Photos
    Bún Nhân Quán
    Bún Nhân Quán - Pha Lau

    Pha Lau

    Bún Nhân Quán - Grilled blood clams

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    Grilled blood clams

    Tau Bay - vietnamese - Updated September 2026

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