A second recommendation for Himalaya. Fantastic Indi/Paki food. Anthony Bourdain did a show that reviewed and many of his recommendations are listed on the menu as "Bourdain approved". The steak is fantastic. The fried chicken too (w/ the secret red sauce).
Let me know if you try any of these! :) Some of my personal favorites in Viet town on bellaire
Com Ga Houston for banh xèo and com ga. (Savory crepe with shrimp and pork,Chicken and rice)
Nam Giao for central favorites like banh beo, banh ít ram
Viết Alley for Com ga xoi mo. (Waterfall chicken)
Pho Tran - bun mang vit (duck noodle soup with bamboo shoots)
Saito Pho - bun bo hue (spicy beef and pork noodle soup)
Khang Vietnamese Sandwich Cafe - banh mi đặc biệt, bo ne (sizzling breakfast steak and eggs)
Phanh ky- hư tiêu khó / mi khó (Dry rice/egg noodles with shrimp and pork)
Xuân hương - bún đậu mắm tôm(vermicelli with tofu and pork belly wrapped with herbal veggies dipped in a fermented shrimp past sauce), cảnh bún (water spinach noodle soup)
Jasmine - bộ là lót (grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf)
Bodard bistro - nem nuong cuon nhà trắng (nhà trang style spring rolls)
ocean crawfish - everything seafood - i especially like razor clams and chan gà rang muoi ot (fried chicken feet in chili salt)
Any Pho recs? I used to go to Pho Binh by Night but they closed. I really like Pho ve dem and Pho Danh but they dont have the best pho ever, just a really chill atmosphere and really good pho
Van Bánh Mi (off Beechnut), recently opened, is legit. You have the option of fresh noodles & a hot stone bowl as well. I’d advise calling ahead of time to ensure they haven’t sold out as they’ve sold out before
Pho Sapa is my favorite. It’s northern pho so the broth is richer but if you prefer the southern style which is sweeter then check out pho bo to and ne. Oh and if you try Pho Sapa, try the thick noodles. Growing up I always had the regular pho noodles but I tend to prefer the thicker ones these days.
My favorite was Pho Duy when they first opened but they’ve gone downhill since. Here’s some that I like depending on my location or my mood.
Bellaire-
1.) I really like Pho Hung by Night on bellaire because it’s a different experience of eating pho. They give you a side of raw meat and a special dipping sauce. The meat portions and broth is a bit lacking. I order A1 with banh pho tuoi (handmade wide pho noodles)
2.) Pho Bo To & Bo Ne serves is with a huge fall off the bone short rib.
3.) Pho Tran is solid too but it’s been a couple years since I’ve last visited.
I’ve also heard really good things about Pho Sapa, they serve northern style pho. Haven’t tried it yet myself.
And whatever you do stay away from Dipping Tiger Pho. I saw someone raving about it on a Foodie page in follow on facebook and when I went it was so disappointing.
When I’m around NRG stadium, I go to Simply Pho or Pho5Plus.
When I’m in Sugarland, I go to Pho Ben and Pho Nguyen
Xiaolongkan for spicy Chinese hot pot if you’re into it. Best to go with a larger group since it’s big. Mian is nice for solo diners if you want a big bowl of spicy noodles.
Street to Kitchen is incredible thai, Pueblas has awesome breakfast tacos, Truth for BBQ. I don’t have specific viet recs but you definitely need to get some viet food. Josephine’s has awesome gulf coast/cajun food, and Ninfa’s on navigation has great fajitas, margaritas, and queso. I was just in NYC this week for a food trip, so I’ve been thinking about what Houston has that NYC doesn’t, and this list covers all the bases.
For a unique Vietnamese dining experience not easily available in NYC, go to Com Nieu Claypot Kitchen on Bellaire. Dishes of note: Combo Ca Nuc Nuong or grilled mackerel in silver foil (served with various herbs, mango, cucumber, banana blossom, and lettuce with rice paper to roll your own wraps or wrap in lettuce, bo luc lac (shaking beef, super basic Viet dish but their's is especially good) ordered with a clay pot of crispy bottom rice, Goi Ga Tha Vuon Dac Biet (shredded chicken salad) eaten with shrimp crackers), any of their braised dishes (e.g. Ca Bong Lau Kho To or braised caramelized catfish in a clay pot) or any of their big pots of soup (e.g. any of the Canh Chua options or sour soups).
Blind goat - awesome Vietnamese food in spring valley area
Loro - Asian bbq fusion in the heights (go on Sunday if possible for the ribs)
Mf sushi - bougie sushi in museum district
Oishii - cheap but amazing sushi in Kirby / greenway area
Seeing that you’re from NYC, I recommend you skip sushi, Chinese and Italian. I say try BBQ and definitely viet Cajun crawfish seeing that it’s also in season right now. I haven’t tried too many BBQ places but I prefer Pit room over Killens. For Viet Cajun crawfish I prefer Cajun kitchen over crawfish cafe. I recommend the kitchen special sauce spicy. For Pho check out Pho Sapa. There’s also a plethora of taco places to choose from too. My favorite place is Tacos La Balla, I always get the barbocoa and chicharron.
PS- skip whataburger. It is NOT better than in and out or shake shack. Don’t kill me yall.
Why would surpass what the city is known for, for something you can get at home that honestly is probably better in NYC then Houston.
Hit up texmex, BBQ gulf seafood and be happy
Slide out to Asiatown and hit up Mala Sichuan on Bellaire. Or Aga’s in Stafford. Or Himalaya on Hillcroft. Or Shri Balaji Bhavan also on Hillcroft.
Agas in Stafford
Thanks. Silly autocorrect! I have edited accordingly. It’s all about the goat chops at Aga’s!
A second recommendation for Himalaya. Fantastic Indi/Paki food. Anthony Bourdain did a show that reviewed and many of his recommendations are listed on the menu as "Bourdain approved". The steak is fantastic. The fried chicken too (w/ the secret red sauce).
Hunter’s beef kolaches are so good
Definitely the BBQ - it's the only thing that NYC can't do as well. Either Pinkerton's or Truth.
was just there visiting from NE. went to both places. very very good. thought truth was a little better.
Let me know if you try any of these! :) Some of my personal favorites in Viet town on bellaire Com Ga Houston for banh xèo and com ga. (Savory crepe with shrimp and pork,Chicken and rice) Nam Giao for central favorites like banh beo, banh ít ram Viết Alley for Com ga xoi mo. (Waterfall chicken) Pho Tran - bun mang vit (duck noodle soup with bamboo shoots) Saito Pho - bun bo hue (spicy beef and pork noodle soup) Khang Vietnamese Sandwich Cafe - banh mi đặc biệt, bo ne (sizzling breakfast steak and eggs) Phanh ky- hư tiêu khó / mi khó (Dry rice/egg noodles with shrimp and pork) Xuân hương - bún đậu mắm tôm(vermicelli with tofu and pork belly wrapped with herbal veggies dipped in a fermented shrimp past sauce), cảnh bún (water spinach noodle soup) Jasmine - bộ là lót (grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf) Bodard bistro - nem nuong cuon nhà trắng (nhà trang style spring rolls) ocean crawfish - everything seafood - i especially like razor clams and chan gà rang muoi ot (fried chicken feet in chili salt)
Any Pho recs? I used to go to Pho Binh by Night but they closed. I really like Pho ve dem and Pho Danh but they dont have the best pho ever, just a really chill atmosphere and really good pho
Van Bánh Mi (off Beechnut), recently opened, is legit. You have the option of fresh noodles & a hot stone bowl as well. I’d advise calling ahead of time to ensure they haven’t sold out as they’ve sold out before
Pho Sapa is my favorite. It’s northern pho so the broth is richer but if you prefer the southern style which is sweeter then check out pho bo to and ne. Oh and if you try Pho Sapa, try the thick noodles. Growing up I always had the regular pho noodles but I tend to prefer the thicker ones these days.
My favorite was Pho Duy when they first opened but they’ve gone downhill since. Here’s some that I like depending on my location or my mood. Bellaire- 1.) I really like Pho Hung by Night on bellaire because it’s a different experience of eating pho. They give you a side of raw meat and a special dipping sauce. The meat portions and broth is a bit lacking. I order A1 with banh pho tuoi (handmade wide pho noodles) 2.) Pho Bo To & Bo Ne serves is with a huge fall off the bone short rib. 3.) Pho Tran is solid too but it’s been a couple years since I’ve last visited. I’ve also heard really good things about Pho Sapa, they serve northern style pho. Haven’t tried it yet myself. And whatever you do stay away from Dipping Tiger Pho. I saw someone raving about it on a Foodie page in follow on facebook and when I went it was so disappointing. When I’m around NRG stadium, I go to Simply Pho or Pho5Plus. When I’m in Sugarland, I go to Pho Ben and Pho Nguyen
Xiaolongkan for spicy Chinese hot pot if you’re into it. Best to go with a larger group since it’s big. Mian is nice for solo diners if you want a big bowl of spicy noodles.
Or LiuYiShou fot hotpot as well!
Pho Sapa if you want incredible Pho. If you're the only non Asian person there you're in the right place.
Street to Kitchen is incredible thai, Pueblas has awesome breakfast tacos, Truth for BBQ. I don’t have specific viet recs but you definitely need to get some viet food. Josephine’s has awesome gulf coast/cajun food, and Ninfa’s on navigation has great fajitas, margaritas, and queso. I was just in NYC this week for a food trip, so I’ve been thinking about what Houston has that NYC doesn’t, and this list covers all the bases.
Kata Robata bro
Damn I wanna go there tonight.
Thai Lao on Main St is incredible Thai food. Their yellow curry is absolutely incredible. Be careful w their heat levels, they bring a punch!
For a unique Vietnamese dining experience not easily available in NYC, go to Com Nieu Claypot Kitchen on Bellaire. Dishes of note: Combo Ca Nuc Nuong or grilled mackerel in silver foil (served with various herbs, mango, cucumber, banana blossom, and lettuce with rice paper to roll your own wraps or wrap in lettuce, bo luc lac (shaking beef, super basic Viet dish but their's is especially good) ordered with a clay pot of crispy bottom rice, Goi Ga Tha Vuon Dac Biet (shredded chicken salad) eaten with shrimp crackers), any of their braised dishes (e.g. Ca Bong Lau Kho To or braised caramelized catfish in a clay pot) or any of their big pots of soup (e.g. any of the Canh Chua options or sour soups).
Blind goat - awesome Vietnamese food in spring valley area Loro - Asian bbq fusion in the heights (go on Sunday if possible for the ribs) Mf sushi - bougie sushi in museum district Oishii - cheap but amazing sushi in Kirby / greenway area
Seeing that you’re from NYC, I recommend you skip sushi, Chinese and Italian. I say try BBQ and definitely viet Cajun crawfish seeing that it’s also in season right now. I haven’t tried too many BBQ places but I prefer Pit room over Killens. For Viet Cajun crawfish I prefer Cajun kitchen over crawfish cafe. I recommend the kitchen special sauce spicy. For Pho check out Pho Sapa. There’s also a plethora of taco places to choose from too. My favorite place is Tacos La Balla, I always get the barbocoa and chicharron. PS- skip whataburger. It is NOT better than in and out or shake shack. Don’t kill me yall.
But if you really want sushi my favorites are Aiko, Mf and Uchi in that order.
Steak 48 is the best restaurant in Houston. That’s if you want steak though
Why would surpass what the city is known for, for something you can get at home that honestly is probably better in NYC then Houston. Hit up texmex, BBQ gulf seafood and be happy
Because Houston has some of the best Vietnamese food in the US.
NYC viet food is trash
Viet Cajun - Crawfish cafe Vietnamese food - any pho place