Unearth The Voyage
Houston’s Vietnamese food scene reflects the flavors of Southern Vietnam, where dishes are sweeter, herbier, and often come with more fresh greens than their northern counterparts. From broken rice plates to crispy turmeric crepes, these restaurants bring the vibrant tastes of Saigon straight to Texas. Whether you’re craving a steaming bowl of pho or a crunchy banh mi sandwich, these 14 spots serve up authentic Southern Vietnamese cooking that locals swear by.
1. Huynh Restaurant (EaDo)
Behind the convention center sits a family-run gem that Houstonians trust for homestyle Vietnamese cooking. Huynh Restaurant has earned its place as a Top 100 favorite for years, with plans to expand from its original EaDo location to Upper Kirby soon. The casual atmosphere buzzes with conversation and the clatter of chopsticks, making it ideal for group dinners.
Southern specialties dominate the menu here. Pho arrives with fragrant, crystal-clear broth that tastes like it simmered for hours. Bun bowls come loaded with grilled pork and fresh herbs that you mix yourself.
Reviewers rave about the duck cabbage salad and delicate steamed rice rolls. Best of all, Huynh is BYOB, so bring your favorite drinks to pair with your meal and settle in for an authentic Vietnamese feast.
2. Mai’s Restaurant (Midtown)
Since 1978, Mai’s has been feeding Houston from its Milam Street location, making it one of the city’s original Vietnamese restaurants. Nearly five decades later, the restaurant still thrives with a full menu available online and delivery through Uber Eats. Generations of families have grown up eating here, creating a loyal following that spans the decades.
The menu focuses on Southern Vietnamese comfort food. House special pho comes packed with tender meats in rich broth. Broken rice plates feature grilled pork, crispy fried egg, and all the traditional accompaniments.
Late-night diners flock here for bun Singapore, salt-and-pepper wings, and crispy egg rolls. On busy nights, Mai’s stays open until 3 a.m., becoming the perfect spot for post-bar cravings when nothing else will satisfy.
3. Thien An Sandwiches (Midtown)
Walk into Thien An and you’ll find a no-nonsense diner vibe that puts all its energy into the food. This Midtown institution appears repeatedly on best Vietnamese restaurant lists, thanks to generous portions and consistently delicious cooking. The straightforward approach means quick service and zero pretension, just solid Southern Vietnamese flavors.
Banh xeo steals the show as a giant, crispy turmeric crepe stuffed with pork, shrimp, and crunchy bean sprouts. Duck salad arrives piled impossibly high with shredded cabbage and aromatic herbs that you wrap in rice paper.
Locals swear by the banh mi and pho, which deliver authentic tastes at wallet-friendly prices. Perfect for a fast lunch break, Thien An gets you fed well without wasting time or money.
4. Hẻm Kitchen & Bar (Asiatown/Bellaire)
Saigon street-food energy meets modern cocktails at Hẻm Kitchen & Bar, where the atmosphere channels the narrow alleyways of Vietnam’s southern capital. Houstonia Magazine highlights this spot for bringing authentic street-food flavors into a contemporary setting. The name itself means alley in Vietnamese, setting expectations for the casual, bustling vibe inside.
Broken rice plates arrive with perfectly grilled meats and traditional accompaniments. Pho and banh mi get creative street-food twists that honor tradition while adding excitement.
Vietnamese bar snacks and shareable seafood dishes round out the menu, designed for groups who want to sample multiple flavors. If you’re looking for Southern Vietnamese cooking with a night-out atmosphere complete with craft cocktails, Hẻm delivers the complete package beautifully.
5. Saigon Pagolac (Chinatown)
Seven courses of beef prepared seven different ways form the specialty at Saigon Pagolac, a Southern Vietnamese tradition that originated in the Saigon region. Bo bay mon showcases beef’s versatility through grilled, wrapped, fondue, and sausage preparations that arrive in sequence. Located in Dynasty Plaza on Bellaire, the restaurant opens daily except Mondays.
Each course in the beef set brings different textures and flavors. Grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves starts the journey, followed by beef fondue you cook yourself at the table.
Whole grilled catfish offers another DIY experience, arriving for you to wrap in rice paper with herbs and vegetables. Vermicelli plates and hot pots provide additional options. Come hungry and bring friends, because these generous portions are meant for sharing and celebrating together.
6. Thuan Kieu Com Tam (Bellaire)
Broken rice defines Southern Vietnamese cooking, and Thuan Kieu Com Tam dedicates its entire focus to perfecting this humble dish. The Bellaire corridor location specializes in com tam plates that showcase why this simple meal has captivated Vietnamese families for generations. Local Vietnamese-language blogs and delivery platforms consistently recommend this family-run spot.
Each plate starts with fluffy broken rice grains, then gets topped with combinations of grilled pork chops, shredded pork skin, steamed egg loaf, and fried eggs. The menu offers multiple topping combinations to suit different tastes.
Side dishes like banh xeo and additional grilled meats let you expand your meal beyond rice. The casual, welcoming atmosphere feels like visiting a Vietnamese family’s home, where the focus stays squarely on honest, delicious food.
7. Com Tam Kieu Giang (Hong Kong City Mall)
Hidden inside Hong Kong City Mall, Com Tam Kieu Giang has become essential eating for Houston’s Vietnamese community. Another broken-rice specialist, this restaurant proves that sometimes the best food hides in unexpected places. After briefly closing during the pandemic, the restaurant has fully reopened and returned to serving its loyal customers.
Signature com tam plates arrive loaded with grilled pork, egg quiche, Vietnamese meatloaf, and tangy pickled vegetables. Each component adds its own flavor and texture to create a harmonious plate.
Noodle dishes and spring rolls offer alternatives for anyone in your group who wants something different. The mall location makes parking easy, and the authentic flavors make the trip worthwhile. Finding this spot feels like discovering a secret that locals have kept to themselves.
8. Com Tam #9 (Northwest Houston)
Up on Highway 249, away from the Bellaire bustle, Com Tam #9 serves Northwest Houston’s craving for Southern-style broken rice. Recent menus and reviews confirm this neighborhood spot continues delivering quality com tam to locals who don’t want to drive across town. The low-key atmosphere attracts regulars who appreciate consistent cooking and friendly service.
Various grilled meats top the broken rice plates, each prepared with traditional seasonings and char. Fried eggs add richness, while pickled vegetables provide bright contrast.
Reviewers consistently praise the Vietnamese coffee here, which delivers the perfect sweet, strong kick to accompany your meal or finish it off. If you live in Northwest Houston and want authentic Southern Vietnamese flavors without the trek to Chinatown, Com Tam #9 has you covered completely.
9. Khang Vietnamese Sandwich & Cafe (West Houston)
Crispy baguettes stuffed with savory fillings define Saigon street food, and Khang Vietnamese Sandwich & Cafe brings that tradition to West Houston. This family-run shop focuses on banh mi sandwiches that transport you straight to Vietnam’s southern capital. The bread arrives impossibly crisp outside yet fluffy inside, providing the perfect vessel for flavorful fillings.
Roast pork banh mi and combination sandwiches come loaded with meats, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and chili. Vietnamese iced coffee and milk teas wash everything down perfectly.
Beyond sandwiches, the menu expands to sizzling steak, beef stew, Vietnamese pancakes, and crispy egg rolls. Each dish reflects Southern Vietnamese cooking traditions passed down through generations. For a quick, affordable taste of Saigon street food without leaving Houston, Khang delivers authentic flavors every time.
10. Pho Sapa Noodle House (Chinatown)
Hand-cut noodles make all the difference in pho, and Pho Sapa Noodle House proves this with every bowl. The Infatuation and other guides highlight this modern pho house for its deeply flavored broth and choice between standard or extra-wide house noodles. The clean, airy space feels contemporary while the flavors remain traditionally Vietnamese.
House special pho arrives steaming hot, loaded with brisket, tripe, and other beef cuts swimming in aromatic broth. Fresh herbs, lime, and chili let you customize each spoonful.
Hu tieu and other rice-noodle soups provide alternatives to beef pho. Strong Vietnamese iced coffee delivers the jolt you need to power through your afternoon. Those hand-cut noodles have the perfect chew, absorbing broth while maintaining their texture throughout your meal.
11. Bun Cha Ca Da Nang (Bellaire)
Despite its central-coast name, Bun Cha Ca Da Nang serves many flavors beloved throughout Southern Vietnam, especially seafood soups that have spread across the region. Recent reviews from December 2025 confirm daily operations at this Bellaire location. The restaurant bridges regional Vietnamese cuisines, bringing central-coast specialties that southern Vietnamese families have adopted as their own.
Fish cake noodle soup showcases delicate seafood flavors in clear, aromatic broth. Mi quang cha ca and banh canh cha ca offer different noodle textures with similar fish-cake toppings.
Central-style bun bo Hue satisfies Houstonians craving spicy, lemongrass-scented beef soup. The seafood focus sets this restaurant apart from pork-heavy spots, providing lighter options that still deliver bold Vietnamese flavors. Open daily, it’s ready whenever your fish-cake noodle craving strikes.
12. Cali Sandwich & Pho (Midtown)
Banh mi brought Cali Sandwich & Pho its fame, but the pho keeps customers returning to this longtime Midtown favorite. Current menu sites and recent reviews confirm operations continue at the Travis Street location. The restaurant balances two Southern Vietnamese staples perfectly, giving equal attention to both sandwiches and soup.
Special combination banh mi and grilled pork sandwiches feature that essential crispy-fluffy bread texture. Fresh vegetables and herbs add crunch and brightness to every bite.
Pho tai nam arrives with rich, aromatic broth that earns rave reviews for depth of flavor. Crispy egg rolls and Vietnamese coffee complete a full Saigon-style lunch experience. The Midtown location makes it convenient for downtown workers seeking authentic Vietnamese flavors during their lunch break or after work.
13. Moon Rabbit (The Heights)
Vietnamese home cooking meets Viet-Cajun fusion at Moon Rabbit, where The Heights gets its taste of Southern Vietnamese flavors with a Louisiana twist. The restaurant’s own website and booking platforms show active operations, with job listings and reservation systems running smoothly. This trendier setting attracts diners seeking Vietnamese food in a modern atmosphere.
Pho, banh mi, and vermicelli bowls provide traditional foundations. Seafood boils blend Cajun spice with Vietnamese aromatics, creating unique flavor combinations that work surprisingly well together.
Family-style plates encourage sharing and trying multiple dishes throughout your meal. The Vietnamese-Cajun fusion reflects Houston’s diverse food culture, where different culinary traditions mix and create something new. For Vietnamese flavors in a contemporary setting with creative twists, Moon Rabbit offers something different from traditional restaurants.
14. The Blind Goat (Spring Branch)
MasterChef winner Christine Ha brings her vision to The Blind Goat, a modern Vietnamese gastropub weaving Southern Vietnamese street food into creative dishes. Recent news reports confirm the restaurant remains open and serving customers despite challenges. Spring Branch diners appreciate having elevated Vietnamese cooking in their neighborhood.
Dishes draw inspiration from Vietnamese drinking food and Saigon snack culture, the casual bites people enjoy with beer in Vietnam. Rice dishes and noodle bowls feature flavor profiles built around fish sauce, chili, and fresh herbs.
A full bar offers cocktails designed to pair with bold Vietnamese flavors, enhancing rather than overwhelming the food. The gastropub format elevates street food while respecting its roots. For Southern Vietnamese flavors presented with chef-driven creativity and craft cocktails, The Blind Goat delivers an experience beyond traditional restaurants.
