Family meal from Thanh Đa Quán, Houston
*Guest post in Vietnamese by my Mom, translated by me*
There are two places with the name Thanh Đa in Bellaire. One is Bún Măng Vịt Thanh Đa (Thanh Đa vermicelli soup with bamboo shoot and duck), and the other is Thanh Đa Quán. We happen to choose Thanh Đa Quán for lunch today, partly because they have the family dining option, which is rare in the States. The reason, I can only guess, is that most people who eat out like to pick their own items, or go to buffets if they don’t know what to pick. Family style lies between these two options, where the restaurant decides for the diners a fix menu (for example, Thanh Da Quan gives 4 dishes for 2 people, 5 dishes for 4 people, or 6 dishes for 6 people). The total bill for family dining usually comes out higher than a buffet ticket but lower than a combination of single plates.
Today, it is boiled duck with ginger dipping sauce, lotus stem salad with pork and shrimp, sour catfish soup, and claypot catfish, all for $21.6 (after tax, with rice included).
The diner is small but neatly organized, the seating arrangement is comfortable, and they have but four TV screens in the four corners. Two of them are tuned to American news and shows, the other two Vietnamese documentaries and movies, always a plus for me. (I’m not so fond of places that make the customers watch boring football games or unlaughable comedies.) Another thing I like about this particular joint is its staff’s friendliness, not a common thing at Vietnamese eateries. The waiting boys and girls, all small in age and size, have this casually gentle and respectful way toward even customers like me, who order to-gos and don’t give tips. The boy who brought out my order also apologizes profusely for the long wait, though I’ve actually enjoyed watching TV in those brief 20 minutes. 🙂 (The kitchen, he says, would gladly prepare the order for a speedy pickup if I call ahead.)
The good feeling from Thanh Đa Quán follows us home as we open the styrofoam boxes. There are a bit too few pieces of boiled duck, but all are tender and the accompanying not-so-spicy ginger mixed nuoc mam makes up in taste.
The lotus stem salad, a crunch-chewy bundle of lotus stems, shredded cucumber, celery, shrimp and boiled pork, is also not as spicy as its cousins from other restaurants. The apparent touch of lime gives the salad a refreshing boost, dusted with crushed roasted peanuts for occasional unconformities. It’s sour, but nowhere near as sour as the sour soup, which the chefs at Thanh Đa Quán must have made an effort to keep it true to its name. The fish slices are subtly luscious, the night-scented lily stems (doc mung) are airy and brightly green (I wonder how they get these so fresh in this icy winter weather), but nothing can hide the unforgiving, piercing acidity. I retreat to the pot and the stove: a re-seasoning is in order. Fortunately, sugar helps. It’s still the same fish, same pineapple, same tomato, same doc mung, same okra, but a few spoonfuls of sugar transform the soup from a duckling to a swan.
On the other hand, the clay pot fish is flawless. Two light golden catfish steaks shine in a thick bronze sauce, scenting off a homely wisp of nuoc mam and a caring embrace of caramelized sugar. Not overtly fatty, salty, or peppery, this clay pot fish is the epiphany of the Vietnamese marinating and simmering art. My daughter doesn’t like fish, but I’ll make sure to make her try this one next time she’s in town. It warms my heart realizing that even in this very American state of Texas, such simple yet articulate, inexpensive but valuable taste of my faraway homeland is still perfectly tuned.
Address: Thanh Đa Quán (Alief)
13090 Bellaire Blvd
Houston, TX 77407
(281) 988-9089
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
1Hola! I’ve been reading your web site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the fantastic job!
2Thank you for any other wonderful post. The place else may anyone get that type of info in such an ideal manner of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m at the look for such information.
3I like this site very much, Its a really nice spot to read and receive information. “‘Taint’t worthwhile to wear a day all out before it comes.” by Sarah Orne Jewett.
4I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back down the road. Cheers
5Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
6I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
7What i don’t understood is actually how you are not actually much more well-liked than you may be now. You’re so intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!
8I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
9A large percentage of of what you claim happens to be supprisingly appropriate and it makes me wonder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this with this light before. This particular piece really did turn the light on for me personally as far as this particular subject matter goes. Nonetheless at this time there is 1 point I am not too cozy with and whilst I try to reconcile that with the main idea of your issue, let me observe what the rest of your subscribers have to point out.Very well done.
10Hello there, I found your blog via Google while searching for a related topic, your site came up, it looks great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
11Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
12This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen
13Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
14My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
15I like what you guys are up also. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website 🙂
16I think this website holds very superb written written content content.
17Really excellent visual appeal on this web site, I’d value it 10 10.
18Great post, I think people should acquire a lot from this blog its very user friendly.
19Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
20This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
21Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say superb blog!
22Hello, Neat post. There is an issue together with your web site in internet explorer, may check this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a big section of other people will leave out your wonderful writing due to this problem.
23I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this issue?
24I truly enjoy reading through on this internet site, it holds superb posts. “Don’t put too fine a point to your wit for fear it should get blunted.” by Miguel de Cervantes.
25I’ve recently started a blog, the info you offer on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work. “My dear and old country, here we are once again together faced with a heavy trial.” by Charles De Gaulle.
26Greetings from California! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, wonderful site!
27Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
28Hey there, You’ve performed a great job. I’ll definitely digg it and in my view recommend to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this web site.
29Fantastic website. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to several buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks for your effort!
30Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
31Magnificent goods from you, man. I have have in mind your stuff prior to and you are just extremely fantastic. I actually like what you’ve bought here, really like what you’re saying and the best way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a terrific site.
32Thank you a lot for sharing this with all folks you really recognise what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally consult with my web site =). We can have a link change arrangement between us!
33As I website possessor I conceive the subject matter here is real wonderful, regards for your efforts.
34I don’t commonly comment but I gotta tell regards for the post on this one :D.
35Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your web site in web explorer, would check thisK IE still is the market leader and a huge section of folks will pass over your great writing due to this problem.
36I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I will learn plenty of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
37Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
38A lot of the things you point out is astonishingly appropriate and that makes me wonder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this in this light previously. This piece truly did turn the light on for me personally as far as this specific subject matter goes. Nevertheless there is 1 factor I am not necessarily too comfortable with and whilst I attempt to reconcile that with the actual core theme of your issue, allow me see just what the rest of the subscribers have to say.Very well done.
39Hey There. I discovered your weblog the usage of msn. That is an extremely well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read extra of your helpful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely return.
40I think this web site contains some really great information for everyone. “There is nothing so disagreeable, that a patient mind cannot find some solace for it.” by Lucius Annaeus Seneca.
41You made some decent points there. I did a search on the issue and found most persons will go along with with your site.
42Thank you, I have just been looking for info about this topic for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?
43Merely wanna remark that you have a very nice internet site, I like the design it really stands out.
44excellent post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
45Howdy! I just want to give a huge thumbs up for the good info you have got right here on this post. I can be coming back to your blog for extra soon.
46Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results. If you know of any please share. Thanks!
47