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
밤토끼가 어떤 사이트였는지, 과거 이력과 현재 검색 정보를 구분하는 방법을 정리했습니다. 예전에 보던 웹툰 찾기, 공식 연재처 확인, 무료 회차와 대여·소장 차이, 자주 묻는 질문까지 한 번에 확인하세요.
1포항오피 검색어의 맥락과 온라인 정보 확인 기준을 정리했습니다. 광고성 표현과 후기의 출처, 게시물의 최신성, 개인정보 보호 방법, 포항 공공정보와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하세요.
2Thanks for some other great article. Where else could anyone get that type of info in such a perfect approach of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the search for such information.
3Good blog! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!
4Hi there, I found your website via Google while searching for a related topic, your website came up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
5Keep functioning ,remarkable job!
6I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
7Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
8Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?
9Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
10I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for posting. “I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.” by John Keats.
11I have been browsing online greater than 3 hours nowadays, but I never discovered any fascinating article like yours. It is lovely value sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content as you probably did, the web shall be much more helpful than ever before.
12Hi there very nice website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds alsoKI am happy to search out a lot of useful information right here in the post, we’d like develop extra strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
13I found your blog website on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to maintain up the superb operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of ahead to reading more from you afterward!…
14I’ve read a few just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot effort you put to make such a wonderful informative web site.
15I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
16Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Excellent. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work.
17The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention
18Good day I am so glad I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Google for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a incredible post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the excellent job.
19소액결제현금화의 의미와 수수료 계산, 실제 부담액을 확인하세요. 휴대폰 결제 한도와 통신요금 청구, 관련 법령, 취소·환불 및 피해 대응까지 공식 자료를 바탕으로 정리했습니다.
20I genuinely value your work, Great post.
21부산여성전용마사지 부산토닥이 드디어 부산 상륙 NO.1 부산 최대 규모 관리사들 항시 대기중 24시 연중무휴
22부산여성전용마사지 부산토닥이 드디어 부산 상륙 NO.1 부산 최대 규모 관리사들 항시 대기중 24시 연중무휴
23부산여성전용마사지 부산토닥이 드디어 부산 상륙 NO.1 부산 최대 규모 관리사들 항시 대기중 24시 연중무휴
24부산여성전용마사지 부산토닥이 드디어 부산 상륙 NO.1 부산 최대 규모 관리사들 항시 대기중 24시 연중무휴
25Hello, you used to write magnificent, but the last several posts have been kinda boringK I miss your super writings. Past few posts are just a little out of track! come on!
26Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
27There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
28I went over this internet site and I believe you have a lot of superb info , saved to bookmarks (:.
29After study a couple of of the blog posts in your web site now, and I really like your manner of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and shall be checking again soon. Pls take a look at my web site as well and let me know what you think.
30Dead written content material, Really enjoyed looking at.
31I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
32fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You must continue your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
33Would you be serious about exchanging links?
34Admiring the commitment you put into your site and in depth information you present. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material. Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
35I am continually browsing online for tips that can assist me. Thank you!
36There’s noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made sure good factors in options also.
37certainly like your website however you have to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to inform the reality on the other hand I will surely come again again.
38Very interesting topic, appreciate it for posting.
39Valuable information. Lucky me I discovered your website by chance, and I’m shocked why this twist of fate did not happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
40With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of unique content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any ways to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate it.
41Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Great. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.
42Its excellent as your other posts : D, regards for posting. “To be able to look back upon ones life in satisfaction, is to live twice.” by Kahlil Gibran.
43You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
44Very interesting points you have noted, appreciate it for posting. “The best time to do a thing is when it can be done.” by William Pickens.
45Absolutely composed articles, appreciate it for information. “No human thing is of serious importance.” by Plato.
46Some really great articles on this internet site, regards for contribution. “I finally know what distinguishes man from other beasts financial worries. – Journals” by Jules Renard.
47I regard something really special in this internet site.
48Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?
49hi!,I really like your writing so a lot! share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your article on AOL? I need an expert in this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.
50