Flavor Boulevard

We Asians like to talk food.
Subscribe

Hương Giang – Savour Huế in Houston

March 23, 2011 By: Mai Truong Category: Central Vietnamese, Houston, noodle soup, sticky rice concoctions, The more interesting


I lost my memory card. If you’re a food blogger too you’d know how devastated I felt: the first advice to a food blogger these days is “good pictures”. Well, the pictures I took at Hương Giang are amazing, they just no longer exist. But, pictures or not, as my professor Lawrence Hall would say in his British tongue, “you can’t stop me,” or in this case, I can’t stop myself from blogging about the restaurant.

Is their food that good? Hương Giang takes a shy, small square in the parking lot at the corner of Bellaire and Boone. If you drive westward on Bellaire Blvd, you’ll see its sign on the left before you reach Hong Kong Market. It’s really a tucked-away place for scoffers, the outlook unimpressive, the sign blue and white like a tired worker shirt. The inside is similar to any average pho joints you’ve seen, wiped clean and plastic cheap. I knew my mom wouldn’t come here if not for blogging’s sake, but in this city it’d be hard to get a menu more Huế than this one.

There are pictures in the menu and printouts taped to the wall to tell you what the specials are. For us it’s a matter of getting what we’ve heard of but not had: gỏi mít tôm thịt, bánh ít ram, cơm hến, and bún suông.

Gỏi mít tôm thịt is jackfruit salad with boiled shrimp and pork, and like other Vietnamese gỏi, it’s served cold with rice cracker (bánh tráng nướng) for shoveling and scooping. The airy blandness of a coal-toasted sesame rice paper elevates the lime juice, the pepper, the cilantro in a gỏi. The kitchen makes a slight mistake by bringing out a plate of gỏi mít hến instead, where the boiled pork and shrimp are replaced by handfuls of tiny basket clams (hến). These freshwater bivalves are connected to Huế like McDonald’s to Americanization. As small as a finger nail, each hến constitutes a second of chewing. As a stir-fried bunch mixed with young jackfruit flesh, the collection feels grainy and humble like a fisherman’s kitchen by the riverside. The color, too, is earthy: blackish-lined ivory hến,  pale brown jackfruit, and a bit of green cilantro.

Cơm hến offers more or less the same atmosphere as the salad, except the rice amplifies the grainy texture in place of the jackfruit’s fleshy blend, no rice cracker presents to break the unanimity, and the hến‘s natural sweetness here isn’t damped by any lime juice. When there isn’t just a few, but at least a hundred of these quiet lives in a bowl of cơm hến, you can’t help but feel the responsibility to treasure each spoonful. It’s the least you can do for the dignity of those tiny freshwater basket clams.

If cơm hến were hamburger, then bánh ít ram would be mac ‘n cheese. It’s not super well known, but anyone who knows Hue food knows this sticky (rice) business. I first learned of bánh ít ram from noodlepie, Ravenous Couple call them fried mochi dumpling (and you really can’t get a better looking picture of bánh ít ram than what the couple styled on their site). Each ping-pong-sized dumpling carries a marvelously inviting look: a plump, shiny round ball on a golden base, cut in half and there snuggle rosy bits of shrimp and char siu pork. Each bite is a step into a river: first soft, then sinking, then hitting the crusty bottom. With or without the mixed fish sauce, savory bánh ít ram, also called bánh ram ít by the natives, is a fair partnership between the steamed bánh ít and the deep fried bánh ram, with each component designed to excite the other. So why is it not as popular as bánh bèo? Because it’s hard to go down the second time. One bánh ít ram is good, two are too many. Ten on a plate, like what we get at Hương Giang, becomes a bloody battlefield.

Thankfully we are a team of three, and we rotates plates to share both the good and the challenging. And thankfully we get bún suông. This noodle soup draws a fine but successful line between being too meaty and being too thin, as it contains both. Ample cuts of chả cá (fish cake, similar to eomuk), chả lụa (silk sausage), and juicy shrimps weave among the angel hair rice vermicelli, all soaked in a slim sweet broth. Bún suông at Hương Giang tastes pure like bún mộc, quite a contrast from the definitions I’ve found online, whose broth is as thick as a deep South accent of the cooks said to invent the noodle soup.

If there are indeed two types of bún suông, the southern style and the Hương Giang style, then I’d choose the latter any day. If the southern style is really the only traditional style, then I’d go to Hương Giang just for their bún suông. You know you can trust a chef who has created something so delicate, so heart-warming, so balanced, and so very Huế.

Address: Hue Huong Giang (near Hong Kong Market)
11113 Bellaire Boulevard
Houston, TX 77072-2607
(832) 328-1308

Money matter:
gỏi mít hến (6.25) + bánh ít ram (6.50) + bún suông (6.50) + cơm hến (8.50)
= $27.25 a big lunch for three

0 Comments to “Hương Giang – Savour Huế in Houston”


  1. Some genuinely great blog posts on this internet site, regards for contribution. “For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude.” by Clarence E. Hodges.

    1
  2. ПРИКОЛЬНЫЙ МУЛЬТЯГА replica rolex http://www.besterolex.icu sind begehrte Zeitmesser die Luxus und Eleganz verkГ¶rpern. Diese Replica-Modelle bieten fascinierende MГ¶glichkeit den Stil der teuren Uhren zu tragen. HochwertigeTechnologie macht sie unverwechselbar.

    2
  3. The core of your writing while sounding agreeable at first, did not sit very well with me after some time. Someplace within the paragraphs you managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a while. I however have a problem with your jumps in logic and one might do well to fill in all those breaks. If you can accomplish that, I will surely end up being fascinated.

    3
  4. whoah this blog is great i love studying your posts.
    Stay up the great work! You recognize, a lot of people are hunting around for this info, you can aid them greatly.

    4
  5. Спасибо за объяснение. Я не знал этого. If you want to enjoy a seamless betting experience the 888sport App Download https://88-8starz.co.ke/partner-login is essential. This application offers an intuitive interface and allows you to bet anytime anywhere. With various sports events available the app is perfect for all enthusiasts. Make sure to download the app today for an unmatched gaming experience

    5
  6. You have noted very interesting points! ps decent internet site.

    6
  7. I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

    7
  8. I really like reading through a post that can make men and women think.
    Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!

    8
  9. Informasi terkait free face swap photo editor tersedia di
    halaman AI Swap Face kami: https://aiswapface.ai/id/photo-face-swap/. Kami mengelola sumber ini.

    Untuk hasil yang jelas, gunakan foto sumber yang tajam, pencahayaan merata, dan sudut wajah yang mirip dengan foto tujuan.

    9
  10. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog? My blog is in the very same niche as yours and my users would truly benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Many thanks!

    10
  11. Какая великолепная фраза Breaking news https://aquietrabalho.com/ shows the value of staying informed. Society are anxious to learn about the initial events that shape our world. Staying up-to-date is crucial for making informed decisions.

    11
  12. I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They’re really convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for newbies. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.

    12
  13. I simply wanted to thank you very much again. I do not know the things I could possibly have created in the absence of those pointers discussed by you regarding my field. It had become the challenging crisis in my view, nevertheless coming across this skilled approach you processed the issue took me to leap over contentment. Extremely happy for this information and even hope that you recognize what a powerful job your are providing instructing others through the use of your site. I’m certain you haven’t come across any of us.

    13
  14. Мне тоже тупым кажеться 888starz партнерка https://888starz-otzyvy-uz.pro/ – 888starz партнерка предлагает интересные условия для дохода. Начните сотрудничество и получите свой оборот. У вас есть возможности для развития.

    14
  15. Good post however I was wanting to know if you
    could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little
    bit more. Thanks!

    My web-site – web-site visit

    15
  16. Para informações sobre Política de privacidade, nossa página AI Swap Face
    é https://aiswapface.ai/pt/privacy-policy/. Nós mantemos
    esse recurso. Para um resultado nítido, use uma foto de origem bem iluminada,
    com um ângulo de rosto semelhante ao da imagem de destino.

    16
  17. This actually answered my downside, thank you!

    17
  18. Very nice style and fantastic content material, practically nothing else we require :D.

    18
  19. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

    19
  20. I enjoy the efforts you have put in this, thank you for all the great blog posts.

    20
  21. Cколько ждал Спасибо купить скины cs2 lis skins можно легко и быстро. Выбор огромен: безграничные стили цвета и внешний вид. Не упустите шанс обновить свою коллекцию и восхитить своих друзей Сделать это можно всего за несколько кликов.

    21
  22. hello!,I like your writing so much! share we communicate more about your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to see you.

    22
  23. Совершенно верно Это хорошая идея. Готов Вас поддержать. sports betting corenabet.com – Sports betting is a thrilling way to engage with your favorite teams. Countless supporters enjoy analyzing statistics and odds. Profitable players often develop strategies to maximize their gains.

    23
  24. I was looking at some of your content on this site and I conceive this website is very instructive! Continue putting up.

    24
  25. Simply a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great pattern.

    25
  26. An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!

    26
  27. Hello superb blog! Does running a blog similar to this take a lot
    of work? I have virtually no knowledge of computer programming but I was hoping to start
    my own blog in the near future. Anyways, should you have any recommendations or tips for
    new blog owners please share. I understand this
    is off subject but I just needed to ask. Many
    thanks!

    27
  28. naturally like your website but you need to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to tell the truth on the other hand I will surely come back again.

    28
  29. Вы допускаете ошибку. Давайте обсудим это. ставки на спорт https://olimpbet-uz.pro/ становятся все более популярными среди любителей азартных игр. Многообразие продуктов позволяет каждому подобрать подходящий вид пари. Нужно помнить о рисках чтобы не допустить больших потерь.

    29
  30. It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.

    I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few
    interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring
    to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!

    30
  31. You really make it seem so easy together with your presentation however I find this matter to be really something that I believe I’d never understand. It seems too complex and extremely huge for me. I am having a look forward to your next put up, I’ll attempt to get the grasp of it!

    31
  32. Salutation Look at these finest procedures for Web page advertising explorer blockchain btc: blockchain explorer xrp blockchain explorer solana blockchain explorers list litecoin explorer blockchain polygon explorer blockchain If fascinated write to PM and e book early access

    32
  33. I have recently started a web site, the info you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.

    33
  34. Hey there! Quick question that’s totally off topic. Do you know
    how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when browsing from
    my iphone4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able
    to correct this issue. If you have any recommendations,
    please share. Thank you!

    34
  35. It’s appropriate time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I have read this put up and if I could I want to counsel you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more issues about it!

    35
  36. Hello there, I found your blog by way of Google at the same time as looking for a related subject, your web site came up, it seems to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    36
  37. Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. But imagine if you added some great images or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this website could certainly be one of the very best in its niche. Awesome blog!

    37
  38. Браво мне кажется это блестящая фраза РЈ сучасному світі РњРѕРґР° В Одеській області молодь громад зібрали на форум «PRO Розвиток: Одещин໠займає важливе місце РІ житті РєРѕР¶РЅРѕС— людини. Мистецтво РѕРґСЏРіСѓ аксесуарів та взуття засвідчує особистість. Актуальні тенденції змінюються але якість залишається РЅР° висоті.

    38
  39. Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in truth was a amusement account it. Look complicated to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?

    39
  40. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your blog? My blog site is in the very same area of interest as yours and my users would really benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this alright with you. Cheers!

    40
  41. Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with
    my myspace group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate
    your content. Please let me know. Thanks

    41
  42. This is really fascinating, You are an excessively
    professional blogger. I’ve joined your feed and sit up for in search of more of your magnificent post.

    Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks

    42
  43. 这篇文章讲得很细致,尤其是最后的总结部分很有启发,收藏了。. Nice write-up, keep it up.

    43
  44. Per informazioni su free ai headshot generator free, la nostra
    pagina AI Swap Face è https://aiswapface.ai/it/ai-headshot/. Gestiamo questa risorsa.
    Per un risultato nitido, usa una foto sorgente ben illuminata con un angolo del volto
    simile a quello della foto di destinazione.

    44
  45. Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your article post. I like to write a little comment to support you.

    45
  46. Aw, this was a really nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to
    produce a top notch article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and never seem to get nearly anything done.

    46
  47. I was studying some of your articles on this site and I conceive this website is real instructive! Keep posting.

    47
  48. This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!

    48
  49. For the reason that the admin of this website is working, no hesitation very soon it will be well-known, due to its feature contents.

    49
  50. Our website brings together a wealth of high-quality information for users. In this space visitors can conveniently discover expert answers covering relevant questions. https://jr-pizza-plus.co.uk/index.php?route=journal3/blog/post&journal_blog_post_id=10 This resources is clearly organized and consistently expanded so the site reliably useful to every reader.

    50


Leave a Reply