Things have been a bit crazy for me since October and when my birthday rolled around in February, I was....well, not really in the mood for a party or anything, I just had a nice low keyed evening with friends. Later in the month, I took holiday time...I had worked through a couple, and decided to just get out of town...the Missus totally agreed....so I went up to LA for an evening. I was meeting friends for dinner; a very special meal of sorts and I had lunch planned out, so I decided on trying a place someone had told me about several years back......
Huong Giang occupies space in, what else, a strip mall off of Brookhurst in the complex that houses Stater Brothers and Pho 86. Having been in this strip mall before, I had no problem finding the place.
As you can tell by the sign, the restaurant specializes in Central Vietnamese style dishes....banh beo, bun bo hue, and the like. Half of the restaurant looks like a catering business, folks coming in to pick up catering and take-out orders. There was a pretty steady flow of customers picking stuff up.
The other half of the place looks like just about any other Vietnamese joint in the area. At this time of the morning it was just me and a couple of old-timers having their morning coffee and gossip.
Speaking of coffee....being somewhat inspired by the setting, I decided on a cafe den da, black coffee. I really don't drink much coffee nowadays (though I've started up again recently) and this was really strong! It really got me going.......like Dr Hook said, this thing wanted to "make my pants wanna get up and dance".....
Now, knowing the heritage of the place you'd automatically think Bun Bo Hue right? Well, not quite....you see, I can't remember who recommended this place to me, but I was told to try the Mi Quang - Quang style noodles. I hadn't had a good version since we left LA.
In total, this was pretty good, the tumeric colored noodles had a good stretch, the proteins passable, the pork cake dry though well flavored, the shrimp over-cooked. The broth was nice and fragrant, the flavor very nice, though it had a greasy tongue-feel to it.
Still, this was a load of food and better than anything calling itself Mi Quang in San Diego.
It was a nice, filling start to the morning.....with enough carbs and caffiene to keep me going.
Huong Giang Restaurant
14564 Brookhurst St
Westminster, CA 92683
And for those who wonder were the heck that Dr Hook line came from....here's the song. And yes, I have a special place in my heart for a good hook (no pun intended) and cheesy lyrics. Have a great weekend!
Dr. Hook - "When you're in love with a beautiful woman..."!
Will have to try the Mi Quang up here for a future trip. Just had Mi Quang earlier tonite w/Bert @ Da Nang.
Posted by: caninecologne | Friday, 25 April 2014 at 08:36 PM
My friend recommended this place too, but I forgot for which dish. I like the mi quang at Quan Hy, Quan Vy Da, and Ngu Binh. Can't really say which of the restaurants' versions I like best, they all tasted good to me. In case you wanted to hit up some other places.
Posted by: Wandering Chopsticks | Saturday, 26 April 2014 at 12:02 AM
I have a soft spot for Sexy Eyes CC.....
The Missus loved Ngu Binh, so I think I'll try it there next WC! Thanks for the rec's!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 26 April 2014 at 06:37 PM