Crawfish & Noodles

"Don a bib and comically large pair of plastic gloves, and explore the explosive flavor of every dish at Crawfish & Noodles, a Viet-Cajun institution. Order crawfish boiled with lemongrass and ginger, spice-laden turkey necks, or noodles soaking up fish sauce and chile. Dining here sometimes feels like stumbling into a confused sports bar—the TVs blare Astros games amidst an unconventional mix of decor (why is there a Darth Vader helmet in the corner?). But as with all Houston institutions, it doesn’t have to totally make sense, the food just has to be really, really good. And it is. What to order: crawfish by the pound, turkey neck, phở" - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"From the folks sucking back crawfish heads to the goldfish hoovering up every morsel in their tank, everyone is chowing down at Crawfish & Noodles, a Viet-Cajun institution in Chinatown. Cajun dishes including boiled crawfish and turkey necks are infused with Vietnamese flavors like lemongrass, ginger, chili, and fish sauce. Dining here feels like stumbling into a wayward sports bar, where the TVs blare Astros games, and everyone is donning bibs and comically large plastic gloves like cartoon surgeons while frantically snapping crawfish in half. It may be a little unconventional, but who cares? The food is really, really good. What to order: crawfish by the pound, turkey neck, phở" - chelsea thomas

"Things will get messy at Crawfish & Noodles. Each table at this casual Chinatown institution is lined in plastic and full of folks slurping crawfish and cracking spicy crab legs, only stopping for the occasional swig of beer. You can get seafood in dozens of ways, but the best way at this Viet-Cajun spot is in a boil. It comes smothered in garlic and perfectly spiced with loads of cayenne. Or, take the sweeter route and get your shrimp covered in a sticky tamarind glaze. But know that Crawfish & Noodles contains multitudes—besides seafood, it’s also home to some of the city’s most tender braised turkey necks. If you’re here, don’t worry about table manners because no one will blink twice if sauce runs down your arm. photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel photo credit: Richard Casteel Food Rundown photo credit: Richard Casteel Turkey Necks These turkey necks come served in a rich stew that brings plenty of spice to the party—with enough cayenne pepper to make your eyes water. By the end of your bowl, you’ll be thankful that you saved a piece of baguette to sop up any pieces of tender meat that sank to the bottom. photo credit: Richard Casteel Mi Xiao Noodles This dish can be inconsistent—sometimes, the shrimp is missing flavor, and other times, the noodles are too crunchy. photo credit: Gianni Greene Snow Crab Our favorite way to order the snow crab is by the pound and Viet-Cajun style. Sides like sausage and potato come smothered with flecks of garlic as the heat slowly builds with each bite, so add a few pieces to your plate. photo credit: Gianni Greene Tamarind Shrimp A little sticky with just the right amount of sweetness, the tamarind noodles help cool things down from the tongue-tingling Viet-Cajun spices. The plate is about 40% glaze and 60% shrimp, so get this dish if you like things saucy." - Gianni Greene

"When you eat at Crawfish & Noodles, things will get messy. At this Chinatown institution, each table is full of folks fully committed to slurping back crawfish and frantically cracking spiky crab legs, only stopping for the occasional swig of beer. And blazing through pounds of crustaceans smothered in Viet-Cajun spices while a Rockets game plays in the background makes this spot feel quintessentially Houston. But Crawfish & Noodles contains multitudes—besides seafood, it’s also home to some of the city’s most tender braised turkey necks, too. Bring every seafood lover you know and be thankful that you exist in the same universe as this place." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"For the ultimate Viet-Cajun dining experience, head to Crawfish and Noodles’s original location in Asiatown — or its newest outpost in the Heights’s Houston Farmers Market. Helmed by James Beard Award finalist chef Trong Pham, this Houston restaurant delivers explosive flavors, including its signature Viet-Cajun garlic butter-seasoned crawfish. When the mudbugs aren’t in season, Crawfish and Noodles still offers a solid menu of seafood, including blue crabs, shrimp, and snow crabs, which can boiled in Viet-Cajun spices or fried and served salt-and-pepper style with tamarind or straight black pepper. Pair with one of its noodle or rice dishes, like the com chien Thai, or basil fried rice with pork, for the full effect." - Brittany Britto Garley