Nam Giao

"One thing is certain: Nam Giao has the youth vote. There are usually young couples canoodling over delicate, tiny ramekins of steamed bánh bèo and unwrapped banana leaves. Everything is impressively tiny, like carefully constructed works of art. The dishes are tender and complex with dried shrimp and pork, and periwinkle snails. This culinary wonder is conveniently disguised as a strip center restaurant, and we’re happy to be in the know." - chelsea thomas

"This family-run restaurant, which specializes in Central Vietnamese cuisine, garnered nationwide attention when chef and owner Ai Le became a James Beard semifinalist in 2023, proof that some of the most exceptional food can be found in modest surroundings. Houstonians have fallen head over heels for the banh beo chen, or steamed rice cake saucers, and the banh quai vac (chewy glutinous shrimp dumplings). Regional specialties like bun bo hue (spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup) and mi quang (turmeric noodles with pork and shrimp) are also must-orders." - Minh Truong, Mai Pham, Eater Staff

"Tucked into a strip mall, this Bib Gourmand restaurant specializes in Hue (Central Vietnamese) cuisine at an affordable price. Diners can find crystal shrimp dumplings and bun bo hue, a beef noodle soup served with fish sauce and chiles. Other highlights include the banh beo, steamed rice cakes topped with pork cracklings, and grilled pork accompanied by rolls of vermicelli noodles." - Brittany Britto Garley

"The Huế-style Vietnamese dishes at Nam Giao’s dishes are impressively tiny, like carefully constructed works of art made with dried shrimp, pork, and periwinkle snails. This culinary wonder is conveniently disguised as a strip center restaurant, one which happens to have the youth vote. On any given night, there are usually young couples canoodling over delicate, tiny ramekins of steamed bánh bèo and unwrapped banana leaves. Maybe the kids are alright. What to order: bánh bèo" - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"Nam Giao, made even more popular after being featured on David Chang’s Ugly Delicious, is widely known for its excellent Vietnamese small plates like banh beo chen and banh quai vac. These dishes pair perfectly with their dark roast cà phê sữa đá, which is served still dripping through the metal French filter into a cup of sweetened condensed milk. When the coffee has finished dripping, mix it, then pour it over a provided cup of ice." - Christina Autry