OC Cravings: Hu Tieu Thanh Xuan
Every time I go down to Orange County I always mean to stop by Hu Tieu Thanh Xuan, a Vietnamese restaurant that specializes in these yummy clear glass noodles, also known as hu tieu dai.
But for some reason I always miss it and end up somewhere else. To make up for it, the Boyfriend and I have grubbed here three times already in the past month that I’ve been down in my old hometown. And every time I order their special Hu Tieu Thanh Xuan Dac Biet (combination style, with the soup on the side).
My combination bowl comes with shrimp, pork slices, a quail egg and crab claw atop a mound of glass noodles and served with a side of the house broth and some sort of tomato concoction.
I like to eat this dish by pouring the tomato sauce into my bowl and mixing it up with all the noodles, meat and veggies. Squeeze a little lime over it and I start chowing down, with a couple of spoonfuls of soup in between. This dish is one of my favorites and I’m so glad the restaurant is still around after all these years (thanks Mom for taking me here as a kid!)
The Boyfriend likes to order Mi Hoanh Thanh, or egg noodles with won tons. This big bowl is just about as common as Vietnamese pho and is just as hearty with pork slices and garnished with scallions and cilantro .
The best thing about this dish is are the homemade won tons and excellent broth. In my opinion, lots of Vietnamese soups are inconsistent in taste at some places but at this broth recipe is consistent and tastes the same every time.
For my last lunch in Orange County before I drive back up to San Francisco tomorrow, this is what I ate today; what did you grub on?
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On November 11th, 2008 Karrie said:
The food looks great and I love clear glass noodles.
I will put this on my list of restaurants to try.
Thank you!
On November 12th, 2008 Lilan said:
I hope you like it, Karrie!
Where’s your favorite spot to get hu tieu right now? I’m always looking for more restaurants to eat at
On November 23rd, 2008 Karrie said:
I was able to try this restaurant!
I got the number 9, similar to your dish, and the bf got the wonton.
Service was instantaneous.
It was very good.
For vietnamese food in the OC, I just go to the standard places…Brodard’s, the 7 courses of beef at Hong An. I just hop onto yelp.com for suggestions.
On November 23rd, 2008 Lilan said:
So glad you tried this place, Karrie!
I’ve only been away for two weeks and I’m experiencing withdrawals
Brodard’s Nem Nuong rolls are the best!! I haven’t eating 7 courses of beef in a while – I should take the BF there next time, ya?
Have you tried Quan Hy on Bolsa? They have the yummiest Banh Beo – the best I’ve ever had anywhere. The rest of the food is hit or miss for me though.