Bun Bo Hue in Little Saigon

One of my favorite go to dishes for a wicked hangover is a piping hot and spicy bowl of Bun Bo Hue.  (For Gwai Los, Bun = Rice Vermicelli noodles, Bo=Beef, Hue=Central area in Vietnam where the dish originated.)  The broth has essence of lemongrass and shrimp paste and you dress up the soup with Vietnamese herbs and lime.  So hearty.  So delicious.

Thanks to my buddy filmmaker Ham Tran for taking me to Ngu Binh in Little Saigon in the OC.  This place was packed during lunch.  Don't even think about coming here for the weekends.  They have a small menu featuring pictures. (Very Asian)  The number one is the large bowl of bun bo hue.  The number two is the small bowl.  I found the dish to be as authentic as my mom used to make in my childhood.  

In addition, they make Banh Uot and Banh Beo, two types of steamed rice cakes topped with shrimp or pork.  The nuoc cham (dipping liquid made of fish sauce) is right on here.  They have the right amount of lime and peppers to put your mouth on fire.  Nothing here is over $8.   Small menu, big flavors.  They do everything right.

Ngu Binh, 14072 Magnolia Street Westminster, CA 92683 - (714) 903-6000