Hien Vuong--I always refer to it as "the Vietnamese place in the city market"--does a very nice mid-week lunch trade. This, despite its somewhat drab atmosphere. Basically it feels like you are eating in someone's garage. Which, face it, you kind of are. The most interesting aspect of eating here is the possibility that the restaurant will be crowded enough for the "hostess" to seat you with complete strangers. Like many old school lunch spots, they have a couple big tables that are meant to be shared. That being said, it's really no big deal, it's not like anyone talks to me.
The food here is humble in appearance but very tasty. The staples of Vietnamese cuisine such as Pho, Bun and the ubiquitous Vietnamese spring rolls are represented and they do not disappoint. Certainly a classier joint like Sung Son takes full advantage of the visual potential of these foods, but Hien Vuoung simply throws the stuff in a bowl and turns you loose.
Like most sit-down places, this lunch spot is not geared to the lone diner. For reasons that I will deftly avoid, I find myself eating solo much of the time. If I forget to bring a book or don;t want to bother, I don't want to feel like a weirdo. Basically, I am content just staring into space but some restaurants make me feel uneasy when eating alone. After all the real genius of the coffee shop is not its role as a social center, but it's ability to cater to people on their own. In other words, it's fine to go get a cup of coffee and read the paper by yourself, but lunch is a different matter. By the way, why do I see no one reading in this town? Other places I've lived, I used to see a lot of folks reading on their lunch hours. Well, I'll conduct a more thorough investigation before denouncing Kansas City for yet another shortcoming.
KC needs more spots like Hien Vuoung: a place where you get your silverware from a cup on the table, a place where you feel comfortable sitting inside on outdoor furniture, a place where remnants of the previous diner's meal may be evident when you sit down, a place where you may be seated next to a total stranger. This is the essence of lunch, because the food is good and it's no bullshit. Actually, I've had better Vietnamese cuisine, but you can't ask for any more from a lunch place.
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2 comments:
i do not like this place. take a quick drive down 5th street, go under north 9, enter Columbus Park and you will be treated to three wonderful options for truly superior Vietnamese food. at Kim Long you can order at the counter, grab a table and wait for your steaming bowl of pho ga to be delivered, loaded with a mix of white and dark meet chicken, green and white onion and fried garlic. after you eat you can grab a bubble tea and pick your much needed asian groceries up in the attached market.
pho kc is also a FABULOUS alternative to Hien Vuong. grab a menu on your way in, seat yourself at a table and when the server comes to take your order i recommend the egg noodle wonton soup(amazing!!!). all the soups are superior here though. and dont forget the to try the hot chili sauce on the table. its mixed with fried garlic and oil and made in house. really kicks up the flavor in the wonton soup.
of course Vietnam Cafe is and has been the safe and consistent stand by for Vietnamese in the city for years and i think what needs to be said has already.
phome, thanks so much for this (and your other) comments! I have known about Kim Longs for a while and just haven't made it there for some reason. Good to know about Pho KC too. I appreciate not just the restaurant recommendations, but also hearing what you like to order. Hope you stick around!
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