Ngoc Chau !

This place used to be called Kim Chau, but it turns out there's another noodle shop on the West side of town called Kim Chau. Not coincidentally, both restaurants serve a great bun bo hue, a spicy broth filled with rice noodles, pork, blood jelly and herbs. Yummy.

Monday, after returning from Honduras, we had to get our noodle fix, so we went to Ngoc Chau. This time, I had bun mang vit, rice noodles in a light peppery broth with steamed duck you dunk in a sweet nuoc mam. Into the broth and noodles you put things like banana blossom, thin strips of lettus, basil and mint, and rau ram (Vietnamese coriander). The taste is light and soothing--perfect for the summer.

The restaurant is clean. The iced tea is dark and tasty. The service is quick but forgetful. Overall, one of the best noodle shops in Houston.