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Huong Binh Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Vietnamese Vietnamese [Edit]
1207 S Jackson StSeattle, WA 98144
Neighborhood: International District
(206) 720-4907
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Garage, Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
52 reviews for Huong Binh Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Their Bun Bo Hue is very very good."
(in 11 reviews)
"By far this is the best place to get banh hoi in town."
(in 10 reviews)
"The fish sauce was excellent and reminded me of my mom's."
(in 6 reviews)
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52 reviews in English
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Review from Jens J.
1/23/2012
I'll get to how our lunch was in just a sec.
But first I want to marvel at all the goodies they sell in the outdoor Sunday market in front as well as inside the restaurant. Inside Huong Binh every square centimeter of counter space is taken up by huge glass jars filled with a variety of treats, including a multitude of candies and even mango with chili. Plenty of bakery items too.
My friend Elizabeth and I were pleasantly surprised at the discovery of the Ding How underground garage, because all parking up top was taken.
When we arrived, the restaurant was about half filled. Based on Elizabeth's recommendation we each ordered a noodle combination plate ($9.50). I also ordered the Vietnamese Ham ($2.75) as a side. The Vietnamese Ham looked like sausage and was delicious! And for the price, I thought the portion was quite generous.
In addition to the vermicelli noodles topped with a little garnish of peanut and finely sliced green onion, our combo plates had beef, pork and shrimp kebobs and a dipping sauce. In addition, there was a shrimp "lollipop" (ground shrimp mounted on a stick of sugar cane). And on the side of the plate was a huge mound of lettuce leaves to make "sandwiches" with the other fixins'. This reminded me of the do-it-yourself chicken lettuce wraps at P.F. Changs. In a nutshell, everything on the combo plate was tasty. They do a real nice job here in how they season their meats. Like with the appetizer, the combination plate portions were very generous.
After eating, we ordered hot Vietnamese coffee, which was excellent. They give you a little mug with condensed milk on the bottom. Sitting atop the mug is a miniature "French Press" of a sort which drips the coffee down onto the condensed milk. Note that it does take a while for the coffee to finish dripping, but is well worth the wait. We had a leisurely lunch, probably staying here almost two hours.
Service was interesting. I think their philosophy may be to just leave you alone while you eat, but because the servers are always around, you can ask for something without any trouble. They don't bring your check to the table, you just go to the counter and pay. Cash only! -
Review from Tan Lo S.
10/11/2011
FINALLY!!!!!!!! REAL AUTHENTIC BUN BO HUE!!!!!!
Hahahhaa, I had to try their Bun Bo Hue b/c I hear it is the best in Seattle.
Honestly, I've tried so many BBH, that I can't tell who's the best anymore. But let me say, the BBH was sooo goood. Mmm the fish cakes or crab cakes in the broth was to die for! Oh sooo good! The broth was just on point, how I like it. I didn't have to add anything in it!
LOL. And I LOVE how they serve REAL vietnamese food. NO PHO! :)
I am planning on coming back to try their other rice dishes and noodle dishes. OMG!!!! I love it.
PS. They only take cash :/ -
Review from Adam C.
9/23/2011
I had the Famous Grilled Pork on the "intricately tied" thin noodles. The whole dish was delicious. The dish was accompanied by a subset of the array of random herbs that you'd find in Vietnam, but was a tasty addition regardless.
We both tried the deep fried sugar cane, which was difficult to eat, mostly because it is an entire, thick piece of sugar cane. No one has masseter muscles burly enough to get through en entire piece of sugarcane; you have to go at it at an angle, which is hard to do when you're holding a scalding hot item with chopsticks. I think that if they had sliced it a few times lengthwise it would have helped.
In any case, the service was friendly enough, the ca phe sua da was potent, and the food was tasty. I'll return! -
Review from David N.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
to note, not better than green leaf but still good. it's gone down a little bit since my review in 2008 but still good.
Listed in: Asian and U kno it…, dont banh me.. please pass the…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/31/2008
Hmm... so this place has the best selection of fish sauce base dishes in town. First the fish sauce… Read more »
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Review from Anne N.
Seattle, WA
9/9/2011 4 Check-ins Here
There are only 2 things I come here for. The first is the "Com Huong Binh" (broken rice dish with the charbroiled meat, meatballs, shrimp cake...) and the "Banh hoi chao tom" (vermicelli served with 2 grilled shrimp paste on sugar cane) or "Banh hoi tap cam" (vermicelli served with charbroiled meat, meatballs, shrimp paste...for $1 more)
Portion-wise, the "banh hoi chao tom" is pretty small compared to the other two dishes I mentioned. I've been here for over 10+ years now and I swear the portion just slowly gets smaller. Either that or I'm just getting fatter.
As others have mentioned, they have lots of imported snacks and goodies here. Displayed outside (near the ice cream freezer) and inside (near the cash register)..and even hung on the ceilings (cool Vietnamese lanterns)..this place is practically half restaurant, half grocery store... As a fair warning though -- most of these items are way over-priced. Similar/exact goodies can be found at any other grocery store around the area for much cheaper. -
Review from Chris N.
Seattle, WA
11/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
I usually come to houng binh when I'm craving rice. I use to come here a lot but one night my friend and I came in for dinner twenty minutes before the restaurant closes and as we walk in they said they were closed. We were kind of mad because technically they don't close until eight o'clock. So if you decide to come here come at least an hour before they close or you'll just waste your time driving there
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Review from Ann W.
12/27/2011
Green Leaf, I am so over you! Huong Binh has won me over after a fantastic lunch today. The prices are reasonable and the menu extensive for quality, authentic Vietnamese food. If you are looking for pho, they don't have it here. But they do have Bun Bo Hue, a pho cousin that is even better. I ordered a vermicelli platter with grilled pork and grilled shrimp. They were cooked to perfection and seasoned well. I loved wrapping the meat, noodles, and herbs in a lettuce leaf and dipping it in fish sauce! I didn't even care that I was being messy with nuoc mam and ground peanuts dripping from my chin and hand....it is so worth it. I believe it was only $7.95, and that is just a great price for the portion and the quality of food. Also, we had very friendly service and did not experience any problems. I can't wait to take my hubby here...he can eat with his hands and be messy and I won't be embarrassed!
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Review from Patrick L.
Renton, WA
8/6/2011
Ever since I was first introduced to HB years ago, we all order one item and one item alone. It used to be the #9, but npe it's the #11. So damn good! You get 3 skewers of charbroiled pork, grilled shrimp, an meatballs (the last of which can be hit or miss). My favorite part of the dish is the shrimp wrapped around a piece of sugar cane. Don't save the best for last and let it get cold--eat it first! What also sets them apart is the entrees with the clear glass noodles with dried shrimp sprinkled on top, and their potent fog sauce.
Just remember, it's cash only! Oh and there's parking downstairs, but the entrance ramp is ridiculously steep. If your car is lowered at all, make sure you use the back entrance/exit. -
Review from Rebecca S.
Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA
I've been going to Huong Binh for about ten years now, and I'm definitely a fan.
My favorite order here is the banh uot chao tom in a bowl, aka shrimp on sugarcane with rice roll, peanuts, veggies and a side of some wonderful fishy sauce. The shrimp paste wrapped around the sugarcane is juicy and flavorful and the portion is always more than I can finish, and under $10. I also like the pink coconut drink with jellies in it (che thai!!), mmmm!
Service here is great, the complimentary tea is delicious, there's free underground parking and I like how they sell baked goods and dried fruit and stuff there as well.
Huong Binh is easily one of my top five places in Seattle.
*CASH/CHECK ONLY*Listed in: Yes! Yes! Yes!, Cheap Eats, The I.D., Yelp Thinks I'm Special!
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Review from Jasmine H.
Seattle, WA
8/4/2011
I went in there and I got the Lettuce wrap thing with the noodles and meat haha I'm so white washed I know.
Decor was cute, it doubling as an asian candy store is also quite cute.
My food was totally fantastic, but I'm lucky I was with my vietnamese speaking aunt because our waiter didn't speak english. One of the huge flaws in eating at good Asian restaurants.
Otherwise everything is lovely but they did forget my aunt's soda. Cash/check only and me with my asian cheapness feels everything should be 2 dollars less cause I can make everything at home for cheaper. -
Review from jane m.
Alhambra, CA
9/26/2011 1 photo
hubby had the bun mung bit (vermicelli with bamboo and chicken)--he thought it was decent so he wanted me to give them credit for it. I had the bun bo hue which was filled with MSG and so NOT spicy. If I had rated only my dish, this place would have gotten a 1 star (one star for having parking). Maybe it's because we're from LA and I'm spoiled with the choices.
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Review from Ngoc-Diep P.
Hillsboro, OR
9/8/2010
"What bad customer services?"
Ok Ok....as much as I dislike an Asian restaurant that can't treat their customer right because they think it's above them or don't need it, I'm willing to look the other way and feign ignorance just so I can get their rice plate of grilled grilled nem nuong (awesome grilled fermented pork). Actually, anything with grilled meat at this place is pretty darn good.
Things to keep in mind:
Like any Internal district, parking for this restaurant is a pain, be prepared for some bumper bumping if you're going to park within the lot of this little plaza.
Set your expectation for services low. No they will not smile or be friendly. If you're lucky, when you come in, someone will point towards a table, other than that find a seat, take it or just stand confused a few minutes, eventually, someone will want to you stop blocking the restaurant's door. Try not to drop your utensils either, it will be a while before you can get someone's attention and get a replacement
The 4 star purely for grilled meat, anything else, I cannot speak for other food, except the banh cuon and pho which are only mediocre. As far as I'm concern, go here only for grilled meat because everything else is not as good as you hear from your friends and family. So if you're going to order something other than grilled meat, make sure at least, that your dish has some grilled meat because that's about the only thing this place does a good job of cooking. I also like that they give plenty of vegetables. It's not truly a Vietnamese meal if it lacks vegetables.
After your meal, go up to the counter to pay, again, let I remind you that service expectation should be low. They will provide you with a bill but you need to get your butt up to the cash register to pay. Again, do not expect them to smile at you when you do so.
When leaving, don't forget to buy the all the junk food and goodies they have in front of the restaurant. This is something that's truly unique and one of a kind for this restaurant. They have random junk food at the cash register and outside in front of the restaurant. Salted mangoes in chili, dried plumbs, seeds, Asian candies, and other hmmm...I'm kinda curious and want to try this stuff....Don't worry because it's placed outside of the restaurant, someone will come and serve you because they fear you'll try to eat some without paying.
This place, the food is good enough that I've been coming back....sometimes I wonder why....But it is convenient because there are other restaurants near by if I change my mind, my parents like it here, and if I'm not in the mood for poor services, there are other restaurants near-by. There is also a deli nearby if I'm not completely full, but you should be plenty full with the portion from this place.
Hmmmm...now I want some grilled meat! -
Review from Elizabeth T.
Lynnwood, WA
My favorite restaurant in International District. They have the best banh hoi thit nuong and bun rieu chua. Their portions and prices changed with the new management. Still the best food I have had outside of Orange County.
If you go, I recommend going on weekdays. They have unique dishes only offered on weekends or weekdays. I think their weekday dishes are fantastic. My favorite is bun rieu. Very difficult to find a place that offers it on the menu. Very few Vietnamese restaurants offer it, hence why I frequent here a lot. It is worth the drive from Everett! -
Review from jay j.
Seattle, WA
6/16/2008
My favorite Vietnamese place since early 90's..
I walked in one day and asked for pho! and the response was that they don't serve pho??!! Okay, then what do you have?...
HB is probably one of the most hidden jewels of Viet or ethnic restaurant for that matter in WA.
You have to pay a visit to this place if you like Viet or SE cuisine, really.
So, what do you order?
Hmm, well, I will tell you what I order.
On a cold rainy days, I order that noodle soup with poached half duck on the side (about $7.50?? can you believe it's that inexpensive? Available only on weekends, FYI) or combination rice dish with skewers of fish ball, shrimp, pork, shrimp paste in sugarcane stick and few slices of tomatoes for about the same price!
And a cold glass of Viet espresso on rocks with condensed milk would make my day.
The service? very fast and efficient! Cash only!
Wait times on weekends? crowded between 11:30 to 1PM.
Oh, and they have several dessert for if you dare to try. -
Review from Ha T.
Olympia, WA
9/30/2010
New management raised the price. Some portions are now the size of kids' meal. And they take cash only.
If you can forgive the above, they have pretty good "banh uot" and "banh hoi" dishes. They also make some of best grilled pork and sugar cane shrimp I've had outside of Vietnam. Hopefully that won't change with new management. -
Review from Eugene O.
8/31/2009 4 photos
I like Huong Binh.
A lady friend who happens to be Vietnamese took me here, and per her recommendation, I ordered the pork meatball and pork skewer vermicelli combo. HINT: You can order combination plates. Just ask.
Service was lightening quick, and I loved the presentation and hands-on approach of everything. Prices are dirt cheap. Parking is a bit sketchy (it's in a dark underground spot where I suspect trouble could easily lurk).
Yup, this is just my type of place. -
Review from Mia C.
Seattle, WA
3/16/2010
ADDICTIVE.
i'm a huge Vietnamese food fan. it's basically my soul personified in food. fresh, tangy, spicy, sweet, tons of veg's and meat cooked quickly over fire. yeah baby! i've had a ton of great stuff in San Jose and San Diego.
this place is amazing because it specializes in the noodle dishes, and i ordered...i can't even remember the name. it was a very wide rice noodle covered with crushed peanuts, served with grilled shrimp, thai basil, cilantro, fish sauce, and lettuce on the side. and man, it is AWESOME and addictive! take a piece of lettuce, tuck the noodles, meat, and veggies inside, dunk in fish sauce and slurp it down.
i wish i could tell you what else i've ordered, but i'm soo hooked on the above, it's the only thing i've ordered. but i do know that all their noodles are pretty amazing, fresh, and tasty. don't order rice, man. get their noodle dishes. you won't regret it. this little place stands proudly next to the really great Vietnamese i've had in California. -
Review from Raymond C.
Seattle, WA
7/5/2008
Mmm, probably the best place I've had bun thit nuong (pls ignore my horrific spelling) in Seattle. The pork skewers are sweet and smoky with the perfect char. Getting it on a plate, as opposed to all in a bowl, seems to net you more veggies for a more satisfying meal.
When you get bored of that dish, move onto bun hoi something or another (the special with a variety of meat/seafood). The noodle cakes are tasty and the meatballs are not too hard nor too mushy. I suggest asking to substitute the shrimp skewer for another pork skewer, as the shrimp is bland and usually overcooked.
Their bun bo hue is pretty flavorful too, with a decent amount of spiciness. But the sparse amount of veg (shredded cabbage/herbs/sprouts) leave me feeling like I could go for another bowl. Seating and parking is often times difficult during peak hours, but your patience will be rewarded. Definitely try this place over the other new wanksta Vietnamese places with fancy interiors and higher prices.
*Gripe: people need to stop using the term 'hole in the wall' to label any restaurant that isn't a franchise or chain. Re-up your vocab son...* -
Review from Henry L.
Seattle, WA
5/27/2011
Went there for lunch with a friend a couple months ago. First walked in the waiters were just sitting there being lazy, rude and silent. One of them put the menu on the table like he didn't seem to care. The restaurant is kinda decorative with the lanterns hanging in the ceiling close to the other lights. Ordered two bowls of noodle soup. When the food arrived, one of them seemed delicious. The second bowl was oily around the top of the bowl, but looked okay at most. About halfway through the bowl of noodle soup, I discovered a small dead cockroach in the bowl! Didn't completely finish the noodle soup. Sick to my stomach to find the cockroach in the food. You would think that the food would be absolutely clean, but no its not. Didn't say anything about the bug in the food. Buddy paid and walked the place. Never going back to the place again. Wish there was a zero or half star here! *ugh*
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Review from Thy R.
2/10/2010
Ok... my co-workers/friends drove to China Town planning to have some lunch at Tamarind Tree. We got lost... and by accident, we saw this place. Since we try to eat anything or everything, we gave it a shot.
I don't know... I think it's the most authentic Vietnamese food that I've tried. I haven't been to Vietnam but I think I already have an idea haha. Everybody is talking in Vietnamese. We try to imitate them how to wrap those fresh vegetables. The food is very affordable and the serving is so huge! We had a lot of fun here. Good experience.
The only downside, I'm not sure if I can bring my family or gf here. How about if they like to use the restroom??? Yep, I gave you the idea haha.
But yes, very good Vietnamese food. -
Review from Kevin S.
Seattle, WA
5/1/2008
Nice little hole in the wall type restaurant that seems to sell everything from candy to dried fruit in addition to being a restaurant. That said, the food was great and the portions are quite large and normally I'd detail what I ate, but I can't spell Vietnamese names to save my life.
Suffice it to say... i had the combination dish.
Regardless, though the food is tasty. the fish sauce is solid and if it weren't for the furry little mouse that was hanging out by the jars of dried fruit I might have actually bought some.Listed in: Everything in the…
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Review from Howard C.
Seattle, WA
2/27/2009
This is my favorite place for bun hoi thit nuong or the dac biet with sugarcane shrimp. It is also my grandmother's favorite place for bun hoi. Mmmm... I gotta hit this place up again sometime soon. Be sure to substitute the sugarcane shrimp for the shrimp skewer because the latter is usually overcooked. The bun rieu is weak (not enough egg/crab meat), the com tam is very average and small in size, but the bun bo hue is serviceable.
The service may be spotty and the parking hard to find during lunch time, but it's definitely worth for the food. You can also call in and pick up to-go. Don't park in the underground garage unless you drive a POS car or you will risk being hit by people who can't drive/park. -
Review from Monte C.
Seattle, WA
8/24/2008
Heavily recommended from all my Vietnamese friends, so had to try it myself. I consider myself a seasoned pro. Having all the Bun Bo Hue from cities in Cali such as Stockton (pho king I), Sacramento, Oakland (pho king II), SF, San Jose (capital express way), West Minister. Though the bun bo hue didn't live up to it's hype, but the rice dishes look ridiculous
Service = Ok
Ambiance = Little Saigon
Food = Good, can't say great, will have to try again! Lots of Nuoc Mam
Crowd = Little Saigon
Favorite = Ambiance,
Worst = my expectations
Price = $
Final Say = Make sure you love your Viets!Listed in: Top Vietnamese
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Review from Bobby H.
Bellevue, WA
2/24/2009
New to the Seattle area, I have heard that Vietnamese joints are plentiful like Mexican burrito joints are in California. Well, I haven't found many great Vietnamese places yet, but I do recommend Huong Binh. They have delicious Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup). I would go here on a regular basis for this dish. I wouldn't say it's the best I've had (Pho King 2 in Sacramento), but it's up there in taste and authenticity.
My girlfriend tried the Bun Rieu and I wasn't a fan. Maybe it's because it was doused in shrimp paste (not a fan).
I wouldn't say it's horrible service. I'm Vietnamese, so I kind of expect an 'OK' type of hospitality. Not many smiles. -
Review from V K.
Bothell, WA
9/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hole in the wall but great food. Their ban hoi was delish. Free parking is a plus.
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Review from may c.
Seattle, WA
10/3/2011
Very sad. Our most favorite Vietnamese place for the past 2 yrs but found a dead cockroach in our soup yesterday :( We will find it difficult to go back after that experience.
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Review from Momo M.
Seattle, WA
7/29/2008
I never used to be a fan of Vietnamese food until I was introduced to this place. My Vietnamese friends tell me this is where they have authentic Vietnamese cuisine and a lot of families come here. And not at all like Green Leaf or Tamarind Tree, where food is overpriced and their clientele is obviously not Vietnamese people but Caucasians.
This place is usually very busy, but the wait isn't very long. Their service is fast, and food arrives fairly quickly. I usually order their Bun Bo Hue or their combo rice noodles in a bowl. I prefer ordering it in a bowl because it saves the mess of having to use my hands, and I can just pour all their fish sauce on top. Their Bun Bo Hue is very very good. It has a nice spicy broth, not too mild. And their noodles are nice and chewy. I'm more of a veggy person, and they give a hefty amount of vegetables with their noodles. Their combo rice noodles are extremely tasty, it goes very well with their fish sauce. I also love their pork skewers - their bbq one and their meatball one. Also when you ask for it in a bowl, they don't use skewers, which is a plus for me, and it comes with bean sprouts - something they don't have if its served in a platter.
I highly recommend this place for anyone who wants authentic Vietnamese food. I always come to this place when I have a hankering for Vietnamese cuisine, which can sometimes be once a week.
Pros: Great fish sauce; Food is deeelicious; fast service; consistency in taste; parking is available
Cons: Servers aren't all that friendly; CASH ONLY -
Review from Stephanie L.
Bellevue, WA
4/22/2011
SO GOOD! I only get one thing here and it's the vermecilli bowl with grilled pork, meatballs and shrimp skewers. The bowl comes with a huge serving of noodles, lettuce, bean sprouts and herbs with the skewers on top. I pour the fish sauce mixture all over and demolish the whole thing. It definetely hits the spot everytime.
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Review from Stacey D.
Seattle, WA
4/21/2011 6 Check-ins Here
By far this is the best place to get banh hoi in town! Everything else here is okay, but I mainly just go here for their banh hoi thap cam. They give you a great portion with plenty of herbs and a great variety of meat. I especially enjoy the shrimp wrapped in sugar cane plus the nem nuong meatballs with the banh hoi (delightfully tasty)!
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Review from tu d.
Bellevue, WA
5/15/2011
Been here multiple times and i can say the food is pretty much average and the only reason i came back here was my mom's boyfriend wanted to eat here and i had a good feeling that he was going to pay for mine also.:) The food is same but i saw the menu and pretty much everything on the menu have gone up $2 on pretty much on everything.
The reason for this was for fresh coat of paint to make it a little more "clean", which is pretty much all the restaurant around i see is doing, maybe trying to copy tamarine tree? I would rather have there crusty look, so i can have a cheap eats. Don't really have a reason to come back here maybe another free meal by mom's boyfriend or maybe try their signature dish that is recommended by my fellow yelpers. -
Review from Bryan M.
Seattle, WA
3/23/2008
Pretty good vegetarian Com Chay type dish, which I've found hard to find. Pretty much the only vegetarian option here though. Service was very direct and quick, making it a good weekday lunch option, although it's further into the ID and has less vegetarian options that places like Green Leaf.
Cash only! -
Review from Linh H.
Seattle, WA
1/6/2010
My dad is obsessed with this place simply because he hates to try new things and because it's conveniently located next to CD and video stores in the Intl District.
It seems like the vegetable servings have gotten skimpier within the last few months, especially in the banh hoi plate.
I think the food here is okay tasting. The staff are very indifferent and I don't think I've seen one of them smile at us in the years we've been going here.
I go here because my dad takes our family, not out of choice since there are better places for Vietnamese food in the Intl District. -
Review from Yvonne D.
2/5/2011
This place's food's ok, the only thing I come back here to eat is the Bun dat biet, I like the bbq meat skewers and the shrimp wrap around the sugar cane thinggy, but the service here's not very good. Most of my friends don't wanna go with me when I ask them to go to this place with me because of the service... so if you have great patient and don't mind some rude service, maybe you can try the vermicelli here.
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Review from Thomas L.
1/23/2010
Best place to get two things:
banh hoi - Vietnamese dish consisting of rice vermicelli woven into intricate bundles and often topped with chopped scallions or garlic chives sauteed in oil. This one is often match with some meat dish.
bun bo hue - vermicelli (almost udon-like) with broth of large variety of different spices including lemon grass and chili, includes thin slices of marinated beef shank, chunks of well-cooked oxtail, and pig's knuckles or pork. It can also include cubes of congealed pig blood.
Both are traditional and made very well and if you don't know these two dishes, then you ought to try it. Beware the bun bo hue is not necessarily for everyone (and it can be quite spicy!) -
Review from CaLiLu H.
Happy Valley, OR
6/23/2009
Huong Binh is the only Vietnamese restaurant my hubby and I will ever eat at when we're in Seattle. Mostly because they served banh hoi (rice noodle sheets) when there was a time we weren't able to get it in Portland. However, this is the first time we've been back in a couple of years and it seems like the food has changed.
My husband wasn't really hungry so he just ordered the banh bot loc (tapioca dumplings filled with pork and shrimp) which was quite expensive at 8/$6 due the super small size of them...although he did mention remembering that they were larger? They also lacked a bit of flavor (more nuoc mam/fish sauce maybe?) and the tapioca was a little hard. I ordered the combination banh hoi which came with nem nuong (Vietnamese cured pork) that tasted like regular pork meatballs, charred shrimp, bland chao tom (sugarcane shrimp), and flavorful grilled pork. Although I did like their grilled pork and dipping sauce it just didn't seem as good as it was the last time we were here. The veggies that came with my dish was also pretty paltry and limited to one lettuce leaf and some cilantro.
We were disappointed with our most recent experience here because we have experienced better food and service from HB in the past. Maybe we were just there on an off day? If we're ever in Seattle again we might try HB again but then again so many new Vietnamese restaurants have opened up since then so we might go there instead. -
Review from James C.
Seattle, WA
3/3/2011 8 Check-ins Here
Cash Only...the price and the dishes are very good. I come here often after work or whenever I'm in the area and have cash.
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Review from charlie d.
Seattle, WA
8/15/2009
I've been a few times over the last couple of months and have had outstanding meals every visit. I think this is one of the very best Vietnamese restaurants in Seattle for food.
The 'steamed' pork meatball, listed as the first starter, is actually steamed and then deep fried, and is unbelievably good. The salad rolls are very tasty, the dip not too peanut-y. The best dish I had was grilled pork over rice noodles. Plenty of sweet, charred, slightly fatty marinated pork with scallions, peanuts and a ton of vegetables (pickled carrots and radish, shredded lettuce, mint and cucumber) with a deliciously piquant sauce to pour over the top.
Nothing to complain about with the service. One of the guys who works there lent some suggestions the first time I was in, and has been welcoming ever since.
The room isn't as fancy as Tamarind Tree, or as cute and cozy as Green Leaf, but it's spare and clean and nearly always full of people.
No reason to park in the cramped lot as there's street parking available on Jackson to the east of 12th, right in front of the complex. It is quite a walk to the closest cash machine, by the way. -
Review from James G.
Foster City, CA
5/13/2007 3 photos
yay! great find. great quality. great affordable prices.
good charbroiled pork over rice. 3 generous skewered grilled pork sticks.
good spicy beef noodle soup. HOT and yummy!
Cons:
-1 STAR for not providing a bowl of soup/broth with the pork BBQ and rice...
-1 STAR for not accepting credit cards
I anticipate coming back to Seattle and experiencing other great finds like this. I'd definitely com back! -
Review from Millie D.
Menlo Park, CA
11/27/2007
This is my favorite Vietnamese place in Seattle. The food is great, the service is fast, and the prices are cheap! What more could you ask for? I often crave the charbroiled pork vermicelli dish which consists of succulent pieces of pork, grilled perfectly on a skewer, and brought out with noodles and plenty of fresh mint and basil as accompaniments.
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Review from Hannah C.
Seattle, WA
9/7/2008
This restaurant is good because of its location, and because it offers a wider variety of bun, with the exception for Pho. Recently they've added the chicken Pho which is (if you add all of the condiments and vegetables) tastes more like Canh Chua. The waiters there were kind of rude. Parking is good in the downstairs garage.
