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I would give this place a 3.5/5! I came in on a Saturday night around 7:00 and it was pretty empty at first but later around 7:30, there were people waiting to be seated. This is the list of things I ordered: Thai Ice Tea Definitely on the sweeter side compared to most of the thai teas that I've had at other restaurants Lao Sausage I'm usually super picky with anything pork but the seasonings and spices were fantastic! And with the sauce and sticky rice, this is definitely an appetizer worth getting Tum Poo Khem (papaya salad with salted crab) If you're getting this dish, make sure you really enjoy fishy flavors because I had a hard time finishing my serving. The salted crab was yummy but the sauce they used for the salad was too strong for me. Thai Boat Noodles I love how this gives you an option to choose either light/dark soup and thin/thick noodles. My bf got the dark and thick noodles. The soup was good, the meat was okay, but the noodles were meh Tom Yum Noodles The soup is definitely on the sweeter side which I enjoy but again, it's personal preference bc my bf favors the broth to be more sour. The chicken and shrimp were good and the noodles were standard. Mango Sticky Rice This was unfortunately a let down. The mango was not ripe and it was on the hard side. The sticky rice's flavoring was good but the texture was just okay. Overall, there were some hits/misses but I would love to go back and try their other dishes.
This is a staple post-church lunch spot haha. We got the Tom yum, pineapple fried rice, pad kee mao, and pad si ew. We opted for the level 2 spice, which was just right. The Tom yum was the table's favorite. Light yet extremely flavorful. It was more so sweet than sour. Loved the chicken and glass noodles inside. The pineapple fried rice was sweet and savory, with nice chunks of pineapple throughout. The pad si ew and pad kee mao tasted pretty similar to me. Kinda just tasted like regular flat noodles. I'm used to more of a rich and sweet flavor from other restaurants. The pad kee mao seemed to be overloaded with large pieces of vegetable lol. Meats were tender. Although the noodle dishes were not the typical ones I've had in the past, they were still good. The noodles were thick and chewy. Fast and friendly service! The inside is relatively small, so if there are lots of people, it can tend to feel uncomfortably crowded. Thankfully, we did not run into that issue. It can also get a lil toasty in there. Ample parking!
The Thai beef salad was the standout dish for me. The spice was definitely present but it was the addicting kind. Super herby and light which I loved. The onions and cucumber balanced out the tender beef. I thought the pad thai was alright, it was on the sweeter side and could've been more flavorful. My friend said the crab puffs were solid.
Cute restaurant, has maybe 8 tables. Friendly staff and food is delicious. We ordered more than we can eat like always. A Lots of free parking in the front.
I was struggling to pick where I wanted to have lunch today and saw this place. I walked in to see it completely packed! With a wait! I instantly got excited. I knew with that many people it had to be good! The staff were as busy as bees and yet incredibly attentive. I ordered the summer rolls and beef salad. The summer rolls are the size of small burritos! Very delicious with the sauce! The yum nur salad was impressive. Subtle sweetness mixed with the heat of the Thai chilis. A refreshing taste to say the least. It was like heaven. Every bite was worth the wait. The menu has lots of items I'm excited to come back for.
Banh Somtum is one of my regular dine-in restaurant in Houston. Not only it is tasty, but the prices are also very reasonable. The dining room is quite small so it can get really busy during peak hours. I've tried a few of their dishes and they were all solid, but I can't help but to order Boat Noodles every time I visit. The broth is deep, rich and tangy. Bits of crunchy pork rinds and gai lan add amazing textures to the noodle dish. If you aren't too daring with spice level, you can request pickled peppers, or dried chilis on the side and adjust your dish to your liking.
First came here with a buddy as a recommendation because its hard to find a good place that knows how to make fried rice! It is my second time here and just as good as before. Will definitely be my new spot next to my work and recommend to anyone looking for a good spot after having that bad experience at any other one!!
This restaurant was very small and quaint. The workers were extremely friendly and courteous. My husband is Hmong so there isn't lots of places that sells papaya salad or lao sausage. He really enjoys this place and we had such an amazing time reminiscing nostalgic palates. Everything we ordered was authentic and delicious. 100% Shye (my husband) approved.
You need come to here if you're looking for Thai / viet food. They're pretty quick with service and their food is so good! I came here for the first time after the freeze to get some warm food! My dad recommended it he eats here often- dine in and take out! Support a family owned small business!
Stranded in Houston due to rainstorm on east coast that canceled our flight home, we searched for a meal to soothe our spirits. When life deals you lemons, go get some LEMONgrass Laotian sausage to start a wonderful meal at this unassuming gem in outer Houston. Great service and terrific food. We, as we do, ordered enough for a second meal later and enjoyed all the offerings at Banh Somtum. The water spinach was crisp and tasty, PA Lad Ma Nao (whole steamed fish in lemon a sauce) was delightful, the shrimp pad see ew was on point. The crispy rice with lettuce wraps had crunch and nice flavor. The papaya salad delivered the perfect balance of coolness and spicy heat. Our airport nightmare turned into a pleasant dream. It's legit, get some!
We came here on a Saturday for lunch but it was packed and we didn't have time to wait so we decide to come back on Sunday for lunch. The staff is friendly , the restaurant atmosphere is like every regular Asian small ma & pa restaurant . We ordered 3 dishes : 1) the Lao Sausage was tasty and has a kick to it. I would prefer if it was a tad more hotter in serving temperature . It was served with the sticky rice which was good but a tad more moist would of been perfect 4/5 stars 2) we ordered the crispy rice salad , it was tasty but I would like a little more flavor to it . 3/5 stars 3) we ordered the Talapia steam dish , the fish was good . They put fresh lime to it so it taste good but when the lime is cook too long then the rind from the lime make it a tad bitter 4/5. Would prefer if this dish serve with some dipping sauce . Please remove the fresh lime , maybe use lemon and lime leaves only . The rind kill the good taste of the broth you prepared .
that Lao Sausage is why I keep returning. I haven't had any others that can fulfill my craving besides here. Their papaya salad and pad Thai are both must choices too. I really want to try their crispy chicken skin, but I'm always too late and they're sold out for the day. The service is swift and kind and call early if you're getting togo, everything is made to order read more
I was meeting a friend near the airport and were in the mood for Thai food and they had previous been to this restaurant so suggest we go there. The restaurant is small but the service is generally quick. I ordered the Pad Si Ew which was pad Thai but with thick noodles and more veggies. The flavor of the noodles and the tofu were really good and it was a decent portion size enough to fill you up. My friend ordered two dishes and both were good in terms of portion size and flavor read more
I brought my in-laws back to this place because our last visit was so good. My in-laws are pretty picky about their cultural food since they are from the motherland, so I really wanted them to try this spot. They are Laos-Thai (Isan). I know I said before that this place is not fully Isan flavor, but honestly, it is still better than most places in Houston. * Crispy Chicken Skin: Highly recommended -- it is always crispy, flavorful, and goes perfectly with sticky rice and the dipping sauce. Always a hit. * Chicken Fried Rice: We just discovered this one is delicious too. It has that amazing wok aroma and is seasoned really well. Even our toddler enjoyed it! We ordered no spicy, but you can definitely get it hotter. *Clam Stir Fry with Pepper: I do not know the exact name because my in-laws ordered it directly with the server. My father-in-law said it was decent -- the clams were a bit small and not super fresh, but still edible. * Thum Mak Hoong (Papaya Salad): We ordered the Isan version, which is darker, stronger, and way spicier. If you love spicy food and want something bold, get this one. It has a strong flavor from the crab paste and fermented fish sauce. It is a heavier and more intense version of Thai papaya salad. *Thai Boat Noodles: This is like a darker, richer version of Vietnamese pho. I really like it -- just know the portion is pretty big unless you share. * Tom Yum: I did not take a picture this time, but it is still flavorful just like last time. Overall, everything was great again, and the server was very friendly. The only small thing is that they do not speak Isan, so there was a little misunderstanding since my in-laws expected them to know the language because of the Isan dishes on the menu. But it was not a big issue. My in-laws liked the food here. It is a good place to visit if you are Laotian or Isan. We ordered everything Thai spicy and still asked for extra spicy -- my in-laws have a very high spice tolerance. I would not recommend that unless you can handle extreme heat... or your stomach and booty will be on fire later. Definitely recommend trying this place! read more
1 year ago
I would give this place a 3.5/5! I came in on a Saturday night around 7:00 and it was pretty empty at first but later around 7:30, there were people waiting to be seated. This is the list of things I ordered: Thai Ice Tea Definitely on the sweeter side compared to most of the thai teas that I've had at other restaurants Lao Sausage I'm usually super picky with anything pork but the seasonings and spices were fantastic! And with the sauce and sticky rice, this is definitely an appetizer worth getting Tum Poo Khem (papaya salad with salted crab) If you're getting this dish, make sure you really enjoy fishy flavors because I had a hard time finishing my serving. The salted crab was yummy but the sauce they used for the salad was too strong for me. Thai Boat Noodles I love how this gives you an option to choose either light/dark soup and thin/thick noodles. My bf got the dark and thick noodles. The soup was good, the meat was okay, but the noodles were meh Tom Yum Noodles The soup is definitely on the sweeter side which I enjoy but again, it's personal preference bc my bf favors the broth to be more sour. The chicken and shrimp were good and the noodles were standard. Mango Sticky Rice This was unfortunately a let down. The mango was not ripe and it was on the hard side. The sticky rice's flavoring was good but the texture was just okay. Overall, there were some hits/misses but I would love to go back and try their other dishes. read more
This is a staple post-church lunch spot haha. We got the Tom yum, pineapple fried rice, pad kee mao, and pad si ew. We opted for the level 2 spice, which was just right. The Tom yum was the table's favorite. Light yet extremely flavorful. It was more so sweet than sour. Loved the chicken and glass noodles inside. The pineapple fried rice was sweet and savory, with nice chunks of pineapple throughout. The pad si ew and pad kee mao tasted pretty similar to me. Kinda just tasted like regular flat noodles. I'm used to more of a rich and sweet flavor from other restaurants. The pad kee mao seemed to be overloaded with large pieces of vegetable lol. Meats were tender. Although the noodle dishes were not the typical ones I've had in the past, they were still good. The noodles were thick and chewy. Fast and friendly service! The inside is relatively small, so if there are lots of people, it can tend to feel uncomfortably crowded. Thankfully, we did not run into that issue. It can also get a lil toasty in there. Ample parking! read more
The Thai beef salad was the standout dish for me. The spice was definitely present but it was the addicting kind. Super herby and light which I loved. The onions and cucumber balanced out the tender beef. I thought the pad thai was alright, it was on the sweeter side and could've been more flavorful. My friend said the crab puffs were solid. read more
I was struggling to pick where I wanted to have lunch today and saw this place. I walked in to see it completely packed! With a wait! I instantly got excited. I knew with that many people it had to be good! The staff were as busy as bees and yet incredibly attentive. I ordered the summer rolls and beef salad. The summer rolls are the size of small burritos! Very delicious with the sauce! The yum nur salad was impressive. Subtle sweetness mixed with the heat of the Thai chilis. A refreshing taste to say the least. It was like heaven. Every bite was worth the wait. The menu has lots of items I'm excited to come back for. read more
11 months ago
6 months ago
Banh Somtum is one of my regular dine-in restaurant in Houston. Not only it is tasty, but the prices are also very reasonable. The dining room is quite small so it can get really busy during peak hours. I've tried a few of their dishes and they were all solid, but I can't help but to order Boat Noodles every time I visit. The broth is deep, rich and tangy. Bits of crunchy pork rinds and gai lan add amazing textures to the noodle dish. If you aren't too daring with spice level, you can request pickled peppers, or dried chilis on the side and adjust your dish to your liking. read more
1 year ago
First came here with a buddy as a recommendation because its hard to find a good place that knows how to make fried rice! It is my second time here and just as good as before. Will definitely be my new spot next to my work and recommend to anyone looking for a good spot after having that bad experience at any other one!! read more
This restaurant was very small and quaint. The workers were extremely friendly and courteous. My husband is Hmong so there isn't lots of places that sells papaya salad or lao sausage. He really enjoys this place and we had such an amazing time reminiscing nostalgic palates. Everything we ordered was authentic and delicious. 100% Shye (my husband) approved. read more
3 years ago
You need come to here if you're looking for Thai / viet food. They're pretty quick with service and their food is so good! I came here for the first time after the freeze to get some warm food! My dad recommended it he eats here often- dine in and take out! Support a family owned small business! read more
3 years ago
Stranded in Houston due to rainstorm on east coast that canceled our flight home, we searched for a meal to soothe our spirits. When life deals you lemons, go get some LEMONgrass Laotian sausage to start a wonderful meal at this unassuming gem in outer Houston. Great service and terrific food. We, as we do, ordered enough for a second meal later and enjoyed all the offerings at Banh Somtum. The water spinach was crisp and tasty, PA Lad Ma Nao (whole steamed fish in lemon a sauce) was delightful, the shrimp pad see ew was on point. The crispy rice with lettuce wraps had crunch and nice flavor. The papaya salad delivered the perfect balance of coolness and spicy heat. Our airport nightmare turned into a pleasant dream. It's legit, get some! read more
11 months ago
11 months ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
We came here on a Saturday for lunch but it was packed and we didn't have time to wait so we decide to come back on Sunday for lunch. The staff is friendly , the restaurant atmosphere is like every regular Asian small ma & pa restaurant . We ordered 3 dishes : 1) the Lao Sausage was tasty and has a kick to it. I would prefer if it was a tad more hotter in serving temperature . It was served with the sticky rice which was good but a tad more moist would of been perfect 4/5 stars 2) we ordered the crispy rice salad , it was tasty but I would like a little more flavor to it . 3/5 stars 3) we ordered the Talapia steam dish , the fish was good . They put fresh lime to it so it taste good but when the lime is cook too long then the rind from the lime make it a tad bitter 4/5. Would prefer if this dish serve with some dipping sauce . Please remove the fresh lime , maybe use lemon and lime leaves only . The rind kill the good taste of the broth you prepared . read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Authentic and probably the best Thai/Lao restaurant in Houston. Pros - everything. I haven't had a dish from here that's short of good as f&$! Con - location. I wish they were closer either to Chinatown or the loop :') read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
Some of the best Thai/Lao food on the North Side of Houston. Definitely support your local business, they got their menu on point. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
I absolutely love this little Thai/Lao restaurant. It reminds me of homemade food and eating with family and friends. It's not a big or fancy restaurant, however, the authentic dishes are packed with flavors and I promise you won't be disappointed. I often order to go only because I'm always on the go but today my husband and I opted to dine in. It wasn't packed, time was around 1pm. I always order their famous Thai boat noodles, which is nothing like Pho so get that flavor out of your mind lol the broth has more of a sweet, sour and spicy flavor to it. It comes with bean sprouts, Chinese broccoli, sliced beef and green onions (but I exclude the green onions because I just don't like it). If you've never tried Thai Boat Noodle omg put it on your list but I will warn you, I've tried quite a few a few from different places and even in different cities, and not everyone makes it the same. By far, hands down Bahn Som Tum makes the best! The chicken wings were seasoned and fried to perfection and quite large (as you can see from the pictures) it also comes with sticky rice and tomato sauce dipping. For those of you that don't know, Thai and Lao people eat sticky rice daily and it's eaten with your hands no silverware needed. Hubby got the chicken pad sa ew and it was delicious even with no spiciness. So if you're looking for delicious authentic home style Thai/Lao cuisine and you're around the Northwest part of Houston, or willing to drive this way, check this place out. read more
3 years ago
Little cute Thai/Lao restaurants situated further north of Houston. Might visit again if it was closer...Everything I had was good but nothing specially unique to have me fixated. read more
3 years ago
Been here a few times but it now deserves a great review. Everything I order is always so delicious. Boat noodles and lao sausages are so flavorful. Very authentic!!! Love it. read more
I haven't been able to eat Laotian food since coming to Texas and I was craving it BADLY. I was relieved to find a place so close to my home. The portion size for the food was great! The food also tastes amazing with the perfect amount of spice. The laos sausage was the star of the show it was incredibly flavorful and it was hard to hold back from finishing the entire dish myself. The lao piek was super warming and exactly what I needed and the jerky was sweet and chewy. Will come back soon! read more
4 years ago
Everything was so delicious! The wait was a bit long but totally worth it for the food. We were sad that the crab rangoons were out and the Lao sausage was also out. We had the earl boat noodles, d10, and basil clams. All super fresh and delicious! read more
WOAH! Probably the best Thai food that I've had in Houston! Omg everything was so flavorful and surprisingly so affordable! Got the pad kee mao (stir fried thick rice noodles) and the Thai beef salad (yum nur)! So freaking good! Definitely worth coming back here! read more
5 years ago
Real asian food for asian customers. You can tell when a a chinese or asian restaurant cook for americans, their food are extremely mediocre, bland and nothing stands out. I give Banh Somtum 5 stars because this restaurant is not one of those. I visited the place with no expectation and boy I was impressed. One of the best papaya salad I've ever had in the United states. My husband ordered Green Curry Fried Rice. it tastes and smells awesome. It felt like I was having a real meal in southeast asia. For desert, We ordered sticky rice. It was okay, not the best, I've had better. Overall I would highly recommend this place. Very authentic. Good chef/cook from the kitchen. Regarding service, they are a small restaurant with only 2 servers and I believe there are less than 3 people in the kitchen. I visited on a Friday night. There were a birthday party with over 20 people, all other tables were full too. Despite the chaos, The two young waiter and waitress was very calm and quick to respond. The atmosphere was good. Friendly and attentive staff I will def come back and try more yummy dishes. read more
3 years ago
I ordered the Thai boat and the chicken wings with tomato sauce...the chicken wing had no flavor...but with the tomato sauce...it was good...I would have preferred the chicken itself to be well seasoned...the Thai boat was descent... read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
We stopped here while visiting the area per recommendation of several people. Friendly and helpful staff. We were all satisfied with our meals. The spring rolls were delicious too! Good serving size. Very quiet and cozy table seating perfect for small or bigger groups. read more
I wish I lived closer to this spot - SO GOOD. When you find legit/real Thai or Laos (especially) restaurants in Houston - treasure! Must try items: sausage, jerky (get two orders trust me), and the larb! I've tried chicken beef and pork larb, all are delicious. The boat noodle is also very tasty, my favorite combination is the dark broth with thick noodles. Heads up, everything besides the boat noodle comes with an order of sticky rice and more importantly the sausage and jerky does sell out especially on peak business days (weekends/nights). read more
2 years ago
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3 years ago
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More info about Banh Somtum
13420 State Hwy 249
Ste D
Houston, TX 77086
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(281) 630-1319
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Banh Somtum - laotian - Updated August 2026
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