I have driven by Lúa Viet Kitchen countless times, and it has always caught my eye. The other day, I decided to make a trip there for lunch to give it a try. After ordering at the counter, I took a seat in their dining area which is very spacious. My food arrived quickly, and I was pleasantly surprised by the portion size and the presentation of my vermicelli bowl. All of the vegetables and herbs were supremely fresh, giving off bright flavors. The grilled pork was tender and savory, adding a good contrast to the crunch of the veggies. It was filling, but that didn't stop me from eating every bite! I'd definitely come back and recommend Lúa to anyone in the Montrose area looking for quality Vietnamese food! read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Lemongrass pork vermicelli bowl - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Solid fast casual Vietnamese restaurant. They offer half price drinks during happy hour. Food is tasty and the layout is nice. You have a partial view into kitchen so can see and feel the intensity. Drinks were ok and food was very good. Prices are mid-range, on par for what you would expect for this type of restaurant. Service was ok but was there around time some folks were getting off shift so that probably had an impact. Had the chicken curry and a citrus and mint cocktail. Forgot to take photos but it was just a standard looking dish and drink. Usually don't order curry at Vietnamese restaurant but I was in the mood for it and this one surprisingly was very good. Typically for a curry I'll go to a Thai, Indian or Jamaican restaurant. Their curry was very similar to Thai style but it had a Vietnamese flair to it. Hard to describe. Hint of some Vietnamese spices with the traditional Thai style curry flavor that changed it up a bit in a good way. They also mixed some vermicelli noodles into the curry which added something new. The chicken was quality chicken and cooked well. I've found lately not all chicken is equal so worth noting it was high quality chicken. Overall I really liked the curry and would definitely order it again. Had the curry with the sticky coconut rice instead of regular rice. I didn't care for it at all. The coconut rice was hard, very chewy and sort of rubbery. It wasn't sweet at all, more in savory side so it worked with the curry dish. The wait staff had suggested sub'ing in the coconut rice for regular rice for an extra $2.99. So I was game to try it. The flavor was not bad but the rice texture was off. The rice was also browned on the outside like they fried it. I will probably stick with a Thai place when I order sticky rice in the future, pun intended ;) Cocktail was so /so, they didn't mix it well and everything was on the bottom. So first part of the drink was watery and flavorless and last half was heavy. Think the drink would have been good if they stirred it. My friend had the pho soup and he said it was good. I'd originally planned on pho but changed my mind when I saw the menu. In summary, nice fast casual Vietnamese place that has pretty good energy. It's very clean and prices are standard for that category. No comment on my cocktail as the mixed drink wasn't mixed. Curry was excellent but the coconut rice is a hard pass. read more

This place was on the way to work and is right next to my favorite matcha place's temporary location. To make my pick up order faster and easier I decided to order through toast. I ordered a shaking chicken or Ga Luc Lac. When I went inside to pick up my order it was nice, spacious, and smelled so good. The worker warmly greeted me and asked me if I had an order to pick up. The portion is pretty big and it comes with salad with pickled onions, chicken with onions and bell peppers, rice, and a lemon with salt and pepper sauce. The sauce that the chicken is in is super flavorful and the chicken is nice and juicy. The veggies and pickled onions add that nice burst of flavor. read more

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This place is fantastic! If you are in the mood for some delicious Vietnamese cuisine with fresh ingredients, look no further. I'd heard some rave reviews from friends and decided to check this place out a few months ago, and went again today. The restaurant is a decent size with ample seating - booths and regular tables. There's also an outdoor patio and a good amount of parking behind the building. When you walk in, you place your order at the counter and wait for it to come out at your booth. Both times I've been, I've opted for the Vermicelli bowl with shrimp because it is just so good!! The noodles are light and there's a lovely light sauce to pour over them. There are a bunch of fresh greens and cucumbers that go so well with the bowl and make it feel light and refreshing. Now for the shrimp - they are seasoned oh so well and come out nice and crunchy!! These were the reason I decided not to change proteins on my second visit. The portion size is substantial and I've always had leftovers for another small meal. The staff are all friendly and helpful and came to clear out our table after we finished our portions. There's also self-serve to-go containers to box up your leftovers. I've already joined their loyalty program and will certainly be back! read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Vermicelli with Shrimp - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Lua Viet is my weekly stop for delicious- if a bit expensive- viet basics. It's one of the only spots around for a fresh and light meal with varied proteins. Highlights include quick takeout next to the Menil lawn, vegan options, various fruit teas, and extra sunbutter sauce with the herbaceous and always yummy summer rolls. read more

LÚA VIẾT KITCHEN is located in Montrose in HTX. It's very spacious inside and plenty of parking in the back. The staff was pretty friendly. We ordered eggrolls, shaking beef, and pho. The eggrolls were ok, nothing special. The shaking beef was super delicious with tender meat. BUT the pho was really bad. The flavors didn't taste authentic at all. It just wasn't right. We finished as much as we could since I don't like wasting food. read more

Their Shaking tofu saved my life. It's one of few dishes I will unconditionally glaze to anyone who's willing to listen before starting to worry that I might be overselling it. Then those worries are immediately quelched upon experiencing its deliciousness again. I recommend dumping the entire lemon vinaigrette onto the dish, it pairs exceptionally well with everything and really completes the dish. Workers there are all super nice, and I enjoy everything about the ambiance minus the music (it's not bad just not my cup of tea). read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Shaking Tofu Dau Hu Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Saw this place when it was opening but I have never been since I know it's not authentic Vietnamese. And finally made it and yep it's a bit fusion which is OK. For sure this won't be in my list IG I'm craving for Vietnamese food. read more

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Overall very delicious and fresh food arced in a clean modern environment. They have a vast menu with plenty of options and all the food is great. Today we took our food to go, and I LOVE how big and filling the portions are. I was a bit bummed that our wok-tossed bowls did NOT come with a split fried egg rolls like the picture shows online. I would have ordered egg rolls had I known. Not pictures, but I didn't order an additional side of broth and they gave me a TINY portion considering it's $4. Also considered had I had a noodle soup, it wouldn't have added enough to my dish to be worth the cost. read more

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Very good food, great vibes on the inside and a great place to stop by for lunch. Quick service at the counter and nice staff. The food is always fresh and authentic tasting as well! Xoxoxo, Bob B. read more

My experience with Lua Viet Kitchen has been strictly delivery to my job in the Medical Center. My team and I have ordered here a couple of times because it's been consistently good The food is packed nice and always arrives at a good temp and neatly presented as well. On our first try, boss lady ordered it without telling us and got everyone the same meal. We got Shaking Beef Bo Luc Lac and it's been or go to ever since. It comes with a generous portion of cubed, tender beef tenderloin. The cook on it is just right but you can order it to your liking as well. The seasoning on it is subtle but just right so you can actually taste the quality beef. It's served with a mound of jasmine rice which to me is the perfect side. A side of watercress salad is also served and comes with pickled onions, cherry tomatoes, and usually comes with a salt and pepper lime sauce. Online they advertise cilantro and scallion dipping sauce but we have never received that with our deliveries. The lime sauce pairs well with the salad though. The meal eats as a light and healthy meal but I'm always good for the rest of the day after eating it. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy ordering from here and definitely want to go dine in and try out the rest of their menu. read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Shaking Beef Bo Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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These dishes are incredibly photogenic. The plating and colors are outstanding. very modestly priced too. theres a parking lot. the place is big, plenty of tables, high ceilings. its not your hole in the wall viet place, or fancy sit down dinner kinda place. in fact its incredibly modern, fast casual. that kinda place always give me mixed feelings. does the food and aesthetic loose the authenticity or not? you order at the counter, then sit, and a person will bring over your food. shrimp summer rolls - a must get. they nailed this. my date got the Crispy Five-Spice Hen Ga Xoi Mo. and we both loved this. in fact, i wish i got this. chicken is crispy on the ouside, juicy on the inside. he opted for coconut rice, and it killed. loved the sauce on theside too. salad wasnt needed. maybe they can opt in for something else? i got the Shrimp Broad Egg Noodle Mi Xao Mềm Tom and didnt love it. the portions are huge. but i feel it was too greasy and spicy. the veggies were overwheling. i think there could be more flavor too, it was kina greasy and bland. love the bar on the side where theres drinks and teas, so many sauces to grab, i loved all of that. read more

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Came here for lunch and definitely enjoyed the food. I ordered the lemongrass chicken and it was tender and flavorful, just wish I had a little more chicken. I also ordered shrimp spring rolls which was delicious and fresh. The location is a little hidden but love the area because it seems to be in a peaceful neighborhood. The service was also friendly, fast, as well as the restaurant is very clean and organized. I definitely would like to try out more from the menu. I recommend for a quick lunch or dinner with friends or family. read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Lemongrass Chicken Ga Xao Xa Ot - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Great quality Viet food with dishes you don't see at every Viet restaurants. Even World Cup tourists were dining when I was there. Fast preparation of the food too read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Wide open space/ seating for elbow room. It's cool from The Texas heat. Ordered the fried egg rolls which were really good. Ordered the garlic noodles n chicken. It was dry, the noodles were dry and the small slices of chicken were dry. I added soy sauce but it was them too salty. I added the fish sauce to help and it helped the noodles and chicken just a little bit. We also ordered the curry chicken with rice and the sauce was really delicious but the The chicken was dry. Didn't get any pics as there are some on here . The wait staff are super nice. I mentioned the dry noodles to the wait staff and he said "yeah they are dry." And so..... I won't order that again but maybe order the fried egg rolls again. read more

It's been 4 years since I've last Yelped, but this was the restaurant that brought me out of retirement! Every time my partner and I moved, we keep a lookout for the restaurant that will become our weekly ritual: pho and bubble tea on a Saturday afternoon. Since we're fairly new to Houston proper, we're on a mission to try all the nearby Vietnamese restaurants. Lua Viet is not a bad place, but it is definitely a fusion restaurant and not a true Vietnamese style restaurant. I ordered the vermicelli with egg rolls while he ordered the chicken fried rice. They were both cooked very different than what you'd expect from a typical Vietnamese restaurant. The sauce in his was very thick and didn't seem like there was enough egg. My fish sauce was strangely heavy and didn't taste... well, fishy enough. The vermicelli bowl in general felt very "heavy", instead of being cool and fresh like you'd be wanting for vermicelli. Overall, I think it's a great place to try if you're interested in fusion style meals or don't want the "authentic" Vietnamese taste, but this is definitely more of a novelty restaurant than a true "get your pho cravings fix" spot for us. The search continues... read more

The food was delicious! The egg rolls were perfect and the pho was amazing! The green tea seemed watered down but still okay. The food took longer than what I'm used to however it tasted amazing so it's worth the wait. The restaurant is clean and decorated nice. read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - La Beef Soup Pho Bo - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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I ordered food from here via DoorDash after reading all the outstanding reviews. I ordered the salt and pepper tofu. There was nothing negative to say about this dish. It is some of the best tofu I've ever had. The amount of vegan and gluten-free dishes is extremely impressive. I cannot wait to try other dishes from here read more

Came in on a wed evening with some friends. Dress code: casual Food 4/5: got the beef pho and the pork spring rolls. Pho was good, spring rolls were only ok, pork wasn't super flavorful so it was mostly the sauce that gave it flavor. Service 3.5/5: self seating, order at counter and then food is brought to you. People are friendly and polite but food was brought out quite slowly Ambiance 4.5/5: very beautiful, great lighting and decor, brightly lit, clean Value 4/5: fairly average for pho, but since pho is generally decent value Overall 3.7/5: decent food at decent price in beautiful location with fairly slow service Parking: parking lot in the back and side read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Beef pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Unfortunately like another reviewer stated, unfriendly and rude customer service, experienced twice, maybe the other location is better but avoiding this location based on the bad service. read more

Service is horrible! I haven't even received my order yet! Rude fkn customer service. I would never come here again just based on that alone! read more

We went during the weekend. There was nobody there when we arrived, but we ordered and sat down. In a little while, we got our appetizer, and almost as we were finished, the rest of the food came. It was delicious, everything we ordered!! Beer was on Happy Hour, so they was a plus!! We are planning to go back soon to try other plates!! read more

Dropped in for a quick casual lunch after visiting the Menil Collection museum nearby. My friend ordered the dumpling soup and I got the chicken garlic egg noodle (mi xao toi ga). The dumpling soup was a generous portion with a flavorful broth and several pork dumplings. It tasted even better when we spiced it up with some chili oil (available upon request). The chicken garlic egg noodle dish was phenomenal. Generous serving of egg noodles (super fresh), well cooked juicy chicken, and super flavorful vegetables (broccoli and bok choy). I licked my plate clean! Very good lunch and great value. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Houston. Fast, casual, fresh, and totally delicious Asian food. It's always clean and consistent with excellent service. Food comes out a lot faster now. My favorites are the beef rice noodle, shrimp spring rolls, and the dumpling soup. This spot is addictive! So good read more

Delicious per usual. Two orders of spring rolls and two entrees was just enough for 3 people. The shaking beef held strong this week, and while it was delicious, it was mentioned at the table that they wished it had more in the serving. read more

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I'm having mixed emotions y'all! So I am just going to tell the emotions I'm holding way down deep inside about Lua Viet K! The food looked so good in the yelp photos that I had to stop by! And babay.... Presentation did not disappoint! Plus I was so happy they endless gf, vegetarian and vegan options! Plus they had the most beautifullest desserts behind that glass! So I order the tofu spring rolls to go, a tofu vermicelli bowl, and a gf cake. First, I had cash today so I was feeling like I was going lay it out like "BOW"! But she got me right and said something that similar to mumble about "my register no not manager". And I got the hint. So I had to pay w card. She wasn't extremely nice but not rude- maybe someone who would rather be in the back and hates crowds. I get it, I have my days too honey. Anyway, I sat down and it took about 5 minutes or so to get my food- and that's cool cause I know it's fresh! So here's where I'm confused. No I didn't order Pho, but I thought my bowl would be hot.... And it was not a cold dish either even though it had a salad on the side - right in the bowl next to my noodles. And I'm ok w food touching, but this kind of poked at my OCD tendencies a little. And the dish was like room temp. So, next it was beautiful to my eyes, but when I tasted it - it was like a noodle salad. So I added some soy and sauce and it literally became a spring roll bowl. Sounds good but the sauce was the only flavor. I wanted more flavor y'all! Even if it was a whole bunch of cilantro and crunch hot stuff. But there I am... I like fresh, vegies, Asian.... But I need flavor. Now the cake was amazing! Not too sweet but if u eat the whole thing the richness will pop up on you! It was smooth and creamy like a thick mouse! YUMMY. So I don't know. They could be a strong 3 or an okay 4... but I just can't give that 5 stars. read more

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I have been here before and remember the food was good but today it was less than memorable. My first bite into the pork spring roll was not a good beginning. I bit into a hard piece of pork that I could not bite through and had to pull it out of the roll :-( The other pieces weren't very tender but the sauce was excellent. I ordered the veggie fried rice because I wanted mushrooms, but the oyster sauce was overwhelming. I added some sauces and it was much better. read more

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As versatile and as popular the neighborhood of Montrose is, it has always been limited in the Asian food arena, in particular Vietnamese fare. Enter Lúa Viet, which has quickly become an destination for many folks looking for a modern approach to the cuisine. There's a lot of good things here, so I'll start with some positives: :: It's beautiful: The space is probably the most appealing thing, at least to me. It's bright with a lot of contemporary pieces that give off a casual vibe but also a tinge of sophistication. They've done an excellent job with the layout and designed it in a way where it's thoughtful and spacious. Whether it's the outdoor seating, a solo meal, or a group gathering, it's all possible here. :: Vegan / vegetarian options: I may not be vegan, but I appreciate it when there is an extensive list of dishes that are geared to the non-meaty palate. :: The parking lot: parking is a way of life in H-Town and to have a dedicated space with numerous spots is a luxury that is not common in this part of town. And the things I don't love so much: :: For the most part, the food was a bust. It didn't speak to me the same way it has for many others and this is after coming here a handful of times and ordering something different each time. There is a certain essence of flavors, from the nuoc mam to the ingredients, and I wasn't getting it the same way that I would in other more traditional places in Bellaire. I was not very excited with their signature Lúa VIet pho ga, or pho bo and was really not feeling their mi xao or hu tieu. I think the bo luc lac was probably the best dish I had in there, but that was just from the tender chunks of meat. The bun vermicelli, cha gio, and many of the plant based versions were bland. I had to go a little harder on the seasoning to get it down. :: The prices. $16 noodle soup bowls? $17 stir fried dishes? I know the rent in the hood is not cheap and the usage of their fresher ingredients might justify the prices but foodflation is not on my side when the food is not my bag. :: Ordering format: I don't mind the somewhat unconventional format of ordering at the front, certainly this format exists in many fast casual places. However, I feel like the staff isn't particularly jazzed to take the order. Two instances felt like my group and I were inconveniencing the staff member for ordering so much. Not a deal breaker but far from a highlight. At the end of the day, I feel they answer a certain demand that exists in this part of town. However, it doesn't really align with my tastebuds or wallet as much as I would like and I hope that changes one day. read more

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The place itself is very nice, very open space and they also offer the option to sit outside which is nice when the weather is nice outside. Service is not as good, the staff didn't really make me feel welcome. No greeting, no nothing and didn't really acknowledge my existence until someone noticed I had been standing at the counter waiting for someone for a bit and got the cashier. The person that took my food to my table, also didn't look very thrilled to be there and made it pretty known. Overall food is ok, service is meh. read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Crispy Five-Spice Hen Ga Xoi Mo - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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This place seems like the place to be. Had lunch with my colleague (human) and my coworker (dog) on a Thursday after some site visits. They've got a nice patio. It's super casual and across the street from the Menil Collection. Service was good. The tip function on the computer wasn't working, so be prepared to do some simple math and tip well! It was perfect weather to sit outside this week, enjoy it while it lasts! read more

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Across from the Menil, ample parking and also small patio, good menu options and tasty food. Pluses 1) freshly rolled spring rolls great 2) enjoyed the crunchy egg rolls 3) likes the won ton soup, taste homemade 4) Cornish hen my mom liked juicy and tender meat 5) we liked their ice tea, very refreshing Great place for fresh Vietnamese food, highly recommended. I've ordered to go before, but it's so much better for dine in. Moderate prices. read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Food - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Good place to eat, however, it is expensive for the food. You can find better and cheaper viet food elsewhere. The food was really good though, the spring rolls needed to come with peanut sauce but they came with a peanut-like sauce with hoisin which made it too too sweet. We did get our food relatively quick which is good. You order and pay up front and then get your food. read more

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I come to pick up food to go because I'm sick and pho is the answer. Either the staff don't care or the management is pinching every penny because there was practically no hoisin, sriracha, or peanut sauce(for the spring rolls) for anything I had. I need to CLEAR MY SINUSES YOU THINK I WANT TO COME BACK FOR MORE SAUCE JUST FILL IT UP AT LEAST HALF WAY. DISGRACEFUL read more

This is one of my go-to places in Houston for a fast and delicious meal! I have celiac (strict gluten-free), and I'm vegetarian, and have a great time dining here each time! The ambiance is cozy and calm, with a order-at-counter style. Given my dietary restrictions, the staff are very knowledgeable about the menu, and able to make modifications accordingly. For vegetarian, it's always great to double check if an item can be made vegetarian/vegan, which often ends up being replacing the fish sauce with a different ingredient. For gluten-free, they have items marked, but it is still good to mention it to them, so they can mark your order as gluten free and they notify the kitchen to be aware of cross contamination. The food itself is great! I love the shaken tofu and the lemongrass tofu. The lemongrass tofu has a great notes of lemongrass well-infused into the tofu and vegetables, and I enjoy the crispiness of the tofu in both dishes. The shaking tofu comes with a salad, though the sweet dressing with it is not my favorite. Neither dish is particularly spicy, but they have gluten-free hot sauce available to add. Overall, great place, and look forward to returning again! read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Shaken tofu - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

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Came here with a couple girlfriends because we were craving pho! The space is bright and airy. They have patio seating as well. You order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table. Our apps came out quickly but our entrees took very long. The food is a bit on the pricey side, but it's really good! They have a small bar and happy hour as well! We tried both the veggie spring rolls and shrimp spring as starters. Both were tasty and fresh. For entrees we had the beef pho, the chicken pho, and the shaking tofu. All were super delicious! I'm already planning to come back! read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Shaking Tofu Dau Hu Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Love this place! The food, atmosphere, and service are all excellent. I will definitely be coming back in the future read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

I placed an order online. It said it would be ready be ready @ 8:09pm. I received a text @ 7:47pm that my order was ready. I arrived to pick up my order 8:20pm & they didn't have a clue. They couldn't find my order so they asked me how I ordered it & the receipt. I had to log back in on my phone & show them both my online order receipt & text msg but also provide them with the order #. They kept going back & forth, talking to each other & checking their computer screen displayed over the counter. After over 3 mins they said "looks like we gave your order to somebody else". And that's all they said. No apologies or offers of what to do to remedy the situation. It wasn't until I was visibly upset & repeated what they told me that they then said they could fill my order. They said they will do it as fast as they can. I asked them how long & they wouldn't tell me. They just said they would work on it as fast as they can with all other orders. I said I wanted a refund. I had to wait another 5 mins for them to figure out how to do that. They then said they refunded me. I asked for confirmation text, email or receipt & they said they didn't think or know how to do that. I had to ask for any proof of the refund & explain why I needed it since he still didn't understand the issue. I then had to wait another cpl mins for him to just print out a receipt that shows items I ordered being negated but it doesn't show it was credited to my account or credit card. How do you give an order to someone else when their is a name & specifics of order? My order included a lot of specifics. Do not order online or over the phone or be careful if you do with this place as apparently they don't check names of run order specifics by whomever is picking up. read more

I always get the dishes with 44 Farms Premium Angus seared beef. The Bún Bò Xào & Hù Tieu Xào Bò are on point. I enjoy their hot and cold teas. Organic Matcha & Thai tea, Honeysuckel Fig Oolong are delicious. Try their desserts as well. The Flan & Keylime are a great way to end a meal. I always keep coming back because of the consistency, quality and organic options. read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - Wok-tossed Beef Rice Noodle Hu Tieu Xao Bo. - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas

Mid pho, I was incredibly disappointed by the meat, lack of bean sprouts, lacking the typical veggie tray most pho places give you . I understand it supposed to be the fancy "local farmers" stuff but it lacked so much of the authenticity that a smaller less bougie hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant would have. The mall music/ coworker music just made me and my friends laugh to add layers on to the already layered joke of people calling this place "gentrification pho". I gave it a 3 star instead of lower because I understand why this concept exists, but I still would encourage others to try pho elsewhere. Don't be scared of MSG, look into the history of why that seasoning was demonized read more

This is a bad experience. I ate 2bugs in the Pho. And the taste is not good. I hope they would improve their cooking environment. read more

Lúa Viet Kitchen - This is a bad experience. I eat 2 bugs in one soup. And the flavor tastes not good. - Vietnamese Near Me - Houston, Texas