It’s loaded with every type of Asian specialty you can think of, but most notably a good selection of roasted pork, like crispy Chinee pork and Chinese red pork, all absolutely delicious. It also has a huge election of Asian noodles, and I am not talking about a few dozens but maybe a hundred or more! If you are not up-on the variety of Asian noodles (the Chinese make more than 1200), this is the place to start to explore.
There is also a large selection of vegetables, such as water spinach, bitter melon, bok choy, Napa cabbage and Chinese broccoli. And to make things even better, many of these vegetables come from local gardens. Some older Vietnamese retire but still want to contribute to the family so a back yard garden is the perfect answer.
If you are interested in Vietnamese food, but don’t want to cook, there are several very good Vietnamese restaurants around. Kim Long on Division Street has probably been here the longest (It was open in 1992 when I first moved here). They have great pho (the national dish of Vietnam), egg rolls, stir fries, curry and tom yum. Vung Tau on Oak Street is also one of my favorites and I often stop by there and order just the broth of pho, one of the most delicious and nutritious dishes I know. VK Noodle House in Ocean Springs is a local favorite, featuring chicken curry vermicelli and also includes 16 variations of pho.
If you are interested in the Vietnamese community, make sure to explore (politely, it’s a place of worship and prayer!) the Buddhist Temple, also on Oak Street. The best time to visit is during Tet in February, which is the lunar new year celebration and the Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church. Tet is celebrated with a large tent, and lots of food and drink. Everyone is welcome!
