After our Easter Sunday hike, Dad and I made our way to Hue Restaurant. Currently their bun bo hue is the trending Vietnamese culinary delight in the South Bay. Hue is located close to the Payless Nursery in East San Jose that we often visit; I’ve tried to get my parents to eat there before, but to no avail. (Mom prefers to stick with what she knows best so we usually end up at TK Noodle.)
As a testament to its popularity, the restaurant was packed even at 3pm. Both my dad and I opted for Hue’s signature bun bo hue. I also ordered a side of banh beo rice cakes (aka a Vietnamese street food that Hue is also known for, at least according to Yelp).
With gusto, we dug into the rich flavors and hearty broth. However, it was not long before a clear difference in opinion emerged. I found the bun bo hue to be a harmonious blend of tastes, but my dad claimed it was “too sweet” for his palate. He also refused to try any banh beo, citing the shrimp powder topping as a major turnoff.
When the meal drew to a close, our bellies were full. Even though Dad’s not the biggest fan of Hue, he’s willing to come back to let Mom form her own opinion. (There are many possible dishes that she might enjoy.) As for me, I see it as a good possible spot for gatherings with friends; the biggest drawback would be its location, which is a bit far from Cupertino.
