"There’s something about a sizzling platter that elicits excitement and at Bò Né Phú Yên, that delight and anticipation are well-earned. On a recent food tour of San Jose with a friend, they took me to this gem of a restaurant, hidden in a corner of the food court at Lion Plaza on Tully Road. This restaurant specializes in Bò Né, a Vietnamese dish that here comes with beef under a layer of red onion slivers and cilantro, a pork meatball, two eggs, and a smear of pate, all arriving blistering hot on a cow-shaped cast iron platter. Tearing off fluffy pieces of banh mi bread, we constructed bites with a smear of pate, bits of beef and onion, a smattering of just-set egg, and a hit of hot chile oil, all culminated in a perfect bite each time. The deep earthy hit of pate with the umami flavor of the marinated beef, along with the drippy egg made for a messy, but satisfying lunch. The restaurant is cash only, as are some of the other food stalls, so prepare accordingly. If you’re looking for a delightful second dish to try, go for the Bánh Khọt at Quan Hue in the same food court." - Lauren Saria
