Quan Ba Ky - Review - Alief - Houston - The Infatuation

"Maybe you’re here because you saw a viral post about some noodles online. Or you were dragged in like a cartoon cat by the alluring aroma of garlicky crawfish. Either way, you’re here now, and that means you’re ordering the bun suong ba ky, conveniently labeled “TikTok Noodles” on the menu. What makes this Mekong Delta specialty so special—besides being nearly impossible to find anywhere else in Texas—is the broth: a slow-cooked pork and radish base that’s clear, savory, and subtly sweet, like the kind of soup you crave when you're sick, hungover, heartbroken, or just pretending to be any of the above to justify a second bowl. It's topped with roasted peanuts, shrimp, and some excellent oblong seafood meatballs that soak up the broth and add a little bounce with every bite. Start with a bowl for every person at the table, then build the rest of your meal around that. Order some garlicky crawfish as hot as you can handle it—the spiciest option isn’t that bad—and round out the meal with an order of crispy spring rolls packed full of coarsely minced pork and shrimp. Food Rundown Drinks The lemongrass limeade is bright and earthy, while the coconut kumquat strikes a balance between sweet and bitter, thanks to a few large chunks of kumquat floating around. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Bun Suong Ba Ky This is the main event, and it’s absolutely worth a not-so-convenient detour from nearly any stretch of Houston. The subtly sweet broth clings to the thin noodles, and the seafood meatballs are perfectly springy. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Spring Rolls These look standard issue, but inside they’re packed with coarsely ground pork and thick-cut shrimp that puts them up there with any of the best we’ve had in the area. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary Crawfish We ordered a blend of crawfish and shrimp—which are impressively big—in the “magic mix,” a garlicky, finger-licking seasoning that’s more flavorful than fiery. photo credit: Nicolai McCrary" - Nicolai McCrary