James L.
Yelp
When the craving for Vietnamese food hits me, I usually head to Falls Church and Eden Center, but decided to check out Bep Viet, and after my visit, this might very well be my new local favorite for Viet cuisine.
First off, the décor and ambiance of Bep Viet can best be described as "understated elegance". The interior is tastefully decorated with Asian pottery and vases, wall art, and stunning prints with depictions of colonial Vietnam. The dark furnishings juxtaposed with all of the natural lighting from the large windows creates a very modern, yet comforting vibe.
When it comes to Viet cuisine, the two usual standard bearers are pho and banh mi; And with good reason since those two staples are delicious! And while I'm glad pho and banh mi are more common place in the overall lexicon of American dining, there is more to explore when it comes to the diverse foods of Vietnam.
While I LOVE pho and banh mi (I have both at least 3-4 times a month), for the past several years, I'm all about the often overlooked Vietnamese beef stew, Bo Kho. I'm always in search of a good beef stew, since seemingly every culture has their own version of a slow cooked, simmering all day pot of beefy goodness.
Bep Viet's rendition was fantastic! When the bowl arrived at my table, I could immediately smell the wonderful aromatics. And upon my first sip of the deep reddish rich broth, all of the subtle flavors of star anis, paprika, lemongrass, ginger, and garlic were all harmoniously balanced. What I especially like is that unlike at some spots, the cuts of meat at Bep Viet were not overly fatty with excess gristle, but contained melt in your mouth premium cuts of brisket.
While this dish is traditionally served with a baguette, I usually opt to have it with egg noodles; it can also be served with white rice noodles if preferred. But however you choose to have it prepared, this umami bomb of a beef stew is yummy!
Some of the other reviews mention that the service can be on the slow side, and I acknowledge this point. Bep Viet is a true "mom and pop" operation. I stopped by around 12:30pm during the lunch hour, and I only observed an older gentleman working the front of the house. I would imagine that this is the owner, and while I wouldn't say that he was necessarily "slow," because there were 4 other tables, I did have to ask to have my water filled and my food arrived in a not unreasonable 10-15 minutes.
I dunno...I guess I'm willing to wait a bit longer especially if that means I'm getting a real "home cooked" authentic tasting meal. I'm definitely going to be back to try their pho as well as my other Viet winter time favorite, the Bánh xèo crepe.
Prices are about on par with what you'd expect to pay at other Vietnamese restaurants. My meal with just water came out to a bit under $18 with tax and tip.