Tran D.
Yelp
Quan Hy is one of Little Saigon's long time gems located on Bolsa Avenue, known for Central Vietnamese (Hue) cuisine. They add a little bit of a modern flare to some dishes and a zen atmosphere throughout their restaurant.
I've been coming here as a little girl, and I've always loved their Banh Beo, which are steamed shrimp rice cakes served with scallions and a drizzle of sweet spicy fish sauce. I still adore these little cakes to this day.
It's been a little bit since I've visited, but being my aunt's favorite restaurant, I've been frequenting again! Recently, I've tried their #21. Bun Bo Hue Dac Biet (#21. a spicy pork hock/beef shank noodle soup that comes with both, pork and shrimp paste patties) and #43. Mi Quang (a wide turmeric rice noodle in a minimal broth base served with peanuts, rice crackers and stir-fried then simmered, shrimp and pork. These are the usual dishes I generally order upon stepping foot in a Central Vietnamese restaurant, so I know and love these dishes by heart. I think Quan Hy does these dishes well, but they aren't the best I've ever had. The food of Central Vietnam has a lot of zest, spice, deep flavors that are bright and loud. In my opinion, Quan Hy has a more westernized take on these dishes so the volume is turned down just a wee bit. By no means am I saying this a bad thing, just in my personal preference, I prefer the stronger punches on my taste buds.
I do have to mention though, I've newly discovered a new Quan Hy and now love. I wouldn't exactly consider it Central Vietnamese Cuisine but I'm currently editing my review and giving them another star for it! I absolutely fell in love with the #47. Com Ca Chien Bo Xa Lach. It is a salmon dish, pan fried in butter, cooked crispy on the outside and flakey on the inside, then served with a delicious umami sauce, a side salad and soup. I plan on eating this hundreds of more times, it is that good!
For drinks, I've tried Crème Brûlée Coffee, Coconut Coffee, Kumquat Sugar Cane Juice, and Soda Chanh Muoi ~ a preserved pickle-y lemonade mixed in with soda water. The Soda Chanh Muoi I dig, the rest aren't too buzz-worthy.
Service is very efficient yet friendly, staff are very nice and attentive.
Price range per person for an entree and a drink is going to be about $20. Not shabby for current times.
Quan Hy, although not always my go-to first pick, it is definitely worth trying and revisiting every so often!