Tamarind Tree

"We love Tamarind because the entire operation is so fast that you could be in and out in under an hour, having eaten some of the best Vietnamese food in the city next to a firepit or waterfall. You might be tempted to order the seven courses of beef, but the chili lemongrass beef noodle bowl and the lemongrass grilled tofu are the best things here." - aimee rizzo, carlo mantuano, kayla sager riley

"Tofu doesn't have a stellar reputation, but we're here to let you in on the fact that Tamarind Tree's lemongrass grilled tofu is phenomenal, and the best iteration of coagulated soybean curd in town. Eating it feels like driving a brand new convertible home right off the sales floor, without paying interest ever. It has a charred sear from the grill, and it’s flavorful with salty, grassy heat, even throughout the middle—a place that tofu marinade seldom reaches." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

"Bánh Khọt “I love rice cakes in all forms, whether they’re the puffed kind, Korean garaetteok, or Chinese chao nian gao. So when I saw the bánh khọt on Tamarind Tree’s menu described as ‘Turmeric Coconut Rice Cakes,’ I had to order them. Even though there’s a special place in my heart for this Vietnamese spot’s excellent lemongrass beef noodles, these glutinous coconutty cups were the perfect vessel for some poached shrimp—and by far the best thing on my dinner table. Add on a touch of mixed herb fish sauce and I think I found my new favorite rice cake.” -Carlo Mantuano, Staff Editor" - julia chen 1, carlo mantuano, aimee rizzo

"Tofu doesn't have a stellar reputation, but we're here to let you in on the fact that Tamarind Tree's lemongrass grilled tofu is phenomenal, and the best iteration of coagulated soybean curd in town. Eating it feels like driving a brand new convertible home right off the sales floor, without paying interest ever. It has a charred sear from the grill, and it’s flavorful with salty, grassy heat, even throughout the middle—a place that tofu marinade seldom reaches." - aimee rizzo

"It’s hard to find this restaurant tucked-away in a CID strip mall, but it’s often crowded inside with people looking for an excellent lunch during the work week. If it’s cold out and you’re tempted to get the phở, take a beat. You’d be missing out on more exciting options, like the coconutty bánh khọt or the lemongrass tofu (our favorite). The tofu is rubbed with an herby spice mixture, has a terrific char from the grill, and somehow tastes meatier than the beef or pork. " - kayla sager riley, aimee rizzo