Vietnamese eateries – Seattle
 

At these Vietnamese eateries, the food is good and the price is right

The Green Papaya (600 E. Pine St., Seattle; 206-323-1923), making this Pike/Pine newcomer an obvious choice. That said, this Vietnamese bistro and bar is a far cry, price-wise, from my favorite Vietnamese cheap-eateries in Seattle's Little Saigon. But it's also far prettier and devoid of the inevitable language-barrier problems that can turn Vietnamese restaurant first-timers into Vietnamese restaurant last-timers.

For more on why I'd recommend The Green Papaya — whose gorgeous namesake salad is required eating — see my review Friday in Ticket. The Green Papaya serves lunch and dinner every day but Monday.

I haven't eaten at Bambuza Vietnamese Bistro, across from the Convention Center (820 Pike St., Seattle; 206-219-5555), which leaves me unqualified to give it a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down, but reasonably qualified to give it some ink — since I'm on the subject. When I stopped by this month-old spot for a look-see last week, I looked (and found a crowd of downtown diners eating lunch in the colorful dining room) and saw (a lengthy menu whose prices range from a $5 appetizer to a $13 dinner entree). And when I actually show up to eat, I'll be sure to try Bambuza's version of the green papaya salad ($9), perhaps moving on to pork- and shrimp-filled turmeric crepes ($10). Bambuza serves lunch and dinner daily.

On the other hand, I've been eating at Huong Binh (1207 S. Jackson St., Seattle; 206-720-4907) for more than a dozen years and recommend it to those in search of a swift, inexpensive, no-frills Vietnamese dining experience (hello, Steve?). At this small, well-run cafe tucked into a busy strip mall, five bucks buys a substantial meal. My "usual" is bun thit nuong (a.k.a. #17): pork, marinated with garlic and lemongrass, pounded flat, skewered, grilled and presented on a tray with leafy lettuce and a bouquet of basil, mint and cilantro. I wrap the fragrant meat and herbs in lettuce leaves, dip the whole thing in the sweet-hot chili sauce and munch away. Huong Binh is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

I have several friends who will call and swear never to eat with me again if I fail to promote their favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon Bistro, which, unlike the aforementioned bistros, isn't what most of us envision when we hear the B-word.

Hidden behind Viet Wah Supermarket, casual and cavernous Saigon Bistro (1032 S. Jackson St., Seattle; 206-329-4939) offers an extensive, inexpensive menu (I'm partial to the duck salad) and a view of Safeco Field and Amazon Central. Saigon Bistro is open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

I'd be lying if I called Seattle Deli a "restaurant" — and mistaken if I didn't mention this as one great place to cadge cheaper-than-cheap Vietnamese food. Talk about a kid in a candy shop; you should have seen my eyes the first time I checked out this bustling take-out joint. It was relocated last year from its longtime location on Jackson Street and is now ensconced in tight-quartered new digs nearby (at 225 12th Ave. S., Seattle; 206-328-0106).

First thing I did after assessing the goods piled everywhere was toss a half-dozen sesame-garnished sweet-bean balls into a plastic bag. Next, I examined the steam-table offerings and, gesturing wildly (language barrier), had the counter-gal dish me up a little bit of this and a little bit of that — including juicy roasted pork, soft tofu, spicy squid, shell-on shrimp, baked salmon and some strange-but-delicious brown-tinged boiled eggs.

I took those and other treasures back to the office in three groaning Styrofoam boxes, as well as a pair of excellent shrimp-centered, rice paper-wrapped salad rolls and a couple of the deli's justly famous bahn mi (baguette sandwiches). Total bill? Sixteen bucks. Inexpensive? I'll say. Seattle Deli is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Article from Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...5_taste14.html


[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 06-13-2003).]

Have dined at both Green Papaya and Bambuza - the latter more recently than the former.

Green Papaya was briefly part of iDine, so I decided to try it last summer during an AMEX double Delta miles period for 12 miles/dollar charged. I recall that the service was pleasant, if a bit formal, and the food was good. A tad pricey, but I resolved to return during their happy hour for beer and appetizer plates. Sadly, they left iDine and I lost my inspiration to return as it's in an area I rarely visit.

Last time I was at Bambuza, it had been one of those days where everything had been going wrong. I over-ruled my first instinct and ordered a dish that I thought would be "healthier". As soon as it arrived, I knew I'd made a mistake. The waitress very cheerfully suggested "Let's get you something else". The replacement dish (curried chicken) was exactly the right item. I left in a good mood!
I've been there a few times and highly recommend the place. My "bad day choice" notwithstanding, it's really tough to go wrong there. The food is attractively presented, without being "fussy". They are in the process of obtaining a full liquor license, although I get the red rice beer with my meal. For any vegetarians - the long beans with tofu in black bean and garlic sauce is a real winner!

P.S. The "curried" chicken is in the Indian/Thai style of curry NOT the sickly (slimy) greenish curry I have encountered at Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants in the past.