Boi
Named after the chef's grandmother, Boi serves up authentic Vietnamese dishes that have been passed on from Boi herself. Infamous for cooking up Cobra snake meat and washing it down with a cup of Kopi Luwac coffee, Vietnamese food can be quite an experience for even the most adventurous foodie. No worries, though, if you're not a daredevil during dinner; even if you're not familiar with Vietnamese cuisine, the menu is accessible for even the most unpretentious of palettes.
Stuffed with shrimp, crab meat and mushroom, the cha goi is a crispy little appetizer that should start a meal off right. Entrees include several fish, poultry, meat, and vegetarian options. Try the grilled lemongrass pork, or the Halibut in a spicy pepper-garlic sauce. Do not leave without enjoying one of the desserts created by Citarella pasty chef Bill Yosses. The jackfruit toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream is unforgettable.
Boi
246 E 44th St
New York, NY 10017
(212) 681-6541
boi-restaurant.com
Momofuku Ma Peche
Although David Chang may be known as the culinary genius behind shaved foie gras, not everyone is willing to spend $200 on a meal. Fortunately, the chef behind the Michelin starred Momofuku Ko opened Ma Peche, a new Vietnamese spot in Midtown perfect for a quick lunch or a weekend brunch. Remarkably lower in price than Chang's other establishments, a traditional banh mi sandwich and a soda will cost just around $10 (this and all prices as of January 2010).
The three terrine banh mi is a flavorful, meaty sandwich that easily rivals anything the overpriced corporate delis have to offer. They also offer a grilled three-cheese sandwich on toasty slices of Sullivan Street bakery bread, for the vegetarians. Located on the mezzanine of the Chambers Hotel, they don't offer take-out. This is one midtown restaurant you won't forget.
Momofuku Ma Peche
15 W 56th St
New York, NY 10019
momofuku.com
Pho 32 and Shabu
As the name would suggest, Pho 32 serves hot bowls of pho, a traditional Vietnamese rice noodle soup in a beef broth that is perfect food for a cold New York winter. The dish is served plain but you're given a selection of spicy sauces and vegetables to garnish the broth to your liking. In case you've never had pho, there are instructions posted in the restaurant on how to prepare it for those not in the know. Spicy, filling, and most importantly a great cheap eat, a bowl of pho here is well under $10.
Besides pho, there is also a great option known as the special plate, which is something like the Vietnamese version of a fajita. For $20 you get an enormous plate of vegetables, noodles, and a sizzling platter of either chicken or pork. Then you take a sheet of rice paper, soften it with water, and create your own summer rolls to dip in one of their numerous sauces. The combinations and flavors from this dish should keep even the most attention deficit of eaters from getting bored with their food.
Pho 32 is not a date spot, but in a sea of mediocre delis serving up generic lunches for the midtown crowd, Pho 32 stands out. And in case you're in the neighborhood late at night, Pho 32 is open 24 hours.
Pho 32 and Shabu
2 W 32nd St
New York, NY 10014
(212) 695-0888
