Hong An Bo 7 Mon

For 15 years, Hong An Bo 7 Mon specialized in a Vietnamese meal called bo 7 mon – seven courses of beef – which has been one of Little Saigon’s most compelling draws for people who either know little about Vietnamese cuisine, or know enough to appreciate how special this experience is. Hong An’s version differed a little from rival Thien An Bo 7 Mon, though most of their courses were the same.

For $27 per person, Hong An’s meal either starts or ends with beef, rice and alphabet noodle soup, then raw beef cooked in vinegar broth over a sterno flame, delicious beef and shrimp salad, meatballs and la lot leaves, self-seared lemongrass beef, and meatballs served with spicy shrimp chips. Copious quantities of rice paper, vegetables and herbs are offered up front so you can make your own spring rolls or lettuce wraps, then dip into bowls with your preferred levels of fish, anchovy, and chili sauces mixed with peanuts and lemongrass.