Baoqi Eatery

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So I’ve passed by this place so many times, being attracted to the decor, but I never went in. Then a friend wanted to try out the place, and since I loved pho, we went to try it out.

It was a weekday evening, but it was pretty full. I guess that’s not too hard since it’s a very small place, but I know restaurants nearby who are close to being empty. So this was a good sign. There are only 2 tables – one long one where several strangers sit tightly close together, or one other table, usually for a group of 4 friends or so.

idearabbit-baoqi1 idearabbit-baoqi2 idearabbit-baoqi3I sat at the end of the bigger table right by the water pool. I had no idea that there were real live koi (fish) in the water until my friend pointed it out. So cute!

idearabbit-baoqi4Since I always order the beef pho, this time I thought I’d try something new and ordered the Crab meat and Shrimp Noodle Soup $9.75 with crab meat, crab pate, shrimp coconut milk soup with shallots and round tapioca noodle. Now, I’m not a fan of tapioca noodle, so I asked the server if he could swap it with the thin regular rice noodles. He said yes, but when I got my bowl, it was the tapioca noodles…I was disappointed, but I was also very hungry. It was really busy with people waiting, so I didn’t ask for it to be remade. Unfortunately, this detoured me a bit, but I was more focused on my friend and I’s conversation. The soup was on the lighter side. I later realized the chili sauce on the side and regretted not putting some of it in to give it a bit of punch.

idearabbit-baoqi5Crab meat and Shrimp Noodle Soup $9.75

Mnut_allery_allery_icon_smally friend ordered the baOqi Saté Thick Sauce $9.95 with your choice of beef, chicken, vegetarian or seafood additional $1.50. It came with coconut milk, peanut satay sauce, bean sprouts, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and basil. My friend got the seafood. It was a large portion and she ended up not being able to finish it despite starving upon arrival. I couldn’t try because of my allergy to nuts.

idearabbit-baoqi6We also ordered the Summer Roll (5 Rolls) $6.95 with vermicelli, shrimp & pork, lettuce, bean sprouts, basil. I am not sure which herb it was, but I had to take it out because it was too strong for me. I also couldn’t try out the sauce because of the peanuts, so I dipped it into my chili sauce.

This place is different from a lot of the other regular ‘pho’ places. Their presentation is excellent, though I wish they had more on their menu. It is a bit limited in terms of choices. However, it is the best Vietnamese restaurant I’ve been to in terms of interior atmosphere, service, food quality and presentation. I would definitely like to go back and try a few more dishes.

Warning: this place DOES NOT have a bathroom!! How crazy is that.

Taste: carrotcarrotcarrot    Price for Value: carrotcarrotcarrot

Atmosphere:  carrotcarrotcarrot   Service:  carrotcarrot
Location: carrotcarrotcarrot