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All the United States Texas Houston Kim Son
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

Kim Son

Some of the best Chinese-Vietnamese fusion can be found at outposts of this homegrown empire.

Houston, Texas

Added By
Dan Q. Dao
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Customers can order a “V-bowl” with combinations of beef, shrimp, and other proteins.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
Customers can order a “V-bowl” with combinations of beef, shrimp, and other proteins.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
Kim Son has been a local institution for over four decades.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
This fish dish nods to the Mekong Delta region.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
One of Kim Son’s   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
An order of crunchy spring rolls belongs on every table.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
The cavernous interior has played host to countless parties and events.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
These Vietnamese-style “fajitas” are really lettuce wraps with lightly charred beef.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
The restaurant was founded in 1982 by a former refugee.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
This restaurant represents a blend of Vietnamese and Chinese culinary traditions.   Johnny Luu for Gastro Obscura
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About

As far as Houston’s Asian food scene goes, Chinese and Vietnamese are the most common genres. But equally as prolific is Chinese-Vietnamese fusion, a hybrid cuisine rooted in centuries of Chinese presence in Vietnam. Though it can often be hard to know which dishes came from where, you can get an overview of the top hits at Kim Son. 

Located on Jefferson Street in downtown Houston, the flagship location of this homegrown hospitality group is a culinary landmark in its own right, having served diners for over four decades. Founded in 1982 by former refugee and La family matriarch Kim Su Tran La, who provided all the recipes, the group is today run by her children. Besides the Jefferson Street location there’s also a larger Kim Son dim sum buffet and banquet hall in Asiatown. 

A popular choice for families and big groups, the expansive menu has a little something for everyone. Choose from Chinese staples, like Peking duck and General Tso’s chicken, or go for Vietnamese classics like Mekong Delta–style caramelized fish, crab-bamboo soup, and salt and pepper toasted squid. For some of the fusion dishes, look to the hu tieu, or pan-seared rice noodles, and the Kim Son Special—featuring shrimp, scallops, beef, and chicken sautéed with vegetables in a thick gravy-like sauce. 

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Fusion Foods Restaurants Diaspora

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The restaurant is conveniently located downtown, making it a good spot to visit before or after events at the Houston Toyota Center and other nearby venues. 

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Added By

Dan Q Dao

Published

June 27, 2024

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Kim Son
2001 Jefferson St
Houston, Texas, 77003
United States
29.745837, -95.360199
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Photo of Houston

Houston

Texas

Places 35
Stories 8

Nearby Places

Arthur B. Cohn House

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miles away

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miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

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Houston

Texas

Places 35
Stories 8

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