Traditional and Innovative Vietnamese Dishes at Les Ba'get

Ever struggle between the honoring of the tradition and the melding of tradition with creative innovation? When it comes to Vietnamese food, I love both the traditional dishes and the inspired dishes. Sometimes I get sensitive and protective of tradition when I feel the creative license is coming from a place of ignorance and not of respect. And depending on my mood, I usually have to make a choice between going to a restaurant that will remind me of my mom’s true to tradition cooking or something more exciting and adventurous. What’s amazing about Les Ba’get in Houston, Texas, is that you don’t have to choose.

You can have both traditional and innovative Vietnamese Dishes at Les Ba’get!

And their innovation comes from a deep understanding and self-identification with the Vietnamese culture.

They have banh mi sandwiches on baguettes or you can opt for croissants (which I did). You can have your comforting bowl of pho or you can have a ridiculous beef rib sandwich special. A ca phe sua da (Vietnamese coffee) or a ca phe sua da ice cream! And speaking of ice cream, Les Ba’get blew my mind with their pho flavored ice cream special. Photos of some of these dishes follow. It’s okay if you drool. I’m drooling too.

All in all, I’m quite impressed with Les Ba’get and think Houston is very lucky to have them. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to juggle my time between mom’s cooking, trying new restaurants, and repeat visits to Les Ba’get during my next visit to Houston.

Traditional and Innovative Vietnamese Dishes at Les Ba'get — **Hoison Buttered Chicken Croissant Sandwich**, $7.75; with added egg, additional $1.25

I’ve consumed a lot of unique ice cream flavors but this pho flavor is a contender for the most creative ice cream flavor I’ve had! It’s worth sampling and sharing with your friends. I shared with two skeptical friends and all three of us were impressed. They also make an amazing Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream.

So there you have it! Les Ba’get offers a bridge between innovative and traditional dishes in Vietnamese culture.