Thien Long Restaurant - San Jose

First lunch at Vung Tau Restaurant - San Jose down, second lunch to go. My high school friend had requested that I take her to a new Vietnamese restaurant for her to try so she could come back with her husband after I'm gone. She says I know what to order. But I don't, really! I just go by what sounds good.

She wanted to find a broken rice place closer to her because one of her favorite places to go when she visits me is Da Nang Com Tam Tran Qui Cap - Westminster (Little Saigon), but the place I bookmarked was closed. So I decided to try Thien Long Restaurant in San Jose because they had Cha Ca Thang Long (Vietnamese Hanoi-Style Turmeric Fish with Dill) and Bun Thit Heo Nuong (Vietnamese Rice Vermicelli with Grilled Pork) combined into one.

How awesome is that?! Since most places have Cha Ca Thang Long as a large serving for two people, you can just order an individual serving of grilled pork and turmeric fish in one bowl.



This bowl of Vietnamese grilled pork and turmeric fish with rice vermicelli noodles and herbs was $8.50. As opposed to $21.95 for the two-person order of Cha Ca Thang Long.



But you're not missing out on the flavors. Look at all the scallions and dill that comes in the bowl.



I also ordered Banh Bot Chien (Vietnamese Fried Rice Flour Cake), $5.50, just to see what a restaurant version would be like. Unlike my version, which is more like a stir-fry, this version is like an omelet with soy sauce to dip on the side.



And lastly, we ordered Pho Ap Chao Bo (Vietnamese Pan-Fried Rice Noodles Sauteed with Beef), but with seafood, $8.50.



The noodles were much thicker than how I make it. Basically, just sectioned off of the packet and fried, instead of loose noodles and fried.



You can see the noodles weren't even separated. Still, the vegetables and sauce were a nice foil for the crispy noodles.



Overall, I thought Thien Long Restaurant was pretty good with all the basic Vietnamese dishes, but I think my friend was hoping to be "wowed" like she was with Vung Tau Restaurant.

All Northern California posts can be found with the tag, Series: NorCal, but I suggest reading this quick trip in this order:
Hong Kong East Ocean Seafood Restaurant (Wedding Banquet) - Emeryville
Vung Tau Restaurant - San Jose
Thien Long Restaurant - San Jose

Thien Long Restaurant
3005 Silver Creek Rd., #138
San Jose, CA 95121
408-223-6188
9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

*****
1 year ago today, Su Su Xao Tom (Vietnamese Chayote Sauteed with Shrimp).
2 years ago today, Canh Bi/Bau Nhoi Thit (Vietnamese Pork-Stuffed Winter Melon Soup).
3 years ago today, Angel Hair Pasta with Bacon, Balsamic Chicken, and Diced Tomatoes.