Kim Son
Vietnamese · 10603 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, Texas 77072
★★★★½ 1 review(281) 598-1777
Menu Items
Reviews
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Only Vietnamese Buffet I've Ever Seen! Amazing Selection, Unlimited Thai Tea!
During a quick trip to Houston, I searched online for the "best buffets in Houston." Among a long list of options, one stood out, noted as possibly the only Vietnamese buffet in the US, located in the Bellaire/Chinatown area I frequent for dining options when visiting.
I arrived at a shopping center just a block or so from a familiar mall but would never have guessed this place was a restaurant. The building had a Greek architectural look, stood two stories tall, and featured a beautifully decorated Christmas entrance perfect for festive photos.
A quick climb up the stairs (there’s also an elevator) led me to the reception kiosk, where I was promptly seated in a large, bustling dining area filled with lunchtime diners.
The back wall was lined with various food stations. First was a noodle booth offering over a dozen made-to-order bowls. Next came a street food station serving grilled meats, pre-made noodle bowls, fried spring rolls, and toppings, essentially a build-your-own-bowl setup with no wait. There was also a counter with cold noodle bowls, vegetables, and other items, followed by a station loaded with hot, ready-made dishes. I’ll try to list as many as I remember, but check the photos for more completeness: pork feet, General Tso’s chicken, fried chicken, pickled cabbage with pork intestine, chow mein, six types of dim sum, Chinese broccoli, mustard green and minced pork soup, green beans, steamed dumplings, fried rice, braised pork and eggs, steamed fish, beef and broccoli, eggplant with green beans, and more.
Off to the side was a dessert bar, filled with all sorts of options: Thai tea, grass jelly, basil seed drinks, cassava cakes, & red bean desserts, just to name a few.
It’s almost needless to say that if you asked for small portions and were really hungry, you might be able to try everything except all the noodle bowls. On my visit, I managed to sample 15 items.
Here’s what I tried:
Minced Pork & Mustard Green Soup (Canh Cai Be Xanh)
I’m not usually a fan of mustard greens or soup in general, but this bowl hit the spot. It was rainy outside, and the soup's well-balanced, savory flavor made it a comforting, satisfying choice.
(Ready-Made) Bun Bowl with Spring Roll
I’ve had many Vietnamese noodle bowls, but this one was honestly among the best. The meat was perfectly grilled, exuding a smoky, savory flavor. A few ladles of a flavorful broth-like sauce enhanced the noodles, topped with a crispy fried spring roll, self-serve toppings, peanuts, and pickled vegetables. It was so good that I was tempted to get seconds but resisted to make sure I had room to try more items.
Chow Mein
The chow mein looked appetizing but fell short in flavor. I expected crunchy vegetables and well-seasoned noodles fried in a savory sauce, but instead, it was quite bland. Not terrible, just underwhelming.
Banh Mi Sandwich
Though I’m no Banh Mi expert, having only tried it a few times, this sandwich was decent. The toasted bun was filled with shredded carrots, lettuce, cilantro, and what I believe was thinly sliced pork, and chicken. It needed the accompanying sauce for extra flavor, and while the components were fresh, the sandwich was still a bit plain. As far as Bahn Mi goes, it fell a bit short of some Ive had from food trucks.
Gai Lan with Sauce
I love Chinese broccoli (Gai Lan), which has leafy greens rather than florets like American broccoli. Topped with a sweet, savory oyster-based sauce, this dish was a delicious and well-executed favorite.
Steamed Dumpling
Sadly, this was the most disappointing item of the meal. The dumpling was soggy, with starchy dough and lackluster shrimp filling. Given how much I enjoy dumplings elsewhere in Houston, this was a letdown. All aspects of this item were disappointing.
Shrimp Dim Sum
I only sampled one dim sum variety. It was okay but lacked depth of flavor. Garlic and salt might have helped to enhance the dish. But I'd be game to try the others on my next visit.
Steamed Fish (Ca Hop Xi Dou)
I rarely eat fish unless it’s fried, so this was an unusual pick for me. It wasn’t fishy, which I appreciated, but it also lacked any distinct flavor. If you enjoy lightly seasoned steamed fish, this might appeal to you. This was one of those dishes that highlights the natural flavor of the item rather than masking it.
Pickled Cabbage & Pork Intestine (Long Hao Xao Cai Chua)
This was the most unusual dish I tried. The pickled cabbage was tangy and crunchy, reminiscent of sauerkraut. The stir-fried pork intestine retained its own distinct flavor, making the dish edible but not something I’d seek out again. I was here to try new items, and when I saw this I figured it was the one thing I absolutely needed to try.
Chicken Curry (Ca Ri Ga) (7/10)
The chicken curry was comforting on a rainy day. Soupy and mildly spiced, it reminded me of a thin masala curry. While it wasn’t mind-blowing it was an enjoyable item. A distinction of this item that set it apart from any Indian curry Ive had was that the meat was still on the bone.
Thai Tea
While not the best Thai tea I’ve ever had, it was still delicious. Served over a ball of ice in bourbon-style tumblers, this unlimited drink option was a treat. I had three glasses! I've never seen all you can drink Thai tea anywhere.
Rainbow Dessert (Suong Sa Hot Luu)
Another first time item for me was the rainbow dessert. I wasnt sure what to expect, as the red and green items in the glass were unidentifiable. This was a unique and visually striking dessert. I guessed it was jello and fruit, but the real surprise came when I asked for one, and a ladle of coconut milk was poured over the top, and then a scoop of snowcone ice on top of that.
Even after eating it, I was unsure what the red jelly like pieces were. Recipes online show this dessert being made with everything from red dyed crushed chestnuts, to red beans, jackfruit, and other items. So it could have been anything. It was interesting, look at the photos to see the item at time of order, after serving, and after stirring, it was probably the most interesting item of the meal. As far as the flavor it was decent, something differnet, not a favorite of mine, or one I would seek out, but something I would eat again.
Cassava Cake (Banh Khoai Mi)
Dense but flavorful, this cassava cake checked all the boxes for a satisfying dessert. Not too sweet or dry, it was my second-favorite dessert of the meal.
Green Jelly Dessert (Unknown Name)
This green-and-white-striped gelatin dessert tasted mildly sweet, possibly made with coconut milk. It was simple but satisfying.
Overall Impression
Overall, the buffet experience was fantastic. I sampled many new dishes I’d hesitate to order individually at a Vietnamese restaurant. The noodle bowl stood out as the highlight of the meal.
For just $21, the buffet offers a unique opportunity to try a wide range of Vietnamese cuisine in one sitting. Service was excellent, with plates cleared promptly and drinks refilled regularly. The entire restaurant was clean and well-maintained. None of the food was self served, everything was full service.
If you enjoy Vietnamese food or are curious to explore it, this buffet is a must-try. The stunning Christmas displays added a festive touch, making the visit even more memorable. If I find myself in Houston again, I’ll definitely be back. I hear there are even more seafood options at dinner or on weekend, but the buffet is well worth the price just for unlimited Thai tea and noodle bowls.
Kim Son - Storefront
Mustard Green & Pork Soup, Bahn Mi Sandwich, Dipping Sauce, & Chow Mein
My bun bowl. (Noodle Bowl) Grilled Pork for noodle bowl.
Dessert Bar
Steamed Shrimp Dumpling, Gai Lan, Dim Sum
Rainbow Dessert Stirred
Thai Tea
Buffet Prices
1st Floor Christmas Decorated Entry.
2nd Floor Christmas Decorations.
Sesame Balls & Chow Mein
Fried Rice
Fried Chicken
Green Beans
Dim Sum Selection
Pork Belly & Shrimp (Left) General Tso Chicken (Middle)
Cold Noodles & Salads
Street Food Bar
Assembled Noodle Bowl
Dessert Bar #2
Chicken Curry, Pickled Cabbage & Pork Intestine, Steamed Fish
Noodle Bowl Station
Caramelized Pork Belly & Shrimp
General Tso Chicken
Fried Chicken & Rice
Mustard Green & Minced Pork
Braised Pork & Eggs
Chicken Curry
Chicken Curry
Yang Chow Fried Rice
Yang Chow Fried Rice
Steamed Fish
Steamed Fish
Steamed Pork Feet
Steamed Pork Feet
Stir Fried Pork intestine& Pickled Cabbage
Stir Fried Pork intestine& Pickled Cabbage
Stir Fried Beef & Broccoli
Stir Fried Beef & Broccoli
Eggplant & Green Beans
Eggplant & Green Beans
Rainbow Dessert
Rainbow Dessert as served.
Casava Cake, & Jello
Casava Cake, Jello, Thai Tea & Rainbow Dessert.
— Paul