Monsoon Vietnamese Bistro

Few restaurants lure people from the streets by smell alone. That being said, one of the iconic neon signs “Free Smells” displayed in nearly every Jimmy Johns needs to find a new home at Monsoon Vietnamese Bistro. The smell was so powerful that I noticed it even before my mom turned off the car.

Indicative of Mom-and-Pop shops, the inside was scattered with small tables and chairs. The family in front of us must have been regulars; they chatted familiarly with the host/waiter. My mom and I were starving, and the gnawing in our stomachs only grew with the delicious smells emanating from the kitchen.

We ordered shrimp spring rolls, $5, as a starter. Unlike the fo-Asian buffets that serve deep-fried rolls most people imagine, these spring rolls were fresh and crisp. Wrapped in thin rice-paper, the ingredients (shrimp, mint leaves, thai basil, noodles) were clearly visible. The dish included a thick soy-base sauce, great for dipping.

Entree selection was harder. Despite my well-educated palate, there were many things on the menu I had never eaten before. My mom chose a traditionally filled Vietnamese crepe, $12. Per the menu, Vietnamese crepes include a sizzling exterior with, “bean sprouts and onions served with lettuce, mints, and pickled carrot with lime sauce.” The meat filing was whole shrimp and sliced pork. The exterior was not a regular pancake-like dough that I was expecting; instead, the dough was thick, airy, and rich with onions cooked in. When dipped into a sweet garlic sauce, the crepe was phenomenal.

I chose a soup called Pho, a traditional Vietnamese broth, $10. Pho is an experience along with being a dish. A bowl of broth filled with thinly sliced meat (I chose beef), noodles, and green onions was brought to the table along with a plate of bean sprouts, mint, thai basil, cilantro, and jalapenos. A thick soy-base sauce and a chunky hot sauce is also provided. When you get all the components of the dish, you are suppose to add the raw vegetables and herbs into the steamy bowl of broth. Upon my first bite, I immediately knew where the amazing smell of the restaurant originated from, the broth. Simultaneously the flavors of cloves, star anise, and cinnamon stood out against the unmistakable savory bite of the beef. That one bowl of soup was one of the best dishes I have eaten in my entire life.

Without much resistance, my mom and I agreed to order dessert. The dessert of the day was “the most authentic Vietnamese dish on the menu,” according to our waiter. Named Bánh khoai mì, this dish was made with grated cassava (a flavorful root resembling ginger), coconut milk, and sugar. The texture was totally unexpected, thick and chewy and smooth. My mom said it reminded her of solid pudding. The cake was extremely different from American desserts. A lower sugar content allowed the flavors of cassava and coconut to be more prominent. I enjoyed the dish and recommend it to anyone wanting to try something completely different from normal American desserts.

Located across the street from Walmart at 14248 Manchester Rd #A, Ballwin, MO 63011, Monsoon Vietnamese Bistro is a must-visit for any food loving human. The restaurant easily became one of my mom and my favorites. We will definitely be going again.