High Lúa — Restaurant in New York

**Staff all wears mask. Indoor and Outdoor available. Tables spaced apart.

For this review, I will recount my two visits (yes it was so good I had to go back). When this was first recommended to me, I made a plan to go with a friend so we could try different dishes. We opted to sit inside even though there were some spaces available outdoor. At this time, the indoor dining ban restriction in NY was eased to a very limited capacity. The available seating includes a long table (picnic style) near the restroom entrance, some seating on the side (there is a corner seat that is very coveted and usually taken) and a table set up next to the bar.

For my first visit with a friend, we ordered summer rolls, fried passionfruit wings, stir fried corn with salted duck egg, and the grilled pork banh mi. Of course we had to get their signature dish Bun Bo Hue (hue beef noodle) and the ever popular Beef Pho (pho bo).

The rolls were packed with lettuce, mint, basil, cucumber, vermicelli and we picked shrimp as the protein and delicious peanut sauce. The wings piqued my interest because I had never seen any other place offer and flavor. They passionfruit fish sauce they use creates a very nice aroma and flavor. They were fresh and crispy. The salted duck egg corn we got because it reminded me of the Chinese flavors and it was quite different than the buttercorn or cheese corn that I get at other Asian restaurants. The banh mi we shared amongst ourselves. The pork was tasty and you just cannot go wrong with any banh mi they offer really. The bun bo hue was loaded and the broth had a little kick to it that lingered after. There is a reason why this dish is one of their specialties because it has it all and then some. Even if you are not a spice fan, this dish will be one you will remember. It is perfect for sharing or if you are very hungry. The beef pho was super flavorful. if you plan to order both, it is better to eat the beef pho first and then the bun bo hue after. Each dish has certain flavor profile and intensity that should be enjoyed individually.

For drinks, I opted with the ever popular Vietnamese coffee and my friend got the limonade with basil seeds. There was water available and the servers for the initial visit were on point and so friendly. Two ladies, Suzi and Ribbon were working non stop and checked on us often (in addition to the outdoor diners and packing the deliver and to go orders). At one point, a gentleman with glasses came out of the kitchen area to make sure we were doing all right and asked us how we found out about the restaurant. When I mentioned a friend recommended High Lua, he was both so happy and surprised. Later on, I find out that this person is the owner of the establishment and his name is Kenny. He was working as hard as his employees were yet took time out to greet customers. He apologized it was os busy and he was working nonstop in the kitchen earlier. I felt bad for taking him away from his work but was glad he introduced himself to us and took time to chat. He is very humble and has quite a strong work ethic. Much respect to him.

The first visit left such a deep impression on me that I decided to go visit again but this time alone. There were other menu items that I definitely wanted to try. As I arrived, the bar top was again full of bags of food ready for pick up and delivery. The two nice ladies who worked the first time had a well deserved night off and another employee name Chris was working (very diligent and courteous). Kenny was outside the kitchen this time but still working non stop packing orders to go / delivery.

I ordered the sausage rolls with peanut sauce, and two entrees (pork bacon and quail egg and the grilled pork over rice. The slow cooked pork was so so tender and delicious. The other pork rice dish was super savory and grilled to perfection.

Great food. Excellent service. My compliments to the staff at the FOH and the heroes who handle the BOH operations. Highly recommended family business. I will be visiting...

Went with my bf and a friend just yesterday and got 4 appetizers and 3 different entrees between the 3 of us.

Favorites: Tamarind wings: must have! The sauce was sweet, savory, and evenly coated perfectly fried wings, definitely getting this one again!

Spring rolls: these were amazing! Im still drooling just thinking about them. The spring rolls seemed fresher than the usual that I get in chinatown and the filling was more discernable than a weird gray meatball that ive had before. The fish sauce also has a little something extra that I've never had before; definitely coming back for these!

Beef pho: my bf actually ordered this one, I just helped myself LOL The broth was surprisingly clear and clean tasting but still packed with flavor, even before added lime juice and veggies!

Grilled chicken/pork with rice: it actually comes with a side salad?!?! With cherry tomatoes and cucumbers and a dressing with a bit of a kick (not that I could really tell, i drenched the entire plate with the fantastic fish sauce)

The "good to try but not what I come back for":

Pho rolls: i got these cause they sounded great but overall, the rice roll was super thick and overwhelmed most of the other flavors :/

Vietnamese pancake: i was so confused on how to eat this but ended up wrapping some of the pancake in a leaf of romaine and dipped in fish sauce. The pancake was pleasantly crispy and had an unexpected coconutty aroma. Nice to look at, 4/5 taste imo

Extra: lychee iced tea was jam packed with lychee flavor (even some lychee pulp!)

Overall: this cozy lil place kills it with presentation, decor, and the comfort foods. Appetizers are new, fun, and definitely worth trying. The spring rolls and pho alone are definitely worth making my commute from...

Đồ ăn ngon quá wow yummmmy……. This place is beyond hidden gem or diamond in the rough. This place blew my mind. I have finally found a true Vietnamese restaurant in nyc/Brooklyn. They stay true to the roots and culture. No fusion no gimmicks straight from love and passion. The food is amazing and taste like how my mom made it growing up in Houston. The grill pork w rice or vermicelli is must order. It is perfect for Brooklyn hot summer nights. The smell when it comes out is mesmerize. It is dripping perfect season and glazed. The char marks is my favorite I like looking at char grill marks. First bite is juicy and knock me off my feet. Fresh summer rollz and pho is on point. Fresh summer roll made fresh on spot not sitting dry. The pho broth is very tasty, full of meaty soup broth medium clear and not greasy. I can tell it’s homemade not no cheap shortcuts fake broth like Chinatown. It was perfect for my morning hangover. And the last dish which I was surprised was Pork bacon and quail eggs. This was amazing taste of super soft pork bacon. It’s was butter smooth and soft meat. Add the Drip sauce over the rice and eat it all together was perfect day. It made my day. The pork banh mi was very good fresh and crunchy w perfect pork season. Pretty much everything here was good and I def be back for more. Shout out to Staffs and manager. They did amazing job and very polite. Main thing I love is good vibe. Good vibe is the most important thing in life. If you in Brooklyn give it a try swing by and see what real Vietnamese taste like. Come...