Houston • Vietnamese street food
Hem Houston Review: The Thai-Style Raw Shrimp I Would Come Back For
Hem’s outdoor tables and chairs reminded me of Vietnam before we even walked inside. We ate indoors because it was hot, and I loved the artwork and atmosphere. A coworker of Thomas recommended the restaurant, so we ordered several dishes to try.
What I Ordered
Thai-Style Raw Shrimp
This was the standout. The thin lemon slice brought citrus and a little bitterness, and the fruity sauce tied everything together. There were so many flavors in one bite, yet it tasted balanced to me. I gave this dish a 10/10.
Chicken Cartilage with Salted Egg
I liked the crunch of the cartilage and the crisp coating, but the creamy salted-egg flavor was not quite my thing. It reminded me a little of cheese. I wondered whether I would prefer the salt-and-pepper version.
Freshwater Prawn with Tamarind Sauce
The presentation with onions and bell peppers was beautiful, but the meat was firmer and more rubbery than I expected. This was not a dish I would order again.
Mango Salad with Melo Melo Snails
The mango and carrots were crunchy, the herbs and peanuts were fragrant, and the thinly sliced snails had a nice bite. I liked piling the salad onto the crackers served with it.
Five-Spice Grilled Beef and Beef Skewers
The five-spice beef had plenty of flavor, even though the doneness varied between pieces. The separate beef skewers were my least favorite: they tasted very bland to me, despite looking nice on the plate.
How Much Was It?
Check the current menu for individual dish prices.
What Would I Order Again?
I would come back for the Thai-style raw shrimp alone. Next time I would want an order to myself! I was glad we sampled the other dishes, but that shrimp was the one I knew I wanted again.
Restaurant Details
Restaurant: Hem
Address: 11714 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, TX 77072
Cuisine: Vietnamese street food
Best for: Shared plates and a Vietnamese street-food atmosphere
Use the map to find the restaurant and confirm its hours.