Houston • Vietnamese dinner buffet
Kim Son Houston Dinner Buffet Review: $31 & Friday Crawfish
I came back to Kim Son for dinner after trying lunch a few months earlier. I chose a Friday during crawfish season because I wanted crawfish, and at the time they only served crawfish on Fridays. (Check their website to see when they serve it because I heard it’s now Wednesdays and Fridays.) We arrived around 5 p.m., and people were already seated. By the time we left, the restaurant was packed!
What I Ordered
Crawfish
This was why I came: Kim Son serves fresh, live crawfish rather than the frozen crawfish that is typical at buffets. I loved the garlic and buttery topping, with a little tang in the seasoning. The first piece was very soft, which made me wonder about the texture, but the next pieces were much bouncier and tasted fresh to me. We went through multiple batches, and I already wanted to come back for more.
Pork and Shrimp Noodle Soup
I ordered the number-one noodle soup and added chili and pickled jalapeños. The broth leaned sweet in a way I liked, and it had plenty of flavor without extra fish sauce. I loved the fried onion and garlic flavors. The pork was softer than I expected, while the shrimp was just okay.
Squid and Pickled Salad
These were less successful for me. The squid was very chewy and lacked flavor, and the pickled salad did not have the flavor I wanted either.
Egg Roll and Chicken Feet
The dessert line was long, so I ended up with another savory plate instead. I liked the egg roll, which leaned a little sweet. The chicken feet had only a faint sweet, grilled flavor and were just okay for me.
How Much Was It?
The dinner buffet was $31 per person in my May 2024 video. Crawfish was included during this Friday visit. Confirm current buffet prices, seasonal crawfish availability and which days it is offered before planning around it.
What Would I Order Again?
The crawfish would bring me back, and I would get the pork and shrimp noodle soup again. Next time I would also arrive hungry—I had eaten pho just a few hours before this meal, which was not my best buffet strategy!
The workers scoop the food out for you, so the portions can be very generous. Just ask politely for less food so you can sample more; otherwise, you may get full fast.
Restaurant Details
Restaurant: Kim Son, Bellaire
Address: 10603 Bellaire Blvd, Suite B200, Houston, TX 77072
Cuisine: Vietnamese buffet
Best for: Variety, noodle soups and a seasonal crawfish visit
Use the map to find the restaurant and confirm its hours.