Houston • Vietnamese lunch buffet
Kim Son Houston Lunch Buffet Review: $20 & So Many Vietnamese Dishes
I went to Kim Son for lunch on a cold Houston day and immediately wanted to try too much. The selection was huge: noodle soups, rice cakes, bánh mì, grilled meats and desserts. I had to remind myself that I only have one stomach!
What I Ordered
Vermicelli with Grilled Pork and Pork Sausage
This ended up being my favorite plate. The grilled pork was juicy with a nice char, and the pork sausage was tender and full of flavor. With the noodles, greens, fish sauce and chilies, it all came together so well.
Fried Shrimp Cake and Bánh Xèo
The fried shrimp cake almost won my favorite-dish vote before I tried the vermicelli. I loved its sweet, crispy coating. The bánh xèo also had a light, crunchy batter and came with plenty of vegetables to eat alongside it.
Minced Crab Noodle Soup
I chose the number-eight noodle soup and added chili. I liked the strong shrimp flavor in the broth and the minced filling. The tofu was just okay for me but that’s only because I am not a tofu person, but nonetheless I enjoyed the bowl overall.
Bánh Mì
The small sandwich was a good size for a buffet. The baguette was still crisp, and I liked the salty pâté flavor. I only wished it had a little more Vietnamese butter.
Rice Cakes and Coconut Noodles
I sampled several small plates. The rice cake with ham was a little too sticky for my taste, though I liked the vegetables. The coconut sauce on the thick noodles was sweet and pleasant, but that plate was not a favorite. I was glad the portions were small enough to try.
Vietnamese Desserts
I finished with a three-color dessert with shaved ice and another jelly dessert. The cold dessert was good even though I was already cold, and I especially liked the chewy red pieces.
How Much Was It?
Lunch buffet: about $20 per person during my January 2024 visit.
What Would I Order Again?
The vermicelli with grilled pork and pork sausage would be my first stop, followed by the fried shrimp cake and bánh xèo. Not every dish was a standout, but the range of Vietnamese dishes made this a special buffet experience for me.
Restaurant Details
Restaurant: Kim Son, Bellaire
Address: 10603 Bellaire Blvd, Suite B200, Houston, TX 77072
Cuisine: Vietnamese buffet
Best for: Sampling a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes at lunch
Use the map to find the restaurant and confirm its hours.