Miss Chi’s spicy beef noodle soup; green tea with strawberry and mango popping pearls: Mark Davis

Miss Chi’s spicy beef noodle soup; green tea with strawberry and mango popping pearls: Mark Davis

Wife, business partner and restaurant namesake Chi Le and her husband Joey Le are on a mission to spice up Preston Center. “There isn’t a lot of authentic Vietnamese food in this neighborhood,” Joey says, “which is why we thought this location would be unique.” Vietnamese noodle soups have grown to be quite popular and at Miss Chi Vietnamese, the Les are dishing up family recipes passed down through several generations. Customers can watch chefs prepare their spring rolls made-to order. The menu includes chicken, shrimp or tofu choices, but guests can customize the rolls any way they want, Chi says. She also notes that her pickiest customers are her two young children, who often eat at the restaurant and are “always ordering something off the menu.” Several menu options are family-style, which Chi says is common in Vietnamese culture. “You order a protein, vegetable, rice and soup to share with your family,” she says. Ordering this way, three to four people can eat, she adds. The spicy beef soup is a traditional recipe flavored with Vietnamese spices such as coriander, basil and star anise. Miss Chi’s drink menu is almost as varied and flavorful as the food menu — from Thai iced tea to craft cocktails and Texas beer on tap. “Lots of students come in to get the boba teas and Thai iced tea after school,” Joey says. The green tea has strawberry- and mango-flavored popping pearls, which Chi describes as “bursting with juice,” as opposed to the tapioca pearls in regular bubble tea — but don’t worry, the restaurant offers those too.

Miss Chi Vietnamese

6030 Luther, Suite 130
214.692.1000
misschivietnamese.com

Ambiance:
Modern

Price range:
$7-$14

Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Closed Monday

Tip:
For lighter fare, Chi suggests ordering grilled meats such as the lemongrass chicken. Plus, the menu also includes gluten-free and vegan options.

3 more spots for Vietnamese fare

1 Asian Mint
Try Vietnamese with an Asian-fusion twist — and some of the best pad thai in town.
11617 N. Central, Suite 135
214.363.6655
asianmint.com

2 Luv Pho
Sip the bubble tea or BYOB. The Mi Bo Kho — beef stew — is tasty, too, and can be ordered with egg noodles or a side of French bread.
7927 Forest, Suite B
972.392.2272
iluvpho.com

3 Pho Envy
The pork bun, along with other Americanized menu options, makes this a good option for those trying Vietnamese flavors for the first time.
8611 Hillcrest, Suite 190
214.987.1468
phoenvy.com