Familiar faces in Houston media and the hospitality industry share their favorite destinations in Asiatown. This is the second of a three-part series. (Here is the first part.) For more features related to Houston’s Asiatown dining scene, click here. 

MATTHEW PAK, operating partner, The Burger Joint
Ethnic heritage: half-Korean
How long a Houstonian: 8 years
Favorite Asiatown destinations: Fu Fu Cafe (9889 Bellaire Blvd.), Banana Leaf (9889 Bellaire Blvd.) and House of Bowls (6650 Corporate Dr.)
Best-kept secret in Asiatown: “I don’t know if it’s much of a secret, but Juice Box (9889 Bellaire Blvd.) is awesome.”
Favorite comfort food: Korean food

A spread of banchan from Korean restaurant Lucky Palace. Photo by Becca Wright

JOHN NECHMAN, attorney and partner, Katine & Nechman LLP; adjunct professor, South Texas College of Law; freelance writer
Ethnic heritage: Korean-European
How long a Houstonian: 45 years
Favorite Asiatown destinations: Uyghur Bistro (9888 Bellaire Blvd.), Crawfish & Noodles (11360 Bellaire Blvd.) and HK Dim Sum (9889 Bellaire Blvd.)
Best-kept secret in Asiatown: Minh Phat Pho (12320 Bellaire Blvd.)
Favorite comfort food: “My mom’s kimchi jigae, which is basically, kimchi stew. It’s Korea’s beloved answer to chicken noodle soup.” Click here to see John’s recommendations of the best Korean restaurants in Asiatown.

TOMMY HO, assistant GM at Anvil Bar & Refuge
Ethnic heritage: Vietnamese
How long a Houstonian: 26 years
Favorite Asiatown destinations: HK Dim Sum (9889 Bellaire Blvd.), Peking Cuisine (8332 Southwest Fwy.) and Crawfish Cafe (11209 Bellaire Blvd.)
Best-kept secret in Asiatown: Thien Thanh Restaurant (11210 Bellaire Blvd.)
In the battle of phở vs ramen, who wins? “Ahh, ramen … I know, I’m a traitor.”
Favorite comfort food: “French fries. I could eat them for days.”

Thien Thanh’s banh cuon nhan thit. Photo by Mai Pham

JESSEY QI, bar manager at Anvil Bar & Refuge
Ethnic heritage: Chinese, Taiwanese
How long a Houstonian: Entire life
Favorite Asiatown destinations: San Dong Noodle House (9938 Bellaire Blvd.), House of Bowls (6650 Corporate Dr.) and Peking Cuisine (8332 Southwest Fwy.)
Best-kept secret in Asiatown: The beef noodle soup at Xiong’s Cafe (9888 Bellaire Blvd.).
In the battle of phở vs ramen, who wins? “Chinese-style beef noodle soup would be the best. But out of these two, pho wins.”
Favorite comfort food: Crawfish or Taiwanese fried chicken.