Vietnamese Food in Gretna

Hong Kong Food Market
(504) 394-7075
925 Behrman Hwy
Terrytown, LA

New Orleans isn’t just about Creole and Cajun cuisine — its also one of the biggest centers of Vietnamese food in the United States, due to the huge community of Vietnamese vegetable farmers and agricultural workers. Gretna, on the southeast of the city on the other side of the Mississippi river, is one of their largest enclaves. In addition to a number of large Vietnamese eateries, here you’ll find the deceivingly named Hong Kong Market, which is a virtual Wal-Mart of Vietnamese ingredients and foodstuffs.

The entrance to the shopping center. The bad asian stereotype Charlie Chan font masks the amazing things waiting inside.

This is Mr. Bubble’s Tea House, a sago drink parlor.

The bubble tea menu.

From left to right — honeydew with rainbow tapioca, avocado, and durian with green apple tapioca.

A view of the produce section in the supermarket.

The potato and starchy tuber aisle.

I think the things on the right are minature eggplants used in Thai curries.

A view of the fish tanks.

Tilapia

Catfish, awaiting their destiny as Po Boys.

Bubba: Anyway, like I was sayin’, shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That-that’s about it.

Sriracha, the OTHER Louisiana hot sauce.

I wonder if they got any fish sauce.

POCKY!

Durian, the fruit that smells like dirty daipers and tastes like pure heaven.

The Banh Mi stall. For a whole two bucks, you can get a loaded sandwich on a crusty Vietnamese French roll loaded with mystery luncheon meat, meatballs, and fresh pickled vegetables. I guarantee it will be the best two bucks you have ever spent.

Meatballs for the Banh Mi.

Banh Mi vegetable components.

Prepared Banh Mi.

Banh Mi Cross Section.

Pho Danh 4, the hip and modern Pho restaurant in the shopping center.

The spice components of Pho broth.

Mi Thap Cam, a type of chicken broth based noodle soup.

Combination beef Pho.

Bun Bo Hue, a fiery chili-laced noodle soup with assorted beef parts.

Soup raw vegetable condiments.

Fresh lemon soda.

Tan Dinh
2005 Belle Chasse Hwy.
Gretna LA, 361-8008

Tan Dinh would be considered an excellent Vietnamese restaurant in any city, let alone the Greater New Orleans area. Their offerings are tremendous, and while the restaurant was EXTREMELY busy during lunchtime and its a really big place, service was excellent and the food was top notch.

Tan Dinh’s pearl tapioca sago drink lineup.

I think these were desserts of some sort.

The place was really hopping.

Ca Phe Sua Da, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, brewing.

Shrimp Summer Rolls

Cha Gio, spring rolls

Spring Roll in lettuce wrap

Combination Beef Pho with rare beef and beef balls (Bo Vien)

Lemon Grass Chicken with Fluffy Buns

Bahn Mi Sandwich