Lunch Review: Trang Viet Cuisine

Photos:

Those who didn’t grow up in an area populated by Asian restaurants sometimes feel trepidation about foods from the Far East that go beyond the egg roll and chop suey. Trang is the ideal place to offer a warm and friendly introduction. The family-owned and operated eatery inhabits a simply decorated space in a nondescript strip mall. Note: the lack of distinction ends there.

Affordable entrees, soups (known as pho) and appetizers maximize complementary flavors in subtle delicate balance. Staple ingredients, like lemongrass, basil, cilantro and, hot pickled peppers and sriracha sauce span an entire spectrum of the sweet, savory and spicy and fragrant. Items might be batter-fried, grilled or sautéed. They can be stewed in a clay pot meat-filled, meat-free or sea-based. In other words, Trang allows you to count calories or let them go through the roof.

Vegetarian-friendly: Trang might have the largest vegan and vegetarian menu section of any restaurant in the bay area. You can order rolls, soups, stir fries and pots. Pretty much everything in the main part of the menu has a duplicate in the vegetarian/vegan section, and if it doesn’t, the kitchen will find away to make one.

Do they accept reservations? Yes.

Do they include gratuity? Nope, never.

Above and beyond: So often cheap Asian joints skimp on quality to make up for low-cost items. Trang doesn’t use MSG, accommodates requests and doesn’t charge for the plate if you decide to share.

Where to start: Trang has a huge menu, which can be overwhelming your first visit. We advice you start with the four season rolls, which includes a variety of fried and uncooked rice wrappers and order anything in a pho, on a skewer or clay pot.

Wet your whistle: Try a refreshing nonalcoholic fruit drink or iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk (served in a contraption that can be tricky to figure out the first time – ask your server to show you).  Imported beers include Singha and Grimbergen.

Nice buns: The steamed buns are like a Hot Pocket without the letdown; popular with the under-12 set.

***

Trang Viet Cuisine

1524 E Fowler Ave
Tampa, FL 33612-5416
Phone: (813) 979-1464

Add a comment