Pat Bailey/Staff Photographer
Lan Chi’s Vietnamese Restaurant serves quality, authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Located at 505 Main St., Lan Chi’s has elegant décor and a charming ambiance, both in its facade and its interior.
During my visit, I noticed that Lan Chi, the owner, made sure that both he and his employees welcomed each of their guests in an effort to ensure maximum comfort for all patrons. This same pursuit of comfort is evident in the restaurant’s clean and colorful bathrooms.
Though Lan Chi’s is mostly known for its pho soup—a variation of noodle soup that can be prepared with vegetables, meatballs, sirloin steak, brisket, shrimp, and/or scallops—it also serves some of my newly discovered favorite dishes, including shrimp spring rolls, grilled lemongrass salmon, green mango salad, vegetarian papaya salad, and grilled scallops and shrimp with rice vermicelli.
If you choose to dine at Lan Chi’s, I would highly recommend ordering the shrimp spring rolls, which are light, flavorful, and succulent with a delightful taste of mint. The Vietnamese shrimp tempura is also a highlight, consisting of a plate of lightly battered jumbo shrimp in honey breadcrumb panko crust served with a sweet ginger sauce. However, if you like food with a little bit more punch, the mango salad and the papaya salad are great spicy options.
One of the best reasons to dine at Lan Chi’s is its versatile array of sauces, including varieties such as crunchy peanut, hoisin, and sriracha dipping sauce. Another striking feature of the restaurant is the staff’s flexibility with substitutions. For example, if you do not eat rice, the waiters are happy to make accommodations. In my case, my server had no problem swapping my jasmine rice with steamed vegetables.
Last but not least, I advise you to leave room for dessert, because the dessert selection at Lan Chi’s is extensive and delicious. Some of the desserts are “classic” American ones, while others are Vietnamese-inspired. Lan Chi’s is currently serving a tuxedo bomb dessert consisting of chocolate genoise, milk chocolate, and white-chocolate mousse covered in a rich chocolate ganache; a black orchid dessert, which is a double-cooked black sweet rice with pandan -flavored egg custard topped with coconut milk; a classic crème caramel flan with coffee-flavored caramel syrup; and a cassava cake made with grated cassava, coconut milk, and mung bean served with warm strawberries and coconut sauce.
If you’re heading to Main Street seeking a restaurant with a peaceful atmosphere, superior service, and spicy, sweet, savory food, Lan Chi’s will not disappoint.