Culinary adventurers take note: A visit to Port Arthur is an opportunity to experience unmatched fusion flavor, thanks to this southeast Texas town’s distinctive blend of Cajun, Vietnamese and Tex Mex culinary traditions. The bok choy’s green leaves are garden-crisp. Kimchi comes fresh-made, spicy, and sporting the perfect hot and sour kick. And the local pho boasts delicious blends of savory meats and crisp veggies bathed in broth alongside bean sprouts, rice noodles, herbs, lime and chili for a burst of authentic Asian flavor.
Port Arthur’s Vietnamese Trail runs right through the heart of the city, leading the way to standout restaurants, a stunning Buddhist temple and locally-owned Asian markets selling spices, noodles, fresh vegetables and anything you’d need to recreate these culinary treasures at home, including the traditional kitchenware and tools required to prepare customary Vietnamese and Korean fare.
“It’s a wonderland,” said Callie Summerlin, marketing director for the Port Arthur Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hers is a familiar face at Port Arthur’s many mom and pop restaurants, some of which know her order and start preparing it as soon as they see her. “The spring onion, scratch pho broth, the spicy, fried tofu they use – it’s where you go to get the fresh, authentic flavors you crave.”
Try out Uyen’s Vietnamese, a longtime area staple that some describe as “the best ever,” offering bowls of steaming pho and savory bahn mi sandwiches, along with other well-known classics like Vietnamese hot pot, in a cosy, unfussy and welcoming atmosphere. Sample classic flavors with a modern twist at Mama Kim’s Vietnamese, especially if you’re a lover of smoked meats. Delectable smoked brisket spring rolls and smoked brisket pho are among popular offerings, with fusion Fridays presenting a weekly opportunity to discover new flavors.
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Photo courtesy of Morgan Talbot
A go-to local spot for delicious Vietnamese dishes, Mama Kim's blends old-school vibes with a modern twist.
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Photo courtesy of Morgan Talbot
The salt and pepper wings at Mama Kim's are a perennial favorite.
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Courtesy Morgan Talbot
Longtime local staple Uyen's Vietnamese serves steaming bowls of pho, banh mi sandwiches, and other classics in a cosy, welcoming atmosphere.
With your appetite satisfied, save time for a stroll at Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens, which encompass manicured gardens, a stately pagoda, and a large statue of the Virgin Mary. The shrine and gardens were constructed by some of the many Vietnamese immigrants who made Port Arthur their home during the Vietnam War, following the 1975 Fall of Saigon. Buu Mon’s Buddhist Temple offers a serene atmosphere dotted with fruit trees, colorful flowers, a koi pond, Buddha statue and opportunities to see the inside of the temple when monks are present. Come back in June when the temple presents the annual Buu Mon Garden Festival.
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Photo courtesy of Will VanOverbeek
Visitors to Buu Mon's Buddhist Temple will find a serene setting filled with fruit trees, colorful flowers, a koi pond, statue of Buddha, and chances to see inside the temple
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Photo courtesy of Tim Sudela
Buu Mon Buddhist Temple represents Port Arthur's thriving Vietnamese community.
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Photo courtesy of Tim Sudela
Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens were constructed by Vietnamese immigrants who made Port Arthur their home during the Vietnam War.
This rich history highlights the generous hospitality of locals, who welcomed both Vietnamese immigrants after the fall of Saigon in 1975, and Cajun refugees from the 1927 Great Mississippi River Flood, both groups which brought their vibrant and distinctive cultures to southeast Texas and found their forever home.
Learn more about the varied and colorful history of Port Arthur, Texas, and request free fishing, birding, and travel guides, at visitportarthurtx.com.
