Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant, Fremont

Warm sunlight flows in through a massive arched window and fills Thanh Vietnamese Restaurant from floor to vaulted ceiling. In the spacious dining room, noodles abound in a menu that features the snake-like carb paired with beef, pork, tofu, and myriad seafood in traditional dishes such as pho. Broken rice, cooked from fractured rice grains, lends its unique texture to various entrees, including a hearty one that combines steamed pork cake with a barbecue pork chop, egg, and shredded pork skin. Additionally, a lengthy list of sautéed tofu dishes satisfies soybean lovers.

While slurping noodly broths or a boba smoothie, patrons can turn their eyes to the bar counter, covered by glossy stone and illuminated by tulipesque orange lamps hanging from above. Backed by a gauzy white curtain, a stage positioned in front of the floor-to-ceiling window hosts live music and chopstick whittling on occasion.