Our region is blessed with many different options and venues for Vietnamese cuisine, and that certainly includes the Renton community as well.

Recently I visited the Fairwood area to try a place I had only heard about — Viet’s Phoody.

The restaurant serves all of the classic Vietnamese dishes such as Bahn Mi and pho, along with other options worthy of a try, if you had not yet already. The location opened in October 2021.

Upon entering the restaurant at 17620 140th Ave SE, I was greeted sweetly by the employees there. Throughout my meal, they were helpful and attentive.

After looking through the extensive menu, I ordered the chicken wings tossed in a Vietnamese fish sauce. The wings came out on a beautifully garnished plate and I noticed they were breaded in a crispy, crackly crust. The golden glazed sauce was tangy, sweet and umami, and I was particularly impressed at how the breading stayed so crispy even with how saucy the wings were.

It was a tasty treat, and frankly, the wings alone are well-deserving of a trip back.

Then, I ordered a vermicelli noodle bowl. I opted for the short rib and shrimp skewer variety, which included an egg roll.

The vermicelli bowl came in a beautiful arrangement, with lettuce, bean sprouts and aromatic herbs tucked perfectly into it. When trying a new restaurant, I do enjoy when I am overwhelmed by the elements and ingredients in a single dish.

The short ribs were tender and pulled away from the bone in an easy bite. The shrimp were also delicious and succulent.

The bowl arrived with a clear sauce which I wasn’t sure whether it was to dip the egg roll in or to douse my noodles with. I did both; To my surprise, the sweet and tangy element brought the elements of the whole dish together.

It was a fantastic lunch and an absolute gem of an eatery for those in the Fairwood area.