Crawfish & Noodles

Alief, Houston · Cajun · $$

Viet-Cajun crawfish is one of Houston's genuine contributions to American food culture, born in the Vietnamese community on the southwest side where Cajun seasonings met Southeast Asian technique. Crawfish & Noodles in Alief is one of the city's best versions: live crawfish boiled in a proprietary blend of garlic butter, lemon pepper, and spices, eaten elbow-deep at a table covered in newspaper. Order the medium spice unless you know what you're getting into, and add the fish sauce wings as a non-negotiable side.