Houston’s Viet-Cajun culinary tradition has found a bold new stage. Crawfish Cafe and Pho Prime, two concepts from Mamba Hospitality Group, have unveiled a newly reimagined 10,000-square-foot dual-concept restaurant at 11209 Bellaire Boulevard in Houston’s Asiatown, bringing Vietnamese comfort food and Gulf Coast seafood together under one roof.
“This opening is more than just a new location—it’s a meaningful celebration of our roots, the bold spirit of New Orleans, and the community that makes Houston home,” said Kiet Duong, co-founder of Mamba Hospitality Group in a press release. “It’s a space meant to transport guests, inspire them, and make them feel at home. We can’t wait to share this experience with everyone who walks through our doors.”
The freshly renovated space marks a major evolution for Crawfish Cafe, which first opened in 2013. One of the most distinctive features of the new space is its seamless dual-concept format, which allows guests to order freely from both Crawfish Cafe and Pho Prime in a single visit—pairing Vietnamese staples like pho and banh mi with buttery, spice-laden seafood boils synonymous with Houston’s robust Viet-Cajun scene.
The design is just as ambitious as the menu. Owners Kiet Duong and Julie Nguyen worked with Houston Design and Construction’s Daniel Chen to create an immersive environment that blends Vietnamese heritage with New Orleans flair, and is a far cry from any of the other Crawfish Cafe and Pho Prime locations.
The dining room is split into two spaces that flow naturally, anchored by two 20-foot murals by Houston artist Donkeeboy, celebrating Bourbon Street and the cultural fusion behind Viet-Cajun cuisine. Guests encounter nods to Vietnam throughout, as in bamboo accents, woven basket boats, street food carts, and traditional leaf hats, alongside New Orleans details like trolley-style booths and fleur-de-lis-embellished archways. A hexagon skylight in the room, dubbed the “Viet-Cajun Village,” brings in ample natural light and features bamboo archways, keeping it accessible for private events.
Crawfish Cafe is marking the restaurant’s debut with the launch of a new signature sauce, Viet-Cajun, a bright, citrus-driven blend of oranges, lemons, butter, garlic, and spices that leans into Vietnamese flavor while staying rooted in Gulf Coast tradition. The sauce will be available exclusively at the Bellaire location, before rolling out to the brand’s other four locations in mid-March.
With diners able to mix and match across the menus, the possibilities are endless. Crawfish Cafe’s lineup leans into bold Gulf Coast indulgence, with shareables like crawfish cheese bread and oyster nachos; fried seafood platters; and customizable boils piled high with shellfish, corn, sausage, and potatoes. Signature Smack Packs deliver a complete feast, with Cajun rice, Cajun butter shrimp, corn, potato, sausage, boiled egg, and a signature Smack Sauce. Twenty-plus sides, including garlic bread, grits, fried okra, and hush puppies, only add to the choices.
Pho Prime brings Vietnamese classics to the table, from traditional vermicelli bowls and spring rolls to richly simmered pho in 16 varieties including oxtail, beef short rib, shrimp, and chicken. A plant-based option, the Pho Chay, is offered too, made with a vegan broth with tofu, shiitake mushrooms, and bok choy. Among the handhelds, guests can opt for various banh mi selections, or the signature Pho French dip, made with brisket, garlic and herb butter, spicy aioli, hoisin, and beef broth for dipping
A central bar and drink station holds court in the main dining room. While the beverage menu includes plenty of nonalcoholic options—like mango dragonfruit tea and lychee lemonade—it also features a lineup of signature cocktails that nod to the restaurant’s New Orleans inspiration, including a Cajun Bloody Mary,Lychee Mai Tai, Lemongrass Mule, and the crowd-favorite New Orleans Lemonade, alongside margaritas, beer, and wine. The addition of alcohol marks a departure for the Pho Prime brand, where other locations remain dry, making the shared drink station a new element that expands pairing possibilities across both menus. Guests can also sip on Pho Prime staples such as Thai tea, egg coffee, and coconut coffee.
Crawfish Cafe and Pho Prime’s new Bellaire Boulevard home arrives at a fitting time—during the peak of crawfish season and as Houston’s Viet-Cajun cuisine continues gaining national attention. By bringing Vietnamese comfort food and Gulf Coast seafood boils together in a vibrant, design-forward setting, the restaurant offers both longtime fans and first-time visitors a fresh way to experience one of Houston’s most defining culinary mashups.
The restaurant is now open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
