Yet again, Reno amazes me with its small-town layout and attitude and yet being able to say, “I feel like eating (enter regional food craving here).”

You want Japanese? Done. Thai? No problem. Basque? Awesome.

Vietnamese?

That too, is true. I have a lot of spread to do on the surge of Vietnamese restaurants in this town, because there’s a lot of them, shockingly. Most are good, some are better to avoid.

One you should absolutely NEVER avoid is the Golden Flower, 205 W. 5th St., on the west side of the Circus Circus. The Golden Flower is one of those places that few locals talk about but really should.

For those of you less adventurous, Vietnamese food is unlike other Asian cuisine. Sure, there’s noodles, chopsticks and odd ingredients if you so choose, but truthfully, in the area of preparation, it’s probably the most straightforward method of preparing exotic dishes I know. That and, unlike a lot of Chinese food in America (gosh I sound as if I’ve been to China… which I haven’t), it is still relatively “authentic.”

Most dishes either are based upon rice or rice noodles. Which personally, I think is great. I love rice noodles. They are much silkier and softer than egg-based or wheat noodles.

Take Pho soup for example. It’s a wonderful mixed broth, with your choices of recognizable ingredients like thin sliced steak, or more adventurous ingredients (which I highly suggest, such as tendon.) Add green onions, a side-plate of mung bean sprouts, full sprigs of basil, lime and well, you have pho. At a price between $4 - $6 a bowl, and I mean a HUGE bowl, how could you not?

Another favorite of mine is “flame-broiled steak,” thinly-sliced and juicy pieces of wonderful beef atop a bed of rice, served with a few pickled carrots and a lovely fish sauce on the side. Don’t worry, “fish sauce,” isn’t something disgusting. It’s more like a light vinegar with a hint of other flavors, only one of which is fish. You can genuinely taste the lightly-charred application to the beef that makes you think you’re at a grill. It’s quite good. With the tangy fish sauce on the side, it brightens up the flavor of both the delicate rice and the bold beef quite well. This too, is inexpensive at about $8.

Spring rolls anyone? Well duh, if you know of them, of course they’re awesome here. For those that don’t, mixed vegetables like carrots and basil, cool noodles and rice-paper wrapped just for you. The peanut sauce is divine.

One oddity I have only once in a while when I’m feeling punchy, is something not for everyone. Now I’m renowned in circles of friends as being the “guy who’ll try anything.” Within reason. The reason this time? “Egg Soda.” Yep, it’s exactly what it sounds like. But worse. They crack a raw egg inside some 7-up, mix it a bit, and throw in some ice. It’s quite interesting. Very healthy, but certainly not for everyone.

If you wish something interesting and strange but very tasty, try “Grass Jelly Drink.” Think of southern-style sweet tea with small pieces of flavored jelly floating around. Yes it sounds odd, but chewing your beverage never was so good. I promise. It’s something fun for the kids, at least. Or guys like me.

The Golden Flower, like all Vietnamese joints, has a “family run” type of employment going on, so that means you may or may not get someone who really understands all of your very specific needs, so read the menu carefully. Also, be prepared to wait a while, as the beginning of the menu states something to the order of, “If you’re in a rush, come back when you can wait for good food.” A nice way of saying, “Don’t bitch at us because we ain’t Burger King.” Also, it seems to be very popular at lunch (11AM - 1PM) and dinner (5pm - 7pm) . I believe they close at 9PM. Plan accordingly.

The variations between family Vietnamese places on the menu is also another plus for Vietnamese food, and the menu at Golden Flower is no different. Also, very lengthy. There’s something there for everyone.

If you want cheap, interesting food, Golden Flower is it.

I wish I knew how to say, “Long live Reno!” in Vietnamese. That’s how I’d close this.

- Gay Rodeo