Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/361673
"Chinatown is the perfect place for me for so many reasons. The scent of Asian spices reminds me of Vietnam and the busy shops with their products displayed for all to see—vegetables and fresh fish you could not get in American markets, still swimming in tanks. "I also love the area because it gave me access to beautiful silks and fabric. Van's Fabrics on Beach Street is one of my favorite spots because they import the most beautiful Asian fabrics: Imagine a gorgeous rainbow of colors for my imagination to work with. And the American tourists loved these fabrics and prints. They are the ones who really built my business. "In Chinatown, I spent most of my time working 16 -hour days, and I usually cooked and brought my own lunch. When I did get out, I liked to go to Banh Mi House because it's quick and delicious. Their food is authentic. They make French bread sandwiches with veggies and pulled pork or chicken. It's the best fast food you'll ever have. "My favorite French Vietnamese restaurant is Pho Pasteur. It's not exactly like home, but they have it down to a science. It's fresh, affordable, and tastes great. I like their pho, a beef noodle soup. When my daughter wants to go out to eat, I take her to Penang, our favorite Malaysian restaurant. I spent a small amount of time in Malaysia and really like their cuisine. Penang has the best tomyam, a hot and sour soup with shrimp. Mine is better than theirs, but if I'm going out, theirs will do! "If I have to go to a wedding or event and need to look good, I get my hair done at Le's Beauty Salon. They do a very good job, and the rates aren't too high. Now the Tufts doctors and students have caught on and they get their hair done there, too. "There are so many great things happening in Chinatown. City Hall and Main Street have extended the greenway there, and this will give the area more exposure during our Asian summer festivals and help business. It's also a hotbed for real estate and a lot of hotels and theaters. Our new mayor, Mr. Walsh, is very supportive of our culture and its prosperity…. It's great." BC The Goods Where Kim Pham finds supplies for her store, her body, and her soul. Van'S FaBricS 14 Beach St., 617-423-6592 "Imagine a gorgeous rainbow of colors." BanH Mi HouSe 48 Winter St., 617-396-7371, banhmi-house.com "It's the best fast food you'll ever have." PHo PaSteur 682 Washington St., 617-482-7467; phopasteurboston.net "They have French Vietnamese food down to a science." Penang 685 Washington St., 617-451-6373; penangmalaysian.com "Penang has the best tomyam soup." Le'S Beauty SaLon 10 Kneeland St., 617-338-9898; lesbeautysalon.com "They do a great job, and the rates aren't too high." Kim Pham spends most of her day sewing in her workshop. When she eats out, she enjoys the Malaysian curry at Penang (middle right), Vietnamese sandwiches from Banh Mi House (bottom left), and Vietnamese soup at Pho Pasteur (top left). For special occasions, she gets her hair done at Le's Beauty Salon (bottom right). bostoncommon-magazine.com 75