Extra-authentic Vietnamese (and bowls of pork belly!), now in Lakewood

Mot Hai Ba, interior
Kevin Hamilton
Kevin Hamilton

The Good 2 Go Taco girls have a new spot, and it's not the kind they need to see a dermatologist about! Introducing Mot Hai Ba, a Lakewood Vietnamese-ery armed with beer and bowls of pork belly. There's super-intimate seating for 50 inside, less-intimate patio seating outside, plus regular-intimate seating for six at a bar where you'll surrender (!) to an all-French wine list, plus French, Belgian, and Asian brews. They took several trips to North Vietnam to perfect their menu/ take advantage of a sweet "buy 3, free 1" DVD deal. The result: they now have copies of 3 Ninjas, 3 Ninjas Kick Back, 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up, AND 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain, plus crazy-authentic bowls of pho, banh mi, and this char-grilled pork belly and pork meatball vermicelli bowl. The menu's split into three sections that conveniently use the restaurant's name (Mot Hai Ba literally translates to "one two three" in Vietnamese). The first covers apps (like dill-fried frog legs), the second mains (like these pork- and shrimp-stuffed imperial rolls), and the third desserts. They're also stocking market crab (w/ chili, garlic, and scallion), and shaking beef, which you'll have plenty of if you keep eating... well... shaking beef.

Mot Hai Ba, bar
Kevin Hamilton
Mot Hai Ba, pork belly meatballs
Kevin Hamilton
Mot Hai Ba, imperial rolls
Kevin Hamilton
Mot Hai Ba, crab chili
Kevin Hamilton