Bún Măng Vịt

Vietnam House is the undisputed king of duck bamboo shoot vermicelli in Seattle. Ask any Vietnamese local where to get it, and this is the answer. The broth is a labor of love — duck bones simmered for hours with ginger, dried bamboo shoots, and the subtle aromatics that make this soup so distinctive. The bamboo shoots are tender but still have a slight crunch, and they've absorbed the rich duck flavor. The duck meat is served both in the bowl and on the side as crispy duck with a cabbage salad, and this dual preparation — soup + crispy duck on the side — is the Vietnam House signature. It's available in limited quantities and often sells out by early afternoon. Go early.

Tamarind Tree also does a solid duck bamboo shoot vermicelli that's more consistently available than Vietnam House's limited-run version. Their broth is slightly lighter but still deeply duck-flavored, with the bamboo shoots providing that characteristic earthy tang. The duck leg they serve with it is fall-apart tender. The herb plate includes the usual suspects plus banana blossom, which adds a nice crunch.

Huong Binh's duck bamboo shoot vermicelli is a quieter, less-hyped version that deserves attention. The broth has a deeper bamboo shoot flavor than most — almost funky in the best way — and the duck is tender and abundant. It's a home-style version, the kind your Vietnamese grandmother would make if she lived in Seattle. The price is right, too.