The Paper Bridge sits in an industrial corridor that has turned into one of Buckman’s known food streets. The name is a translation of Cầu Giấy, the Hanoi district where owners Quynh Nguyen and Carlo Reinardy dreamed the place up. And the concept of the restaurant is one with perspective. While there will always be a special place in my heart for the mom and pop Vietnamese restaurants that have a number in the name and number and lettered dishes that read more like an index than a menu, I do appreciate a curated menu that invites you to try something you have never tried before. Even with the descriptions, if you aren’t well versed in regional Vietnamese cuisine, what you picture in your head isn’t necessarily what will appear on your table. But that’s what makes it exciting.

All of the rice noodles (and other forms) here are made in house, and appear in pretty much every form. There’s Phở chiên phồng, where the noodles are layered and deep fried and topped with a savory beef stir fry. Or a more refreshing Phở Cuốn Tây Hồ, where the noodles are used as a wrapper for lettuce and beef. And the delightful xôi chiên ngũ sắc, colorful sticky rice cakes. Basically no matter what you get you’re sure to have a good time.