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The Good Hearted Woman

Home Cooking & Cozy Living

  • SOURDOUGH RECIPES & RESOURCES

Classic French Onion Soup

February 9 By Renée 9 Comments

Classic French Onion Soup is a perfect union of sweet caramelized onions, crusty french bread croutons, and bubbly melted cheese. Our tried-and-true, easy-to-make recipe is rich, savory, and satisfying to the bone.

Classic French Onion Soup

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Classic French Onion Soup is a perfect union of sweet caramelized onions, crusty french bread croutons, and bubbly melted cheese.

Classic French Onion Soup

What kind of onions work best for French Onion Soup? 

The type of onions you use can dramatically impact  both the cooking time and the sweetness level of your soup. It may seem counterintuitive, but avoid using sweet onions for caramelizing.

When making anything with caramelized onions, I prefer to use a mixture of red and yellow onions. Sweet onions will work, but will take significantly longer to cook, and the end-product will have less flavor than that made with red and/or yellow onions.

You might be wondering what causes this sweetness inversion, so here’s the scoop: plain old red and yellow onions have a far more complex flavor profile than do sweet onions. While we perceive sweet onions to be sweeter, yellow and red onions have more pungent lachymators (i.e., stuff that makes you cry) than do sweet onions (e.g., WallaWallas, Vidalias, etc.), giving the impression that the red and yellow onions have a higher sugar content, when the opposite is actually true. It is because of their higher sugar content that red and yellow onions yield richer caramelized onions, and subsequently, more flavorful French Onion Soup.

sliced onions in slow cooker

Does it matter how the onions are cut for caramelizing? 

You wouldn’t think so, but apparently, it does. According to America’s Test Kitchen, slicing onions from pole to pole (root to stem) instead of cross-grain prevents them from breaking down too much during the long cooking process.

What’s the difference between “browning” and “caramelizing”?

Browning is the relatively quick process of browning the outside of onions, done in hot oil at relatively high temperature.

Caramelizing, on the other hand, is a much slower process; requiring no less than 45 minutes (and upwards from an hour for larger quantities) over much lower heat.

Caramelization describes the chemical reactions that take place when any sugar is heated to the point that its molecules begin to break apart and generate hundreds of new flavor, color, and aroma compounds. [Cook’s Illustrated]

This slow cook is necessary in order for the chemical process to occur that transforms the sugars in the onions into rich, jammy, umami goodness. This magical transformation only happens after a long cooking time. The more caramelized, the deeper will be the color of the onions and the more intense the flavor.

You can encourage the caramelization process by adding a teaspoon or two of sugar to the onions as they cook; however, the process cannot be rushed. Doing so may result in bitter onions; and subsequently, bitter soup.

Using the traditional stove-top method, caramelizing the onions for this French Onion Soup recipe will take at least 45 minutes, and up to an hour. (I make mine in the slow cooker, over a period of about 18 hours.)

Good news! You can freeze caramelized onions!

Did you know you can freeze caramelized onions? Make a big batch – the easy way (in a slow cooker!) – and freeze them. Then you can have this easy-to-make soup on the table in just 30 minutes, anytime you want!

Frozen caramelized onions.

What kind of cheese is best for French Onion Soup? 

Traditionally, French Onion Soup is topped with a bubbly, broiled Gruyère cheese. Gruyère is a Swiss-type or Alpine cheese.

Gruyère has a distinctive but not overpowering taste and gets excellent scores for meltability. The flavor of Gruyère can vary wildly, depending on both cheesemaker and age. Like Jarlsberg, young Gruyère is described as creamy and nutty, with the later becoming more earthier as it matures. Fully aged Gruyère can have a slightly grainy texture, like that of aged cheddar.

Depending where you live, it can be difficult to find good Gruyère. If you have this problem, do not – for the love of all Kitchen Elves everywhere – do not buy anything with the words “processed” in its name to melt on top of your hard-earned caramelized onions (unless you enjoy eating melted Play-doh). Instead, go with one of these delicious alternatives.

Gruyère Cheese Substitutes

Fontina and Parmesan: In the absence of Gruyere, the Fontina & Parmesan combo is my personal favorite cheese finish for French Onion Soup. (The soups shown throughout this post are all topped with this mixture.) 

Fontina is a semisoft, very meltable cheese with a slightly nutty, savory flavor. Fontinas from the United States usually have a milder flavor and softer texture than do those from Europe. (I don’t think I’d use a European Fontina for this soup.)

Cheese sprinkled on french bread croutons for French Onion Soup

Jarlsberg: Jarlsberg is my favorite everyday cheese. It’s smooth, sweet, nutty flavor complements French Onion Soup and pulls the sweet notes from the soup. Really good choice. (The only reason I list Fontina first is because, objectively, as far as flavor and meltability are concerned, it is more closely aligned with Gruyère.)

In a pinch, any mild, meltable Swiss cheese will work. Just choose a cheese you love, grate it up, and enjoy!

Should I use a Baguette or a Batard? (And what the heck is a Batard, anyway?)

French baguettes are the usual crouton of choice for French Onion Soup; however, I prefer to use French Batard.

A batard is the lesser known cousin of the thin, sexy French baguette. Usually about a foot or less long, the batard is much thicker around than the baguette, with a slightly thinner crust. I find that batard croutons make for a better soup-eating experience: they are easier to spoon up, and not quite as chewy as those made from baguette rounds. 

No fancy french breads? No worries! Everyday grocery-store French bread will also work just fine. Your choice of bread for the croutons is totally up to you. 

Sliced french bread batard

A Note about Soup Stock

A soup is only as good as the stock upon which it is built. 

French Onion soup is traditionally made with beef stock (or broth); however, you can make it with chicken or vegetable stock if desired. 

If you make your own soup stock, use a light version. You don’t want the flavor of your stock to overwhelm the subtleties of the caramelized onions. You should be able to see sunlight through a jar of your stock. If it is too thick to see the light, add a little water, or a 75/25 combination of water and wine.

Always taste any stock, including boxed stocks, before you use them. A bad stock can ruin an entire soup; a great one can elevate it.  If you don’t like the flavor of your stock, don’t use it. 

Wavy Line

No need to worry about fancy soup crocks if you don’t have them: you can serve French Onion Soup in any individual, oven-safe vessel. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme and you’re all set! 

Classic French Onion Soup

Recipe Updated February 9, 2021 (Originally published November 21, 2013)
Classic French Onion Soup
5 from 2 votes

Classic French Onion Soup

Classic French Onion Soup is a perfect union of caramelized onions, crusty french bread, and bubbly melted cheese. Our tried-and-true, easy-to-make recipe is rich, savory, and satisfying to the bone.
Prep Time45 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time1 hr 15 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Soup
Keyword: cheese, onions
Servings: 6
Calories: 341kcal
Author: Renée | The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

  • 10-inch Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds red or yellow onions about 4-5 large onions, sliced stem to root about ¼" thick (or, I suggest using pre-prepped caramelized onions)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme minced (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme), plus a few sprigs for garnish
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Wondra or all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup red wine or white wine
  • 4 cups beef stock or chicken stock, or vegetable stock
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 ounces Gruyere* grated (or Fontina, Swiss, or Provolone)
  • 1 ounce Parmesan shredded or grated (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic whole, peeled
  • 1 french bread baguette or batard sliced in ½-inch rounds (or french bread loaf)
  • salt to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Caramelized Onions

  • In a 10-inch Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven (or other large, heavy-bottom saucepan) melt 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat.
    Add sliced red or yellow onions to melted oil and butter.
    Cook slowly, stirring frequently, over medium-low heat until onions are very soft and have turned dark golden brown.
    Caramelizing the onions should take at least 45 minutes. DO NOT RUSH or your onions may turn out bitter.
    Foolproof step-by-step directions for caramelizing onions can be found on our post, Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions.
    caramelized onions in dutch oven on stove burner
  • TO USE PRE-PREPPED CARAMELIZED ONIONS (which I heartily encourage you to do!):
    Skip the step outlined above and just add 2 cups (16 ounces) pre-prepped caramelized onions to the Dutch Oven.
    Heat over medium-low until the onions are bubbly; about 5 minutes.
    Frozen caramelized onions.

Soup Base

  • To the prepared caramelized onions, add the wine and deglaze the pan.
    Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
    Stir in garlic, thyme leaves (or dried thyme), and freshly ground pepper.
    Reduce the heat and simmer on low until the wine has evaporated and the onions are nearly dry; about 5 minutes.
    Add garlic and thyme.
  • Add the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce.
    Return soup to heat and allow to simmer 10 minutes more.
    Season to taste.
    Broth and wine added to caramelized onions.

Baguette Croutons

  • While soup is simmering, arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
    Set under broiler just long enough to toast lightly; about 2 minutes.
    Flip the baguette rounds over and repeat.
    Rub one side of each toasted bread slice with a clove of garlic.
    Broiled french bread slices on old baking tray

Serving

  • When you are ready to serve, ladle hot soup into oven-safe bowls.
    Classic French Onion Soup in bowls.
  • Float one or more prepared baguette croutons on top.
    Croutons in bowls, waiting for cheese. French Onion Soup process.
  • Sprinkle generously with grated cheeses.
    Cheese sprinkled on french bread croutons for French Onion Soup
  • Place under broiler just long enough to melt and slightly brown the cheese.
    Broiled cheese on top of French Onion Soup.
  • Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and serve.
    Classic French Onion Soup

Notes

Wine & Wine Substitutes:
I like my French Onion Soup slightly lighter and on the sweet side: a good Reisling works very nicely.
If you are not a wine-drinker and prefer not to buy it, you can use equal parts additional broth and white grape juice in place of the wine. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 964mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 773IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 369mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

How to Lighten Up Classic French Onion Soup

If you prefer the classic, intensely flavored French Onion Soup, use beef broth and red wine as listed first in the recipe.

Mr B and I, however, prefer our French Onion Soup on the lighter side of traditional, both in sodium load and flavor profile. For this reason, we often sub in a light chicken stock or vegetable stock (for a vegetarian French Onion Soup) in place of the traditional beef broth base, and white wine instead of the customary red or port. 

Either way, it’s delicious! 

Note that if you sub in a vegetable stock, take care that it doesn’t have a strong flavor, as it will affect the outcome of your soup.

Broiled cheese on top of French Onion Soup.

Homemade soups are some of our favorite things. Be sure to check out these delicious, time-tested  classic soup recipes, including Loaded Baked Potato, Hungarian Mushroom, and the easiest Ham-bone Split Pea Soup you’ll ever make! 

Spoonful of French Onion Soup.

I’m not big on excessive kitchen gadgets, but this herb stem stripper is a thumbnail saver – and totally worth the real estate it takes up in my kitchen drawer. To use it, you just thread the stem through the smallest hole through which it will fit, and pull the stem through. Like magic, the herb leaves fall away, ready to use. It works like a charm on fresh thyme! 

Fresh thyme on plate with herb stem stripper.

Wavy Line

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Classic French Onion Soup  Classic French Onion Soup
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

 

Filed Under: 30-Minute Meals, Eating Style, Recipes, Soup, Chowder & Stew, Vegetarian Tagged With: caramelized onions, French, onions

Creamy Fresh Strawberry Crêpes {with Basic Vanilla Crêpe Recipe}

February 23 By Renée 16 Comments

These easy-to-make Fresh Strawberry Crepes are light, creamy, and perfect for everything from an elegant brunch to a lazy summer back porch afternoon. 

If Freshalicious was a real word, and that word was in a real dictionary (Urban Dictionary does not count), this image of Fresh Strawberry Crème Crêpes would be the picture they would use to illustrate it.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

If Freshalicious was a real word, and that word was in a real dictionary (Urban Dictionary does not count), these Fresh Strawberry Crêpes would be the picture they would use to illustrate it!

Despite their “fancy” vibe, Fresh Strawberry Crepes are super easy to make, and most of the work can be done ahead of time. These light, airy crepes are perfect for special occasions: birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Mid-Summer Back-Porch Sittin’ Day (I may have made that one up). 

Fresh Strawberry Crepes

I was so tickled when one of my daughter’s made Strawberry Crepes for me for Mother’s Day brunch a few years ago! In her version, she used plain whipped cream on the top, plus a little chocolate syrup for flare.

Instagram shot of strawberry Crepes

The only real challenge these creamy Fresh Strawberry Crêpes present is one of self-control: just try to not eat all the fresh strawberry cream before you assemble the crêpes!blank

Creamy Fresh Strawberry Crêpes

Creamy Fresh Strawberry Crêpes

Fresh Strawberry Crème Crêpes are fresh, creamy, and so easy to make!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time35 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Breakfast or Brunch, Dessert
Keyword: brunch, mothers day, strawberries,, strawberry crepes
Servings: 12 crepes
Calories: 249kcal
Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

  • Crepe Pan
  • Crepe Turner (or Spatula)
  • Stand Mixer
  • Blender

Ingredients

  • 2 pints Strawberries hulled and sliced, divided
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2/3 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 1 batch Basic Sweet Vanilla Crêpes (These can be made ahead of time.)

Instructions

  • In a blender or food processor, puree 1 cup of the sliced strawberries with about 1/4 cup heavy cream. Set aside. (The remaining sliced strawberries will be used inside and on top of the crepes.

To make Strawberry Crème:

  • With an electric mixer, whip the remaining 1 3/4 cups heavy cream until it begins to form soft peaks.
    blank
  • Mix in the sugar until stiff peaks begin to form.
  • Turn mixture on LOW and stir in pureed strawberries.
    blank
  • Refrigerate strawberry crème until you are ready to assemble crêpes.
    Creamy Fresh Strawberry Crêpes {with Basic Vanilla Crepe Recipe}

Assembling the Crêpes

  • Fill prepared crêpes with strawberry crème and strawberries, fold and garnish with same.
    blank

Notes

Nutritional Information includes amounts from Sweet Vanilla Crepe Recipe. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1crepe | Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 28.8g | Protein: 4.4g | Fat: 13.1g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 16.2g | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Cooking the Crêpes

A well-seasoned crêpe pan is the optimal tool for cooking crepes: the sides are short, making flipping a breeze, and bottom is heavy, ensuring consistent heat and even cooking.

Easy Basic Sweet Vanilla Crêpes | The Good Hearted Woman

If you don’t have a crêpe pan, be sure to use a heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan. The size of your pan will determine how big your crepes turn out: seven or eight inches is standard. 

Crepes can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to two months.

Easy Basic Sweet Vanilla Crêpes | The Good Hearted Woman

Basic Sweet Vanilla Crêpes {Recipe}

This versatile sweet vanilla crepe recipe is perfect for all your dessert crepes ideas!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Resting Time1 hr
Total Time1 hr 25 mins
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Breakfast, Breakfast or Brunch, Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: crepes
Servings: 12 crepes
Calories: 137kcal
Author: Renée B. ♥ The Good Hearted Woman

Equipment

  • Crepe Pan
  • Blender
  • Rubber Spatula

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups milk* see note
  • 3 eggs
  • 4 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 Tbs. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups flour sifted

Simple fillings or toppings for sweet crêpes include:

  • A dusting of powdered sugar and a sprinkling of fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh fruits or berries
  • Whipped cream
  • Jam or jelly

Instructions

  • Put milk, eggs, melted butter, sugar, and salt in blender and process to combine. Add flour and process until smooth.
  • Allow crepe mixture to sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before using.

Prepare Crepes

  • Heat a crêpe pan (or an 8- or 9-inch non-stick sauté pan) over medium-low heat. It is important to find the right temperature for crêpes. When done, crêpes should be very lightly golden.
    Start your pan on medium low and work from there.
  • If you are worried about your crêpes sticking, rub a little coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil over the surface with a paper towel. Remove any visible oil before proceeding.
  • Pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup crêpe batter into the middle of the heated pan. Immediately swirl it around to create a thin flat crepe that reaches just slightly up the sides of the pan.
    (I usually lift it off the burner for this step: it makes it much easier to manipulate the pan.)
    Cook for about 1 minute.
  • The crêpe is ready to flip when the edges are just beginning to turn brown and the batter in the middle is no longer glossy or wet looking.
  • Using a large, thin rubber spatula, loosen the edges, and then gently flip the crepe. Allow it to cook an additional 30 seconds to a minute.
  • If you are making another crêpe, don’t let the pan set empty on the burner for more than a few seconds or it will get too hot.
  • Carefully lift edge of crepe with a spatula to test for doneness. The crepe is ready to turn when it can be shaken loose from the pan and the underside is lightly browned. Turn crepe over; cook 30 seconds on other side.

Notes

Flipping Crepes
I usually don't use the spatula to do the actual flipping. I flip the crepe by lifting the edges with the spatula, then I peel it up carefully with my fingers and I flip it over in one fluid motion. If you use this method, be sure to keep you fingers off the hot pan!
Refrigerating Crepe Batter
DO NOT SKIP the refrigeration step. 
Refrigerating the batter after it’s been mixed relaxes the gluten, resulting in light, airy crêpes.
Refrigerating and/or Freezing Cooked Crepes
  • If you wish to store your crepes in the refrigerator, place a stack of cooked, cooled crepes inside a heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag.
  • Crepes may be refrigerated for up to a week, and can be frozen for up to two months.
  • To defrost frozen crepes, place them in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat single crepes in a hot, dry pan for a few seconds, or reheat stacks of defrosted crepes in the microwave at 15 seconds intervals.

Nutrition

Serving: 1crepe | Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5.7g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 4.7g | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

Flipping Crêpes

Crêpes are ready to flip when the edges are just beginning to turn brown and the batter in the middle is no longer glossy or wet looking. Usually about a minute to a minute and a half. 

Use a rubber spatula to loosen the edges, and then gently flip the crêpe. Allow it to cook an additional 30 seconds to a minute.

I usually don’t use the spatula to do the actual flipping. I flip the crêpe by lifting the edges with the spatula, then I peel it up carefully with my fingers and I flip it over in one fluid motion. If you use this method, be sure to keep you fingers off the hot pan! 

Creamy Fresh Strawberry Crêpes

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THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. ? Be sure to PIN this post!

 Creamy Fresh Strawberry Crêpes {with Basic Vanilla Crepe Recipe}   Creamy Fresh Strawberry Crêpes {with Basic Vanilla Crepe Recipe}

Fresh Strawberry Crepes
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Updated Feb. 23.2020. Originally posted June 9, 2014. 

Filed Under: 30-Minute Meals, Sweets, Vegetarian Tagged With: berries, Breakfast, brunch, crepes, French, strawberries

Simply Elegant {Duc’s Bistro}

August 28 By Renée 8 Comments

Dining at Duc’s Bistro in Honolulu’s Chinatown is an unforgettable experience in casual elegance, delicious food, and warm hospitality. 

Duc's Bistro, Oahu, Hawaii - French Vietnamese Cuisine {Review} | The Good Hearted Woman

Thinking about how the paths of individuals cross unknowingly through time and space has always intrigued me. For example, even if you and I have never met, if you live in the Portland area, there is a better than good chance that we have brushed shoulders at one time or another. We might have visited Multnomah Falls on the same day, or ridden the same MAX train, or visited the same food cart within minutes of one another. In other words, we have probably been in the same space at the same time at least once.

I like to think of it like this: pretend that you are a blue light on a globe that shows your location in real time, and I am a green light. How often would our lights cross one another? The glowing paths left by those little lights moving through time is an interesting image, and one that came to mind this summer when Mr. B and I visited Duc’s Bistro in Honolulu’s Chinatown, because there is an excellent chance that the owner, Duc Nguyen, had a hand in cooking one of the most memorable meals Mr. B and I have ever had – 34 years ago.

Space Needle - March 16, 1981Back in 1981, when Mr. B and I were seventeen and full of big dreams, we scrape together our hard-earned pennies and took a day trip to Seattle over spring break, where we splurged on a dinner at the most elegant place we could think of – the top of the Space Needle. While we watched the city rotate across our field of vision, Duc – then a recent immigrant from Vietnam – was working away in the Space Needle kitchen and dreaming big dreams too.

Fast forward 34 years.

Duc has come a long way from that sky-high kitchen in Seattle. A resident of Hawaii for more than twenty years now, Duc has been carefully creating and serving traditional Vietnamese and classic French cuisine in Honolulu’s Chinatown since 1992. His dedication to providing diners at his restaurant with food of incomparable quality, freshness, and flavor – served with unparalleled hospitality – is renowned among locals and tourist alike.

Let’s start with that hospitality, because that is what stands out above all else at Duc’s. Enter the front door, and the atmosphere is clean, modern and inviting, highlighted with tasteful pink ambient lighting and crisp white table clothes. Once seated, you will likely be greeted by Duc himself, who will make you feel so welcome that it is almost as if he has been waiting a very long time to meet you.

Likewise, the service at Duc’s was impeccable. Our waiter, Kanoa, was just as warm and friendly as Duc, and – without a note of hyperbole – he was one of the best waiters we have ever experienced: professional, knowledgeable, and completely attuned to our needs. We learned that he started working at Duc’s when he was twelve, and now 27, Kanoa has developed such a finely honed instinct that we never once wanted for anything. He explained each dish carefully and answered our questions completely before we even asked, magically appeared tableside whenever we needed anything, and intuitively knew when to leave us to enjoy our evening.

Duc's Bistro, Oahu, Hawaii - French Vietnamese Cuisine {Review} | The Good Hearted Woman

Duc’s menu takes its inspiration and vision from a synthesis of effortlessly beautiful dishes from the cuisine of Vietnam, the fresh ingredients of Hawaii, and the refinement of western methods and presentations. The resultant menu is one of simple elegance.

After consulting with Kanoa, we decided to start out with a Baby Papaya and Shrimp Salad, which turned out to be one of my new favorite things ever. Crisp, fresh, and dressed lightly with what I’m pretty sure was nuoc cham (sweet Vietnamese dipping sauce), this was a wonderful start to our meal.

Duc's Bistro, Oahu, Hawaii - French Vietnamese Cuisine {Review} | The Good Hearted Woman

Over the course of our dinner, we ordered a few drinks to share as well. The ginger martini was So Good (you remember how much I love ginger, right?), and Mr. B’s mojito was a refreshingly cool, well-balanced blend of tart and sweet. However, the real standout the “Madame Vu,” a blend of cloves, ginger, sugar cane, pomegranate and pineapple mixed with (your choice of) vodka, rum or gin. We went with vodka, and the unique blend of flavors immediately became a new favorite for both of us.

For our main course, we chose Lemon Grass Chicken, Breast of Duck Saigon, and Long Green Beans With Garlic. The chicken, boneless organic thigh strips sautéed with lemongrass, was fresh tasting, mildly spicy, and very satisfying.  The market-fresh long beans were well seasoned with just the right amount of garlic to enhance without overpowering their delicate flavors.

The duck was a big surprise for me. Duck is not something I usually enjoy: many preparations leave it too greasy, and I find the gamey flavor off-putting, but Mr. B loves it, so we ordered it with the idea that he would have the duck, I would have the chicken, and we would share the beans. However, when I tried a bite of Mr. B’s duck, I tasted no gamey flavor whatsoever, and the meat was tender, succulent, and delicious. Needless to say, Mr. B had to share.

Duc's Bistro, Oahu, Hawaii - French Vietnamese Cuisine {Review} | The Good Hearted Woman

We topped off our dinner with Apple Banana Tapioca Pudding topped with coconut cream, and garnished with ground peanuts, sliced almonds, and mint. I loved this delicately creamy dessert so much I came home and created my own version of Banana Tapioca Pudding to preserve the memory in my recipe file.

Food is served family-style, and portions are on the small side (relative to today’s super-sized norms) but they are actually exactly the right size for sharing. Prices are on the median for mid-high end dining in Honolulu: our bill, which included an appetizer, two protein-based entrees and one vegetarian entree, three cocktails, an espresso and dessert, came to a little over a hundred dollars before tip, which we both considered very reasonable considering it was our one Big Night Out in Hawaii.

A final word: 

Being from Portland, I’m accustomed to finding little dining pearls in the most unassuming places, and have learned that best places are sometimes surrounded by less than desirable neighbors. This is definitely the case with Duc’s, which is tucked between a nail salon and a corner flower vendor on a sketchy-looking street in Chinatown. Do not let the location deter you from a truly wonderful dining experience.

Duc’s Bistro
1188 Maunakea St
Honolulu, HI 96817
Chinatown

Phone number (808) 531-6325
ducsbistro.com

 

Filed Under: Food & Dining, Oahu Tagged With: French, Hawaii

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