In 2004, Christina “Ha” Luu (who passed away last year) and William Vuong launched Hà VL, a legend far and wide. (Pavement bassist Mark Ibold famously professed his devotion in Lucky Peach magazine). Two decades later, it's one of three sister noodle soup spots conjuring liquid poems straight from Vietnam. Their children and grandchildren carry their torch the VL way: two or three soups daily, each offered only once a week. Still, flavor nuances vary per location. Hà VL is the north star under longtime steward Peter Vuong, a 2024 James Beard Best Chef Northwest semifinalist. Soupers with true religion come on Thursdays for the ecstatic snail meatball noodle soup. Annam LV, opened in late 2023, adds a more modern sensibility and some eye-catching street foods on SE Belmont.