THE 50 BEST Vietnamese Restaurants in San Francisco, CA - 2024 Restaurantji (2024)

Customers` Favorites

“I think I ate every“ wow that’s great banhmi! “ spot around lately and ;Pork banhmi = warm bread , well seasoned! ? I would put just little bit of more veggies to balance the meat and veggie ratio or add chunky peanut sauce which makes a perfect bite to swallow in every time.Egg rolls are served warm and I like that the fish sauce has the right density& salt.Ps. Don’t forget to watch rolling the king roll 101 video that I haven’t record yet lol -(yes pretty much joint rolling but better)“

Customers` Favorites

“Food was excellent, portions are massive, service was great. We had the sunday lunch special where for 32 dollars got a drink, an appetizer and an entree and couldn't eat it all. Food was extremely high quality and the banh mi's and noodle bowls are the size of your head. Cannot recommend enough.“

Customers` Favorites

“Honestly... giving this place a 5 stat because it is actually good, it is so big, and less than $5. Enough said..... The area is a bit sketch, but you won't be there for too long so it is okay! Come with a friend as parking can be hard. It can get pretty busy but they are fairly quick. I have never heard of anyone arodering a sanwich from here and being dissapointed. Our group recently orderd 1 pork, 1 tofu, 1 chicken, and everyone was satisfied.“

Customers` Favorites

“Incredible food, everything on the menu was delicious and unique. I could eat the prawns all day and the crab fried rice was next level. My coworker ordered a little bit of everything and there wasn't a single thing that we had that I didn't love. I don't often give places 5 star reviews but this one is worth it, the only downside is maybe it's a little pricey but come here with a big group and split a bunch of plates and you will walk away full and for less than a fancy tasting menu. Also, apparently the $90 tasting menu is really good, so I'll be back again to try that :)“

Customers` Favorites

“By their own standards, this place is doing a good job. I found it a little overbearing, but I'll admit, part of what comforts me about Vietnamese restaurants is being left alone. I was not. I was even given instructions about how to order next time! One person working there seemed concerned I ate only half my bun bo hue, but I truly ate all I could and then some, it was just a lot for me. I think $20 is a lot for pho, but I was fine with that, as I was expecting it. I do wish the bun bo hue came with a pork hock, but the broth and the beef were so refined, that is not a complaint. More pork blood would be nice... but, I think they have perfected what it is that they do, which is all I ever want, personally.Would go back. They seem to foster loyalty; I can see why. They're very welcoming, and the food is comforting, as someone who grew up on SFV phoGot bun bo hue because it looked like everyone else did. Was happy with that choice. All the food looked pretty good.“

Customers` Favorites

“Alright here me out, the food here is great. Super flavorful and it is worth it. However, shall we talk about the service? It was wrong in so many level it is almost a joke. However, as many people said, if you were treated poorly by the servers, you knew the food is legit. I would be back again for the food, and strictly for the food.“

Customers` Favorites

“We had their Pho Ga, a comforting chicken soup with flat rice noodles, and the Bun Bo Hue, a Central Vietnamese-style beef soup enriched with pork and thin rice noodles.Feeling a bit under the weather, the Pho Ga worked wonders in soothing my body. Generously accompanied by the fresh veggies, as shown in the photo,Pro tip: Be prepared with cash, as it's the only form of payment accepted."“

Customers` Favorites

“Excellent food and service at this Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant in the Sunset area. We shared a set menu of Roasted Dungeness Crab that came with a small but delicious Cabbage Chicken Salad (Goi Ga), Imperial Rolls (Cha Gio), and buttery Garlic Fried Noodles. The Fried Chicken Wings were crispy but on the sweet side. The food came out promptly and our waitress was friendly and checked on us frequently. Prices were on par with other similar SF establishments. Reservations are recommended, as the restaurant was full on a rainy weeknight when we were thefe. Parking was rather hard to find, so give yourself time, or better yet, don't drive!“

Customers` Favorites

“Cheap and fast, literally no frills! Love the cold cut and fish banh mi. The veggies are super fresh and crunchy and the sauce is the perfect amount. Used to come here a lot after yoga across the street, would just go in with my order and sun tan outside while I wait.“

Customers` Favorites

“The barbecue pork with rice noodle and the ban xheo are very good.Just a small downside for the egg rolls. Inside it looks like a puree, maybe the mixed mushrooms, an unusual texture that doesn't excite me that much.Otherwise very friendly service, ordinary place, but we don't go there for that.“

Customers` Favorites

“Loved this place. Went for lunch today and was busy but was seated within 5 minutes. The food was fantastic and it was super easy to order and it came quickly. Ordered the coconut curry and was very flavorful, wish it had had a little more coconut flavor but overall very good!“

Customers` Favorites

“We came to Darren's based on other reviews. We were pleasantly surprised to find they were accurate - the waitstaff is very polite and the service was great. The food was very good, so much so we went for breakfast both days we were in San Francisco, and the server remembered us on the second day - and what we ordered. Highly recommend. Also, as a side note, on our first day we watched as they handed out breakfast sandwiches to the disabled unhoused persons near their restaurant. It was good to see they also have a heart.“

Customers` Favorites

“Pho 2000 is a cute restaurant with two floors with kind and efficient service. I ordered pho dac biet (#1) small size and Thai iced tea. They also provide with hot tea when you first sit. The pho was okay. Everything was fine except that the broth wasn’t as strong as I wanted it to be. It was very mild which made it kind of hard to taste. I had to mix a bit of hoisin sauce into the broth to be able to taste it. The noodles were kind of overcooked and there wasn’t as much meat as I thought there would be. The Thai tea was delicious! Strong, sweet, and refreshing just how I like it. I had received both items in less than 10 minutes. This restaurant is a great lunch spot!“

Customers` Favorites

“I reviewed on Yelp years ago, but Perilla's deserves the stars here. By far, they have the most succulent and best tasting 5 Spice Chicken that I've tried in the city. The meat is so juicy and tender and the skin makes it reminiscent of roasted duck. There's something about their simple presentation on the plate that also makes it great. I cannot recommend trying their garlic noodles enough. A wonderful garlic-to-butter ratio, and while you're at it, get the plate with the imperial rolls. A satisfying and delicious crunch. Even the broccoli is steamed to perfection. The sauce they give you is brothy, not syrupy, which is a nice change of pace. So many things going right, here.Everything I've tried here is so good and satisfying. Their service is super friendly and attentive. Definitely give this place a try if in the mood for Vietnamese and in the area.“

Customers` Favorites

“We were there yesterday for. Bday dinner ! The food is very good. The owner is an amazing guy who gave us a fried tofu dish to try for free which was the best tofu I had ever eaten. Service is great!! The place is simple . More weekday ! But heck ! This is a place where food is king !“

Customers` Favorites

“Very tasty! Breakfast with grab and go option. The place is quite small, so there is not much space to eat in the establishment. The food is good, cheap and comes out quickly! We grabbed a bagel, a blueberry muffin, a cappuccino and a hot chocolate and went to eat at Union “

Customers` Favorites

“It's quite busy here. The service is fast but you can order online in advance.Lemongrass chicken vermicelli (bun ga xa) was flavorful with sweet fish sauce.Turmeric catfish (cha ca la vong) was ok, not a lot of fish. It normally comes with fermented shrimp paste, which I believe is smelly so I ordered it with fish sauce instead.“

Customers` Favorites

“Came here for a quick lunch and this place is awesome!Good:- Super reasonable and cheap prices for the amount of food you get!- Loved the duck banh mi, it was really tasty and great portion sizes - I think it might have been the best Bahn mi that I've had in the city- The staff are super nice and the food comes out super quickly! I waited maybeBad:- No seating, just takeout so you need to eat somewhere nearbyOverall would come again! This place has a lot of simple options and feels really healthy too.“

Customers` Favorites

“I wanted to go to Haiji Noodle House with my parents during the Spring Festival.Helpless shopkeepers take a breakWent to this place instead.Tastes as delicious as everWe ordered the signature powder and Vietnamese coffeevery satisfiedRice noodle soup is piping hot and deliciousThe rice noodles are not ordinary rice noodlesVery soft and waxy but with a bit of toughnessThe beef offal is cooked very lazily and is also suitable for the elderlyThe coffee is classic black coffee with coconut milk“

Customers` Favorites

“Came in on a Saturday night for dinner around 8pm. It was a rainy night, so found parking right in front of the restaurant. It's a tiny mom and pop vibe in the restaurant. Got the spring rolls that were very fresh and came with a peanut sauce Also got the chicken pho with white meat. Perfect comforting bowl of soup with chicken, noodles. My friend got the chicken pho with dark meat and replaced noodles with veggies.“

Customers` Favorites

“Really enjoyed the bbq pork and combination sandwiches. After trying 5 banh mi restaurants in SF this is my favorite and will definitely return. The meat was tender, mayo portion was on point, and the pickled veggies were nicely tangy.Dietary restrictions: Good vegetarian options“

Customers` Favorites

“This spot is the definition of hospitality. There are lots of great Vietnamese and Asian options nearby and I'm so glad I stopped by.The restaurant has lots of signs saying they're vegan friendly, and the menu posted on the window confirms it. Not busy on a Friday lunch hour, but a couple of regulars were also dining and I quickly found out why they're so loved.The server gave the regular menu and the vegan one with photos by default. Got the vegan bun hue spicy noodle soup because the server said it was popular. I pointed to the vegan section, but didn't explicitly say I wanted the veg version. The dish quickly came out, but it had brisket. I dug around the bowl to confirm, told the older gentleman, whom I assume is the owner. He quickly removed it and my used chopsticks, which was thoughtful.? The vegan version came out and it was delish! There was fried tofu, konjac shrimp, konjac squid, seitan 'beef' slices, and plenty of veggies (broccoli, carrots, bok choy). The noodles were perfectly done so they had a great chew, but unfortunately not very splurpable as I had to chew carefully. The bok choy was overcooked, but all the other veggies were ?. I can't believe they took the time to remove the ends from the bean sprouts ? That's next level attention. My first time having bun hue and I wish Chicago had as many veg Viet options.? The two owners and server stopped by to keep my glass of water filled, and say hello to all diners without being overbearing. Very attentive.“

Customers` Favorites

“Remember the grade school taunt, "If you love something, why don't you marry it?" I totally want to marry this sandwich. In fact, I want to commit polygamy. These sandwiches are THAT amazing. The pork belly sandwich has these crispy nubs of deep fried pork skin, thoughtfully diced so that your teeth don't struggle, scattered on top of the filling of the most tender slices of pork belly imaginable. And the Le Dip? Don't get me started. The sirloin is perfectly cooked and shaved so thin that you get the mille feuille effect (Have you ever had mille feuille tonkatsu? Yeah, it's like that). The horseradish sauce is bracing, not overwhelming. And the sandwich fillings are nestled in this special Vietnamese baguette which is unlike a French baguette. It has a glassine crust that shatters the moment your teeth make contact and gives way to a pillowy interior. Eating this sandwich is the type of experience that makes you melancholy the closer you are to the end because you don't want the experience to come to an end.“

Customers` Favorites

“I was hungry and didn't have time to wait and this was a perfect place to go if u in the Castro. Ordered Ham and Egg Bagel, Earl Grey Tea, 5 Potstickers and a Lemongrass Chicken Sandwich.... WOW I guess I need to expand my choices when in the Castro on where to eat. I am glad I came across this place and I am not gonna lie, food was out within 10min, but also, I went in on a Wed at 11.30am. Lunch rush picked up while I was here, but it will be interesting to see how busy they become on weekends. I am giving them a 5star on the first visit which is usually not me, but I will definitely check them out again soon.Wheelchair accessibility: It's wheelchair accessible and tables are accommodating“

Customers` Favorites

“My daughter went vegan a few months ago and until today had mostly been sticking to the plant-based offerings at already familiar restaurants. I guess she suddenly realized that she can't live on vegetable sushi rolls, falafel wraps, and tofu ramen bowls forever, though, because she asked if we could try delivery from Golden Era. Of course we had to order the most popular dish on the menu: The lemongrass deluxe. This was by far our favorite of the three items we ordered. Next time we'll get one order each so that we don't have to fight over it. It featured thin pieces of soy "chicken" fried with a crispy, spicy coating. If you like the chewiest, crispiest pieces of orange or sesame chicken you will love this dish. I thought it would need some steamed rice but it came on a substantial bed of vegetables and was a complete dish on its own. We also ordered the garden vermicelli, which is their version of Vietnamese bun. It had all the flavors we were expecting - tart, savory, sweet - with slices of a soy protein that reminded me a lot of beef, both in flavor and texture (not visible in my photo). Their meat substitutes are so impressive. Finally, we had the Thai fried rice. I liked that the grains had a slightly chewy texture. It was a simple and tasty version of this dish. We are excited now to try everything else they have. It's a big relief to my daughter to be able to order freely without wondering if a dish has a surprise non-vegan ingredient. Here we can work our way from the top of the menu to the bottom with abandon. We will enjoy the delicious challenge!“

Customers` Favorites

“Literally my favorite place in the city- I have yet to be disappointed by any dish after trying like half the menu. The best part is that instead of braving the brunch crowds on the weekends you can get the brunch dishes any time! Super nice staff and always such an amazing spot“

Customers` Favorites

“The warmth of the sweetest lady behind the counter greets you every time! From the first sip of their rich coffee to the last bite of their delectable sandwiches, every visit is a treat for the senses. It's no wonder I find myself here almost every Monday to Friday, drawn in by the irresistible charm and unbeatable quality. This place is truly a pillar in SF, and I'm endlessly thankful for its presence in my daily routine“

Customers` Favorites

“My go to place for Banh mi and noodle soups. I order from here at least twice a week. They are always nice and friendly. Even if they are busy they still knowledge me. My favorite is the meatball sandwich add Cha Lua. The bread is always crispy. The noodles soup is filling and doesn’t make me sleepy like from other places.“

Customers` Favorites

“my all time favorite pho place. oh my god. there might be a brief wait but it’s worth it. the space is usually very full but not loud enough where you can’t hear the people with you. good for friends/dates/family, honestly whoever. the service is very quick and efficient - don’t be offended if there’s not much fanfare. my boyfriend always gets a meat plate and it’s delicious. i’ve only ever tried the pho and will always come back for more.“

Customers` Favorites

“Speedy takeout with friendly service and a great deal for $8. I usually go for grilled pork but has the combination and it didn’t disappoint — nice crispy bread, adequate amount of fillings, perfect ratios. Will be back to try grilled pork next!“

Customers` Favorites

“I stopped by for takeout after a visit to the nearby medical building. Very convenient with no crowd to fight with. I ordered the pork belly bahn mi which was indeed delicious. It was a good authentic representatation of a modern bahn mi, but the star of the show was their Vietnamese chicken soup. Similar to Arroz Caldo (Filipino chicken soup) I actually enjoyed this version much more (and I am Filipino LOL). Yes, I would hella come back just for this! Highly recommended low key spot.“

Customers` Favorites

“This place is one of the best noodle place in San Francisco. I usually order #7 thin or thick with separate soup. The hot soya milk is very good.The service is fast and the owner is very friendly. I eat here for almost 15 years.Parking: Very hard to find a parking.“

Customers` Favorites

“All I can say is BBHD baby! What an innovative and delicious bánh mì variation. I’ve been eating bánh mì since before I can walk, and this is absolutely worth the visit. Authentic sandwiches served by amazing staff.They’ll be my primary sandwich spot moving forward.“

Customers` Favorites

“I used to go to Pho 2000 right down the street but after discovering this gem, I’m never going to pho2000 again! The pho is better! The broth is better! The noodles are better! The service and the restaurant all over is a 10 out of 10!! I’m an original Frisco foodie(i grew up here) and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!“

“We've eaten here a few years back, but this is the first time leaving a review. We wanted something a little different and not just pho, so we opted for this spot. We got there around noon and there were a a bunch of empty tables. Most of the booth tables were taken though. Just so you know, they give complimentary soy milk served hot or cold, but you have to ask for it. I think only old timers/regulars know about this. My bf got a hot soy milk and I chose hot tea. We both ordered noodle soup. #3. NG HIEP KY WONTON HO FUN SOUP: Flavorful soup with seafood, liver and wonton dumplings with medium flat rice noodles. The noodles are not the typical Chinese ho fun that is really wide. It's like linguini sized rice noodles. They give an average amount, but good enough to fill you. I don't care for liver, so I didn't eat it. But everything else was good! They also have a shrimp on top that's been fried with batter. I grabbed that first since I'd rather have it crispy than soggy. 4/5 #12. BRAISED DUCK LEG HO FUN AND EGG NOODLE SOUP: BF had this and enjoyed it. Tasty duck and having both kinds of noodles bring an interesting taste and texture. Not many places have this dish or in this area of SF. 4/5 All around a decent spot for a quick lunch!“

Customers` Favorites

“Loved this simple hole in the wall Vietnamese place. We had the Pho Ga. The broth was light and homely. No unnecessary ingredients in there! It seems like a great place for ordering in as well. The Vietnamese iced coffee was a solid shot straight up the brain! Perfect for hangovers ?“

Customers` Favorites

“Tu Lan has been our favorite SF food since I first came here in 1995. Same family runs things, works hard and produces consistently delicious food all these years. It is definitely a "special" place, and you have to be OK with the local flavor as you approach the restaurant. But you will be rewarded with authentic Viet fast delicious food. Totally worth eating here!“

Customers` Favorites

“Seriously so tasty - beyond my expectations! And better than the first time we enjoyed this authentic neighborhoody spot. The flavors were both nuanced and comforting. The quality is superb, and the quantity is definitely satisfying.We had spring rolls with pork, papaya salad with crispy tofu, garlic noodles with five-spice chicken, and wonton noodle soup. All the textures were right on, and I was impressed how each protein we had tasted unique (it’s obvious they don’t just use the same marinade or seasoning blend on everything).Will be happy to go back and try more!“

Customers` Favorites

“Had the grilled pork banh mi:the pork was grilled very well, with a great fat to muscle ratio.The vegetables were crunchy, fresh and had a great quick pickleThe bread had a crispy outer shell and soft inside. You get all the crunch and none of the torn roof-of-mouth actionFor $10, this was a steal. Definitely trying their bun cha next time“

Customers` Favorites

“Needed a quick lunch while exploring Hayes Valley and decided to try this spot. Placed an order online and by the time we walked over it was basically ready for pick up. I got the roast duck banh mi and my boyfriend got the chicken banh mi. The roast duck was amazing, super flavorful and they did not skimp on the fillings! The pickled veggies and jalapeños complimented the meat perfectly. The chicken one was also good but I think the duck was a lot better! There isn't a ton of seating and it's definitely more of a grab and go option. There are several locations too so just make sure you're ordering at the right one.“

Customers` Favorites

“Saturday-Wednesday, 11/18/23-11/23/23, Deserting at Bambu Deserts & Drinks in San Francisco. Oh man! This desert shop is so goooood that I went back multiple times to try out their other deserts on the menu. Their pandan jelly, boba, and red tapioca are super soft, fragrant, and refreshing which got me hooked for more.I’ve tried many desert shops in Los Angeles County and Orange County and this desert shop has raised the bar, big time. I have been elated by this experience with Bambu, San Francisco. I’m so blessed.Here are a few desserts I’ve tried for the week that I’m there on my vacation in San Francisco.-Smashed Avocado: Awesome!!! it’s so refreshing and burst of flavors especially with the coffee jelly! Words could not express my feeling with the taste of this dessert!-Pandan waffle: I’ve ordered it to go and after some time, it is still crispy and flavorful which is unexpected.-Bambu favorite: full of the different flavors in the ingredients-Hazelnut Mocha blend: Hazelnut flavored coffee and very smooth.-Fresh coconut pudding: coconut jelly & cream in a real coconut shell with its meat. Amazing texture and flavors that I never had before and it’s so refreshing on a warm day!!!-Mangonada: Wow! Refreshing smoothie with some tang. I can’t believe this Vietnamese dessert shop makes such a great Mexican style smoothie.-Avo-coconut smoothie: I had avocado smoothie before but not with coconut. It’s a great blend that compliment the avocado.-Taro lovers; the pandas jelly and taro were so fresh and tender with the coconut milk made it so refreshing. If you like to taste more of the taro, ask for the 75% sweetness.-Awesome Trio: a classic Vietnamese Che that can’t go wrong. As expected it is delicious and my favorite childhood drink/desert.-Bambu Halo Halo: A Filipino classic desert with so much ingredients that to buy all ingredients, it would cost me over $40 easy. I enjoyed a large cup my way, right away for $9, it’s all worth it and more.The service staffs work fast, were friendly, super nice, and service with a smile each time I’m there.I’ve been eating at so many dessert shops and I think this shop is by far the best of the best with their high quality ingredients!I highly recommend trying this Bambu Desert shop if you are traveling to the San Francisco area like me or if you are local, you must already notice that this is a hidden gems of a dessert shop. Share this information with your friends and family to keep the great desert shop business’ open for your enjoyment for the years to come. Happy desert eating!!!David YoungRestaurant Enthusiast“

Customers` Favorites

“They have some excellent pho here! We tried the Beef/tripe/ribeye pho ($20) and the broth was pretty great given the price. They have a generous helping of noodles and beef here, so definitely enough to share. Also got the shrimp rice bowl ($16) which was very light and delicious. It came with a side of sipping broth and dipping vinegar which was a great touch and paired so well with the shrimp. The shrimp itself was perfectly cooked and marinated in a butter-based sauce. Definitely coming back to get more pho though.“

Customers` Favorites

“We went to this place by chance because it was in front of our hotel in the marina neighborhood.We got an excellent surprise. Everything was delicious, we ordered pho and it was very tasty.The price was reasonable and the service was very good.Highly recommended!!“

Customers` Favorites

“We stumbled upon this awesome spot in San Francisco. A Vietnamese joint that's all about that comfy, family-style vibe. Lot of unique dishes. great food, reasonable prices, and fast service. I order the crispy fried egg noodle with tofu. I was clean and tasty, just the way I like it. My friend got the grilled pork skewers with rice noodle. and it was full of flavor, our first time trying that dish. Definitely planning to go back and try more of their food!“

Customers` Favorites

“I came here while I was out, hungry for bahn mi and royal milk tea. They provided both in a timely manner, and at a great price. 11.25 for a sandwich and a royal milk tea. The atmosphere was very slow, didn't look like it was very busy, to go only, cash only. I would totally go here again, that sandwich was so good, and the tea was super creamy Check this place out in the visitation valley area! I've walked past it so many times and I'm glad I stopped this time! :)“

Customers` Favorites

“I've been coming to this little hole in the wall for over 20 years now. If you like Vietnamese food you'll be happy. Their rice plate specials at lunchtime feature a little of soup that is so delicious and I dream about it. Friendly service too!“

Customers` Favorites

“The catfish banh mi peaked my interest, and since it is a chain I went in with skepticism, but it went well above my expectations. The fish was flaky and moist, and the baguette did not sand-paper my mouth. Of course I had to grab an iced coffee on the side. A tad on the sweeter side, but not unbearable. Overall it is a notch more expensive for banh mi, but not many places have catfish banh mi (that I've seen) so would come again!“

Customers` Favorites

“Underrated coworking/remote working spot near Market Street & Castro! Super inexpensive prices (CASH ONLY), good Wi-Fi, and lots of outlets! I cannot rave enough about the cute & cozy space of this cafe! The dark ambiance gives the feel of a different era and it feels as someone really cared for the decor here. There may not be too much seating but the space itself is large. There is also some outdoor seating. I also cannot rave enough about their BATHROOM. I was just so impressed by how clean & modern of a space it was and everything was run by smart technology (you can download an APP TO LOCK IT). I usually don't care much about public bathrooms but I actually think it is a great asset to this cafe. I have only tried their bagels and love the price of everything you can add! The one person manning the shop was incredibly helpful, kind, and quick! Location is very accessible via public transit since it's near Market St but still feels like a hidden secret spot. Have never driven a car here since parking is always a little difficult. I really enjoy coming here & will continue to support!“

Customers` Favorites

“Big fan of Hainan chicken - and the place is good. I can’t explain why it felt a little greasy… it’s a poached chicken, but there was something different in how they made.Would I come again - maybe. Is it the best hainan in the city, yes.“

Customers` Favorites

“Not busy. Quick service. Simple menu. Chicken was good tasty and crispy. Sauces are flavorful. Rice was cooked well too.Their food certainly lived up to this restaurants name! (Would've been crazy if not).They have more than just simple chicken and rice on their menu actually so I kinda wanna come back more and try out everything. Yay seemed decently fairly priced too I think.“