Vietnam Restaurant Reviews

Great food for a Great Price. Love it.

We had a great dinner at Vietnam and I would suggest it to anyone. The portions are huge and the prices are reasonable. It was a little loud but that was because the place was packed. If you have never tried Vietnamese you are missing out...I would definitely suggest Vietnam Restaurant.

Very tasty Vietnamese food, some of the best I've had. Our family of four had two vermicelli dishes (pork and grilled squid), pho (brisket), and a chicken lemongrass soup. All delicious. We had two alcoholic drinks and two non-alcoholic which were all good. Service was prompt, efficient without being intrusive. It's a nice old building redone in a conservative update.

Their BBQ platter is pretty awesome. It is a MUST when you go to this restaurant. However, their Pho is not as good as other Vietnamese restaurants. They serve their pho in a small bowl, so the soup is not as hot as it should be.

Although there was a wonderful selection of foods, we found the flavors to be bland in all three dishes we ordered. The "side" dish was also much larger than it needed to be. The waiter did suggest that we were ordering a lot of food for the two of us, so we appreciated his candor. The restaurant is beautiful and quaint and the service could not be any better. We were disappointed that the food was not what we had hoped for.

I recently went back with some friends and I was so happy with the experience. It has not change at all. I have been coming to this restaurants for many years and the quality of the food has always been outstanding. I usually come with a group of friends so we order Polynesian cocktails, BBQ platter, Vietnamese raviolis, Vietnamese carpaccio , grilled shrimps and off course the black eye pea puddings. I highly recommend this place

Cozy setting with great food at a reasonable price. The platter combo is awesome for sharing in groups. (Or just share between two if you are hungry)

This is a wonderful little Vietnamese place on the edge of china town. The appetizers are really good. We enjoyed the grape leaves and the spring rolls. The noodle dishes are also very tasty. Unfortunately they are no longer serving the black eyed pea pudding. It was a highly rated desert but is no longer available. They offered a corn pudding but we declined.

This place is a standard in Chinatown -- always good, inexpensive (though prices have climbed over the years), very fresh ingredients. I think the appetizers, soups and vermicelli bowls are the most interesting and delicious things on the menu (and the papaya salad is a knockout, perfect on a very hot day). The more substantial entrees with rice are good too but not as distinctive; some can be a bit bland. You can easily make a full meal with just starters. Attentive and kind staff, nicely outfitted in a kind of "French Colonial style", lovely bathrooms, low lighting.

Having spent a lot of time in South East Asia, I quite enjoyed this little restaurant in Chinatown. It tastes authentic and is reasonably priced. The environment is really nice as well and the staff is super laid back and helpful.

Food good service good and price reasonable. Portions for one large 😆. Very enjoyable and definitely worth a visit.

I've been to Vietnam twice and I have to say that I fail to understand its popularity. Now I haven't been to the country, so perhaps the food is more authentic than we usually find here, but I enjoy Vietnamese food a lot more at other area restaurants. The staff are not particularly nice or attentive and the food is, eh. I am a bit of a pho junkie and I found theirs just lacking. Go somewhere else.

Order the house special and any cocktail that comes with fire in the middle. They also own a restaurant in West Philly (Vietnam Cafe) with the same menu if you want the food without the stress of parking in Chinatown. Or check out Grill Fish, the slightly smaller, slightly fancier, seafood-oriented restaurant they opened. Or if you're on a budget, visit Fuh Wah, their corner store, for a $4.75 Vietnamese Hoagie. You really can't go wrong.

Food is not authentic and way too pricey. I got a beef noodle soup bowl where the meat was not fully cooked and seemed to be old. Staff were cold, not friendly. No space between tables. It is just too small. Do not recommend.

My wife and I eat here on "date nights" fairly often. Vietnam Restaurant has the best combination of great food, ambiance, and service of any Vietnamese restaurant in Philly. I've travelled around Vietnam eating at everything from food carts to pho houses, so I have some idea of what is authentic Vietnamese cooking. I try to seek out the same experiences around Philly, trying numerous establishments, and I can honestly say that Vietnam Restaurant is one of the best. Their bun cha is excellent and their pho is good. You might find a better bun cha or pho somewhere else in Philly if you look hard enough, but the establishment is very unlikely to have the same ambiance. Not to say that ambiance is everything. The best soup that I've ever had in my life was served from a small cart on a dusty street corner in Saigon, and one of my favorite ban mi places in Philly is a spartan little place with the oddest of paint colors. But, if you're a bit squeamish about eating from a hole in the wall place, or you're looking for a nice place for a date, Vietnam Restaurant is it. You'll find a clean and well-kept upscale yet casual restaurant with warm wood paneling, walls decorated with great photos of life in Vietnam, a friendly staff, and great food.

From the outside the place looks interesting with a retro neon sign and sitting on the edge of Philadelphia's Chinatown, you are hoping for a good taste of Vietnam. The first sign of maybe this isn't the best choice was that on a Friday night it was only about half full, when everywhere else in Chinatown was packed this night. The place is kind of nondescript inside - wooden tables with little decor. We got appetizers for table (4 of us). The appetizers got mixed reviews from our table. We had a number of spring rolls and they were good, not great. The shells were a little too flaky and crunchy for my taste. I love a flaky crust on pies, not so much on my spring rolls. Next I ordered my favorite - a type of Vietnamese salad made up of vermicelli, lettuce, bean sprouts and cut up spring rolls. I have had this dish a numerous times so I know the tastes I am hoping for. Unfortunately this one was mostly just vermicelli with two cut up spring rolls and one big leaf of lettuce. It was disappointing and I didn't even finish it. The other people at our table had mixed reviews about their dishes. The worst part was that our waiter was totally uninterested in us. As I said the restaurant was only half full and he sat and talked with his other waiter friends the entire meal. We had no refill on waters, he never asked how our meal was, he never asked if we wanted second beers, we had to ask him to reorder drinks. When I didn't finish my entree he never asked me if it was okay. One of the woman at our table did fall in love with her French Martini and wanted to know how it was made. She asked our waiter who simply shrugged his shoulders and when he was asked if he could ask the bartender he simply said the recipe is on the menu. We had to then ask for a menu and the list of ingredients was in the description there was no drink recipe on the menu. All in all we gave this place very mixed reviews on the food. Some people liked their entrees, others did not. We all thought the service could stand a lot of improvement.

Vietnam Restaurant is like taking a step back in time.... Situated in China Town, you walk through the doors and are transported to what can only be described as a 1960's-esque jazz club feel, complete with dark wood panelling and low lighting. The atmosphere is great, and the staff are very welcoming! The food is awesome and very reasonably priced. The vegetable spring rolls are to die for and chicken over broken rice is always a good bet as a main meal! I would recommend this restaurant to all looking for somewhere nice to eat in China Town.

the food is authentic. Ex vets eat here. The family history reads like a novel. The food is great and it is convenient to Market Street and all mass transit.

We ventured down town from the suburbs with high expectations, which were not met. The waiter was rather unfriendly and abrupt, although he warmed up when he removed the dishes- I guess in preparation for a tip. Three of our four entrees - all very different dishes, were extremely bland - not much flavor at all. I would not go back.

We were in on the coldest day so far this winter so I'm not sure if things were just moving a little slower but there were five restaurant workers milling around and hardly any customers. I had a better meal here previously.

I do agree with the other reviewer about this comment, that the restaurant wasn't that great yet the food wasn't that bad either. However I felt like the price little high for Vietnamese food though. The pho bo was definitely what I expected, the noodle was overcooked, the beef was tough and sliced into chunky pieces and most of all, the broth was so salty. yikes! The bbq platter was okay but at $27 I thought it was little too high.

My three star rating is based on value for the dollar. I was jones'n for PHO on a wintery day. My usual place on Race and 9th was closed. I had been wanting to try this as part of my goal to eat at every restaurant in Chinatown. This one has a cozy warm feel. I must say I was disappointed at the portion size for $6.95. It came in a bowl the size of a diner soup bowl. It had about a 90/10 % noodle to broth ratio and about 1 oz of sliced beef. The flavor was good, but on the light side as PHO broth's go. And to their credit they did give me an extra bowl of broth at no charge. I just don't understand why they wouldn't just keep the noodle and meat proportions and put it in a larger bowl with more broth (pennies right?), but the perception of value is greatly increased for little cost. Oh well, that's just my opinion. Wouldn't rush back here with all the other options in town.

Not half as authentic as it used to be when it was a hole in the wall.

A more older style of restaurant, but the staff are friendly and attentive. The menu is very extensive. The papaya salad is good, the beef carpaccio is excellent and the duck soup is also very tasty. The coconut and black bean pudding is also delicious.

We recently returned to Vietnam Restaurant after not having been there for over 15 years. We were happy to find out that it has not gone downhill at all! Everything we ate was delicious, and they still had our old favorite BBQ platter although it was updated, it was still terrific. The service was fast and friendly, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food. Highly recommend.

BBQ platter is awesome

if you like pho, you'll love this restaurant!

Don't go to any of the copy cats. This place is the best. From the PHO to the Black eye pea dessert. The name fools you. It's really coconut milk and rice pudding and will put a smile on your face!

Wanted to try something different on trip. Tables are close together but not too close. Service was good- our waiter stopped by several times and refilled our drinks appropriately. The servings were large. I was glad we hadn't ordered an appetizer as I wasn't even able to finish my noodle bowl. We were served very quickly. The food was good.

Located in China-town, restaurant brings variety to food choices in the district. Prompt and efficient service. Waiting staff appearance is on a dirty kitchen side. Food taste good, but nothing stands out, good for accidental visit 1-2 times a year.

This has been one of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia since I was a kid. The spring rolls are the best, everyone's really friendly, and the sweet and sour chicken is unlike any I've ever had before.

If I could rate this place o stars I would and I am a kind generous person. The service was horrible, the food was bland, in a muddy cornstarch thickened sauce and tasted like dishwater-no kidding. WE had three different dishes, all ate two bites and decided to leave immediately. We mentioned our displeasure with the staff but they just smiled and said sorry. $110.00 for three dishes and some really horrible wine and we left it all for the dishwasher. Do not go here-you will be greatly disappointed,

A group of seven went to Vietnam for dinner. Service was great, food was delious and reasonable prices. Would have liked the food just a tad more spicey. Easy walk from the Philly Convention Center.

I went to Vietnam with my wife and kids. We really liked the BBQ Platter and the soups. It was a Monday night, and the place was filled, but the staff had a problem keeping up with everyone. We ordered a chicken dish for the kids, and my wife and I split a shrimp dish. They were good, but not great. No easy parking, so if you are visting, it is easier to take a cab. I would go again if I was in Philly.

The server was very personable and attentive and gave us good advice on choices and quantities appropriate for our group. The small space was very crowded because it is obviously a very well known and popular spot (the restaurant next door was nearly empty). price was reasonable for what we received. we generally enjoyed our meal but the pho soup was off to our taste and too salty; if a restaurant is called Vietnam and a signature dish is off, it is a disappointment. there are a lot of pan-asian restaurants in the neighborhood so we see no reason to return but clearly this is a well established place and our minority opinion shouldn't distract others.

I have been to Vietnam and this feels authentic from the environment, waitstaff to the wonderful food. The staff is helpful and quick to respond. The food is authentic Vietnamese, fresh, plentiful and delicious. There are lots of restaurants in this area of Philly like this but this would be my first choice. I was with someone who was very fussy and the staff bent over backwards to accommodate her irritating and unnecessary complains.

Husband and I were in Philly on an unseasonably warm Fall day, and decided to visit Vietnam. We had not been there in a few years, but craved Vietnamese food. It was mid afternoon, only a few tables were filled. Nice and quiet, so we could hold a conversation.We ordered the nem nuong (meatballs which you wrap in the rice wrappers), banh xeo (crispy crepe), thit nuong cuon (grilled pork rolls), chicken green papaya salad, and shaking beef. The food was served quickly, appropriately paced. Service was attentive and friendly. We love Vietnamese food, and enjoyed our choices. The crispy crepe was not as crispy as to what I usually have, but okay. The chicken green papaya salad was good, but not my favorite. The nem nuong were delicious, with the rice wrappers that you must dip in the water before filling. Grilled pork rolls delicious as well, served with a great dipping sauce. The shaking beef very good, tender beef, nicely spiced, served with rice. We had hot tea, my husband had a beer. Not as inexpensive as other Chinatown restaurants, but a nice mid afternoon meal.

We have dined at this Chinatown restaurant on numerous occasions and have found the food and service consistently good. We have tried the “hot pot’s” as well as the beef and seafood entrées and have enjoyed them all. During our last visit we had the grilled calamari appetizer, the calamari was very tender the lettuce and tomatoes that were served with it enhanced the flavors. If you’re in the mood for good Vietnamese food in a nice dining room reasonably priced, be sure to check this placed out.

Awful food and even worse service!! I just wasted my hard earned money on what should have been an enjoyable dinner with my family. I ordered coconut curry shrimp. I didn't taste one bit of coconut or curry. It was bland and disgusting. I understand that one meal can be "off" but all of us agreed to get up and walk away. When we told the hostess of our displeasure, she smile and said "oh, sorry". As if she cared at all. Forget the waiter....he couldn't have been any ruder. What a crime!!

Try their crab tomato soup!

We've been going to this restaurant since it first opened. Nothing has changed! That's good!! The service is perfect, the menu has remained authentic and the food is always exactly what you remembered from last time.

We took ur kids (8,10) to dinner on our Philadelphia trip. Everyone enjoyed the spring rolls and meat balls. My wife had pad Thai and I had the pho (I enjoyed the roasted one with the richer broth. The place was clean and quiet and dinner could not have been better. Restaurant was quick and clean, our server wrote in the smallest writing I have ever seen. Would return $85 for 4 with a couple drinks.

I prefer this one to Vietnam Palace across the street, but some would disagree.

Three of us had dinner at the Vietnam Restaurant and it turned out to be a great choice. The selection is extensive and all of our choices turned out to be tasty. The restaurant is comfortable and conducive to conversation, and the staff is friendly and helpful. I would go back for another meal if I were to return to this section of Philadelphia.

I love this place. The food is spot on, the service was great. I recommend going and waiting for a table and skip the take out idea. They have all the elements of a GREAT meal

My wife and I and our daughter and her boyfriend went to Vietnam Restaurant this past Saturday evening. This was a new experience for my wife and I, but not for my daughter and her boyfriend who have been there before and have also had Vietnamese food before. Not that Vietnamese food is all that much different from Thai food, but I did notice that, with what I ordered, the Yellow Curry with Chicken, the Yellow Curry sauce was a little more tangy, maybe a little bit of vinegar in it, as opposed to Thai Yellow Curry sauce. My daughter had the Pork Claypot, this was excellent! A dry pork, but an extremely tasty pork, indeed! It had a very nice, strong Barbecue Flavor to it! The Pork Claypot is my daughter's favorite meal to get at Vietnam Restaurant. I sampled a few bites of the Pork Claypot, MAN, THAT'S GOOD! WoW! Tasty! My daughter's boyfriend got his favorite meal, too. He had the House Special Vermicelli, which come with a Crispy Spring Roll Grilled Meatballs, Grilled Chicken and Grilled Pork. All of that...in one meal! I did not sample his meal, but I have to assume it was delicious, as his plate was damn near licked clean. My wife had the Chicken Saigon Noodles, I'm torn on this one, it may have been my favorite, and not the Pork Clay Pot. The sauce on this one was just so damn tasty that I think I could eat a bowl of white rice with nothing but that sauce and be very, very happy and satisfied. Really. I recommend this meal! Like I mentioned at the start of this review, I had the Yellow Curry with Chicken, the curry sauce was just the slightest bit spicy, in a hot sense, and again, it had a hint of vinegar, I thought. In this meal there was an abundance of a nice mix of red bell peppers, onions and carrots. Very Good, Very Satisfying. Along with my meal I had a bottle of the Singha beer, from Thailand, which was a nice, somewhat mild lager styled beer, not an overpowering flavor at all, perfect for a meal that you want to experience for the first time.

We had ordered a pho bok tok, some vegetables and a dessert (black eyed peas). We were so surprised and disappointed... I have grown up with eating pho regularly in France and I have never eaten something like that. The soupe was red, the rice noddles were too thin and almost tasteless. Only the beef was tender, but there wasn't much in the soup. The vegetables were good. The disert was also a bad surprise... I have never ever eaten a coconut milk like that. I'm still wondering if it was coconut milk... It was so liquid and tested so weird... This is the kind of desert my mother's best friend cocked for us and it never tasted like that (she lived in Vietnam for several years...).

Oh my! Great food here and you get your food speedy quick. I had the Basil Beef and hubby had Carmelized Shrimp. Both were absolutely amazing! This is in Chinatown and I'd go there just for this restaurant.

I am 15 years old and this is my very first restaurant review. I was very disappointed with the service, the food, and the staff of this restaurant. Our waiter was no help at all. He could have cared less about what we actually wanted to order. Not only was the service rude it was also very slow. I went out with my family to have a nice dinner in town to end a busy week and it made me sad that my dad spent his hard earned money on food that tasted like it had just been run through the dishwasher. The food was bland, not hot, and had no appeal. I know we will never return and I'm going to tell all of my friends at school never to go here. It should be zero stars not even one.

We've been going to this restaurant for decades and it's still strong. They have healthy, but savory dishes covering all types of diners, so it's also pretty good for vegetarians as well as meat, poultry, and seafood lovers. I brought a friend from out of town and she and her daughter both loved the food here. We enjoyed the shrimp rolls and tofu rolls, I had the tofu pad thai, which had a delicious sauce to go w/ the noodles and vegetables. It could've had a few more veggies in it, but it was still quite good. My friend had a seafood dish, which she enjoyed quite a lot. The portions are pretty large. Wine and beer is also available and fairly reasonably priced, even by the glass. The dining room is simple, but features beautiful dark woods and it is never too loud in the restaurant w/ music or the noise of other people's conversations. Waiters were uniformly good and the place looks very clean (the bathroooms are clean as well). It's a great location, but doesn't take reservations, so be aware that at busy times it can take a little while to get a table. We love this place and can't recall ever being disappointed by a meal here.

Having spent many years in Vietnam, but now living in London, we are always keen to try restaurants that claim to be authentic. This is the best outside Vietnam yet. Only the portion size reminds you that you are not in Vietnam (that and the absence of 333 beer but they have Saigon beer; which few actually drink in HCMC - but I digress) The ingredients were fresh; the tastes true; I only wish they had been more of us to be able to order more!

Had the lunch special $15 for 3 course meal. Food was good and we like the soup, delicious. Service was good. Value was good.

our large group ordered 15 dishes, a third were great (mostly soups), a third were good (noodle dishes), and a third didn't get eaten (black bean sauce was inedible, shrimp was not fresh). What annoyed us most that the waiter disappeared after serving. Not a single waiter asked if everything was ok despite at least three dishes were left completely untouched.

This is definitely our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philly. The decor and atmosphere are upscale yet casual. Service is excellent and attentive. There is a full bar offering mixed drinks, beer and wine. The food is exceptional. Their spring rolls are among the best I've ever had. Our favorite entrees are the vermicelli noodle bowls, which are offered with a variety of toppings. An excellent experience!

The perfect place for lunch with colleagues and friends! The restaurant is cozy and clean, with quick service and delicious food and drinks. The chicken pad Thai is amazing and you’ve got to try the tofu rolls. Their Mai Tai is my favorite in the city, and definitely be sure to leave room for dessert—I recommend the green tea ice cream!

There are a lot of choices for food if you wander through Philly's Chinatown but Vietnam was an outstanding choice.

The food was good, tried few varieties, all of them were good, would recommend it if you are around the place.

First time in a Vietnamese restaurant.had the special appetizer and then all five of us ordered different noodle dishes. No one raving. No one complaining. Service good. Not disappointed but also not impressed with the food.

Very clean but a bit pricey...overall a good vietnamese restaurant.

Very good food and the place is very comfortable. Great for a business lunch and the menu is numbered, which makes it simple to narrow down and discuss what everyone is looking to order. You can order your own or share all of the place, but either way I'd go back in a second the next time I'm in town!

I ordered to go on Friday, it was bad idea. The owner told me 45 mins,it turned out almost 1.5hrs. I should have taking the table but it would still be an hour wait. Though the food was good, but not worth an hour waiting. As compared with food from little saigon westminister, CA, this is just an average but for east coast standard, the food is authetic and good enough.

Fresh, tasty, fast and affordable! What more can you ask for? I have been visiting this restaurant as far back as when it looked like your grandmothers kitchen! With all the renovations -- the food is just as fabulous as ever. Order family style for the appetizers -- meatballs and crispy spring rolls are a perennial favorite. Then the squid, clay pot chicken -- Pho -- all versions are amazing! One down fall -- no reservations (Sorry Anthony Bourdain) -- so make sure you take that into consideration. Although they do move people in and out fast. Parking is a challenge -- so park at the lot on S. 11th and Vine. A little walk feels good after this feast!

I have been here 3 times with family and I enjoyed every trip. I ordered a meal that consisted of a bowl of spring rolls cut up, grilled pork and chicken and beef and vermicelli noodles. There was also a cold sauce that you poured over everything. The spring rolls were the best I have ever eaten. They are thin and very crispy, without the oily taste that can often permeate fried foods. The vegetables in side tasted fresh and light. The meal was very fresh tasting. As far as the service, the waiter was very attentive and did not rush us out the door. He waited until we were ready to leave and then we asked him for the check. The prices are very reasonable for downtown Philadelphia.

The food was made perfect! The only thing I would say was missing was the lack of condiments! We didn't have any sauces to add and I was missing some key toppings for the pho...but you could argue that the food was good enough not to need that. Just what I prefer at my Vietnamese restaurants I guess! I would go back.

Did not enjoy my chicken entree one bit, it was supposed to be a lime chicken but it was super sweet and had a weird smell and taste. As soon as the food was brought out the waiter brings us the check and throughout the whole time kept asking if we were done. He literally reached for my plate asking if I was done while I was trying to pick up food from it, that is beyond rude. Not only is the food bad but the service is bad as well, no thank you I'll go elsewhere next time.

Party of 3, went on a Sunday at 3pm. They were not busy at all and our server acted like we were an inconvenience. I agree with another review that the food was kinda on the bland side. I asked for some ground chili or chili paste to spice up my vermicelli salad and they gave me some hot sauce in a bottle. The spring rolls were also void of flavor. Visiting from Atlanta, will try another place when we return.

Tried this place with friends on a recommendation. It was awesome. Four of us shared the choices the waiter made for us. Each one was a favorite. Server was great, food was exceptional and not very expendive and we can't wait to go back.

Headed to Chinatown in search of pho, and found some of the best soup, spring rolls and traditional iced coffee drinks at Vietnam Restaurant! The setting was unexpectedly serene, with polished wood tables, dark paneling and French jazz music. The menu was quite varied, and everything we tried was extremely fresh, well-prepared and beautifully presented. Service was attentive and polite. We went early on a weekday, and got a table easily. Sadly, they don't take reservations, but it might just be a 'worth-the-wait' experience. Go!

Best food, best price, best service, best variety! I am from the area and have tried most surrounding, similar restaurants, but this one is the best! This place is beautiful. It has been great for large groups or just a 2 person, intimate dinner. The food is flavorful but not heavy or greasy. I don't believe they take reservations, but there is a nice waiting area.

I'd never had Vietnamese cuisine before last summer when I first visited this restaurant. Service is great, the staff isn't very talkative but they are efficient and attentive. The food always comes out to the table in less than 15 minutes from the time you placed your order. I highly recommend the noodle bowls, my absolute favorite.

Our family of 4 visited this restaurant on a recent Sunday at about 1:00p.m. in the afternoon. There were plenty of tables filled with diners and as we ate, many finished and left and many new customers came in. I remember being surprised by how busy they were for a Sunday afternoon. We all ordered different traditional noodle soups, and all thought they were excellent. I've been to maybe 5 different Vietnamese restaurants (our new favorite cuisine), and Vietnam Restaurant was as good as any other we dined in. All ingredients were fresh and tasty, and we were definitely filled up when we left. The service was extremely fast and friendly. The soups came out less than 10 minutes after we ordered. Any time a water glass was 1/3 down, they were quickly re-filling it. No complaints at all, and I'd dine there again.

If you are looking for good vietnamese food start hear. Best fresh or crispy spring rolls served with lettuce carrots, pickled radish, mint and fish sauce. My favorite are the crispy vegetable and fresh spring rolls served with peanut sauce. The soups are all delicious and could feed an army or hungry college student. My sons favorite is the seafood soup served with plentiful rice noodles, gorgeous clean broth, shrimp and plenty of veggies- brocoli, baby corn, carrots etc.This is served with a side of jalapenos, bean sprouts, lime to add per your tastes. First time I had the pad Tai which is new to the menu and just so so. Tofu and shrimp were cooked to perfection but noodles lacked flavor and texture. Service is good and full bar too.

Had dinner with a good friend and wanted something different and cozy to visit in. Philly has a small but nice Chinatown, and we at first decided to have Sushi, but then settled on Vietnamese after reading the reviews and the fact that I love the food. We walked in about 7:30 PM on a Sunday night, the place was quite busy and was told it would be a short wait. after about 10 minutes, we were shown to our table in a very comfortable dining room, perfectly lit and very cozy. We were given menus which had a quite extensive list of items, we settled on some typical Vietnamese dishes. We also had "33" Export beer and Saki. The Spring Rolls were perfect and fresh, and the soups were the right amount of broth, noodles and meats, tasty and hot. They were served with bean sprouts, sliced chili's, basil and cilantro, all fresh. Service was prompt and friendly, not overbearing. The price was unbelievably cheap, especially given the quality of the food and the atmosphere. "Vietnam" is now my favorite Asian restaurant in Philadelphia, I look forward to coming back!

Really enjoyed my Pho here, although I would’ve like the option of getting it with flank steak and brisket. The staff was very friendly and it was an extremely nice ambiance inside as well.

Quick, cheap, and always good. BBQ platter FTW!

I used to frequent this establishment in the mid to late 1990's into the early 2000's. Then, they started to jack up the prices and parking was never easy, so we started going to other Vietnamese restaurants. By the 2010's, VR opened another restaurant in West Philly with better parking options, and we stopped going to the Chinatown restaurant all together. I was at the PA Convention Center last week, so I took my co-workers there. Most of them had never tried Vietnamese food, but I thought I'd take them to the best in the area. Over a decade later, and the quality was still very good. I even recognized one of the waiters for oh so long ago. They did add a lunch combination menu which includes 3 courses: appetizer, entree, and ice cream. I got the spring rolls for appetizer, bun with spring rolls for the entree, and mint chip ice cream for dessert for $14.99. As you can see, I really like (and missed) their spring rolls. They roll them with rice paper; makes a huge difference. Few Vietnamese restaurants do, so when I find one that does, that immediately wins me over. Were it not for the inconvenience of Chinatown parking, we'd still be eating here, but it was a nice treat and walk down memory lane.

Very good Vietnamese food near convention center in Chinatown. Recommended to us as the best in Philadelphia by friend who is a native of Vietnam, and we agreed! Low key, casual atmospher, good service, great value.

Wonderful selection of Vietnamese food in a nice setting. Very attentive service and incredibly affordable, big portions. Three of us ate with appetizers, main dishes, drinks, tax and tip for about $75.

Great food, good prices, parking sucks. I really like their specials and make sure to get the soup. I always try something new and sometimes I am surprised that the combinations they use go well together

Great staff and Great food Tasty dishes at a fair price. Very comfortable atmosphere. Would definitely go back.

Very friendly staff, prompt service, elegant restaurant and delicious food! We ordered a bottle of wine, and had chicken curry and lime chicken. Generous portions arrived quickly, piping hot, and were fantastic! Wait staff was very friendly and refilled glasses in a timely manner. Very pleased. Best place in ChinaTown I ate at.

Quaint and classy Vietnamese restaurant on the outskirts of philly's Chinatown. Everything we ordered was delicious (spring rolls, pho, shaking beef, nem nuong, seafood hot pot....we were hungry!). We look forward to visiting again.

Best won ton soup I ever had.

I found this little gem of a restaurant thru Philadelphia Magazine. They never fail to make the Best Of list year after year and for excellent reasons. You are always greeted politely and brought to a linen covered table. There will be chopsticks on the table, so for those of you not dexterous with them you will need to ask for flatware. If you are in the mood for lunch for 2 and would like to try an assortment of dishes, I highly recommend the B. B. Q. Platter, which has B. B. Q. PLATTER, which has Crispy Spring Rolls, Beef Stuffed Grape Leaves, Char-grilled Chicken, Grilled Meat Balls, Rice Vermicelli, Lettuce, and rice Paper. Sprinkled with Crushed Peanuts. Everything on the platter is excellent. My particular favourite is the Crispy Spring Rolls. Everything on the B.B.Q. Platter can be gotten ala carte. The Beef and Basil is a terrific entre dish as is the Shrimp and Lemongrass. The Pho, a traditional and much ordered dish for one can be ordered in more delicious combinations than can be mentioned. I have lost track of how many times I have eaten at Vietnam, but I have never been anything but satisfied with their wonderful food. One last thing: this is the only restaurant that I have ever been in that prides it's vegetable freshness so highly that it states on the menu that they will not serve a dish if they could not get vegetables that met their standard of quality.

Delicious Vietnamese food served by gracious staff. The shrimp was perfectly cooked to crisp but not overdone. Clearly the restaurant deserved the James Beard Award they received. I look forward to returning soon.

Came here with a friend to have dinner. My friend was familiar with the food here and told me that he almost always got Pho here. I told him that Vietnamese food was more than just Pho and he agreed to let me do all the ordering. He also told me that the cocktail here is good and so i ordered a dirty martini. I would have wanted the martini to be dirtier but this is good enough. I first inquired if they served Banh Hoi and was told no. It's a dish where you were served grilled and caramalized meat and you wrap this with other ingredients such as aromatic herb and steamed rice noddles in a lettuce leaf. Everyone whom I ordered this dish for loved this dish but this restaurant does not serve it. I was a bit disappointed. I then ordered the Vietnamese sweet and sour soup. The soup was super good. My friend loved it! There is a great balance of acidity, coming from the tamarind, and sweetness. We also found a good amount of fish in the soup. It was a huge success. The only thing that I want to complain about is that the dish is usually served with Bac Ha (taro plant stalk) but they substitute it with celery here. The texture is different and I really liked Bac Ha in this soup. We also shared a shaking beef together. It was really really good. The beef is served in domino size and it was just so tender! I drizzled the juice on my rice and it was delicious. Overall, the food here is great but I think they are a more modernized version of Vietnamese food, instead of traditional one.

I had the "House Special Vermicelli", a meat-lover's extravaganza including meatballs, grilled chicken, and grilled pork in addition to a crispy spring roll, lettuce, sprouts, cucumber, etc. and a tasty sauce. Delightful! The service was excellent too. Will definitely visit again.

We have eaten with some frequency at both the Chinatown and the University City branches of this wonderful eatery.

My family of 5 has been visiting the Vietnam restaurant in Philly's Chinatown for many years. It is family friendly and while not inexpensive, quite reasonable for a larger family especially in Center City Philadelphia. It is a large place and usually, if there is a wait, it is not too long. We have always found the service to be attentive and willing to address our specific requests. Until our last visit, we found the food to be consistently very good. The spring rolls, salted calamari, duck, and the lime chicken are some of our favorites. The last visit, though, was somewhat disappointing as the ingredients in a couple of the dishes did not taste fresh.

Walked here from the Hilton Garden Inn, attending a meeting at the convention center. It is about 2 blks away. The first thing that struck me was that the atmosphere was much nicer than most Chinatown restaurants. This is the kind of place you would not be ashamed to take someone out to. The pho tai and house specialty vermicelli were excellent, with the spring rolls outstanding. The waiter was very helpful and the food delivered hot and quick. The bill was surprisingly small. The only drawback is that they require you to order everything at once - you can't order appetizers first then entrees later. The coconut drink was one to avoid too. This is definitely one fine Vietnamese restaurant, and highly recommended if staying near the convention center. If a local, you will find parking a hastle.

My wife and I found this restaurant mentioned on Trip Advisor and as we were in the neighborhood we tried it for dinner. I had a meatball roll for an appetizer. It was freshly wrapped and contained small meatballs. It was served with a tasty dipping sauce. The appetizer was okay but it was not terribly exciting. I ordered the seafood soup. It was a fairly large bowl containing broccoli, cauliflower, sliced carrots, sliced mushrooms, two shrimp and small slivers of what seemed to be squid. The vegetables were incredibly fresh. The flavored the broth with a couple of jalapenos and beansprouts. Otherwise the broth was bland. I was somewhat disappointed with the lack of seafood in the soup other than the two shrimp. The menu listed a seafood cake as one of the items in the soup. There was none. If you are in the neighborhood, I might visit this restaurant for dinner but I would not go out of my way to try it.

Was it the best Vietnamese food I have ever had? No. But more than adequate. Staff was flexible with modifications. For instance, I requested the vermicelli salad without vermicelli and that is what I got. It appeared to close at 8 on a weeknight and was not crowded and so blissfully not loud.

Twelve years. That's how long I've been coming here, and the food and service has been consistent throughout. I came here as a college student with friends, and now I come here with my husband and young kids. By the way, if you do bring young kids, be aware there is no kiddie menu, no high chairs, no kiddie cups. My kids are adventurous eaters, so if your kids are not- there is chicken noodle soup and grilled chicken/pork/shrimp over rice, but bring a sippy cup. The servers will bring extra bowls and a ladle if you want to divide the soup between kids. The service is always fast, attentive and pleasant. The decor is tasteful, dark wood and modern lighting with black and white photos on the walls. My top menu picks: crispy spring rolls-meant to be rolled up in lettuce with the accompanying veggies and mint then dipped in fish sauce-soooo good. Grilled meatball, another yum. Spicy Chicken lemongrass soup-it's really not too spicy, but very flavorful. Anything grilled with lemongrass over broken rice. And the pork wonton over egg noodle soup. Bun(cold noodle salad)on a hot day is perfect, and salt-and-pepper chicken is my husbands favorite. Oh, and try the fried tofu on top of the Bun, it's good.

You get a very generous amount of food! During a 3 night stay in Philadelphia, we chose Vietnam as a welcome change toward something a little more ethnic. It's a little bit off the beaten path in Chinatown, but once we settled in, it's a very comfortable location. We should have been tipped off by the multiple "doggie bags" at nearby tables, but we were hungry, and so we ordered two appetizers and three entrees for our group of four (including a 13-year-old). The spring rolls were great, and the grilled shrimp and chicken were just as spectacular. Like other Vietnamese places, they give you an overwhelming selection of side vegetables, vermicelli, and sauce. Service was friendly but a bit slow, especially considering they weren't too busy. Too much food, so be forewarned, but I would happily return on any future visit.

I had a 3 course meal and did not walk out feeling stuffed. The green papaya salad was extremely fresh. I am used to eating this in Thai restaurants where I eat a very spicy version. This was more like eating a version that let the taste of the papaya be the star. Had a “small bowl” of beef soup, small being a relative term for a very large, filling bowl of soup, with a large plate of bean sprouts and additional herbs. Topped it off with the coconut ice cream with chunks of fresh coconut. This dessert is not to be missed... Great service

I had dinner with business associates and had a wonderful dinner sharing different plates. So many different flavors and excellent wait staff. The duck and fish soup were some of my favorite dishes.

We were about to embark on a trip to Vietnam so we decided to get a preview of what some of the food we would encounter on our vacation would be like. We thought the food was excellent when we ate here but of course when we got to Vietnam we found the food even tastier there. Nonetheless this was a good intro to some of the foods we later experienced. We started off with the Crispy Veggie Spring Roll which were decent for an appetizer. We also had the Seafood Noodle Soup and the Squid Vermicelli bowl. The Squid Vermicelli bowl was undoubtedly the best, the lemongrass flavor just adds a nice subtle taste to this combo. All in all great experience - there was a family that showed up at the tail end of our dinner that had some very loud talking but other than that the whole experience was very good.

Best Vietnamese restaurant in philly!

I was craving for some Pho during my first day so a friend of mine (a Philly local) took me to this place, regardless of the fact that ChooChoo Train (Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant) had higher ratings. Her reason being, "the ambiance is better". It was so true though! The food itself was amazing, and the place was perfect for how we planned our night, which was to spend time with friends, have good food and basically hang out. The restaurant was comfortable, clean, swanky (the all wood interiors gave it this steakhouse vibe), and the lighting was great. I don't think I would have been just as comfortable talking to friends had we ended up at Vietnam Palace right across the street where the music was blaring all night long, or at ChooChoo Train which is always packed. And like I said, the food at Vietnam Restaurant is amazing. We all had noodle dishes--I had the beef lemongrass pho which was so flavorful, I couldn't get enough of it. Another friend had the Kim Chi Do Bien (Seafood claypot), which was loaded with scallops, shrimp, squid and tofu in a ginger/garlic spicy broth. We all also shared the Vietnamese ravioli for appetizers, which was basically steamed rice rolls stuffed with mushrooms, ground pork and onions. It came with this sweet/spicy dipping sauce that just fused all the flavors together. So, so amazing! Would definitely come here again!

Last Saturday night we went to Vietnam Restaurant in Philadelphia. Whenever I am in Chinatown, I've usually defaulted to a Chinese Restaurant next door. But last night we ventured in after reading some very good reviews. Vietnam does not take reservations so we expected to wait for a table. At 7:45pm we got a table right away. Might I suggest the lemongrass martini to accompany your menu review. We started with a delicious and spicy chicken soup with a red base. For our main dish we had a pork pot which was savory with well blended spices; and a basil shrimp with plenty of deliciously prepared shrimp. What I enjoyed was the combination of ingredients and spices. If you look up this restaurant you will see many good reviews. They are accurate.

We went to the restaurant on the recommendation of a local, we where not disappointed. Food was served in a timely manner, lots of nice choices. We loved the fresh shrimp roll appetizer.

While attending the fabulous Philly Bike Expo, one of our evening meals was at Vietmam Restaurant in Philladelphia's China Town area. They quickly seated our party of seven in a quiet upstairs dining room. Our server was courteous and attentive. Drinks, appetizers and entrees were all excellent. If you are near the Philly Convention Center, try Vietnam Restaurant on 11th St near Race Ave. You won't be disappointed!

First time in a Vietnamese restaurant and I loved it. Was a rainy sunday evening and we popped in for a casual bite. I had the shrimp and papya salad starter. Far too much shredded papya but lovely shrimp and dressing. For main course I had basil beef and girlfriend had a gorgeous pork dish. Tang and deeply favoured. Excellent. They called us a cab but it never showed up... and It was pouring. One of the staff kindly gave us an umbrella so we could walk home and not get soaked! Pretty awesome service I think!

The food here was amazing. I went with a group of people and all of the food that was brought to the table looked great! We shared the different dishes and it was delicious. The restaurant is located near Jefferson Station and Reading Market. I will return as soon as I am back in the area!

We've eating at the Vietnam several times over the past three years and always found the food and service very good. Wide choice of typical Vietnamese dishes, promptly served in generous portions. We prefer this restaurant to other nearby Chinese and Asian offerings. On the edge of Chinatown & near the Convention Center.

My husband is a big fan of Vietnamese food but I am not. Since it was Father's Day we let him pick the restaurant. We had eaten here many years ago and my son remembered it as being good. I was very pleasantly surprised. Everything we ordered was delicious. Service was excellent. Will go back again.

The first time I went to Vietnam Restaurant I had a chicken curry. Nothing special. A friend heard my sentiment and insisted we go again together where I was introduced to the wonderful spring roll vermicelli. Really amazing. Life changing. If I ever move away from Philly, this is the dish I will miss the most.

Well worth the time and money. Not overly expensive. Very attentive staff. Food and beverage choices were wide ranging. Our meals were Chicken Pad Thai, Basil Beef, Curried Chicken, and a sweet and sour shrimp, plus Vietnamese meatballs and noodles. Appetizers were Veggie Spring Rolls and won ton soup. All were flavorful, well plated, and nice dipping sauces to accompany. Would recommend and eat there again if I had the opportunity.

Generally never follow Inquirer reviews but decided to give this a try before the flower show. It was awful. Upon entering, I could see it was tiny, cramped, and the floor was dirty. We were seated next to a family that let its kids run all around. None of the food was appetizing from the grape leaves to the pork rolls to the chicken basil or the shaking beef. In fact some of the beef was inedible and the chicken was burnt, Service was poor, And, it is not cheap. All in all, a very disappointing experience.

On the recommendation of my niece, a restaurant owner in Philly, my son and I had dinner at Vietnam Restaurant a few weeks ago. We have a couple of local favorites at home in South Florida, but none compare to the excellent meal we had here. This is a restaurant that concentrates on the quality of the food it prepares and excellent service rather than the decor. I'll be back.

The food here has been consistently good for years. They rehabbed the place a number of years ago and the new decor seemed to make it more popular. There may be a bit of a wait on weekend nights, but if you like Vietnamese food it's worth the wait.

The introduction of the Southeast Asian cuisine to the United States has opened doors to wonderful new experiences. Of all, one of the cuisines I find most appealing is Vietnamese. In Philadelphia there are several neighborhoods that are portals to the new Vietnamese world. Two neighborhoods come immediately to mind, Chinatown, the original center around 9th and Race Streets and the Washington Avenue area of South Philadelphia, now home to many new arrivals. What I find curious is that the Vietnamese cuisine of the one seems very different from that of the other. Many of the dishes that one might find on Washington Avenue seem to resemble the corn starch, msg, shiny offerings that you might find in a Chinese –American restaurant. The Vietnamese food in Chinatown, however, is quite different. I find the restaurant Viet Nam on 11th Street to be indicative of the latter. I’ve eaten at Viet Nam on many occasions. I have eaten on Washington Avenue even more often. Today, I wanted to go back to Viet Nam in the hope of clarifying my perspective. The restaurant occupies what must have been a 19th century row house. In the evening the second floor is available. Its French door windows add a certain charm to the ambiance. Today, a Saturday afternoon, we sat on the ground floor, pleasant and comfortable, but not exceptional. The servers attended us immediately but while certainly pleasant, they did not seem particularly interested. We asked our waiter his advice on our selections. He was helpful but not particularly invested. We wanted to try what he thought would be the most typical Pho. He made his suggestion and we followed. The pho arrived and we asked that he serve us. Distributing the noodles with chopsticks and ladling the broth is not easy for a Westerner. When done by one who knows, it is actually quite wonderful to watch. The pho, the traditional beef base that our server suggested, was certainly pleasant but it seemed to lack the richer flavors that I have found on Washington Avenue. The side ingredients, the Thai basil, the mint and other touches were somewhat lacking. The bean sprouts tended to be more brown than white. We also had to ask for something on the spicy side. On Washington Avenue there are small dishes of hot peppers. He brought us a bottle of Thai hot sauce: not something one might expect. We then moved to the main courses he had selected. In these courses we see the major distinction between the Vietnamese food of Washington Avenue and Chinatown. Our server suggested the Vit Chien – Marinated Duck Legs and the Suon Nuong – Lemon Grass Pork Chops. Without question, both dishes offered new and satisfying experiences. Neither dish was coated in the shiny corn starch finish that might be found on Washington Avenue. These were clean, fresh direct exchanges between ingredient and tongue. You knew that you were eating pork. You knew that you were eating duck. The portions were fully satisfying, especially the pork. Viet Nam offers a truly refined menu but, if you want the more big platter, shiny sauce menu, you might prefer Washington Avenue. My question goes unanswered, “What is true Vietnamese?”

I used to frequent this place probably 18 years ago. I finally came back with my family and it's as good as I remember. The bbq platter is still my favorite.

Vietnamese is one of my favorite cuisines and this one was the best. There was a great variety and every dish was perfect. The best part was that it was an easy walk from the city hall area hotels. Our table had several shared dishes and everything was perfectly cooked, seasoned and served. The service was also nice. It is a great place to learn about Vietnamese food and to visit if you already love it.

Fantastic food, very authentic

It is a good place to introduce someone to Vietnamese food. Example in the menu the Pho nam is called beef Brisket noodle soup instead. Overall good food.

Vietnam Restaurant is one of my favorite restaurant's in Philly. Everything is always fresh and the unique flavors of Vietnamese cooking are fantastic. Very reasonable prices and fun drinks.

This restaurant already has a ton of great reviews, which is why we decided to try it. We were NOT disappointed. We had the Vietnamese ravioli, spring rolls for appetizers. They were fresh and amazing. I had the sweet and sour chicken and my husband had vermicelli noodles with tofu. Both dishes were out of this world. The place was small and quiet, which was nice. There were lots of options on the menu too. If I'm ever in Philadelphia again, we'd absolutely go back.

Traveled with a group of friends and decided to sample some Asian cuisine. The restaurant was a bit crowded when i visited and the environment was rather stuffy. but the staff were very friendly and helpful. Tried the Dinner for eight which was quite good. Not a bad place at all.

We shared two appetizers and two main courses and found each of them well done and served with attention to good service. The only minor hitch we encountered was the waiter's misunderstanding of an order for a special Martini with cucumber slices A good spot for dining near the Convention Center

Decided to visit as my husband and I adore the flavours (spice, sweet, salty) and textures of Asian food. Sadly, we were deeply disappointed. The papaya salad was bland (no chillies at all, no dried shrimp - two of the key ingredients, yet nowhere to be seen). My husband's main dish of thinly sliced beef was marginally better, perhaps because of the delicious steamed greens. However, the salty fried squid I had was over-salted and, yet, still bland. Service was friendly, but this is far from "the real deal" on the food front, sorry to say.

Also check their rival across the street. Very elegant, yet reasonable.

Odd that there are no reviews for 15 months. We had a hankering for Vietnamese food, and saw a parking space on 11th and Arch. We googled Vietnamese food near me. This place was doing a brisk takeout business and its menu was standard. Why not? We took home grilled lemongrass beef vermicelli and shrimp vermicelli. Oh so bland. Cut up iceberg. Barely a hint of lemongrass. I think the beef had been stewed vs grilled. It could not have been more blah. Still searching for our forever home, and missing all the great Vietnamese food in Seattle.

This is my all-time favorite Vietnamese restaurant - one of the things I miss about Philly! Good service. Clean. It's all about the yummy spring rolls!

I really enjoyed this meal. The food was authentic and delicious. Lots of choices for carnivores and vegetarians. I will return.

Vietnam restaurant has fabulous food and is a great affordable option for a less expensive meal in the city. It is one of my favorite places to eat in the city!

I had been waiting to eat here for a long time. It was worth the wait. I ordered the Seafood Claypot as my entree. It was excellent. Just what I expected from a traditional Vietnamese dish. If you do not like spicy food, stay away from this dish. The desert was great too. I had the Taro Root Rice Pudding. The coconut milk made the dish even better. Eat there ASAP if I were you.

Very good vietnamese restaurant on Philadelphia. Very nice ambiance with very good service. We recommend as drink the Vulcano...to share with your friends...to much for you alone...but a nice experience....

Food was good, but expensive for what it is.

I've been here a couple times. The entrees are very good, but definitely overpriced for Vietnamese food. The service is less than pleasant. The pho (beef noodle soup) is just awful.

Is a very nice place, the food is awesome, I could try a Vietnamese beer which I never did before. Vietnamese coffes did not meet my expectations, but overall was a very good lunch.

Restaurants come and go in Chinatown so I was really happy this was still around. Good fresh tasting food. My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philly.

I was in Philly recently and wanted Vietnamese food. Found this place through urban spoon app on the ipod. Needless to say, I was not dissapointed. Service was fantastic. The menu was great. I like fresh rolls and was extremely happy with their selection. Try the grilled meatball rolls on the appetizer menu. All of the portions are large. A party of 5 and the bill was $120 with alcohol. Not too bad. Will definately return when I am in the area.

Good food and service. Cozy atmosphere.

This restaurant failed to wow - rum drinks were fun and not too strong. The Pho was very bland, although in fairness to the restaurant we ordered the vegetable pho. My pho place at home still uses the beef broth - I think this was just veggie. The spring roll appetizer was exactly the same as spring roll noodle dish. I think they waiter could have told us. I wouldn't go back as I'm thinking Philly has many more wonderful options.

Alright, I'll be quick: Vietnam Coffee - Best I ever had Tofufa - Best I ever had BBQ PORK AND RICE - Worst I ever had (super fsalty) Decor - Come on,What did you expect?

Small Vietnamese with extensive menu and delicious food. Many other diners were getting large soups to share as appetizer, looked great. Could not handle that much food. I had shrimp curry dish which was delicious, and very substantial. My wife had lime chicken which was quite tasty fried chicken in a lime sauce. Very good.