Xin Chào — Restaurant in Vienna

Having traveled through the vibrant streets of Vietnam earlier this year – from the stunning Ha Long Bay to the bustling Hanoi, the lantern-lit alleys of Hoi An, and all the way down to the motorbike chaos of Ho Chi Minh City – I’ve been spoiled by some pretty incredible Vietnamese food. So naturally, when I stumbled upon Xin Chao in Vienna’s hipster 6th district, I had high hopes.

First off, I’m glad we made the wise decision to book a table online. This place was packed, which is usually a good sign (unless everyone’s just here for the vibe, but I digress). The decor was a fun mix of old Austrian beer hall meets Vietnamese lantern festival. Honestly, it felt like a quirky cultural mashup that somehow worked, in the way that only Vienna could pull off.

Our servers, a lively and friendly duo, guided us to our table with smiles and a kind of enthusiasm that could almost make you forget about the cold outside. As we ogled the dishes landing at other tables, we knew we had to go for a classic: beef pho (because what better way to compare it to my many bowls from Vietnam?), and one of the specials – udon noodles in a creamy curry sauce with chicken skewers.

When the dishes arrived, they looked mouthwatering, and my expectations were high. But then... the cream sauce wasn't exactly creamy. It was more of a "did you forget the cream?" kind of situation, and the vegetables in the noodles were more "overworked employee" than fresh and crisp. Thankfully, the chicken skewers did their job – crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, just as they should be.

Now, as someone who's lived in Austria for a while, I know that the spice levels at ethnic restaurants tend to be dialed down to accommodate local palates. And true to form, the food here was a bit blander than the fiery dishes I remember from my travels through Vietnam. A generous splash of chili oil helped, but I’d have loved more spice options on the table to kick things up a notch.

The beef pho? Pretty solid, but I have to admit, I’ve had better bowls around town that left me more satisfied.

All in all, Xin Chao offered a pleasant experience, largely thanks to the warm, friendly service from our dynamic server duo. It’s not quite the culinary trip back to Vietnam I was hoping for, but on a chilly Viennese day, it’ll do the trick. Worth checking out if you’re in the neighborhood, but maybe don’t skip...

I was traveling through Europe and suddenly craved some home-style Vietnamese food while in Vienna. I came across this restaurant and decided to order through Wolt. We tried the Bún Bò Huế, Phở Gà, and spring rolls.

The order arrived without dipping sauce for the spring rolls, which was a little disappointing. The rolls themselves didn’t quite resemble the typical Vietnamese version — usually filled with herbs, vermicelli, and chives. Instead, these had mainly sliced cabbage, bean sprouts (?!) , and three pieces of half prawns, it might be difficult to source certain ingredients in Austria.

The Bún Bò Huế tasted funny, kinda reminded me of Bún Mắm (a fermented fish noodle soup from the Mekong Delta), rather than the spicy, lemongrass-based broth that defines the dish. The Phở Gà, in my opinion, was about a 4/10 — it filled the stomach but didn’t capture the comforting depth and fragrance of real Vietnamese phở.

That said, on a cold night, the food was still warming, and satisfying in its own way. But for me, it’s not authentic Vietnamese cuisine — more of a...

We visited Xin Chao and enjoyed a variety of dishes: shrimp summer rolls, báhn cuốn chay, duck mango curry, and bún bò huế. The combination of flavors and seasonings was truly delightful, especially the báhn cuốn chay, which stood out with its perfect balance of textures and taste.

The duck in the mango curry was a bit dry, but thankfully, the flavorful curry sauce compensated well, providing the moisture needed for an enjoyable bite. Portions were very generous, and the pricing is reasonable—great value for the amount of food you get. You definitely won’t leave hungry.

One minor hiccup during our visit was the timing of the mains. My dish arrived first, but we had to ask about my partner’s dish, as there was no update. The waiter assured us it was on the way, but it would have been better to proactively inform us about the delay. Small improvements in communication would enhance the overall dining experience.

Overall, Xin Chao is worth a visit for its flavorful dishes and good value, with just a bit of room for polishing...