Vina Vietnamese — Restaurant in Burnaby

Vina Vietnamese – A Disappointing Take on Vietnamese Cuisine

Location: Metropolis at Metrotown (Food Court)

Food

Grilled Lemongrass Chicken The grilled lemongrass chicken was underwhelming, lacking the bold, aromatic flavors typically associated with this dish. The seasoning was minimal, resulting in a bland and uninspired taste. The accompanying spring roll had an unusual texture—neither crispy nor satisfying—while the noodles also suffered from a strange consistency that detracted from the overall dish.

Rating: 2/10

Salad Roll The salad roll was equally disappointing. The ingredients did not taste particularly fresh, and the texture felt off. The dipping sauce was especially problematic, with an unbalanced and unpleasant flavor that failed to complement the roll.

Rating: 1/10

Vietnamese Coffee Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the meal was the Vietnamese coffee. Instead of the rich, bold, and slightly sweet flavor profile expected from this beverage, it had an artificial taste with an unpleasant aftertaste. It lacked depth and authenticity, making it one of the weakest representations of Vietnamese coffee I have encountered.

Rating: 1/10

Ambiance

As expected from a food court setting, the atmosphere is crowded, noisy, and impersonal, especially during peak hours. While this is not a fault of the restaurant itself, it does not contribute to an enjoyable dining experience. Seating is limited and often occupied, making it difficult to find a comfortable place to eat.

Rating: 5/10

Price

The pricing is reasonable, but given the lackluster food quality, it does not offer good value. Even at a lower price point, the execution of the dishes does not justify the cost.

Service

Service was indifferent. While the transaction was completed efficiently, there was no warmth or engagement from the staff. There was little effort to create a welcoming experience, making the service feel purely functional rather than hospitable.

Rating: 2/10

Verdict

Vina Vietnamese delivers an uninspired and disappointing take on Vietnamese cuisine. The dishes lack flavor, authenticity, and attention to detail, making for an overall forgettable experience. Even within the casual setting of a food court, there are far better dining options available. Based on this visit, I see no...

I recently tried Vina Vietnamese at Metrotown and was left extremely disappointed. I ordered the basil chicken with vermicelli, a side of spring rolls, and a shrimp salad roll.

The only decent part of the meal was the fried spring rolls. The basil chicken, on the other hand, was completely flavorless—so bland that even adding hoisin and hot sauce couldn’t salvage it. It had no depth, no seasoning, nothing.

The shrimp salad roll was passable, but the peanut sauce was a disaster. It was watery, lacked richness, and tasted like a cheap imitation rather than real peanut sauce.

To make matters worse, the meal cost $25—way too much for something so utterly disappointing. If you’re looking for authentic Vietnamese food, do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. But if you prefer overpriced, uninspired, and un-authentic Vietnamese food, this is the place for...

I walked the entire food court and this was the most appealing and for some reason had no line while other places had 10 people lined up. I ordered the lemongrass pork bowl with vermicelli noodle, it came out within a few minutes. The pork was a little different than I was expecting, it's like it was a paste formed into slices. The flavors were good but I wish it had a stronger lemongrass note to it. The egg roll was really good and the perfect crunchy texture with a nice gooey inside. The vermicelli was perfect for this. I'm happy they gave a good sized fish sauce for this I was afraid they would only give a tiny cup. The fish sauce really brings this whole thing together. Overall happy for this food...