Dong Khanh Restaurant — Restaurant in Calgary

If I had to choose a last meal in prison, the beef satay soup from Dong Khanh would be in the running. I have been going to this restaurant for around 30 years. It was the second Vietnamese restaurant I ever ate at but it is my first choice ALWAYS! It is a family business. Vinh, (I am not sure how to spell. his name) the owner and his wife opened this restaurant around 1990. We had just adopted our precious daughter from Korea and we had to move to accommodate a new addition to our family. We had a coupon for Dong Khanh and since it was right between our old place and our new home, we gave it a try. And we have never looked back. I love spicy food. I am willing to try quite spicy food so when I saw Beef Satay soup, I was all over it. It has become a 30 yr old love affair. Now, for a while, I thought Vinh's mom or mother in law was seeing how spicy I would eat it as it seemed to be spicer every time. LOL. She would always ask if it was too spicy. I would say nope. I haven't seen her at the restaurant for sometime. I hope she has retired. But the legacy of her awesome soup lives on. The broth for this soup is spicy but not overpowering. The richness of the broth is well balanced with the spice. And I have found that when the soup sits while you are eating their crispy spring rolls waiting for the soup to cool down a bit, the noodle starch makes the broth just a bit thicker and creamier. OMG! It is so good! The spring rolls are all hand made. If you are lucky, you can watch them being made and you will be amazed at how fast and efficiently they are prepared. When you get them, they are seriously hot and very crispy. The dipping sauce is a blend of fish sauce & carrots. Yummy! While the beef satay soup is definitely my favourite dish, Dong Khanh makes a mean vermicelli as well. I prefer the grilled pork with spring rolls but I am positive they are all great. The veggie ingredients are always fresh and plentiful. I have found they often serve mint with their food. A very nice and delicious touch. Another DEFINITE MUST TRY is their iced coffee. I loved ice coffee but I find Vinh always gives the right amount of sweet condensed milk. It is a perfect finish to a very...

Dong Khanh Restaurant in Calgary is a hidden gem that offers an authentic taste of Southeast Asian street food, making it a must-visit for adventurous food lovers. The menu features dishes that are not only delicious but also rare to find in most Vietnamese restaurants, showcasing the true essence of traditional cuisine.

One standout dish I tried was the Bánh Bột Chiên, a Vietnamese street food delicacy that is not commonly served in restaurants due to its complexity and the challenge of sourcing authentic ingredients. Dong Khanh nails it. The crispy, golden rice cakes paired with eggs and a tangy dipping sauce were bursting with flavor and texture. This dish is a nostalgic reminder of the vibrant street food culture in Southeast Asia.

Another highlight was the Hủ Tiếu with pork innards and egg noodles, which was simply heavenly. The broth was rich and flavorful, the noodles perfectly cooked, and the generous portions of pork innards were tender and well-prepared. For those unaccustomed to eating innards, this dish might seem exotic, but it’s a staple comfort food for many Asians. Dong Khanh excels in presenting these flavors authentically, making even unfamiliar ingredients approachable and delicious.

The restaurant’s menu features many unique items that might be unfamiliar to those who haven’t visited Southeast Asia or tried traditional street food before. However, this diversity is what makes Dong Khanh special—it’s a place where you can explore new tastes and textures.

The service was friendly and efficient, with staff who clearly take pride in their work. The ambiance is simple yet welcoming, especially during quieter hours when you can enjoy your meal with minimal distractions.

Dong Khanh is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience that transports you to the bustling streets of Vietnam. Whether you’re craving authentic street food like Bánh Bột Chiên or hearty noodle soups like Hủ Tiếu, this place delivers on all fronts. Writing this review already has me craving another visit! Highly recommended for anyone seeking an authentic Vietnamese culinary...

Probably the most bizarre take-out food experience we've ever had. We ordered 3 menu items, in person. The best we can tell is that they got one right. We opened one of the large styrofoam containers to find it was full of nothing but a nest of dried noodle that looked a lot like dry Ichiban soup noodles. (I took a pic to attach to this review and will if I can.) We tried putting some in a watery green onion soup broth that came with the order, and these noodles tasted like mildly flavoured cardboard. A 5-seafood dish we ordered ended up having a few shrimp along with beef in it. Bizarre. Only giving them 2 stars because the rest of the food wasn't that bad. Prices are average to high for Vietnamese fare. But the container of dry Ichiban-like noodles will never be forgotten, or understood! A big...