Saigon Taste — Restaurant in Central Core

Im very reluctant to give 5 stars to anyone as It takes an incredible attention to consistency for me and thats just not something most cheaper restaurants have the time to do, thats why the food stays affordable, but i absolutely adore this place and the consistency of food quality is quite good. Also the tastes, to die for and im very addicted. I will say theres been a couple of times the freshness wasnt at 100% of certain food items but with that said they are not charging 25$ a pho bowl more like 18$ and as i said the food flavors are to die for and so exceptional that u barely notice if something is a hint "off". The foods so remarkeable and well priced i really dont even want to say anything positive as i dont want this place to fill up, i like getting my food fast. With that said i generally take my food to go and i do get a bit fed up of being handed the tip option evertime but thats life. I dont tip for takeaway and dislike feeling guilt tripped a bit in this current culture. Also i do have to ask for chop sticks every time, as they normally dont include them and then sometimes they seem annoyed that they have to walk back to get them . Most of the wait staff are wonderful however (just one girl with an attitude again probably because of the lack of a tip for service i didnt ask for) i do feel that when people are doing a pick up and theyre not treated with respect its a bit bad. A simple thank you after i say thank you goes a long way rather than storming off...but thats kids today. Their professionalism and or kindness comes at a price for sure. I have decided to be a good sport and go in and actually eat inside a couple of times, and tip lol Service was great. Smiles and fast with the water refills I used to order salad rolls and unfortunately stopped because when i got home they,d be torn on the bottom and placed so that u didnt see the tear until u picked it up and everything fell apart. This happenned 3 times before i gave up. Again had i been a customer eating inside i dont believe they would ever serve the food that way. I do feel they need to treat the takeaway customers with the same respect they would a seated customer. After all i am paying the exact same amount for the food, its not like im getting a discount. Once i was actually overcharged 10$ also and didnt notice until i got home. They did reimburse me when i told them though. Thats edmonton though these days, u have to really watch for people ripping u off ive noticed. Im not suggesting its necessarily intentional. With the downsides mentioned im still in love. They do say on the website that they are a labor of love and u can tell the flavor balances have been fine tuned. Compliments to the chef. For me its just getting through the guilt at the no tip, remembering to ask for the chopsticks and hoping i get the same food volume as i do when i eat in....lol...(first world problems i guess) .with that said im an addict and im 90% happy with food quality and consistency and ill live with the rest and dodge the minefields to get my hands on it!!! Also a really cute little place and exceptional fancy decor for the prices u pay and the staff really do deserve a big hand as they are far better than most ...and yes i have tipped on take away once...

I don’t go out much so when I do I like to spoil myself. I used to get pho once a week from a great place on the northside so I wanted to load up on salad rolls, onion cakes and soup before crashing after a long work shift.

The lady serving me was a bit busy which is fine and I understand needing to rush when busy as I used to serve, so I get it. But she has a Bluetooth in her ear and was answering skip orders while trying to take my order. I kind of draw the line here.

She turned around and walked away 3 times before I finished my order. Maybe she assumed I couldn’t eat that much or had better things to do but I literally said “please wait I’m not done ordering” after the third time she turned her back to walk away. I’ve never had a server not want to take down what your saying. But then she rushed behind the all and took the order in her ear.

I was then served the wrong drink completely in a chipped glass bottle to boot. Again I get it your busy mistakes happen.

But then she didn’t dress the table with utensils, napkins, mint, and bean sprouts even though she remembered to do so on some of the other tables. When I asked for sprouts, mint, hoisin and Siracha like the other tables had she rushed to the back. On her way out of the back door she dropped the mint on the floor, then put it on the plate with the sprouts and served it me thinking I couldn’t see her behind the wall.

I asked her “did you drop just this” she said “yea but it’s the hoisin package so it’s ok” then put it on my table with my food like no big deal.

So I won’t be back. But nope on that one. I also won’t order online because they might just drop my food and just serve it to me since I can’t see my digital order.

The food itself wasn’t great either. I’ve had pho every week since a teenager and it sure was not worth the $47 it cost me to have chipped bottles and floor food along with severely below par service.

Thanks for reminding me to just cook at home lol...

If you're searching for authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Edmonton, look no further than Saigon Taste. This cozy, unassuming restaurant delivers some of the most flavorful and genuine Vietnamese dishes in the city, thanks in large part to the passion and dedication of Ms. Loan, the manager.

Over the years that we’ve been visiting (we live next door and make it a point to dine here every summer when we return to Edmonton), Ms. Loan has consistently impressed us with her warm hospitality, attention to detail, and deep commitment to both customer service and food quality. Her kindness and courteous nature make every visit feel like coming home.

What truly sets Saigon Taste apart is Ms. Loan’s ever-evolving menu, which showcases her creativity and dedication to authentic Vietnamese flavors. From fragrant pho and crispy bánh xèo to lesser-known regional specialties, every dish is prepared with care and expertise. Her menu changes keep regulars excited, and her culinary skills are second to none in Edmonton’s Vietnamese dining scene.

Despite its small size, Saigon Taste delivers an unforgettable dining experience. Whether you're a longtime fan of Vietnamese food or new to the cuisine, this restaurant is a must-visit. We highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates fresh, flavorful, and lovingly prepared meals.

Thank you, Ms. Loan, for your unwavering passion and for making Saigon Taste such a special place. We’ll...