Saigon Kitchen — Restaurant in Nanaimo

Despite the great reviews which inspired me to check this restaurant out, I was disappointed with my food here.

On the other hand, the customer service was stellar. And kudos to my excellent server who not only gracefully handled my table move out of the overzealous air con, but also a rowdy post lunch-hours table of 6 who were confused why they couldn't get sake. ( sidebar: telling your server that you're not really racist because you confuse Japanese with Vietnamese doesn't help anybody ). And the waitress still delivered great service to that table with genuine smile on her face. She is the only reason that this place is getting 2 stars.

Unfortunately, as good as the service was the food was pretty bland. And reheated.

I ordered the vermicelli bowl with spring roll which was a less than standard low to no flavour Canadian-Vietnamese restaurant version. While it did have nice crisp lettuce and bean sprouts, there were no fresh herbs or mint or even cilantro. The chicken which should have been fresh grilled, succulent and juicy with lemongrass undertones from proper marinating, looked like leftovers. Instead of the standard four to five substantial chicken pieces, what I received looked like a smaller piece of chicken that had been diced and then reheated. Likely in the microwave because it was dry and chewy.

Also absent from my bowl was the roasted peanuts on top (!) and that unmistakable grilled and marinated lemongrass flavor. A new one for me (with no bearing on the food flavor / qualitu) was the vermicelli underneath being cut up into tiny pieces . Maybe for people who aren't used to eating traditional Vietnamese?

The accompanying Nước chấm was watery and flavourless sugar water. No heat and barely any fish sauce flavor.

The spring roll was crunchy but had absolutely no flavor other than the oil. And the reason for this is because it was reheated in the deep fryer with oil that was not hot enough.

If they are a restaurant that has a high turnover and wants to serve their customers quickly, it makes sense that they would pre make all the spring rolls and then freeze them. However as a customer you don't really want to see this by accident because somebody left the back kitchen door open and visible when you go use the restroom.

And speaking of, they need to put a light in the back hallway because it was literally pitch dark. I couldn't see which bathroom I was heading into until I felt around for a light switch. And this was at midday.

So regardless of the great service, I don't think I'll be going back. Maybe most of their patrons aren't used to the traditional flavor , but that's one of the reasons I eat out. Otherwise I would have just made it at home.

. I suppose you could chalk it up to being lunchtime on a slower day, but then again for the price you're paying - why should you?

Overall quite a disappointment from the standards I have experienced in bigger cities and other restaurants.

Staff and service are great, but the food was so lackluster I probably will not be returning as there are other restaurants that can offer the same with a...

My daughter and I were visiting Nanaimo and I wanted to take her for a special little dinner...just the 2 of us. We googled to find for a place to go with good reviews and found Saigon Kitchen. We walked into a happening little spot and were greeted by a lovely woman and a few other staff members. They got us a table right away and we're prompt with our drinks. We decided on a beef pho and a spring roll meal for the two of us to share. The food was on the table within 10 mins...I was surprised as they were so busy! We were so pleased with the quality, flavors and presentation. I have eaten Vietnamese hundreds of times and this place did not disappoint! The pho was phenomenal !!! The spring rolls were very good and the salad fresh! My daughter was so happy with the food too. Halfway through the owner Ray came out for a walk through and guest check...he was very kind and happy to see and meet his guests. We ended up taking a few minutes talking with Ray and he was my daughters new buddy...even offered her more soup to take home...super nice!

We had a great experience and that was my whole point of taking just my girl out for a mommy & daughter treat.

Thank you so much Ray!

Next time I will bring my family...hopefully soon as now I am...

Took an employee out for a celebratory dinner after a long week. Both ordered rice bowl with drinks. My chicken was okay. He ordered seafood and told me after the shrimp were overcooked and like rubber balls. Unfortunate. The fish sauce smelt appaling but food was ok.

The staff were very nice, friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was okay until a lady came in smelling of perfume which in the small space impacted the taste of the food as well as created an allergic reaction with my employee. The lady behind me was so close she kept hitting my chair with her own.

Bathrooms were not overly clean.

Value for money not great.. but now-a- days I guess is average, especially for Nanaimo. Unfortunately wont be back despite...