Năm - Viet Kitchen — Restaurant in Prague

Nestled in the heart of the city, Nam-Viet Kitchen offers an authentic and immersive Vietnamese dining experience that transports patrons to the vibrant streets of Vietnam. From the moment you step inside, the restaurant’s warm and inviting atmosphere sets the tone for a memorable culinary journey. The decor, infused with subtle nods to Vietnamese culture, creates a cozy yet elegant ambiance that perfectly complements the cuisine. The attentive service provided by the staff further enhances the experience, with their professionalism, kindness, and genuine hospitality—hallmarks of traditional Asian service—leaving a lasting impression. Our meal began with the standout starters: the beef and shrimp "Nem Cuon" (fresh spring rolls). These were nothing short of exceptional, striking a perfect balance of fresh, vibrant ingredients wrapped in delicate rice paper. The accompanying dipping sauce, a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and savory notes, elevated the dish to new heights, adding a burst of flavor that made each bite utterly delightful. The presentation was impeccable, showcasing the kitchen’s attention to detail and commitment to authenticity. To complement the meal, we ordered Nam-Viet Kitchen’s homemade lemonade, a refreshing revelation that deserves special mention. Crafted with care, the lemonade struck a perfect balance of tart and sweet, with a bright, zesty flavor that felt both invigorating and nostalgic. Made with fresh lemons and just the right touch of sweetness, it was a delightful accompaniment to the bold flavors of the meal, enhancing the overall dining experience. For the main course, we opted for two of Nam-Viet Kitchen’s signature dishes: the classic Pho and the Udon curry. The Pho, a fragrant and soul-warming noodle soup, was a highlight of the meal. My wife described it as “absolutely delicious,” praising the rich, aromatic broth and the tender, perfectly cooked beef that melted in the mouth. Her enthusiasm was well-founded, as the dish was a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to crafting authentic Vietnamese flavors. The Udon curry, which I ordered, was equally satisfying, featuring a robust and flavorful curry broth paired with chewy, well-prepared udon noodles. While I found it thoroughly enjoyable, rating it a solid 7 out of 10 (or 4 out of 5), it didn’t quite reach the transcendent heights of the Pho or the starters. Nonetheless, the dish was well-executed and left me content. Overall, Nam-Viet Kitchen delivers a dining experience that is both authentic and approachable, making it an excellent choice for both Vietnamese cuisine enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The combination of flavorful, thoughtfully prepared dishes, a refreshing homemade lemonade, a welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional service makes this restaurant a standout. We wholeheartedly recommend Nam-Viet Kitchen and believe it deserves a glowing 5-star rating for its commitment to quality and authenticity. Whether you’re craving a comforting bowl of Pho, a zesty lemonade, or eager to explore the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, this establishment is well...

I mainly came for the rice paper rolls since I was craving them that day—they seemed fresh but the sauce was pretty bland, nothing exciting. So I thought, let me see what Google reviews mention as the top item… Pad Thai.

Yeah, I guess it was my fault for ordering Pad Thai at a Vietnamese restaurant… but I figured going for the “most popular” dish wouldn’t fail me, as it hasn’t most of the times before.

Nope. Probably top 3 worst Pad Thais of my life—only flavor tasted a bit like cinnamon, noodles stuck together, and somehow it came out 5 minutes after ordering in a packed restaurant. Either it was sitting around forever, or they forgot the sauce entirely. Questionable.

For context: I sat down at 8:09PM, rolls came at 8:14PM, Pad Thai at 8:19PM (which I only ordered when they brought the rolls), and I left at 8:34PM. Probably the fastest I’ve ever been at a restaurant—faster than McDonald’s.

When asking for the check, the waiter offered to wrap up my nearly full plate, so I mentioned the above. He said something like, “yeah, I tried it today and the sauce seemed off too,” to which I responded, “ok, so if you agree, why am I getting something that isn’t right?” He then stuttered, “uh… well…” as if there was nothing he could do. Um, yes, you just admitted it’s off—so why am I paying full price? I even asked this to which he replied "there is nothing he can do" again.

I ended up wrapping the leftover Pad Thai as I do not like wasting food so thought to leave it for someone at my hostel or a homeless person. To make matters worse, I woke up later that night not feeling well.

I think I see a theme here: BLAND and maybe rushed? My friend is Vietnamese and owns a restaurant, so I guess my Vietnamese taste buds are high, HA HA.

Moral of the story: don’t order Pad Thai here, or just find another Vietnamese place...

We are Asian travellers and went in for late dinner due to good ratings. Our experience was different.

1. The male waiter in glasses was rude with an attitude. We should be able to order whatever. When we wanted to order the small soup, he gave us weird looks and scolded us saying "it's small, very small." And then a scoff and head shake when we continued to order it as if we are doing smt wrong. Because it says small soup so we know it's small and regardlesswe, wanted to order that. So what's the problem? And we continued to order other food items, so really, what is the issue? (We did notice he has social difficulties but awkward and attitude are two different things)

2. to a different waitress, we asked for tissue, she answered "one, two?" Which was strange, who gives tissue in pieces in restaurants? Then she pointed the napkins. I then asked for a box of tissue. then she gave us a strange look. Then i saw the box of tissue on the next table and pointed it. Then she grabbed it for us. The whole service interaction was unpleasant. I don't know if it's language and cultural difference. But their general attitude was unpleasant.

We didnt round up our bill to tip because service was so bad. We also noticed servers acted differently towards the local prague customers who looked czech than how they were with us.

3. vietnamese pho usually comes with bean sprouts. I never had one without but this was the place that served pho without bean sprouts. So when i asked for it. they charged me for it ( i think this is czech thing) but then it wasnt raw but came blanched which was bit surprising. The broth itself was below meidocore. But i guess it was my asian expectations. Maybe this is just how it is here in Prague.

4. Bun cha was good tho (or...