SAIGON SHACK — Restaurant in Berlin

When it first came I was a bit taken aback by the portions, but then I took a bite and was like YES! Yummiest thing I’ve found in Berlin so far when it comes to Vietnamese street food. My son the picky eater did a ummmm of approval. Oh and for the guy who said they were expecting better bread for the banh mi, a baguette is the bread of banh mi sandwiches. If it’s any other bread then it’s Wrong. These sandwiches were invented after the French came into Vietnam. The vendors would take the cheapest French bread, day old baguettes and make sandwiches with pate, some sort of meat, and pickled vegetables. That meat would be pork, pig ears, or some organ meats mixed with better cuts because it was the food of the working class poor. In Berlin they take away the pâté for ethical reasons and pig ears and organ meats cause Germans don’t normally eat them and swap them out often with chicken beef or tofu. If you also lose the basic baguette it is a hundred percent not a banh mi sandwich. Sorry just a fact. One thing about berlin food culture is that you often have two cardinal sins committed upon the food is dumbing down and over hyping the wrong ingredients. Dumbing down, like taking away pate and organ meats. Hyping up the wrong ingredients. Like taking a basic baguette and turning it into some Multigrain artisanal German bread. But these two things both disrespect the culture and history of the food while changing the flavor profile so greatly that it frankly tastes more bland western food with some Asian condiments then a part of that culture. You can not like something, but stop...

Discovering Saigon Shack just across my street in Berlin has been nothing short of a culinary revelation. This hidden gem, run by a warm and welcoming Vietnamese family, offers an experience that feels more like an invitation to their home rather than a mere restaurant visit. The ambiance is cozy and intimate, perfectly capturing the essence of familial hospitality.

Every visit feels special here, thanks to the incredibly friendly and attentive staff. It’s evident that everyone involved puts their heart and soul into ensuring guests have a memorable dining experience. Their dedication to service and the authentic Vietnamese flavors they serve make it hard to stay away; I find myself dining here several times a week!

The food, oh the food! It's absolutely delicious, offering a taste of Vietnam right here in Berlin. Each dish is prepared with care, and the flavors are authentic and rich, transporting you straight to the streets of Saigon with every bite.

Saigon Shack is more than just a restaurant; it's a community spot where you're treated like family. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place is a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in genuine Vietnamese cuisine served with a heartwarming smile.

Highly recommended for its homely vibe, exceptional service, and, of course, the exquisite food that keeps me coming back for more. Saigon Shack is a true culinary...

I'm really happy that we tried out this new(?) vietnamese restaurant tonight!

Especially the Pho Bo & the Banh Mi were awesome in my opinion. Compared to what other vietnamese restaurants in the area serve you, the pho's broth was (in a good way) lighter & cleaner. The spices in the broth were really present, yet it still hat that nice beefiness. Maybe some more herbs would've been nice (but we had it for takeaway, so you probably get more if you eat at their place). The Banh Mi was basic, but again in a good way. Seasoning & especially the pickled vegetables were on point 👌.

We also tried the Bun Bowl with tofu. This one wasn't too special - the tofu was a little to plain for my liking. With some additional nuoc mam it was still pretty good.

The people running the place seemed super nice!

Considering the prices & all of the above, this place definitely is 5/5 for me & I'll definitely come back soon to try aome...