Em Hà Nội — Restaurant in Pasay

*2025 Update The first time I ate here back in 2024 it was incredible. When I revisited in March of 2025 it was barely tolerable. I'm not sure what happened in the meantime, or if it was just an off night, but I was really disappointed (brought a buddy to show the place off!).

Server was distracted and got our order wrong. Food was marginal at best. The attention to detail so evident from my first experience here (original review below) was sadly missing.

So I've adjusted my ratings to be in between my initial star-struck wonder and my most recent disappointment. Hopefully my next visit will restore my confidence - and the higher rating!

• 2024 Original Review Amazing flavors, incredibly solicitous and helpful staff in a carefully decorated restaurant.

I started with the spring rolls. These were very fresh, crispy inside without the rice paper wrapper being crunchy as well. Filled with shrimp, a bit of sliced pork, rice noodles and lettuce. Served with a giant dish of sweet peanut sauce. Sadly, the only bad thing I can say about this place is they don't have chili oil or even a sriracha option, just a generic chili sauce that is underwhelming. However the garlic slices soaked in vinegar are a new treat and wonderful if you don't need to kiss anyone later.

The grilled pork banh mi was incredible. The French baguette was perfect - crunchy and flaky on the outside and fluffy and tender on the inside. They seem to have basted the top lightly in something that makes your fingers sticky, perhaps butter and herbs? Hard to tell. Filled with pickled veggies and generous helpings of grilled pork. The overall effect was fantastic.

Finished up with a ca phe sua da, the traditional Vietnamese French roast coffee with sweetened condensed milk. This was easily the best one I've ever had. It was incredibly rich - not just sweet from the sweetened condensed milk but the quality of the coffee was obviously top-notch. I never want a ca phe sua da to end, but I sipped this one as long as I could, it was so incredible.

If you're in Manila and looking for good Vietnamese, come here. I trust their pho and other offerings are just...

If you're in the mood for authentic Vietnamese cuisine, Em Ha Noi is the place to be. I visited with my friend from Vietnam, and he attested to the restaurant's faithful recreation of Vietnamese flavors. While it's true that the prices here are slightly higher than those in Vietnam, it's understandable given that the ingredients and the quality of the cuisine is exceptional.

Here's what we ordered: 🥘 Beef Pho 🌯 Deep Fry Roll 🥙 Fresh Spring Roll 🍜 Beef Rice Noodles 🥗 Pomelo & Shrimp Vegetable Salad 🥖 Bread Special Banh mi (Grilled pork) 🍧 Pomelo Cover Sweet Gruel 🍨 Sweet Gruel Mix 🍹 Lemongrass & Kalamansi Tea

The food here is not only delicious but also healthy and nutritious. The Beef Pho and Beef Rice Noodles were particularly delightful, offering a warm and comforting experience. I highly recommend the Pomelo & Shrimp Vegetable Salad for its refreshing qualities and its ability to complement the other dishes which I find special and my personal favourite.

In terms of desserts, the Pomelo-covered Sweet Gruel was a standout, representing a traditional Vietnamese dessert that was both simple and yummy. The Sweet Gruel Mix, while tasty, resembled the Filipino Halo-Halo dessert.

The Lemongrass & Kalamansi Tea was refreshing, although the serving size was a bit small.

One important note: If you order the Fresh Spring Roll, be sure to remove the translucent plastic wrapping before eating, as it resembles the rice paper wrapper and can be misleading. It would be helpful if the server informed customers about this.

The restaurant's overall environment is clean and well-lit, with clean restrooms. They also offer a private room, making it suitable for extended dinners or relaxed conversations. I'd definitely return here...

When I saw it while passing by, it looked so aesthetic! The waiter went outside to greet and assist us. Unfortunately they don't have any vegetarian dish (only could replace the pork and shrimp into tofu for the made to order spring rolls but same price). He is very polite and even thanked us even though we didn't dine there that very moment.

But after a few minutes I returned as the other restos around were not my type.

The howling fish set in a small kaldero, with rice, veggie and meat soup and pickled veggies, is good for one. About Php 400++

The refreshing and yummy beef pho seems good for two. About Php 400

Spring roll was fresh, but dip too spicy. Was first told it was ok, the pork and shrimp spring roll can be made into tofu and shrimp. But then after a while he returned saying it cannot be pala. Just tofu only, and remove both pork and shrimp for the same price. Since lugi so I just said ok just make it into original (seems my switch made the kitchen staff annoyed). About php 300

The top of the rice in the small earthen pot was hard and crunchy (tutong) which we are not a fan of.

Pros Very courteous waiter. Free wifi. Nice Cr (separate male and female) with soap and tissue. With second floor seating and VIP rooms. Free hot tea. Fast serving time. Instagrammable especially the staircase. Cute presentation in palayok.

Cons With insects bothering us (small fruitfly and bangaw), one even managed to land on our drink huhu... The chair had obviously seen better days - it was rocking. No pets allowed.

Overall it may look expensive (with Service Charge) but it is justifiable.

The manager looks foreign, perhaps...