Nguyens Asian Grill — Restaurant in Banner Elk

Whatever you do, don't let this small-looking place that's next to an unassuming Scotchman gas station slip past you. You'll be doing yourself a disservice. This place is incredible.

Once inside, it's a lot roomier and open than it looks like from the outside. The place is lovely on the inside. Calming green walls, lots of hanging art and photos depict life in what I can only deduce is Vietnam. The little red lanterns hanging from the ceiling are cute.

The food was fantastic. I ordered the Nguyen's House Shrimp and holy cow was it awesome. Battered Shrimp tossed in a spicy honey aioli served over sauteed vegetables with a side of fried rice and sweet carrots. There was even a beautiful, edible orchid blossom for garnish. The food arrived looking like a work of art. I got the onion soup instead of salad and even THAT was delicious! I later found out that everything comes in fresh and all the sauces are made in-house. No pre-cut, pre-cooked stuff here, yo.

There is alcohol available, though my wife and I didn't see it on the menu. Our server told us of white peach and mango sakes that we will DEFINITELY be returning to try. Gonna bring friends, too.

All in all, one of the best Asian restaurants I've dined at. 10 of 10...

Sure, it’s next to a gas station. Sure, you may pull in and see no one there, and you may go to pull out and go somewhere else because on the outside it doesn’t look so great.

BUT, you realize you’re there on a Sunday morning right after open and that’s why you’re the only person there, and the reviews convince you to go in and give it a shot.

The service? Phenomenal! Very personal, and you can tell the locals know it’s the best spot around because after we came in and the server took a moment to connect with us, knowing he had never seen us before, 3 straight tables came in he knew the names of.

The miso soup? Homemade and some of the better miso we’ve had!

The iced coffee concoction that was recommended? Don’t even know what it was called, but it ruled!

The entrees? You guessed it. Delicious.

After a roughhhhh experience at Luna Sushi nearby the night before, we were so happy to have...

Do yourself a favor and skip this place if you want Pho. Go to Cam Ranh Bay down the street. This was terrible. Terrible flavor and pickled jalapeños instead of fresh, Sriracha sauce instead of chili. My husband's Thai Basil was loaded with curry. When the waitress asked how our food was and we expressed that we didn't care for either dish, she merely offered us a to go box. We asked to have at least the Pho removed. She had the owner come out. I expressed I didn't care for the dish. She replied with, "Well I already made it". She didn't offer any other dish or discount. I asked why they asked us how the food was since clearly it doesn't matter. You are getting it and paying for it like it or not and you are paying an extra charge if you want to use a card. $60 for a lunch we left on the table. Bad food, worse service, and dirty bathrooms. There are much better options in Banner Elk....