Vui's Kitchen - Berry Hill — Restaurant in Berry Hill

My Vietnamese family decided to stop here for lunch. [Southern Vietnamese for reference]

The overall consensus of 15 people is that it was unsatisfactory, and not good.

Regarding everything else, I got to try the Phở, the broth was okay. I know that they don’t use MSG, I get it how it’s “Fresh Vietnamese” and all, but it just didn’t get the depth of flavors I’m used to.

Mad props to the male server. He was a champ. The fact that he was the only one, out of the whole restaurant to bring everyone who came [It was a busy day, (Sunday, July 7. 11 AM) more then my family came, the restaurant was filled up]

I’ve got some reasons that make this 1 out 5-star restaurant. We have the flies buzzing around, and how loud the music was. As well as, how we didn’t expect the quality and the authenticity of Vietnamese cuisine to be disgraceful, not filling, and that it just didn’t taste good overall.

We got served cold Bành Mì, which was just unprofessional and not up to standards. As well as the Pho broth being “Fresh” (No MSG) but it’s just lacked depth and flavor. It truly tasted like heavily watered down beef broth. If it’s really “slow roasted, whole foods and fresh ingredients!” Or “ Our bones are slow roasted for 12 hours and our broth is made with real, whole foods daily.” Then why does my mother’s 12 hour Pho puts this to shame? There should be a difference right? If you’re using “Whole Foods” and “fresh ingredients” while my mom uses discounted meat bones, and regular ingredients, then why does it taste terrible? Shouldn’t it be the reverse? Isn’t “Whole Foods & Fresh ingredients” grocery store ingredients? If you’re using these premium ingredients, while my mom uses grocery store ingredients, shouldn’t your both taste better? I see you praise about having “Whole foods” and “Fresh ingredients” but while I’m eating plain old regular grocery store ingredients, thrown into a pot, slowly cooked and MSG added, there’s not even competition with the broth. Your broth is borderline water. While my mother's broth has depth and deep rich flavors. If you’re just going to reply “ We don’t use MSG” that’s not going to cut it, with the whole “We use Whole Foods and Fresh ingredients.” Act, that’s just up right pathetic.

We also got served burnt chicken in one of the Rice Bowls we ordered being inedible.

From my view, as an Asian-American, there are things I sympathize with, things that are difficult to manage. But to see all my family not enjoying their food, choosing this place to eat at for breakfast, and being just purely dissatisfied, and spending about ~$150 (Didn’t give us a receipt) is just heartbreaking. It’s sad and pathetic really.

Final Result [TL;DR]: Be here for a quick bite, don’t expect any authenticity of Vietnamese cuisine.

Pro-tip: Try to actually listen and use criticism from the “negative” reviews your customers are giving you, and actually put time and just simply put the effort into making your food good. Just because, and I quote “Our broth lacks MSG, which provides an instant pop of flavor in most Vietnamese food, so that may have been what your taste buds were detecting. We stick to slow roasted, whole foods and fresh ingredients! I hope you'll give us another chance to wow you!” Doesn’t really fix how the food tastes bad. If you really want us to “wow” us, trying being real for once, and truly overhaul the food. What some of these 1 stars reviews are the truest to how they feel with this food, and are trying to give their earnest feedback....

I have visited this place twice now, and tried five dishes. The three stars are that the place is clean, the staff is very friendly, and the food comes out very quickly. Also all the ingredients seem fresh and well cooked.

Missing two stars are because of how out of sync it is with any of the many Vietnamese restaurants I’ve been to. First the price is 50-100% more while the quantity is the same or less than at any other Vietnamese place. It’s even more than in places like LA. The quality is def above average, but it’s not 50% better by any stretch. And not above average for all things, the 100% more expensive spring rolls could hardly be picked up because they were so loosely wrapped.

Also the people who work there act as if they’ve never been to a Vietnamese place before working at Vui’s. At least four people didn’t know what fish sauce was. This is the interaction I had the last time I went when my bun was brought.

Me: can I have some fish sauce. stunned there is none on any of the tables

Waiter: that’s fish sauce there (pointing to the bowl of dressing that comes with a bun).

Me: tastes it No that’s not fish sauce.

Waiter: it’s might just taste different because we make it in house.

Me: you ferment rotting fish in a barrel for months to make fish sauce in house?

Waiter: no but ours might just be different. I’ll go ask though.

After he asks THREE different people in the kitchen

Waiter: I’m sorry we don’t have any fish sauce.

Me: not having fish sauce at a Vietnamese restaurant is like not having hot sauce at Mexican restaurant.

waiter leaves and a few min later who i guess is the kitchen manager comes out with some fish sauce

Manager: here is some fish sauce. But there’s already some in the dressing.

Me: ok great I’d like to pour that on my bun.

Manager: looks incredulous like I asked for a bowl of rice flour you mean... it tastes like anchovies...

Me: yes.

If the price wasn’t so hefty I’d return as it is tasty. However I can be stuffed for under 20$ at any other Vietnamese place. I spend $35 at Vui’s and I...

SUMMARY. Came here with my girlfriend for dinner. Was very impressed. Quality of food was very good, and the ambience was quick and casual. Also, because it's Hunters Station, we were able to get our food and eat at the bar while watching football. Could not have been more pleased.

RESERVATION. We walked in without issue @ 8pm on a Saturday. I doubt they even take reservations, as Hunters Station is a food court.

AMBIENCE. Ambience is super casual, befitting food court style eating. We got our meal and then ate at the bar and watched some football. Very chill setting.

LOCATION. Located in East. Up until now, I had driven by Hunters Station a ton and never made it inside. Parking was surprisingly easy on the street given it was a Saturday evening. That being said, it was raining. The place was also pretty empty, despite only a few available parking spots, so I imagine parking can be an issue during peak hours.

QUALITY. The quality was excellent. VERY good food. I got a double pork belly original pho and my girlfriend and I split a side of pork belly baos. All were delicious. The quantity should also not be ignored: the bowls are big!

SERVICE. Service was great! The woman who helped us was super nice and helpful, and the food did not take long to come out. Everyone was so friendly!

VALUE. I felt the value was good. We spent ~$48 all-in after tax and tip for 2 original phos, 1 double meat, and 1 order of baos. At first I thought it was a bit pricey given the casual nature of the establishment, but once I tasted the food and saw how much they gave us, I knew it was a good deal. I stuffed myself on half of the bowl and saved the rest as leftovers.

TAKEAWAYS. Quick and casual pho spot in East with large bowls, tasty food, and good value. Perfect for occasions when you don't want to worry about reservations and just grab a quick and delicious meal on the...