Bamboo Song — Restaurant in Lomita

I wish I read more recent reviews before coming here. Traffic was bad on the freeway and I was craving pho - this was the closest to where I was at the time so thought I’d give it a try. I came in and sat down and said hello in Vietnamese - I love being able to practice when I go out for pho! The lady was rude and I apologized for speaking to her in Vietnamese. When I found out she was Korean I said hello in Korean and she smiled kind of…then she told me the cooks were Vietnamese.

Long story short - the cooks were not Vietnamese they appeared to be her son and husband - that’s totally cool - I’m up for new experiences and appreciate family businesses. Then I looked around and started to take it all in…

The table in front of me had used medical grade gloves on it, a bath and body works bag in the chair full of stuff, prescription bottles and other things and a dish cart was sitting out by a table.

One of the cooks was more attentive to his plate of bacon and food he made for his girlfriend as they sat down to eat and ignored a customer who came in and stood there for several minutes.

I ordered pho with brisket, flank and rare meat and there was more tendon than I’d expect and the meat wasn’t so great nor the noodles or taste really either. The eggrolls weren’t amazing but they were crispy, which I love. They were served on a plate with the fish sauce but no shredded carrots or anything else in it and no lettuce. :( I asked for lettuce and the lady brought it out on a plate but then, with her bare hand, took it off and put it on the egg roll plate. No mint leaves or anything else though.

Lastly, there was a hair in my pho I noticed half way through that was on the side of the inside of the bowl and hanging out. I was already in deep so committed to finishing my experience there…and to give them the benefit of the doubt, it could’ve been my hair…except I had my hair back in a tight pony tail and a golf cap on….and I have blonde hair. 😬

The food wasn’t horrible, and I like to think everyone in this world is doing the best they can with what they have to work with. Hence the two stars. Although I can’t say I’d come back here again, at least not in a hurry… I’m always willing to give most things a second try, so you never know. Maybe they were just having an off night… But it was around 7 o’clock, I would think they’d be excited for dinner time customers, and try to make an experience that would draw...

I called in my order and walked over to pickup. While opening the front door I realized I forgot my wallet. Asked if they had Google Pay - nope, only Apple Pay. So had to walk back home to get my wallet and I confess I thought about not going back and just making my own damn lunch. I even thought about driving the 1.5 blocks, but ended up walking back and I'm so happy I did.

Got the Teriyaki Chicken Bento. Normally I don't order chicken because to me it's usually bland and dry, but their teriyaki chicken was perfect. The steamed veggies were just the way I like them, they weren't crunchy and not overcooked &soggy. Tempura was really good: shrimp, sweet potato, carrot, and squash - all the ones I like! The only thing I was slightly disappointed in was the potato salad because it was American deli style and not Hawaiian. It was still very good though just a bit too mustardy for me. And I loved the pickled radish and carrots - wish they doled out a bit...

I am extremely saddened and disappointed at how the young guy / waiter treated my parents while they were excited to try this restaurant for their first time this past Sunday 10/6/24 . When my mom whom speaks broken english ordered pho , the young waiter snapped at her asking her what type of meat in a very rude demeanor tone . Instant red flag ! But she shrugged it off and continued to order . When the food arrives they weren’t given any utensils and when asked for some the waiter says nothing , goes and grabs utensils and almost throws them onto the table and walks away . This made my parents feel like they were being discriminated against their skin color and broken English . They have never experienced such rude service as they did that day . Zero stars for this...