Miền Tây — Restaurant in Oakland

Small, clean and authentic. What more could I ask for? 7 tables, 4 of which are high tops with a view (of an empty lot, but it is still a view!). The place is small, and the set up doesn't easily accommodate for parties more than 4. That is probably the only negative I could say about this gem. I had passed by here dozens of times and noticed them, but I finally gave them a shot today and am definitely coming back soon with the wife.

So to start, the pho is not their specialty here. Instead their claim to fame seems to be all about a particular noodle soup they make from Trà Vinh in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. This seafood based noodle soup is referred to as the house special noodle soup. I got most of this from reading some of the various articles displayed on the wall. Unfortunately I didn't read it until after I had ordered the the bbq pork and rice.

As is apparently customary, as I am learning recently, the rice plate came with a small bowl of (chicken?) broth topped with scallions. This immediately blew me away. The flavor was unique and fresh in a way I have never tasted in nothing more than a simple clear broth. The bbq pork was super thin sliced and bursting with flavor. It was slightly greasy and flavorful. I wasn't quite sure if it was pork belly as the fat wasn't over abundant, but the consistency was almost bacon like at times. The marinade complimented the flavors perfectly. It also came with the dry shredded pork, an egg cake and small salad with pickled carrots.

The owner must have noticed me quickly slurp down the broth and take my time with the dish, as he came out holding another bowl saying with a smile "you look like you really liked the soup!".

All in all this place is a 10 of 10. It has everything I want in a restaurant. Authentic dishes, friendly owner and staff who make the experience something to remember, and affordable/reasonable prices for a quality meal. Mien Tay hits all those...

This is a fairly basic restaurant that is very busy and one step up from a cafe. That shouldn’t put you off though as the food is fresh and excellent. Great vegetables that are very fresh and anything with prawns in was tasty. Cooked well and the dishes appear as they are produced. Quick service but fairly typical Vietnamese service (I.e. a little curt to be polite). It is worth noting that it is also cash, no cards, so be warned. Despite all that a good relaxing meal to have with friends. Gets very busy early in the evening as young people clearly come in for a cheap and quality meal and gets very noisy but by 8.00 its thinning out and much quieter. We did book but when we arrived two of our seats had been given away on the large sharing tables. Worth a...

Dropped in while getting some work done on my car during lunch. There was a big party here but even though they were busy, the gentleman serving us was very friendly and helpful. The best part is I ordered a Bun Rieu and it was super delicious. Most of the places in the Bay Area I have ordered this soup generally do not use crab to complete the dish, where even then it is not perfectly traditional as usually it is made with crab roe. BUT, there certainly was crab and the broth was clear and fresh. I felt happy walking out because the food was simply that delicious. Thanks! Best bun rieu I have had in...