Monsoon — Restaurant in Oakland

If you're in the mood for some authentic Vietnamese cuisine, look no further than this hidden gem of a restaurant! Their fried chicken wings are to die for - crispy, flavorful and with a perfect hint of five spice. The vermicelli egg rolls are also a must-try, with a satisfying crunch in every bite.

But the real standout dish here is the pho with filet mignon - the beef is cooked to perfection and melts in your mouth. You can tell that they only use high quality and fresh ingredients in all their dishes. The noodles are also incredibly fresh and add the perfect texture to every dish. With such delicious food, friendly service, and reasonable prices, this is definitely a spot worth checking out!

The ambience of this Vietnamese restaurant is the perfect blend of modern and traditional. The decor is minimalistic yet stylish, with elegant lighting and tasteful decorations that transport you to the streets of Vietnam. From the bamboo furniture to the colorful artwork on the walls, every detail is carefully curated to create an authentic atmosphere.

One thing that stood out to me was the dishware - it's super cute! The plates and bowls have intricate designs that add an extra touch of charm to the dining experience. Whether you're here for a quick lunch or a relaxing dinner, the ambience is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious meal with...

The dinner vibes here are very chill. We came around 7:30 on a Wednesday and were seated immediately. The windows looking out onto Piedmont Ave are beautiful, the restaurant is clean, and it is quiet enough to enjoy a conversation. We ordered the vegetarian noodle soup and pork chop rice plate. Plus a free Thai iced tea from checking in on Yelp. The Thai iced tea was on the sweet side but the flavor and richness hit. The vegetarian noodle soup had a variety of several types of tofu, charred vegetables, and a flavorful broth that was not too salty. There are 3 noodle choices for the soups — thin “pho-style” rice noodles, flat rice noodles, and thin egg noodles. The pork chop was huge, thin-cut, juicy, and had a nice char flavor. There were several layers of meat on the plate! The pork came with some simple veg, fluffy rice, and an acidic dipping sauce. Prices were affordable — our dinner came out to less than $18 each...

I’ve eaten at Monsoon around 5 times. I definitely go back for the food, since the atmosphere and service is lacking. The tables have a weird sticky texture, and the dining room ambiance is depressing. It’s rare to see anyone at the counter, since it appears they are often doing so many other tasks in the kitchen. Today I stopped by and had the chicken vermicelli, which was underwhelming. The chicken was charred and sliced, so the burnt taste permeated the dish. I ate around the meat though, focusing on the noodles and veggies. I eventually came across a piece of wire when taking a bite, most likely from the grill brush. It was super sharp, but fortunately did not cut my mouth. I showed it to a gentleman that came out of the kitchen (again, no one at counter and had to look around to find someone). He offered to make me another, but I lost my appetite. I know it wasn’t his fault, and mistakes happen, but I doubt I...