Hello Vietnam — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Ok I'm wavering on how to rate this place. On first blush the menu looked good enough, but like the vegan dishes were going to require substractions rather than fully composed entrees. We ordered the tofu banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich) and the Fried Vegan Spring Roll Vermicelli.

The tofu banh mi was fantastic, maybe the best I ever had? I was prepared to be disappointed, because often times they make it vegan by pulling out the mayo and then the sandwich is not moist enough. However, the tofu was cooked in a delicious savory sauce that gave it lots of flavor and compensated for the mayo. Also it was the first time I had banh mi on a soft baguette, which was brilliant. It made the whole sandwich easier to eat, and pleasant at that. The pickled veggies were delicious, while the jalapenos packed a punch without being overpowering.

Then we got to the "Fried Vegan Spring Roll Vermicelli". I would have thought with "vegan" in the name the dish would be well adapted. It was not. It was essentially plain rice noodles with fried spring rolls on top, and a small medley of cabbage mix veggies. The spring rolls were not good--I dont know how they made a fried food unappetizing but it was probably the only time I have left a restaurant with leftover spring rolls in my life (albeit, they were oddly more enjoyable as leftovers). And the soy sauce that the waiter provided in lieu of the traditional sauce (which likely had products made from fishes) was inadequate to carry the flavor of the ensemble. I would give a hard pass to this dish.

The restaurant was empty on a frigid night, but it seemed like there were many takeout orders as we dined. I liked the ambiance of the cozy inside. The wait staff was a bit green, but they served us earnestly and at the end of the day that's all I care about.

Four stars: the banh mi single handedly carries this review. I'd love to see the restaurant expand their menu with vegan condiments like mayo, more veggie-heavy dishes, and even plant-based meats. Ultimately, I will definitely be back for that...

UPDATED-i stopped in for lunch, excited to order the menu listed vegan item, crispy roll vermicelli bowl. it came, substantially sized with three piping-hot spring rolls on top. a small dish of vinegary-dressing was then brought, the kind that comes with all vermicelli bowls. it smelled off. i asked, “is this vegan?” and was told “no, it contains fish.”

so, the item listed vegan on the menu comes with fish sauce dressing? there was no substitution. i was told “i’ll bring you soy sauce” and that was that. for a dry vermicelli bowl the flavor and portion were acceptable. i ate mine with sriracha and sparingly, soy sauce.

i caution any vegan to ask ingredients on everything at this place. plain ambiance, fast seating, annoying order (and pay) via app after you scan open a menu. paper menus exist, as does waiter based ordering.

UPDATE- we returned a second time, ordered the same dish and had a frank discussion regarding fish seasoning for the vermicelli bowl. the manager understood clearly and said "let me ask in the kitchen and see what i can do." he returned with a tasty and not too salty sauce which was perfect in many ways for this dish, especially considering what the options were at our first visit! i was delighted, the sauce and bowl were delicious together, and all you need do is ask...for the "vegan sauce"

no one wants to be a pain in the butt diner. no restaurant wants to jump through hoops to please someone who is asking for an extra-ordinary non menu item. i liked this result: a simple sauce, easy to make and delicious on the dish, brings it all back to the bowl listed as "vegan" on the menu. will return,...

Was craving some phở and did not have enough cash to try Pho 75 so I decided to check out this restaurant, which accepted credit cards.

I asked for the chicken pho, and they told me something to the effect that they used a different style of chicken preparation. Basically it was not authentic chicken pho, but that was fine with me. So yea, it was a poor man's chicken pho, and hilariously with some broccoli and carrot in it, too 😄 Anyway, I was ok with that, because the broth and the noodles were good enough for me that the chicken and the veggies, while odd, didn't bother me. But yea, if you like authentic chicken pho, don't get it here 😄

Service wise, the main server -- perhaps the owner -- was very friendly. But they can probably improve the ordering / communication, because the kitchen had significant difficulty / confusion with my spring rolls to go order. The owner was visibly frustrated with the kitchen bringing out wrong things etc. and I reminded them 2-3 times what the order was. I felt more amused than anything else 😄 Ultimately they did get the order correct.

Overall it's a 4 ⭐...