Nam Thanh Bánh Canh 3 Miền — Restaurant in San Jose

Awesome spot for bánh canh in San Jose.

I personally don't like when people call bánh canh "Vietnamese udon." Udon is made from wheat flour. Bánh canh noodles are made from tapioca and rice flour. Moreover, they're of completely different textures and taste widely different. To call it "udon" is a disgrace to Vietnamese cuisine.

I usually get the #5 (banh canh cua dac biet - $15.75) with crab, shrimp, and pork knuckle. The broth is here is thiccc and pork-y. Ain't nothing like a pork knuckle in a savory soup broth. Also, a side of chao quay/you tiao/Chinese donut is typically eaten with banh canh - it costs $3 here.

Amazing family-owned spot in San Jose serving the...

Absolutely delicious, and I'd recommend giving it a shot if you're in the area and you like seafoody noodle dishes.

We were originally hankering for some chicken pho, but the line was a bit long, so we gave this place a chance. They did not disappoint! Fast service, with a fairly sizeable plate of noodles per order. The Banh Canh 3 Mien is a standout dish, with chewy noodles and a taste somewhat reminiscent of Bun Rieu, but with thicker soup and chewier noodles. They do speak enough English to make ordering relatively easy, which is good for anyone who isn't super fluent in vietnamese. It is cash only however, so...

I passed this restaurant all the time but never gave it any through. Being a rainy day, my wife wanted to try it. I had #5 on the menu, WOW !! Just like how mom uses to make it. It's an authentic original flavor from Vietnam. Not the fusion BS food that's pop-up restaurant is doing now a days. When I went to pay the bill, i looked in the kitchen and saw all the cooks were old in their 60s +, I understood why the flavors brought back memories of the pass. Yes, it's $$, but it's about the same as...