Quan Hue Restaurant — Restaurant in San Jose

Quan Hue Restaurant, located in Lion Plaza at 1818 Tully Rd #116, San Jose, CA, is an absolute gem for anyone who loves authentic Vietnamese cuisine. My recent dining experience here was exceptional, and I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a genuine taste of Hue in San Jose.

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality and seated promptly despite the restaurant being quite busy. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with tasteful decor that reflects the rich cultural heritage of Vietnam.

The menu at Quan Hue is extensive, offering a wide variety of traditional dishes from the Hue region. We started with the Bánh Bèo, which were delicate and flavorful, topped with crunchy bits and savory shrimp. The combination of textures and flavors was delightful and set the tone for the rest of the meal.

For the main course, we ordered the Bún Bò Huế, which was the highlight of our dining experience. The broth was rich and aromatic, with just the right amount of spice, and the beef was tender and succulent. The dish was served with fresh herbs and vegetables, which added a refreshing contrast to the hearty broth. It was, without a doubt, one of the best Bún Bò Huế I've ever had.

We also tried the Cơm Hến, a lesser-known dish that's a specialty of Hue. It was an intriguing mix of flavors and textures, featuring baby clams, crispy pork skin, peanuts, and a medley of fresh herbs over rice. The dish was both satisfying and unique, showcasing the culinary diversity of central Vietnam.

The service at Quan Hue was top-notch. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to explain the dishes and make recommendations. Despite the busy environment, our food arrived promptly, and our water glasses were never empty.

The prices at Quan Hue are very reasonable, especially considering the quality and authenticity of the food. The portions are generous, and we left feeling completely satisfied.

In addition to the fantastic food and service, the restaurant's location in Lion Plaza is convenient, with ample parking available. This makes it easy to access, even during peak dining hours.

Overall, Quan Hue Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine in San Jose. The delicious food, excellent service, and welcoming atmosphere make it a standout dining destination. Whether you're a long-time fan of Vietnamese food or trying it for the first time, Quan Hue will...

Update: My family and I went pretty early in the morning around 9 am and the "cafeteria" was already busy. We ordered mainly banh khot and banh uot thit nuong. The free tea is always fantastic and the food was still amazing, although some banh khot were crisper than others. But the real kicker is the prices jumped significantly over a couple of years. The total was around $80+ with a flat tip. It really just makes me miss Vietnam where this would've been $10 max. Nostalgia hit me hard today so I decided to relive my childhood eating in this plaza and from this decades old restaurant. Expecting only good food, who knew I'd be blown away by the owner of this restaurant. She took care of us - really, truly.

As my friends and I were discussing what to order, she willingly jumped in to help us refine our choices. Also, when I mentioned that one of my friends was gluten-free, she went out of her way to confirm her vermicelli noodles had no gluten by sharing the actual product she used so we can verify the ingredients ourselves.

The cherry on the top was her honesty. With our stomachs bigger than our eyes, we ordered several items for just the 3 of us. She literally stopped us in our tracks and said that's too much and so, we removed an entree thanks to her recommendation. And she was right. If we had that additional dish, it would've pushed us over the edge. We managed to finish exactly what we had to end up feeling perfectly content.

Impeccable customer service aside, we very, very much enjoyed everything we ate. We particularly liked the banh uot thit nuong - no surprise it's one of her most popular and top dishes. She herself expressed her pride about the dish. We also ordered com tam with the works. It turns out the fried chicken is gluten-free since it's made with tapioca flour (my partner was delighted). I would also go out of my way for her banh bot loc because it tasted fresh and not reheated like other Hue restaurants in the area. I did wish her banh khot was crispier but that's a personal preference. And the bun cha nem nuong was good bang for the buck.

I could go on. Like we also loved the tea - a lovely finishing touch to a hearty meal. Anyways, we'll have to come back for the banh xeo since she bent over the counter just to get our attention while at our table and told us we should try this...

Not only was the foods incredibly delicious, the owner (Annie) provides the best experience to her customers! She recommended her specialities, advised us on how to best enjoy the dishes, and made sure our entire plates were presented perfectly. The Mi Quang noodles were TO DIE FOR! If I hadn’t ordered 4 other things, I would have eaten another bowl of these meaty, turmeric, silky noodles. The BBQ pork rolls in rice paper had the most succulent meat and an amazingly savory sauce. The banh xeo (crepe with meat and seafood) was an absolute hit— perfectly crispy yet light with plenty of herbs and greens. The floral jasmine tea was also a wonderful surprise. I really wish I had two stomachs and did not live an hour drive from this place. WOW AND WOW a total must try when in...