Pho Saigon Restaurant — Restaurant in Seattle

Let me start by saying that this restaurant is a hole in the wall type of place, so I am reviewing it based on what it is, not through the lens of the next big restaurant on the Seattle scene.

The food was delicious, hot, fast, and fresh. I was craving pho on a cooler day and stopped in. I couldn’t choose, so I went with the Saigon special pho, which was just all the types of beef - tendon, brisket, steak, meatball, and tripe. I don’t prefer tripe so I asked them to hold it and it came out perfectly. Occasionally in the past I’ve asked for the same and other restaurants have just given me steak and brisket and left out the other meats. I was pleased they left in the meatball and tendon (my favorite treat in pho).

I also ordered the tapioca shrimp cake per another review’s suggestion. I’d never had them before but really like it. When I ordered they asked if it was okay that it would take extra time, I didn’t mind because that means it’s fresh. However, it did come after my pho, in case you’re looking for a pre-meal snack. I wasn’t really sure what to expect so I will leave a detailed description in case you’d like to try as well.

The tapioca shrimp cakes are very chewy, almost like a long stuffed boba. The filling is a mix of shrimp, pork, and some seasonings, and it’s served with a side of that light colored thin sauce often served at Vietnamese restaurants (sorry, I don’t know the name). It’s also garnished with scallion and fried shallot (yum). My initial bite i didn’t like because I felt it was too fishy and the textures were a bit new but by the time I got to the second cake, I was loving it. I did add a little soy sauce which I think balanced it for my palette. I do encourage you to try if you haven’t before, I found it delightful. I also love chewy textures like boba and tendon, so do keep that in mind if you don’t.

Pho broth was delicious and hot. Brisket and tendon was cooked well, meatball tasted good and standard compared to others I’ve had. The steak was slightly thicker than I prefer and it was well done, so I think they might cook it separately instead of pouring the broth over raw. In any case it was still a delicious bowl. Medium was a good amount for dinner and with the shrimp cakes it was more than enough. I also LOVED that they served with plenty of basil. I’m often served pho with decent broth, a lot of noodles, and minimal basil but this place had a very tasty rich broth, a good amount of meat, and enough basil for my taste (which I’d hard to do). I would come again and i probably will.

Delicious!

P.S. good chili oil...

I'm trying to decide whether it's a positive or a negative to be the food equivalent of white noise. The food here is fine. The prices are mid-range and the service is solid. There are other places I like a lot more and there are other places I like a lot less. If you live or work in this neighborhood, this is an easy, proximity-default and you will get a solid meal that will meet your needs. I've seen restaurants that could be described similarly stay in business for years so maybe this is a good safety play but I've also seen a lot flame out within a matter of months. If I was opening a restaurant, I would probably aim to achieve extraordinary flavor or value or I would do something that no one else is doing that is exciting and do it well. These guys have been around for awhile so they seem to be succeeding in the middle ground niche so I'm happy for them. I wouldn't ever go out of my way to eat there but I would if I was stuck at Swedish waiting for a family member or friend to be released. If I had time and a car, I would probably...

I was staying at a hotel near Virginia Mason Hospital and this restaurant was recommended. I went back to the hotel after dinner and thanked them for the recommendation.

When I walked into the door, I was greeted by a very friendly server that was willing to take my order at the counter or wait on me if I choose to eat in. I selected a table and took my time to review a large menu.

Base on other reviews, I selected the chicken curry, #79 on the menu and pineapple tapioca bubble tea. The dinner was made to order, the kitchen is visible from the dining room. I really like chicken curry and this curry was delicious. There was more than I could eat in one sitting. I saw several other dinners from other diners and they all looked good. I look forward to going back and selecting more dinners off their extensive menu. The bubble tea was cold and tasty on a hot summer day.

For those that eat out at lunch, they did have a variety of less expensive lunch specials on the menu. I have already recommended this restaurant to...