Saigon Drip Cafe — Restaurant in Seattle

We first heard about Saigon Drip Cafe through an organized effort of another food review platform.

Saigon Drip Cafe is located right in the heart of Pioneer Square, just around the corner on S Washington Street. The ambiance was really nice, decorative, whimsical, engulfing me in a sense of welcomeness. It’s obvious a lot of thought was put into all of the many touches of the charming decor scattered throughout their eatery.

In the words of the immortal Rowdy Roddy Piper in the movie “They Live” … “we came to do two things, eat vegan food and write/share our thoughts” (admittedly, I might be paraphrasing just a slight bit 😀 ). We ordered, we ate, we conquered (our appetites), and now … we write (insert dramatic audio queue, or just ask Alexa to play one of the 5 songs from 95.7 the Jet Seattle, whatever works for you, really!). In addition to the complimentary Banh Mi sandwich provided by virtue of the food review platform, I placed an order for an additional one as well, in this manner my wife could enjoy a full sandwich of her own and we could properly patronize the establishment for their generosity! For both sandwiches, we opted for their only vegan option, the Vegan Vortex, with tofu and vegan mayo. I’ll never get tired of expressing my gratitude when an eatery places a vegan labelled item on the menu instead of me having to guess at what might be “accidentally vegan”.

With all of the above being said, and without further adoo .. let’s talk about .. the vegan food! I thought I was dropping by for a sandwich, hadn’t realized that what I truly signed up for was an experience. Their Vegan Vortex Banh Mi was so ridiculously amazing! The first exposure you have of the sandwich is through the senses of your sight and smell as the sandwich just screams fresh and there’s such a variety of delightful smells that envelope your senses as you go in for your first bite. There’s a lot going on here and my job is to break it down for you. From the first bite, you are completely reeled in, delving into a pillowy soft, warm, flaky baguette that just melts in your mouth! Bite after addicting bite just continues to snare you in further. As you continue to explore the sandwich, you’re hit with the freshness of the carrot shreds and cilantro, the tofu flavored perfectly and with a nice soft bite and chew, the thin jalapeno slices I had definitely will kick you into tomorrow but in a delightful way that has you asking “thank you, may I have another!”. If you’re a fan of that kick, you’ll love the jalapeno slices and appreciate the reserved manner they employ them, just the right amount without overwhelming the sandwich. If you’re not a fan, simply pull them out lol. Last, the vegan mayo is tasty, with also a good amount to bring every bite together but not so much as to be .. too much. Given the myriad of elements in this sandwich, balance is important, something Saigon Drip Cafe has on point!

If you’re in the Pioneer Square area, you owe it to yourself to drop by, take in the charming ambiance and treat yourself to some...

Everything about the food was delicious! Below is a more detailed review of each item, but overall all food was solid. We went during 1-2pm on a Saturday and it was PACKED. Theres not much space to sit but there was also a pop up happening that day so perhaps it is more open without the pop up. They bring the food to you despite you self ordering at the Kiosk in front. Jasmin took great care of us and helped us answer any questions we had about our dishes! Overall the vibe of this place is cozy, great for a yap and eat session but can get overcrowded.

Banh Mi Drip - Super tender meat with a soft pillowy bun. The condiment used in the banh mi gives it a nice creaminess and the meat juiciness gets all soaked up in the bread, when dipped with the soup it basically melts in your mouth. They also give a generous amount of meat inside which is awesome!

Bun Bo Hue - Comes with these soft round noodles, 2 pig(?) blood cubes, fish cake, and of course a giant rib. Has a nice tang, keeping it refreshing ,to the soup and it’s not overly salty which is nice because it makes it more of a light noodle soup. The meat was relatively tender, we were able to peel off the meat from the bone because of that in addition to the giant rib it also comes with a few thing slices of other meat as well. I thought the noodles were a tad soft, but it was such a big portion that eating everything else will definitely fill you up.

Mango Salad - Mango with daikon and carrots. Basically like a papaya salad but make it mango instead. Quick warning that it is quite fish sauce dominant, so if you don’t like fish sauce I’d advise against this. Nonetheless it was still tangy which kept it refreshing, but fish sauce was very heavy on this. Dumplings - Soft meat inside and had a tang as well which might be from the sauce. Nothing too note worthy about this. Overall solid dumplings.

Ribeye Hotpot - Such a fun experience! The meat was soft and comes with a giant bowl of pho and pile of bean sprouts. The noodles were flat noodles which were well cooked, slight bounce and not mushy.

Passion Fruit Mango - So refreshing! Do mix it well as it was a little syrupy at the bottom. Definitely on the sweet side.

Salted Foam Coffee - Super strong like SUPER strong. Coffee was flavorful while not being too bitter, but definitely a punch in the face of...

I recently had the pleasure of discovering Saigon Drip Cafe in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square, and my taste buds are still savoring the delightful experiences from my visits. This hidden gem has become my go-to spot for a delectable Vietnamese-inspired culinary journey.

On my first visit, I couldn't resist trying the Cult Cut Classic, and it instantly became a flavor-packed memory that lingered in my mind. The Bánh Mì stole the show with its impeccable combination of crispy bread and an explosion of flavors. The attention to detail in crafting this sandwich was evident, and it left me dreaming of its taste long after I left.

For my second visit, I opted for the Piggylicious – a perfect pork sandwich that lived up to its name. The succulent pork, paired with carefully selected ingredients, resulted in a sandwich that was nothing short of perfection. Saigon Drip Cafe's commitment to quality ingredients and expert preparation truly shines through in every bite.

Now, my anticipation is building for my next visit, where I plan to indulge in the Bánh Mì Drip. This unique sandwich comes with a side of Pho broth for dipping, promising a culinary adventure like no other. I can hardly wait to experience the harmonious blend of flavors as the sandwich meets the rich broth, creating a symphony of taste that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Saigon Drip Cafe is not just a place for exceptional food; it's also a convenient stop for those on the go. Whether you're in the area for breakfast or lunch, or if you're headed to catch a Seahawks, Sounders, or Mariners game, this cafe is the perfect grab-and-go destination. The friendly staff and inviting atmosphere only add to the overall charm of this culinary haven in Pioneer Square.

Saigon Drip Cafe has undoubtedly earned its spot as a must-visit establishment in Seattle. With a menu that boasts creativity, flavor, and authenticity, it's a place that caters to both casual diners and food enthusiasts alike. Don't miss the chance to treat your taste buds to the culinary wonders that Saigon Drip Cafe has to offer – it's an experience...