VK Viet Kitchen Tacoma — Restaurant in Tacoma

VK Viet Kitchen is one of my preferred Vietnamese restaurants in Tacoma, Washington. Conveniently situated on 38th Street, east of I-5, the establishment offers ample parking options on the streets and designated parking areas nearby. The owners, Vincent and Kenny, are exceptional and welcoming.

The cuisine is consistently delicious. For those traveling between Portland and Seattle, VK Viet Kitchen is an ideal stop. I highly recommend trying their Bon Ne, Pork Blood & Organ Congee, BBQ duck noodles, or grilled squid - all of which are outstanding.

While I have always enjoyed their food, recent experiences have been inconsistent. Specifically, I have encountered the following issues:

1. The bread for the Bon Ne was burnt, requiring us to request a replacement.
2. The duck noodles' soup was overly salty, and the dried bamboo shoot was undercooked and chewy. To improve this dish, I suggest soaking the bamboo shoot in water for a longer period. Unfortunately, I was unable to finish the bamboo shoot due to its texture. However, the steamed duck and sweet fish sauce were perfectly prepared.
3. The Beef Loc Lac with steamed rice was disappointing, as the rice was undercooked and had an unpleasant odor, suggesting it had been sitting in the pot for an extended period.

Furthermore, a piece of napkin was found in the rice, which, although a minor issue, was nonetheless disturbing. Consequently, my wife opted to eat only the beef and avoid the subpar...

I was given this food from a free kitchen meal while at the food bank. I picked up 4 meals, a teriyaki chicken [ rice, cucumber and tomato sides ]. a random one I couldn't remember [ it was almost like a pho, it had shrimp, beef, cilantro, and wontons ] but still used just the noodles, and other tid bits for myself, and 2 beef phos , one for my husband and one for myself. My 4 year old ate almost all the chicken, rice, cucumbers, and helped herself to the soup. My one year old ate rice and chicken and some noodles and my husband and I enjoyed the beef pho. The meals were delicious and happily provided a single income family with a meal that normally would be a months worth of saving to just have a 'treat'. The cost [ which is pretty cheap when you consider the portions and how legit and delicious the food was ] was $40 dollars [ but was free thanks to the food kitchen opportunity ]. Amazing

Wow!

I’ve been meaning to leave a review for VK Viet Kitchen Restaurant on 38th Street in Tacoma. A group of family friends and I stopped by after I found the place while Googling tamarind sour soup. We ordered a variety of dishes to share—mango salad, grilled squid, shrimp fried rice, chicken pho, beef pho, catfish sour soup without the pineapple, and fresh spring rolls. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared!

The owners, Vincent and Kenny, were friendly and welcoming. If you’re unsure what to order, don’t hesitate to ask—they’re happy to recommend something. Kenny mentioned many of the recipes are from his mom and rooted in his family’s cooking traditions, which made the experience feel even more special.

The restaurant is cozy with great service. Parking can be a little tight, but there’s free curbside and some in the back. They also have a second location on South Tacoma Way in Lakewood if that’s closer. If you’re in the area and craving authentic Vietnamese food, definitely give them a try, they are worth the drive. Tell them Sundy (SUN-dee)...