Taste Of Vietnam Kitchen — Restaurant in Sa Pa Ward

I'm not sure how this places has such high reviews. The first impressions were good. We remarked on the design and flatware chosen by the chef. Things got worse, predictively l progressively throughout the meal. The servers brought out one of our two main dishes first. Before the entree arrived. So, we asked for small plates so we could split the dish. The server obliged and brought out two plates. The flatware was, again, noticable but this time because one of the plates had small black specks on it. I thought it could be removed with a quick wipe, but there was a greasy substance that smeared it all over. I asked for a new, clean plate and the server said "yes" but did not acknowledge or apologize for bringing out a dirty plate in the first place. Then we were brought a dish we did not order and the waiter left quickly. We waited calmly until we could get their attention again. The waiter explained that it was a chicken dish. We explained that we did not order chicken. The waiter returned and picked up the fish from our table and served it to another table behind us. Again, no apology or anything. They just acted like it was normal. Eventually, after a few more minutes, the second main dish we ordered arrived at the table. This is still before the shared entree arrived. At this point we had the pork ribs and betel leaf mains. The pork was tender but the marinade flavor was only slightly imbued throughout the meat. The interior was dry and bland and the rice was a moist compact puck-like shape. I don't understand the compaction and it made the texture very bizarre. The betel leaf dish, one that I've had at many locations in SE Asia, was incredibly bland, but that was not the worst part of the dish. The minced meat filling in one of the wraps contained a large, inedible chunk on griddle. I could not chew through the substance and had to spit it out onto the plate. Luckily it was the last wrap. The waiters would not know about it because they did not ask how our food was once. They actually only came by one more time. Eventually, they dropped off the entree/appetizer, but now we had a choice. Keep eating the mains and let the entree get cold or let the ban xeo get limp and cold. Luckily the appetizer was crispy. It was the best executed dish of the night although the better was quite heavy on coconut for my liking. It is far from the best iteration of the dish I have had. We also had to request fresh chili for the dipping fish sauce which is not common. The chef came out to the dining room but only stopped at one table that just arrived to talk about cocktail recipes for an alcohol they brought him. I was hopeful, especially given the introduction printed in the menu and asking if the chef was available at the beginning of the ordering process, that chef Tim would stop by and the list of failures could be addressed. Alas, he only stopped at the one table and never came through the rest of the dining room. We finally got the attention of the waiters (2 were on duty) and got to explain the issues we experienced and ask for the bill. They only said "it is busy" and left to get the check. I explained to them that these issues happened when we were 2 of only 6 people in the restaurant. After we ordered and waited for our food, more people did start arriving. However, even if we walked into a fully booked restaurant, it doesn't seem logical that anyone should expect dirty dishes, wrong orders, incorrect orders, missing glasses, poorly prepped food with inedible gristle, and inattention throughout the meal. Eventually, after receiving the bill, I walked out of the dining room to the server area to pay and explain what happened again because no one seemed to acknowledge what we experienced as flawed execution by the wait staff and kitchen staff. An overall failure. I explained again all the issue and the dirty plate they originally brought back from the table was sitting on the pass. I said, look...it is clear there was a problem, but no one even apologized or said sorry about it. The entire meal was a...

Introduction – A Name That Evokes Emotion

The name “Taste Of Vietnam Kitchen” caught my attention right away. It felt like a warm invitation—simple, sincere, and comforting. Like receiving a phone call from a loved one back home, asking you to come for a homemade meal. Nothing flashy, nothing dramatic, yet something about it makes you want to walk in and discover what lies behind that wooden door.

Ambience – A Peaceful Retreat Amidst the City

What struck me most—and the reason I returned a second time—was the ambience. Nestled on a quiet street, Taste Of Vietnam Kitchen feels like a small sanctuary away from the city’s rush. Once you step through the wooden entrance, you're embraced by natural light, calming tones, and warm wooden decor. Bamboo furniture, terracotta tiles, handcrafted lamps, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a green garden create an atmosphere of harmony and peace.

I visited one afternoon during a gentle rain, and as soft Trinh Cong Son music played in the background, I felt as if I had truly returned to Vietnam—not the Vietnam of tourist brochures, but of memories and emotion.

Cuisine – More Than Flavor, It’s Emotion

The cuisine at...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Must-Visit Culinary Gem in Sa Pa!

We just arrived in Sa Pa, and Taste of Vietnam was our very first meal — what an amazing way to kick off our trip! The food was absolutely excellent — top-notch quality, beautifully presented, and packed with authentic Vietnamese flavors that reminded us of fine dining in a 5-star hotel.

We were a group of four and ended up ordering almost half the menu (everything looked too good to pass up!), and we were shocked that our bill came out to only around $60. Every bite was worth it!

What made the experience even more special was the service. Andy, in particular, was incredibly friendly, warm, and accommodating. He made us feel so welcome, and his hospitality truly set the tone for our stay in Sa Pa.

If you’re looking for a delicious, high-quality, and budget-friendly meal on your Sa Pa trip, Taste of Vietnam is a must. Highly recommended — we’re already planning to come back...