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oChef » Vietnam House – San Francisco
Vietnam House - San Francisco
Photo from Vietnam House
Vietnam House at a glance
San Francisco Little Saigon
- 🍜 Vietnamese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 13 of the guests
#1142 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#43 Vietnamese Restaurant out of 67 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
117
Reviews
76.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great Value
- Tasty Food
- Big Portions
Frequently criticized
- Bad Location
- Stale Dishes
- Slow Service
The Vietnamese restaurant Vietnam House, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Little Saigon, invites you to experience authentic flavors. Whether you’re seeking a quick bite during your busy day or a healthy option for dinner, this casual spot offers a welcoming atmosphere.
You’ll find it’s a perfect place to enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine, making it a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike in the 94102 area.
Overview: Introducting Vietnam House
Vietnam House offers a compelling experience, particularly for those seeking substantial meals at a great price. Many appreciate the generous portions and the overall value, making it a practical choice for a satisfying meal.
The establishment has a certain charm, often described as a hidden gem. However, potential diners should be aware of the surrounding neighborhood, which some find less inviting.
While the food generally receives praise, there are occasional remarks about certain items not being as fresh. Service, though often described as sweet and attentive by the owners, can sometimes be a bit slow.
Good
7.5
out of 10
117
Reviews
76.1%
Satisfaction
17
negative
11
neutral
89
positive
Overall, Vietnam House holds a solid standing with a Restaurant Score of 7.5, indicating a good dining experience. This is further supported by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 76.1%, which also falls into the good category.
Based on 117 customer observations, with 89 positive remarks against 17 negative ones, the feedback paints a generally favorable picture. Diving deeper, the Food (7.7) is clearly a strong suit, frequently highlighted by diners.
Value (8.8) also stands out as exceptional, with many finding the prices very reasonable. While Service (6.9) is generally good, some find it a bit unhurried.
The Ambience (5.7), however, registers as average, often due to external factors rather than the interior itself.
What people like
- Excellent Value
- Flavorful Vietnamese Food
- Generous Portions
What people don't like
- Uninviting Neighborhood
- Inconsistent Food Freshness
- Slow Service
If you prioritize excellent value and authentic Vietnamese food, Vietnam House is certainly worth considering. Despite some external challenges, the culinary offerings and the affordability make it a compelling choice for a casual meal.
With a solid Recommendation Score of 7.8, it suggests a positive experience for most. Just manage your expectations regarding the immediate surroundings and be prepared for a potentially relaxed pace of service.
It’s a place that delivers on its core promise of good, inexpensive food.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Vietnam House
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.7 and a great customer satisfaction of 80%, its clear many diners are leaving happy. Out of 65 remarks, a whopping 52 praised the offerings, highlighting delicious and authentic Vietnamese food, often served in ample portions.
Expect homestyle Vietnamese dishes that are carefully made to order. However, its not all perfect. A few of the 65 remarks, specifically 7, pointed out some issues.
There were mentions of fried chicken being cold and soggy, and some found the meat in the bahn mi off-putting. A couple of experiences also noted stale food or rice that wasn't quite right, suggesting occasional inconsistencies.
Food
65
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
7
negative
6
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Vietnamese food
- Delicious homestyle food
- Ample fresh portions
What people don't like
- Stale food issues
- Soggy fried chicken
- Inconsistent meat quality
Often praised
- foodIt's a good Vietnamese restaurant that deserves to be better positioned. Indeed, the neighborhood isn't conducive for people to come, but I recommend going there because the food is very good.
- portionsserving large portions
- rice platestheir rice plates were better
- Bahn Mi sandwiches$3.75 for Bahn Mi sandwiches
- Banh Mi'sVery good Banh Mi's
- Braised Cat FishBraised Cat Fish so yummy!
- Bun bo hueBun bo hue (spicy soup) is good
- Com Thit NuongCom Thit Nuong is tasty
- Crisp Rice Flour Cupcakes with ShrimpCrisp Rice Flour Cupcakes with Shrimp so yummy!
- Fried Egg RollsFried Egg Rolls so yummy!
Frequently criticized
- fried chickenThe fried chicken tasted like they were cooked three days ago
- FoodFood:1
- foodthe food was really stale
- meat in the bahn mimeat in the bahn mi put me off
- riceexcept the rice( maybe the rice just cooked..)
- rollsrolls tasted like they were cooked three days ago
If you're craving authentic Vietnamese flavors and generous servings, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that a few diners have encountered inconsistencies with freshness, particularly with items like fried chicken or bahn mi fillings.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
When it comes to service, many patrons appreciate the warm welcome, with 10 positive remarks highlighting the extremely nice staff and attentive owners. Folks often mention the kind and sweet elderlies who run the place, ensuring a pleasant experience whether youre dining in or grabbing a quick pick-up or delivery. However, the service isnt without its quirks, with a 6.9 score and 62.5% customer satisfaction placing it in the average to mixed range.
Among 16 pieces of feedback, 3 negative comments noted the service as questionable, mentioning slow-moving older servers and a perceived preference for serving Vietnamese patrons.
Service
16
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Nice, sweet staff
- Helpful, attentive owners
- Smooth delivery/pickup
What people don't like
- Service can be slow
- Service can be questionable
- Perceived favoritism
Often praised
- serviceserved fast
- ServiceService:5
- deliveryI do delivery
- elderliesrun by elderlies who are very sweet
- old viet peopleold viet people there are kind
- ownersowners were helpful and attentive
- pick-upI do pick up food from time to time
- serversservers are elderlies, a bit slow, but overall very nice people
- staffThey are extremely nice as well
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service is questionable. The older Vietnamese are slow moving
- serving VietnameseI think they're more interested in serving Vietnamese
If you value a warm, family-like atmosphere and dont mind a slightly slower pace, youll likely enjoy the service here. However, if speed is your top priority or you're sensitive to perceived favoritism, you might find it a bit frustrating.
Ambience (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
Lets talk about the vibe! While the overall sentiment for ambience is a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction of 40%, there are certainly some bright spots. Many guests praise the very nice atmosphere, describing it as an old school spot and even a hidden gem.
Its also highlighted as a great place to people watch. These positive remarks, accounting for 6 out of 15 comments, contribute to an average score of 5.7. On the flip side, the ambience faces some notable hurdles.
A recurring theme in the 7 negative comments is the location and neighborhood, with guests mentioning a danger zone or a sketchy area due to homeless people outside. The Lakers on in the background at a loud level was also a specific detractor, indicating that while the atmosphere can be charming, its surroundings and internal noise can be challenging.
Ambience
15
Reviews
40%
Satisfaction
7
negative
2
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Nice atmosphere
- Great for people-watching
- Old-school hidden gem
What people don't like
- Sketchy neighborhood
- Loud background noise
Often praised
- atmosphereit made for a very nice atmosphere
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- hidden gemlooking for a hidden gem, this is definitely the place
- old schoolplace is as old school as they come
- people watchThe price is also hard to beat in the city. Additionally, it's a great place to people watch.
Frequently criticized
- locationin the Tenderloin and people are shooting up outside
- Lakers on in the backgroundLakers on in the background at a pretty loud level
- areaThe only downside of this restaurant is the area
- danger zonetoo bad it's in a danger zone
- homeless people outsidethere are some homeless people sitting outside
- neighborhoodthe neighborhood isn’t conducive
If youre seeking an old school, hidden gem vibe and dont mind a potentially sketchy neighborhood or some background noise, this spot might be worth a look. However, if location and a quiet atmosphere are top priorities, you might want to consider other options.
Value (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 71% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines, boasting an impressive score of 8.8 and an outstanding 100% customer satisfaction. Based on 21 overwhelmingly positive remarks, diners consistently rave about the affordable, low prices, calling it a great deal and excellent bang for the buck. Remarkably, there are absolutely no negative comments regarding the pricing or overall value.
It seems guests universally agree that you get fantastic quality for your money, leaving no room for complaint in this department.
Value
21
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent value
- Affordable pricing
- Great bang for buck
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricethe price is hard to beet in the city
- cheaphow cheap it is for a decent size meal
- pricesThe owners, who barely speak English, were nevertheless helpful and attentive. It's a serviceable option for food around the area, especially considering the shockingly cheap prices.
- affordableI ordered some banh cuon and some vermicelli with grilled pork. Both dishes were well done and really affordable.
- bang for the buckan excellent bang for the buck
- budgetGreat if you are on a budget
- great dealI found this restaurant to be a great deal
- low pricesLow prices and delicious food
- meal costMy only complaint was the Lakers on in the background at a pretty loud level. The meal cost $30 for 2 people after tax. It was a great experience, and I expect to return.
- moneygood food for the money
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a place where your money goes a long way, this restaurant is an absolute winner. You can expect genuinely affordable prices and a fantastic bang for your buck, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at Vietnam House?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 13 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Vietnamese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, looking at what these 13 guests typically spend, most prices actually cluster in the 1 – 20 $ range, so this spot is a bit above the most common spending habits, suggesting it might be a slightly more premium choice for them.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 13 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, for a Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. Its a good spot if youre looking for quality without breaking the bank, sitting comfortably in that sweet spot above budget but below high-end.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Vietnam House
Price per Person
- $101+
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Authentic Vietnamese Flavors with a Rice Hiccup
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, with the spring rolls and eggrolls being particularly noteworthy for their authentic Vietnamese taste. The Com Thit Nuong was also tasty, though the rice seemed a bit undercooked, which was a minor detraction. The atmosphere and service were excellent, both receiving a perfect score of 5.
Overall, the food quality was rated a 4. The reviewer also mentioned that Bun Bo Hue is a recommended dish and suggested that French fries would be a good addition for picky eaters. Reservations are not required, and there was no wait time.
The price per person is over $100.
- spring rolls9
- eggrolls9
- Com Thit Nuong7
- rice3
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
3
Cheap Price, Stale Food
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing. While the price was really cheap, the food was really stale. The fried chicken and rolls tasted like they were cooked three days ago.
- price8
- food2
- fried chicken2
- rolls2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Loud
9
Fantastic Food, Loud Music
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. We walked in and were the only non-Vietnamese people, which is often a sign of a great spot. The food was absolutely fantastic.
We were started with hot tea, which was wonderful after the dreary drizzle. My only complaint was the Lakers on in the background at a pretty loud level. The meal cost $30 for 2 people after tax.
It was a great experience, and I expect to return.
- food10
- hot tea8
- meal cost8
- Lakers on in the background3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
6
Great Deal, Questionable Service
I found this restaurant to be a great deal, but the service is questionable. The older Vietnamese staff seemed slow-moving. During my last visit, we walked out because we couldn't get our order in.
I suspect they might be more interested in serving Vietnamese customers.
- great deal8
- service2
- serving Vietnamese3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Authentic Vietnamese Gem!
My experience at this restaurant was like stepping back in time. The atmosphere was incredibly old school, with tables of older gentlemen enjoying beer and dominoes, and groups of women chatting. The occasional smell of cigarettes from the open doors only added to the authentic Vietnamese vibe.
The food was an absolute treat, carefully made to order and freshly served with ample portions. The best part? It was incredibly cheap!
If you're searching for a hidden gem, this is definitely the place to go.
- old school8
- authentic Vietnamese food10
- carefully made to order9
What Vietnam House offers
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Healthy options
- Coffee
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Vietnam House?
At Vietnam House, you can enjoy a casual dining experience perfect for various occasions. Whether you’re looking for lunch, dinner, or even a dessert, you’ll find table service available. It’s a great spot if you appreciate a relaxed atmosphere while savoring your meal.
Is Vietnam House suitable for families and what service options are available?
Yes, Vietnam House is good for kids, making it a family-friendly choice in Little Saigon. For your convenience, they offer dine-in service, and if you prefer to eat at home, delivery is also an option. You can even plan ahead as they accept reservations.
How does Vietnam House generally rate, and what are its key strengths?
Vietnam House earns a good overall Restaurant Score of 7.5. Its strongest points are exceptional Value (8.8) and well-regarded Food (7.7). Service (6.9) is also considered good, though Ambience (5.7) is average.
Is Vietnam House a good option for budget-conscious diners?
Absolutely. Many customers highlight the incredibly affordable prices and the significant bang for the buck, making it an excellent choice if you’re on a budget and looking for a great deal.
What should I know about the atmosphere at Vietnam House?
While some describe the interior as having a nice atmosphere or being a hidden gem, many opinions mention the surrounding neighborhood as a downside, noting it’s not always conducive or inviting.