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    26 Viet Cafe

    4.0 (95 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order 26 Viet Cafe Takeout or Delivery

    26 Viet Cafe Photos

    26 VIET CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - 26 Viet Cafe

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    Yen W.

    Had such an amazing meal here! Everything was fresh and flavorful. The pho was rich and comforting. The coffee was the perfect pick-me-up as well. The restaurant itself is clean and cozy. Definitely will be back!

    Sugary pho
    Ashley N.

    I really wanted to like this place, and I was excited because there are few options in Pasadena for Vietnamese food. -1 star for staff professionalism (Server yelling in the kitchen was a little concerning. Close the door next time because people are not here to hear you get mad about whatever drama is going on behind the scenes. Customers are here to eat). -1 star for the food being overly sweet. Never have I ever had such a sugary bowl of pho in my life. My 5 year old loves sugar and even she didn't like it. Meat was also well overcooked to the max and super stiff and dry. -1 a side order of a small bowl of noodles came out after our bowls of soup sat there for a total of 20 minutes. Ended up eating the soup lukewarm. -1 our server was a young man (he was working really hard and looked overwhelmed while a lady bossed him around and delegated tasks to clean tables while he served a majority of the restaurant. He was actually great, and we felt so bad for him. The lady took my payment and I commented how busy it was, in which she looked confused and said "uhhh no?" So I responded with "well that's funny because our side of plain noodles came out very late". This lady gave absolutely zero care in the world. Not a thank you, not a ho-hum, nothing. One star because the egg rolls were bomb. Other than that, nothing else was impressive. My daughter declared that dinner was in fact not dinner at all tonight. Pricing was reasonable, but not for the quality and lack of emotional awareness within staff. I wish I spent my money elsewhere because this experience was highly disappointing. I have broken down each star because I believe in communicating thoroughly on why each star is deducted. I hope this place cares more about their customers, organization, and quality of their broth especially. Crack a smile maybe? I mean... I would especially if the food is already lacking. Food for thought... Will not be returning.

    House special combo rice
    Jason Y.

    Came by 26 Viet Cafe in Pasadena and was impressed by both the food and drinks. They originally started in Vancouver and recently opened their first SGV location. The menu has a lot of variety and everything we tried tasted fresh, authentic, and flavorful. We started with the ube coffee and matcha coconut cloud. Both drinks were creamy, smooth, and strong in flavor without being overly sweet. Perfect pick-me-up drinks. The snack platter was great for sharing and came with fried chicken wings, spring rolls, egg rolls, grilled chicken, and pork. The standout for me was definitely the egg rolls -- super crispy on the outside and filled with meat, vermicelli, and wood ear mushrooms. For the mains, we ordered the house special combo rice, beef short rib salad, woven noodles with beef short rib, and the special pho. The meats had a delicious smoky grilled flavor and were cooked really well. The pho came loaded with different cuts of beef and the broth was rich, savory, and comforting. Service was friendly and the restaurant itself was clean and modern. Portions were generous and overall it was a really satisfying meal. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Pasadena area.

    IG: socalhkfoodies
    Fiona T.

    I love authentic Vietnamese food, and this cozy spot also adds a touch of Cantonese flavor, along with some unique eats. They also have locations in Canada My favorite here: the crab soup vermicelli with soft shell crab So good all blended together with the flavorful soup. My friends love this butter frog leg Told you they have unique eats I am an obvious meat lover So I can't miss the skewers Which is just $7 for two IG: socalhkfoodies

    Appetizer tower
    Justine H.

    New to me viet spot in Pasadena. Super large portions and super filling. The appetizer tower comes with spring rolls.

    Sherry Z.

    A place we will come back again! Excellent service, delicious food and clean. We especially love the appetizer sampler.

    Mango Sago Coconut Milk with Lychee Jelly ($6 if ordered as a Meal Add-On). Fantastic.
    Dan L.

    I won't say that it's the best Vietnamese restaurant that I've ever been to, but it's still a solid choice worth trying out at least once if you're in the area. The food was decent, overall. I've had more impressive pork chops elsewhere, but their add-on items are fantastic (appetizers, drinks, desserts, etc.). From what I can see, the add-on items are discounted compared to what they would cost if ordered separately from an entree. The availability of chili oil at the condiment bar is admittedly a unique touch here. Service was satisfactory overall. Pricing seemed a tad high vs. other Vietnamese places, but I suspect it may be a result of high rents given the location. The customer seating is cushioned and comfortable. Parking was easily obtained in front of the restaurant. Overall, I would consider returning here.

    Andrew L.

    My wife found this place in her never ending search for good Vietnamese food near us since we got back from Vietnam. We came around 11:30am on Friday to a mostly empty restaurant. The menu was interestingly in English and Chinese, but no Vietnamese, so we had to ask if the seafood soup was bun rieu and if the crispy pancake was banh xeo, and the server said yes to both. It took about 10-15 minutes for our food to come out, but it was worth the wait. The bun rieu flavor was the best we've had since Vietnam, and we added some of their homemade chili oil/paste and shrimp paste that my wife always asks for, and it deepened the flavor. The banh xeo was solid, but it was mostly bean sprouts in there with a few shrimp that had unpeeled tails - no pork. Interestingly the only fresh vegetables they gave were bean sprouts, Thai basil, and lettuce - no mint or banana blossom or other traditional Vietnamese veggies - maybe I should have asked. We got the mango sago dessert, which I enjoyed and thought was refreshingly tart and creamy. My wife asked the server where they get their chili oil, and he said they make it in house, and he got us a small container of it to go. Overall a solid spot near some of our usual stomping grounds, so we will probably be back! If the owner is reading this, please peel the shrimp before putting it in the banh xeo (and add some pork). Also, please provide more Vietnamese veggies, at least mint, in addition to what you currently provide. I'd also recommend adding Vietnamese to the menu so it feels more authentic.

    rare beef pho
    Venus L.

    I was so very pleasantly surprised by the few dishes I ordered. I will be coming back to try some other things, but for my first trip I tried the bun bo hue and rare beef beef. The bbh came out much more red and fragrant than a lot of places I've had recently. The soup was oh so very deeply beefy, porky, and savory. It even had an actual slight kick to it, a stronger one than most bbh I've had recently. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I will say I am a bit sad the bbh isn't served with pork knuckles, but given the location and the menu, I understand. The beef slices were super amazingly tender. The rare beef pho was much more savory than I anticipated. In the sense that a lot of southern pho tends to lean towards more oniony sweet and I appreciate the much more umami savory broth this place had. Just a personal preference! I wish I would've tried the bun rieu, but boyfriend and I both wanted our own bowls of bbh haha. Looping back to my note on the location/menu when I was talking about the bbh, the menu itself doesn't use the actual names of the dishes with a short description under like most Vietnamese places in the SGV. It's a bit more friendly to folks who may not be well versed in Vietnamese dishes (: The name itself is just a very brief description of what the food is and then ingredients followed under. It's very clean in there! We also got some drinks, they were more trendy drinks than the usual drinks you'd expect at a Vietnamese spot. Matcha, ube, black sesame, etc on top of the coffee and some fizzy matcha sodas. Boyfriend, sister, and I went after lunch rush so it was fairly empty. Service I wish was just slightly more attentive as we waited quite a while. But I think the staff was also having their lunch break from what I saw. They came though as soon as someone peaked out and we raised our hands for attention. Will definitely come back to the the bun rieu and some other items (:

    Shaken beef yumm
    Zachary P.

    Parking: small lot in front and not sure about the side. There is street parking, but it's main street. Place was popping when we went on a Sunday around 12 (obviously). Luckily came right when someone was leaving so didn't have to wait really. Staff was still getting used to everything, but they were nice and got our orders in really quickly. Ordered the shaken beef and I was impressed by the amount they give you. I always finish this dish and most places leave me feeling unsatisfied, but this location gave me just enough to not feel that way. Taste was also much much better, beef tastes way higher quality than my local areas and the sauce was delicious, didn't taste old and pre-prepared. The pho bowl was also generous with portions without tasting cheap. Broth was okay, but the portions made up for everything. My only complaint would be that I had to ask for the water to be replaced instead of them automatically taking care of it, but the staff looked pretty new and still orienting so it's okay. Definitely coming back since it's not too far of a drive for me and the value blows my local areas out of the water.

    Ross W.

    We liked the food. The Chicken Banh Mi was good, as was the Shrimp & Lotus Stem Salad. The salad may not be everyone's cup of tea. Hubby found it bland, but I appreciated the subtle flavor. The shrimps were fairly big but halved. Add-ons are offered. For an additional $4 to $6, you can choose a drink, appetizer or dessert for every entree. We had Spring Rolls and Pork Skewers. The skewers were so flavorful. Service was a bit lacking, mostly due to inadequate staffing. It was hard to get anyone's attention. Also they forgot the skewers which didn't show up until the very end.

    Chicken Noodle Soup * Rare Beef & Beef Ball Pho
    Ulandari A.

    The service was incredibly quick, and our food came out fresh and hot. The pho was delicious with a rich, flavorful broth, and you could tell it was made with care. What really stood out was how generous they were with the meat and portion sizes, it definitely felt worth the price. It's nice to find a place that doesn't skimp on ingredients while still serving high-quality food. We'll definitely be coming back!

    Chicken Satay
    Doreen T.

    A solid pho spot in the East Pasadena neighborhood. I ordered the P1 Special Beef Noodle Soup, which was flavorful and served at just the right temperature. My husband got the R3 combo rice plate with grilled pork chop, grilled chicken, and an egg roll. We liked how the egg roll is almost like tempura fried, so light and crispy! We also shared an order of chicken satay as appetizers. There are only two pieces however it was meaty and big! Everything was delicious and came out quickly. We stopped by for a late Sunday lunch, and there was only one other customer at the time. The restaurant is clean, spacious, and bright. We'll definitely be back to support this spot.

    Appetizer sampler with wings, spring rolls and grilled chicken & pork

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    Ask the Community - 26 Viet Cafe

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    Hangang

    Hangang

    4.3
    (151 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Luxury

    My friend and I came on a Saturday evening for a catch up meal and it was surprisingly not too…read morecrowded for a place that has been popping off on tiktok. Since it wasn't too crowded there were many seats available, and the service was top notch. The interior is very spacious, lots of seats with booths and also regular tables. The menu is a bit on the pricier side, but the portions are pretty big so if u come with a large group I would say it is pretty worth the price. we got the jeyuk bokkeum (spicy pork kimchi stirfry)! First time having this dish, and it was utterly delicious. The sliced pork belly was so yummy, loved that it was thinly sliced and the kimchi was so flavorful. This dish was soo good with rice. The sides here are also a little different than other Korean restraunts ive been to. they have this potato soy sauce dish and it was so good. I honestly am not a big fan of kimchi but loved their kimchi here. the kimchi was very fresh, crisp, and not too salty which I loved. all the workers here were very sweet and so nice and attentive. I think this place definitely deserves more love because the quality of the food and service is actually so amazing! the dish we got could've definitely been shared amongst 3-4 people and we paid around $50 which i think is pretty worth.

    We arrived on Wednesday at 6 PM and were the only customers there. It's a nice and comfortable…read morerestaurant tucked away in a little hidden lot in Temple City. After placing our order, the sides came out, and I will say they were tasty and plentiful. (6 full sides!) Now for the food, we loved it. I got these. Brisket Seolleongtang - It was tasty, hearty, and refreshing. It does need salt since it was pretty plain, but personally I like it that way because I can adjust the saltiness to my own preference. (4.5/5) Galbi Seolleongtang - A must-get because the galbi was so tender and flavorful. Easily the best galbi I've had, hands down. (5/5) Overall, the service was really good and the food was solid. Loved both the sides and the food. Parking - Nice, empty lot right in front.

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    Hangang
    Hangang
    Hangang

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    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    Nick's South Lake Avenue

    4.5
    (2.2k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$$

    We came here to celebrate my mother in laws not monster in law's BIRTHDAY! I have heard of Nicks in…read moreNewport Beach but, just realized that there had another location in Pasadena... SERVICE: 10/10 A+ Excellent Service! Everyone was very friendly. Emily was our service for the first half followed by Danny and her team. Everyone was very PATIENT!!! That's so rare!!! Very professional. There was no signs of moodiness or exhaustion. Bravo to the hardworking staff!!! SEABASS: 10/10 Star of the show! The fish was cooked perfectly. It was soft on the inside and a pinch of joyful crunch on the outside. However, I did not like the mash potatoes because it had a very weird taste... PRIME RIB DIP: 8/10 Not bad. It reminded us of the HAT's pastrami sandwich... FILET MIGNON: 9/10 looks delicious! My party finished his plate... CLAM CHOWDER: 10/10 My mother in law said it was very good! ARTICHOKES: 7/10 Very dry. We had to replace it with another appetizer... SPINACH DIP: 9/10 Delicious!!! The dip's flavor and texture really stood out... AMBIANCE: 10/10 Nice and a bit dimmed ambiance. We sat at a circular table for a part of 6 on the first floor. It felt really nice and intimate and you can watch the game on the TV screen as well... ROCK ON NICK'S SOUTH LAKE AVENUE!!!!!

    Ambiance is great, though a little loud. Service is good…read more All our entrees were very good BUT the artichokes were not good. We first thought they were undercooked. They were warm (not hot) and it was difficult to get any meat off of them. I rarely ask for something to be sent back but especially for the price point here, these were not OK. We let them know that they were undercooked. The chokes were gone for a while and when they came back they were slightly better so we just made due and realized that they just weren't very good artichokes. Also, though the heart was good, the flavor of the leaves was not great and the dipping sauce was nothing special. They were covered with diced onions for some reason. When it's $21 for three halves, it was very disappointing.

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    Asparagus Fries | A Nick's Original
    Asparagus Fries | A Nick's Original
    Nick's South Lake Avenue
    Nick's South Lake Avenue

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    Eat Fantastic

    Eat Fantastic

    4.1
    (442 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    What a great experience I had here at EAT FANTASTIC , I placed my order in the drive-thru and the…read moresweet kind enthusiastic lady taking my order was top notch...I truly hope this YELP REVIEW gets to the management because I was having a bad day!! Monday @ 4-5pm I believe her name was Natalie a true jewel!! GDC

    First time visitors to Eat Fantastic's Arcadia outpost can't help but notice the sprawling Kobe…read moremural that welcomes diners. I, for one, immediately noticed the huge mural that heralds our Greatest Laker Ever the moment I pulled offve Live Oak into the small lot that abuts Fantastic. Digging further, I discovered that the "Eat Fantastic" quintet of restaurants that dot the greater LA metropolitan area ARE IN FACT a modernized spinoff of the "Cafe Fantastic" chain that Gen Xers like me fondly recall. Sheeeeeeeeeiiit. True story- All throughout my time at San Pedro High, my best friend Mick and I usta demolish their Combo Burger Platter (burger/fries AND onion rings, side salad and drink) for only $3.65. 40yr flashback over, your favorite Yelp correspondent went for Fantastic's pastrami sandwich combo. And while it doesn't come with a quintet of items guaranteed to fillya up- I can vouch that the pastrami is legit!!! Well seasoned, peppered, served steaming hot aboard a French roll gently slicked with mustard. I've had my share of fabulous pastrami in my time- Katz Deli in NY, Brent's Deli in Northridge and more locally and if you're in a severe 'strami fix...then Togo's #9 will do ya, too. This doesn't compete at those lofty levels, but for its price I'll order this eight days a week over the razor-thin pastrami dispensed by the overrated The Hat chain of pastrami-phixated locales! While this was a takeout order, I can attest that all of my.prior dealings w/ the Eat Fantastic staff has been just fine. Courteous and swift service.

    Photos
    Ordering
    Ordering
    #79 Breakfast Burrito with chorizo
    #79 Breakfast Burrito with chorizo
    Ice coffee

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    Ice coffee
    Holy Saints

    Holy Saints

    4.6
    (208 reviews)
    4.2 mi
    $$$

    LATE REVIEW…read more Finding little neighborhood gems when it comes to food has always been an exciting experience for me. Having family alongside makes the journey more special. We chose Holy Saints to announce our baby's gender with our parents and we had an amazing time during our intimate dinner here. The restaurant's ambiance was the perfect combination of homey and inviting. It is a smaller place and the number of tables are limited so I highly suggest making a reservation when dining here. During our dinner, it was a bit difficult to have a full blown conversation as the place was packed with guests when we came plus the loud background music that was playing the whole night. Service and food were nothing but amazing! Their menu is very limited. Maybe not everyone will appreciate that, but I think it is more intentional on what is being served to the table. Our highlight of the night was the Grandpa's Pan Roasted Duck Magret Au Poivre for sure. It was so tender on the inside and crispy on the outer edges! We never had a meal like that elsewhere and we will for sure be back just because of it.

    Great cozy, American small plates spot in Pasadena. Parking around is pretty simple with structures…read moreall around and pretty easy to make a reservation for a Saturday. Dishes tried: - Sourdough bread and bbq butter, solid for a bread dish, butter is definitely unique, reminded me of Lay's BBQ chips in a good way - Grandma's Risotto w/ prosciutto, okay for me? Prosciutto was a supplement here and needs it imo for that oomph, otherwise a fine risotto dish but would pass unless it speaks to you - Barnyard Bolognese - a bit underwhelming to start, just too one-note for me, but it eventually grew on me and would get it again if I wanted a rich pasta - Duck Magret Au Poivre - easily my favorite dish here and what I would come back for and recommend for people, tender duck with the right amount of fat and a great sauce. Fries are a bit thicker than I would like, but still enjoyed it. - Seasonal apple pie - more of a danish if I had to describe it to someone, but nice texture and more importantly, not too sweet!

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    Dining on the patio
    Dining on the patio
    Dad's Habanada Griddle Cakes
    Dad's Habanada Griddle Cakes
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    Dad's Habanada Griddle Cakes
    Top Restaurant

    Top Restaurant

    4.5
    (948 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    This place always hits! The lady running the front of house is so nice she always remembers me…read more There's not anything I have tried as long as I was in the mood for it that I haven't liked. Their shrimp is great, the chicken katsu is great, and I like the value of their combinations. They have some Hawaiian canned beverages that are all very sweet and complement the food. Just be aware it is take away only from here. OH almost forgot, I really like their macaroni salad. Add Top to your list of indulgences at a fair value!

    Don't let the name fool you and definitely don't let the location scare you off. Top Restaurant is…read moretucked into a small, rundown shopping center on Colorado Blvd in Pasadena and from the outside you'd never guess what's waiting inside. This is my third visit and every single time it delivers. This is an Indonesian/Hawaiian restaurant -- and a seriously impressive one. The menu spans both worlds, and no matter which direction you go, you're in for something special. Take out only, no tables, but trust me -- you won't care. The 4 Piece Indonesian Fried Chicken with rice is an absolute must. Some of the best fried chicken I have ever had. The crust is insanely crispy, the seasoning is perfect, and the Indonesian dipping sauce ties it all together in a way that's completely unique. This alone is worth the drive. The Hawaiian plates are equally impressive. The short ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, the beef and chicken were perfectly marinated -- sweet, savory, and deeply flavorful. Everything comes with rice and a creamy mac salad, and the Hawaiian Sun drinks (Mango Orange and Strawberry Lilikoi) are the perfect companion to wash it all down. Plates run between $16-$20 but the portions are generous and the quality is exceptional -- you absolutely get your money's worth. The owner and cook are extraordinarily welcoming, and everything comes out hot and fresh every single time. Top Restaurant is a hidden gem of the highest order. If you're in Pasadena, make the trip.

    Photos
    To-go packaging
    To-go packaging
    Chicken Katsu
    Chicken Katsu
    Fish musubi

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    Fish musubi

    26 Viet Cafe - vietnamese - Updated July 2026

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