This place was amazing. My friend and I traveled to Vancouver for a week and just had to check this spot out. Immediately we were greeted at the host and they made us feel very welcomed, even let us leave our luggage with them in the front. We didn't wait too long before having our food arrive. For drinks, we got the Calamansi Soda Chanh, which was very refreshing and good, as well as the pandan coconut tea which was also refreshing. For food, we got the bun bo hue, which was rich in flavor and satisfying after the rainy day we had. The bo ne was the best dish in my opinion, best one I had (they don't make it like this place back in Orange County). Ambiance was cozy and lively, with a warm energy that made the whole experience feel even more authentic and welcoming. Servers were very tentative and took priority in making us feel at home. read more

The garlic noodles were out of this world. Every bite was packed with amazing flavor and had strong hints of seafood that took it to the next level. I also really enjoyed the Saigon beer and it was my first time seeing it served anywhere, which made it a unique and fun experience. The beef carpaccio was super tasty as well, with just the right balance of salty and sour. It was a great way to start the meal. I'd definitely recommend both to anybody looking for something delicious and a little different. Service also was outstanding. Only downside was the wait was a bit long since we went without reservations, so I'd recommend to plan accordingly to avoid potentially an extended wait. However, with that said...I'd wait for 1.5 hours again to eat there again! read more

Lunch Lady - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Service was phenomenal. We didn't know our server is Japanese and accidentally spoke Vietnamese to him but he was super forgiving and gracious. Our kid initially said no to her birthday ice cream dessert and he was super nice to deal with her stranger and unknown food shyness and got us a dessert to share. It was a bit loud but it felt right at home like a Vietnamese restaurant There was enough ventilation that we didn't smell like Pho coming out of the restaurant I recommend the duck soup, soft shell crab appetizer and the fried Che Be Màu dessert with ice cream on top - so good! read more

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Nice dinner with my friend!! It is a fancy Vietnamese restaurant! They are not only having pho, they got spring rolls, soup and drinks as well! read more

Lunch Lady - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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I have been wishing to dine here a long time and when the opportunity came I quickly suggested this restaurant to my friend. We couldn't get online reservations but since it was a party of two, it was only a half hour wait for walk-in. I had the beef brunch that had a bun, eggs, pate, goat cheese and bread on a sizzling pan. I forgot to mention waffle fries!!! It was very satisfying in flavor and good portion. My friend had the tofu salad roll and iced coffee. The place gave us an hour time limit but the food was served so fast, it was enough time. The place was busy and I really enjoyed the fusion style. I have to try their other specialty soup. The price is more expensive than other Vietnamese restaurants but it's worth the visit!! read more

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Great little restaurant on the drive. Always packed with people but service is usually pretty decent. I think I prefer dinner over lunch-- more variety. There's been seasonal dishes I've loved-- lobster hot pot was phenomenal. Lunch selection was limited but made things easier to choose from. If you can score a spot, give it a try! read more

Lunch Lady - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Food is amazing...makes up for the small space of the restaurant. But the staff are very friendly, professional and helpful! Will be our "go to again" for sure! read more

We got here at the start of dinner with the reservation with few tables empty, but it slowly started to pick up and get more full. There is inside seating, and two patios outside. We started with the lychee cocktail and a tiger beer. The lychee cocktail was so refreshing and delicious. For food, we initially got the beef carpaccio, fried garlic noodles, and steak. The beef carpaccio was presented so beautifully with chopped herbs and nuts. It was one of the best beef carpaccio's I've ever had. The garlic noodles sounded like it was going to be a simple dish but it was anything but it was super flavourful with loads of aromatic herbs and green onion. I wish we ordered another plate. We also got the steak with coated in a really delicious sauce. It was cooked medium rare, but I felt like it was a little bit more on the rare side and it had quite a bit of fat and tendon that I was not able to chew through. It came with a side of yucca fries with a nice herb sauce on top, and those were incredible. As we're finishing this portion, me and my boyfriend decided to see if we could upgrade to the tasting menu for two as we had ordered three out of the six dishes that were on the tasting menu and the server had no issue with making that upgrade. For $17 more from the tasting menu, we also got octopus skewers and taro chips, which were really good, but the dessert stole the show. It was a fried sticky rice patty that was died green inside, and it was topped with a creamy, tart berry sauce, and two scoops of coconut ice cream. We were so full and struggling to finish the dessert, but we knew we couldn't miss out on not finishing. I would 100% go back and recommend this place to anyone read more

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Had a lovely meal at the lunch lady! Managed to make a reservation for 10:45am and the restaurant was already packed on a Saturday morning! Got seated right away and service was quick and attentive. Food was solid. We shared the beef carpaccio, pho and pork spring rolls. Everything tasted great - flavors on point. I also got the egg coffee and it was really tasty! read more

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Went here before leaving for the airport. The wait time was estimated at 30 mins but got seated within 15 mins. The host and the waitress were very nice and polite. The food came out really fast and hot. I have tried out many pho and this hands down the best pho I have ever have. The flavor was so rich and the portion was so big! I could barely finish the bowl. The other item was their brunch that I have forgetting the name, but it was also very yummy and big portion! The fried and the steak were very delicious with the sauce that they put at the bottom! 10/10 would recommend this when you are in town read more

Lunch Lady - Beef pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Been wanting to try this place for a while so I'm glad I got the chance. The lunch lady is a michelin recommended Vietnamese restaurant on Commercial Drive. Places are always full so would recommend getting a reservation from their website. All in all, we felt satisified with the food, particularly the steak luc lac and ube cheesecake. However, I feel like the cuisines are not necessarily Vietnamese, but rather a fusion with flavour palate adjusted for North American market. We also got calamansi soda chanh ($6) which was super refreshing during the summer. Steak Luc Lac ($38) 9/10 We were expecting home style beef luc lac, but it was a nice surprise to get melt in your mouth tender beef and the best cassava fries I've ever tried. My friends also really enjoyed the peppercorn sauce. Ube Basque Cheesecake ($12) 9.5/10 I spotted this on the menu and knew we had to get this. Who knew that the combination of ube, cheese, caramel, and the fried banana could tastes so good? If the ube was a touch stronger, this would really elevate the dish. Wagyu Pho ($32) 7/10 It was good. Felt very rich and decadent with the bone marrow and poached egg combination. I just felt like it didn't taste like pho (more like a noodle soup). The amount of herbs and beansprout they gave on the side were rather pitiful. Beef Carpaccio ($24) 6/10 As much as I love shallot and peanut, I do feel like the ratio is a bit too much for the amount of beef. We couldn't even see the beef due to how much toppings they piled on. Also beef was not as juicy and tender as I expected. Bone Marrow ($22) 6.5/10 Bone marrow itself was okay, but it's the sauce on top that made it quite unique. Seems like some sort of hoisin sauce with roasted semi sweet taste that work well with the bone marrow and crispy crostini. read more

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This is maybe my 5th or 6th time coming to Lunch Lady! Though I haven't written a review before, my recent visit has me wanting to talk about a new(?) dish that I've had twice now. I came on a whim with some friends for a late Sunday evening dinner. The service was fast and friendly, and everyone was so knowledgeable. As I was only getting a small snack, I already knew I wanted the octopus skewers. I had it last month, and I really enjoyed it. The octopus skewers were perfectly cooked; not too rubbery or chewy, with the right amount of softness to the meat. The spicy green sauce gave an excellent kick (I shed 1 tear), and the rau ram (Vietnamese coriander) was a nice herby finish. Can't wait to keep coming back for more! read more

Lunch Lady - Octopus skewers - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

My husband and I had the pleasure of dining at the lunch lady on one of our only evenings in Vancouver. We came in to celebrate before we went on a cruise and Lunch Lady did not disappoint. Ivy was our server and we also had the manager K-Daniel helping to make the evening festive. We had been recommended TLL by a friend of mine who had been in Vancouver for extended business and she said if we went anywhere go there. The food was insanely good, we practically had to crawl out of there we didn't want to stop eating. Every bite was meticulously prepared and everything was thoughtfully balanced. Can't go wrong with anything on that menu our favorites were the pork chop and the octopus skewers. The desserts were also amazing. Calamansi cheesecake is to die for. They've already been Michelin recommended, but I wouldn't be surprised if we blink and they are awarded a star. The cocktails were great, and while we didn't get to try the tamarind sour, we got to try some of the new cocktails that are about to be on the menu. Next time I'm in town I'm definitely going back, if they'll even have reservations. Just an FYI, there's a roughly 2 hour time limit on the table which is usually more than enough as you're served pretty quickly. read more

Lunch Lady - The building - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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the steak luc lac and chicken on rice was fireeee, pho was ok in comparison best viet place in vancouver so far the pandan sticky rice with coconut ice cream was CHEFS KISS omg highly recommend read more

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For months, friends and foodies alike raved about Lunch Lady, insisting it was a must-visit. So when I found myself nearby, I made sure to arrive 15 minutes before dinner service(earning myself the first spot in line). While outside I could hear upbeat music pulsing from inside, and the laughter from the staff made it clear: they genuinely like working here That energy carried straight to our table. Our server was warm, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic, keeping our water glasses full, clearing plates promptly, and offering thoughtful, honest recommendations--no upselling, just a real passion for the food. Beef Carpaccio (with a Vietnamese Twist) At first bite, I wasn't sold--but then, it grew on me. Each piece revealed new layers of flavors and texture: the silkiness of the beef, the brightness of herbs, the slight crunch from the crispy shallots and a hint of lime that kept me reaching for more. Garlic Noodles (Parmesan Carbonara's Vietnamese Cousin) Rich, savory, and deeply comforting, these noodles were like a Vietnamese take on carbonara--salty, cheesy, but begging for an extra protein (next time, I'm adding the red crab). A touch more of something (I'm not sure what) would've make it perfect. Wagyu Pho (Worth Every Penny) This wasn't any pho--it's an elevated masterpiece. The broth was deeply aromatic, the noodles perfectly springy, and the bone marrow? Sooooo tender, dissolving into my mouth like liquid gold. The wagyu came in two textures--some slices soft, others with a slight chew--making every spoonful exciting. Chè Ba Màu (The Dish I Dream About) If you try one thing here, make it this. A symphony of contrasts--warm and cold, chewy and crunchy, sweet and tart--it was, without exaggeration, the best dessert I've ever had. We were so obsessed, we debated ordering another (even though we were so stuffed). read more

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I love the lunch lady! Worth the drive. Great portion and serving. Parking can be hard. Give yourself some time to find parking before your reservation. read more

Lunch Lady - Pork over rice - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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I travelled 7 hours one way to explore and eat at the Lunch Lady. My cousin brought me here to eat lunch and behind blown away from the service and flavors. I really liked the idea of being able to sit outside but still be warm on a brisk spring afternoon. Can't wait to come back :) read more

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I was so happy we were able to get into this restaurant. We had read reviews about this place before we visited Vancouver. We shad the Tasting Menu with multiple courses. Everything was delicious. Don't miss this restaurant if you have the chance. read more

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Tried the Friday Bun Bo Hue special at Lunch Lady and the it was delicious. Portion was big and the soup was flavourful. We did walk in at around 1pm and the wait was around 40 mins at that time. We sat on the patio but it was heated so it was nice and warm. Excited to try the special again another day! read more

Lunch Lady - Menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Went for dinner had some mussels that were absolutely delicious, Service was friendly, a bit slow, but was super busy. Felt the portions were a bit small and left you wanting more but i guess thats part of the secret. Definitely very tasty and would recommend read more

I owe this place a long review. Went in summer, we got a very cute tall seat (not very comfortable tho) We ordered those below: 1. fried shrimp (9/10) it's very delicious. why the -1? Since even though it is sooooo crispy, after 3rd bite it gets oily. It's hard to enjoy it as much as the first bite. 2. Bone marrow (8/10) very flavor but simply a little sweet, kinda wish they didn't cheap out on the poor portion of crisps on this plate since there r a lot of bone marrow to eat 3. Foie gras steak: 10/10 very delicious and fatty. 4. Fried rice with crab and popping fish egg it is very very very good. After I take it home and reheat it's still very delicious. Great texture 15/10 5. Purple cheesecake: not good, burnt. But it's free since it was birthday celebration! It's a little slow there but it's a busy restaurant! would come back to try more read more

We were in the area and made a last ditch effort to get a table at Lunch Lady - lucky day. Right away the ambiance seems somewhat elevated yet comfortable all at the same time. In the center boasts a bar where you see bartenders dishing out cocktails all night. Definitely one of the highlights of our experience However, the food was the main star of the show. One of the managers was nice enough to offer us recommendations - even outside of the tasting menu. All in a great elevated Vietnamese experience at reasonable prices. Not pretentious, just good food. (To give some reference, a typical bowl of pho at your average Vancouver pho shop goes for about $16-18, Lunch Lady had theirs at $20 before add-ons.) read more

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We had a delicious meal of pork belly vermicelli and a beef pho. After two chilly but sunny days in Vancouver and a long walk to Lunch Lady, we had high hopes and we were not disappointed! While you are told you only have one hour to dine, service was spot on and the food was hot and delivered within 10 min of ordering, so that was no problem. Our meals were amazing and flavorful. The pork belly was melt in your mouth delicious. The pho was perfect- warm and spiced but not spicy, exactly like it should be. Our waitress packed our pandan coffees to go for our walk back to our hotel. Fantastic visit! read more

Lunch Lady - Pork belly vermicelli bowl - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

We've heard SO many good things about this place and we are so thankful we finally got to try it out. We visited on a week day evening with some friends and it was quite busy. The restaurant was bustling with energy and it felt cozy. The staff was attentive and explained each food item to us when it arrived. We ordered the family style set menu and it was SUCH a wonderful experience!! The Family Style Ǎn chói menu is $50 per person. We had so many favourites. It was all just super delicious. But if we had to pick then some of our favourites of the night were the beef carpaccio, chargrilled octopus skewers, bone marrow (SO GOOD!!), Dungeness crab fried rice and the fried bananas on the Ube basque cheesecake. We didn't have any complaints really but perhaps the Ube flavour for the Ube cheesecake could've been more pronounced and strong. We loved the unique and tasty flavours in all the dishes!! We will definitely return. Very soon. Yum. read more

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I've had tons of Bo Ne in my life and this has got to be one of the worst ones I've ever had. It comes with fries and gravy? The steak was absolutely mooing when it came out. I had asked for it to be cooked a little longer but they said they'd have to throw it away and remake it. I didn't want to waste food, so I had kept it. The flavors weren't that good. The place is very gentrified. 1 hour wait for not authentic Vietnamese food is not worth it in my opinion. Not worth the hype. They did take it off the bill for me since I had stated it was raw, which was kind of them. The server was nice and accommodating. Its just the food was definitely lacking. read more

Lunch Lady - Bo Ne - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Very nice overall experience. Their service is attentive and friendly, food course range from good to great (set menu for two) plus their crab fried rice (get this for sure). Reasonably priced overall. read more

Praised by Michelin, Anthony Bourdain, and now me. I know this would be my go-to spot if I lived here. The meat in the carpaccio was so soft and I love any limey marinade + crunchy topping. That steak luc lac no words. Imagine the best bites of steak tossed in this insane buttery sauce. They got the temperature of the pho broth right and the noodles were super fresh. Dessert was also surprisingly good despite being of a radioactive shade. YUUUUUUUUM. Also cute store, very organically retro Asian. Amazing staff. read more

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Honestly, with how busy it was, I was genuinely surprised how attentive the servers were and how fast the food came out. Definitely order the family style because it's definitely worth the cost! Highly recommend it especially their steak luc lac! Even with the wait time, I'll definitely come back! read more

Lunch Lady - Steak Luc Lac - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Stopped by mid week for lunch. We came early and happy to get a table as it filled up pretty quick. They have daily specials but I opted for the pho bo...classic beef pho...how can one go wrong with beef broth that has been cooking for 24 hrs. The taste was excellent as expected...and surprisingly a little sweet. There was no issue with the service. I can see why this place is so popular. It was a positive food experience and happy to recommend Lunch Lady. read more

Lunch Lady - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Maybe my expectation is too high I feel like a major letdown. From the floodgate opening at 4:45 pm with the crowd lining up even with a reservation.. Service very slow couldn't find a single dish I wanted to return for. To be fair all staff were super friendly and nice paying good attention to details. Despite the hype the food quality isn't that refined at all. The deep fried items have very thick batter good if you're hungry not delicate enough if you're looking for finer cooking. And Commercial Drive is $6 per hour parking.. I think I rather go for less westernized Vietnamese cuisine on Fraser... or more French influenced Linh Cafe? Not convenient enough to return I suppose.. read more

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My Birthday dinner with family was well celebrated here at Lunch Lady . This Hidden Gem along the Commercial Dr. is worth a visit . Not for large groups though , this place has a warm vibe . All the food that we had was superb !! . The servers were so nice and attentive , Describing the dish while they bring it on the table is a plus . And the DESSERTS !!!!UBE tiramisu and PANDAN sticky rice is a MUST . read more

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Be prepared to wait if you either arrive without a reservation (some hours are walk-in only, no reservations allowed) Well worth the wait ~ their 24 hour beef broth is incredible. The breaded prawn fritters were a complete guilty pleasure of crunchiness and flavor How have I not been here already? Until the next time... (find me on IG @aida.loves ) read more

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As my OC friend DEEEEEEEEEEEEE Licious says - sofa king guuuuuud!!! Get here yesterday! Dayum ... it all went down at Lunch Lady. I've never been to Vietnam but I've heard it's awesome, when you're not being robbed by the police ... a story as told to me for another day. LL has been making waves in Vancouver - the must try spot on popular Commercial Drive. Even the famous Anthony Bourdain raved about LL on one of his shows way back. It's a casual affair here, so don't show up dressesd to the nines. Prawn & Pork Salad Roll appetizer = get it! Viet Ice Coffee = get it! Ban Canh Cua (Saturday special) = get it! Steak Luc Lac = dayuuuuummm get 2 of these!!! Che Ba Cua - dessert - so good I could slap yo mama! Our waitress made excellent recommendations. Yelpies don't delay getting here or it's your loss. If you're still in doubt - Lunch Lady made it into the MICHELIN Guide ... if that's your thang. read more

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Wagyu pho?? What more is there to say. Delicious flavor and the broth taste super fresh and no msg. Make a reservation early as they fill up fast. read more

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My friend and I made reservation online, so it was great that we could be seated right away once arrived at the restaurant. It was our first time here. We ordered two dishes. The presentation and flavours of the food were great. Only the portion was a bit small. We usually eat more for dinner, but we felt full because of the oily or fired food. The drink was in a smaller size as well. Service was average. Servers were polite. Once we seated, a server told us right away that we could only have 1.5 hrs for the meal. We totally understood the restaurant was busy and they wouldn't want customers to sit for a long time, so they could have more turnarounds and do more businesses. We felt rushed to finish the meal as servers kept an eye on our or other tables that they would take away empty dishes right away, so they could clear the table and give a bill to customers asap. The restaurant was full of customers and noise. That was understandable that people talked and chatted in a fun atmosphere. However, we were probably unlucky that we sat right next to four customers who talked and laughed extremely loudly and made weird noise. My friend and I could hardly chat because it was extremely noisy. The washroom was close to my table. I went to the washroom with the door closed but I I could still hear those four customers made loud noise and talked loudly. I would recommend this restaurant to others as it is Michelin recommended. Hopefully, if I go here again, I will have a better dining experience. read more

Lunch Lady - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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My sister wanted to come here while we were in Vancouver for both of our early birthday celebration, so we made reservations to do an early dinner around 4:30pm the night before. Reservations don't seem hard to come by, but they do book up fast. Be sure you can make it, as they require a card on file and will charge if you are a no-show. For lunch and dinner, they have slightly different menus. What they seem to be known for here is their An Choi style menu -- which is a set family style menu showcasing select dishes on their regular menu. They only have options for 2 or 4 parties at $50 each person, which in turn equal out to 6 or 10 sharing dishes, respectively. Depending how much you eat or how much you want to sample, you could choose which one works best based off the priorities of your group. There is an option to add on other dishes on their menu if the set menu doesn't offer it. Since I was with my mom and sister, we decided to do the 2 person menu which came with the taro chips, bo luc lac, garlic noodles, octopus skewers, beef carpaccio, and the pandan sticky rice cake and added on the dungeness crab fried rice. We also tried the vietnamese egg coffee. We loved everything here, and service was great. Out of the 2 person menu, my favorites were the bo luc lac, garlic noodles, and the pandan sticky rice cake for dessert. Because we mentioned it was our birthdays, they gave us a complimentary ube cheesecake as well (thank you!). For the amount of time to do the family style menu and the reservation, it felt right where we didn't feel too rushed or slowed down. They limit each party to a 1 hr and 45 minute experience, and tell you the time right before getting seated when you have to be done by. All in all, I would love to come back and try more dishes! read more

Horrible service! Called the restaurant and Made reservation for Mother's Day lunch and provided my card to secure the reservation. Got confirmation email and everything. They called me night before Mother's Day that it is only walk in and they have to cancel my reservation!! Teach your staff the basics of customer service. It won't kill you to keep one table reserved even though you have walk in policy!!! You made the mistake in the first place and ruined my Mother's Day plan. Horrible service. read more

I had a lovely brunch Sunday morning here with my friend. We got in when they opened at 10:30 so there was no wait for us to get a table. In fact, it was rather calm until around noon or so when there was a party of 2 waiting for a table. We shared their crispy spring rolls. My friend ordered the crispy soft shell crab and I had the Sunday special Mì Bò Kho (slow braised beef short plate, shank and tendon with carrots and egg noodle in a spiced beef broth. The spring rolls were light and crispy. The broth with my noodles was rich. It had a very good amount of fat so it is super comforting going down. Even though it had a rich red color and full of flavours, it was not spicy hot which is how I prefer my soup and dishes. I find heat over shadows and overcomes other flavours. The meat pieces were tender but they still retained the texture of their respective cuts so you can appreciate what you are eating. I wish I had tried my friend's crispy soft shell crab because it looked so good. This would be a very good reason for me to come back. read more

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Came here for lunch as we were visiting Vancouver. This resto was on the Michelin guide. Ambiance is beautiful and cozy. I got the vegan pho, the broth was so yummy and flavourful. The tofu was delicious. This has got to be my favourite pho place ever! The Vietnamese iced coffee was strong enough and so good! Hands down the best lunch we've had during our trip so far! read more

Lunch Lady - Waygu & vegan pho with iced Vietnamese coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

So lucky to get I without reservation although we did wait for roughly 30 minutes. The wagyu is amazing (but a bit pricy). read more

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