So yummy! I got the number 7, the seafood noodle soup. The friend shrimp cakes served on the side were freshly fried and amazing. Vietnamese coffee was strong. Cozy little spot, perfect for lunch. Don't forget cash! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Hu Tiu Nan Vang - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

WOW, Umami Bomb! One of the best meal I've had so far this year. The ambiance is very authentic and the banter and laughs among the ladies in the kitchen adding to the overall feeling of a family owned restaurant. I don't speak their language, But I didn't have to, their food were already speaks for itself. I had the Bun Mam (fish soup with pork, shrimp, and thin rice noodles) that was out of question, Arguably one of the best dish I've had so far in San Francisco food overrated city. And also I ordered Chao Long (pork congee with cilantro, fried onions, and black pepper) so delicious and it spoke to me. Talking about a tour de force of flavors. I like this place, highly recommend. read more

Nothing beats a piping hot bowl of noodle soup on a rainy day. This is a small place with limited seatings. I'm amazed that they were able to whip up the yummy food that they served us in such a small kitchen. The banh canh, bun Bo hue and cold noodle dish were all delicious! The lady who served us was very friendly. We wanted to try their banh mi but their bread was sold old. Nonetheless, we were very satisfied with the food we ordered. Their prices were reasonable given their generous portion. I would definitely visit again and support this family owned small business. read more

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Sorry Mong Thu, your prices are right, the workers are super lovely, and your food is amazing, but because of your location, I can't say the food is to die for... correction. The food is not worthy dying over. Hence the docking of a star. All kidding aside, being in the heart of the Tenderloin is not an ideal place to be. You can call it Little Saigon all you want, but when Urban Alchemy (non-profit neighborhood patrol) is set up on the same block, drugged out homeless people are outside your doorstep, and drugs are being sold openly around each corner block, you know the area really isn't the best spot. That being said, the banh mi. Man, this was a great sandwich made by some great ladies. The baguette was perfectly crispy and doughy, the chicken was seasoned just right and the pickled radish and carrots and toppings were all fresh. If Mong Thu Cafe moved to the Far East Bay aka Tri-Valley they could charge double and I would still order it. I mean, much lesser places in Dublin and Livermore are doing that already. Unless you live in the area, I cannot recommend going here, especially if you are a tourist from out of town since the neighborhood is sketchy AF. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great price and good vegetarian / vegan options! I got the vegan tofu banh mi (banh mi chay), and it was very flavorful. It's not that often you find vegetarian options at authentic places, so highly recommend! read more

Great service, very fast! Clean and has a public restroom. Reasonably priced, however cash only. Food was great. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Chicken pho - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A gem for Viet food in the TL! It's a super casual environment but the staff are super friendly and helped me with choosing what I wanted to eat because everything looked so delicious. They have a simple menu that's when you know everything is made really well. We got #1 and #7 (comes with a side of shrimp cake, highly recommend!). It was a hot day so I wanted a cool, lighter dish and this was so good. The noodle texture is perfect, there's a ton of super flavorful and crunchy toppings of pork and shrimp cakes, and the sauce you pour over is just so flavorful and refreshing. The broth is on the lighter side but super flavorful at the same time so it has a nice clean taste. Highly recommend this place!! Not to mention it's super affordable for SF. (Everything is $15 or under) read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

One of the most disappointing bowls of bun bo hue I've ever had. The constant sound of closing and opening of microwaves were already a red flag. The noodles were starchy, didn't have that bouncy texture. Feels like microwaved noodles then dunked in broth instead of cooking first in boiling water. Doesn't come with pork blood or pork feet. Broth was clean and light. Friend had bun rieu and she said it was off as well. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Bun bo hue - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is so cute and small inside! The staff are so so nice, might be that we were a group of Asian women but I'm sure they're nice to everyone lol. Beyond the cuteness and niceness though, what I got was SO good. I got the Bun Rieu and wow, the broth was so delicious. I know I'm obsessed with the broth but I'm struggling to eat the fillings and just pressed again the noodles to get more broth. I would want a side bowl of broth it was so good. The meat and crab balls were so good too but really that broth. Love, time, patience was put into it. Highly recommend coming here! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Bun Rieu was so gooddddd - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

The trek out to the TL is WORTH IT. We got the Banh Uot Cha Lua, Bun Mam, two Viet ice coffee and our total was only $34 (w/o tip)!! We went around lunch time on a Sunday so they were out of Banh Mi's and some of the desserts -- go earlier cuz $5 Banh Mi's can't be beat. My favorite part of the Banh Uot Cha Lua was the soft, but still chewy thin rice noodles. I drowned the entire thing in the fish sauce they gave us and mixed a bunch of house chili in to give it extra spice. The portion size was huge so I only ate 2/3 of mine and let my partner eat the rest. Shrimp cake still had shell on but they drop fried to to a crisp so you don't notice at all! Bun mam had a deep, earthy fish flavor but I didn't mind it at all. Surprisingly had a huge chunk of tilapia (I think) fillet inside of it in addition to the shrimp and pork slices. They really don't skimp out on portion or flavor. The restaurant is cash only and seats ~5 small parties. What a great discovery, we will be back to try the other dishes. read more

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Love this place! Really good food and service. The place is clean and well maintained.

I find it difficult to find really good Vietnamese food in the city, but I was blown away by this spot! The portions are huge with a decent prices, and the flavors are on point. I ordered bun rieu and banh uot. Both were soo good! The restaurant is really clean with cute yet moderately updated decor. The owners are so kind and welcoming, I felt like I was having lunch at my aunt/uncles house. Sure, it's in the tenderloin. Sure, it's a little intimidating to get here, but just watch your step as you're walking and you'll be fine! It's worth it for good Vietnamese food. Cash only! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Bun rieu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I have had Mong Thu Cafe bookmarked for several months now. But have been deterred from going due to it being in the TL. Today, I decided to treat myself to lunch. I order the vegan banh mi chay & banh uot chay. The walk there was actually not too bad during lunch time on a friday. Lots of people out and about which made it feel more safe. I am so glad I decided to try them today. I am very impressed with the texture of the vegan pork loaf. It is very on par with the original. The mushroom pate on the banh mi was delicious. Also you cannot beat the price of $5 for banh mi. I also ordered the banana che. I actually wanted the corn one but they told me they did not have that one today. Asked about the taro one which also not available today. I tried the banana one for the first time. I do not think I would get it again only because I prefer the corn or taro che. I am so glad I finally tried this place & looking forward to becoming a regular. read more

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Clean authentic Vietnamese food!!!! It's 5 stars in its category. Had the Bamboo Chicken soup (you can opt out of the chicken for a vegetarian yummy dish) the broth was flavorful but clean. Meaning not high in sodium. Hubby had the Bun Nam (fish soup). He loved it. Had the original taste of how this soup should taste. Kiddos shared the Pho Ga (chicken Pho). Flavor was tasty. Not bland! Kid enjoyed it. The veggies/trimmings were farmers market fresh or from someone's garden. It's a small 16 seat spot in the middle of the tenderloin. Restroom was tiny but clean. Staff were all so nice. Will be back! Oh and the Vietnamese coffee strong.. lol read more

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If you're looking for authentic vietnamese food, look no further! Source? I was born in Vietnam and grew up eating lots of homestyle viet food. The portions here are generous so come hungry. I love that they serve dishes that you don't normally find like banh uot, bun mam, che and more. Don't forget to bring cash! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Highly recommend banh uot! Best I ever had in the states (tastes like vietnam) - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

This place is no joke. I shoulda known when I saw the Cash Only sign. That's usually a sign that your meal is gonna be amazing! I've been here a couple times and everything has been amazing! The Banh uot cha lua is a MUST when coming here. It really is amazing. Simple, yet delicious! They've got solid BBH. Not spicy enough over all, but the flavor is on point! Bun rieu is a can't miss! I highly recommend the banh mi bo kho. The beef stew is amazing and the warm banh mi with it is hard to find in SF. Most places just give you rice or vermicelli. Their banh mi is also pretty decent, but not the star of the restaurant. They're very friendly here and always seem to be overly accommodating when I have my young daughter with me. Super small inside with very limited seating. Remember, it is cash only. It's in the TL, so just know what to expect when in the area. You can walk from BART/Muni and go past some sketchy people. Parking in TL is always pretty limited, but not impossible. Still, you know how breakins can be. Just be cautious and do not be caught off guard when getting to the restaurant. It's worth it. Trust me! read more

A gem located in the cuts of SF. I've been wanting to try this restaurant for a while now, but haven't had time to stop by before it closes at 4pm everyday. (FYI restaurant is closed on Mondays). It was a rainy Sunday morning and I told my s/o that I was craving authentic Vietnamese food/noodle soup. We contemplated whether to go to our neighborhood favorite but I said, "Let's try something new today!" And boy, am I happy that we did. We walked into this small cafe, and was quickly greeted with a "hello" and kind smile from the employees. The menu consists roughly 15 dishes plus homemade desserts, which is a good sign IMO. It usually means each dish is perfected ;) We ordered the Bánh Uớt Chả lụa, meatball sandwich, Hủ Tiếu Nam Vang, and Vietnamese iced coffee. Everything was delicious! We can't wait to come back to try the BBH and other items on the menu. Cảm ơn! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Meatball banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Mong Thu, I love you so! This is the kind of Vietnamese restaurant I would take the Vietnamese elders in my family. Mong Thu has many of the authentic dishes my parents ate while growing up -- chao long, bun bo hue, hu tieu nam vang, bun rieu, bun mam. They have che too which is Vietnamese dessert and one of the greatest things in the world. Of course, the menu includes cafe sua da which is a classic drink. The staff are very kind and are fluent Vietnamese speakers. So make sure you address them appropriately! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Bun rieu and lots of herbs. - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Hidden gem of Vietnamese food in the tenderloin & so yummy! Highly recommend the tapioca dessert :) read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Solid viet spot in the city! Came here with some friends and got the pho, which I thought was really good. Service was very fast and the workers were friendly. The spot is cash only and pretty small with limited seating. It's also in a slightly sus area of the city but all the good Viet spots are around here. Also, the only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was I had originally wanted a banh mi, but they ran out of bread. I came here a second time, only to be told they ran out of bread again. I think they should make more bread! Either way, I'll likely be back and hopefully they will have bread... read more

I have to first apologize! Why? I'm taking you back to another spot in the "hood" of San Francisco's Tenderloin. This restaurant is surrounded by the homeless, tents and street people. Did I scare you yet? But, if you are brave enough to go, you will find a hidden food oasis! Mong Thu Cafe makes one of the best Banh Uot Cha Lua- Sliced cured pork and shrimp pancake served w/ think rice noodles. Their Bun Bo Hue noodles soup is pretty good as well. I know, I know, You need to try it at ___ in Vietnam Town in San Jose, Donny! Rain has been in the forecast and I'm too lazy to head down to SJ today! They have many other items including Bahn Mi sandwiches and noodle soups. Prices are reasonable for the portions. Very difficult street parking and I recommend ordering it for takeout. Staff was wearing masks and hand sanitizers were available. read more

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Hole in the wall in seedy Tenderloin but great for some Vietnamese comfort food like banh cuon and some noodle soups (non pho). Cash only so make sure you have some cash on you. read more

Food here is great, but the area is a bit sketch. Finding parking can be a hassle. If you're up for navigating a few inconveniences, the meal itself makes it all worthwhile. read more

We stumbled passed this small cafe and had to try it. We ordered 2 soups and 1 of their popular plates. It was delicious! Will be going back on my next trip to SF! Just note, English may not be their first language so be nice and patient. I promise it's worth it. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Udon noodle soup - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Pretty good, service was good. They answered any questions we had, and water refills were frequent. It was hoooooooot in there though so bear that in mind. I had ordered the chao long, and the vegan sandwich. The congee had a good amount of salt, and I liked the pork bits. It was a good amount of innards that went into it and just enough savory. The fried onions were also a nice touch though I'd want more since it was a nice simple addition. The vegan sandwich wasn't my favorite. The flavor of the vegan pork along with the pepper didn't mix well for me. Everything else in the sandwich worked pretty well tho. I'd definitely stop by for the congee again if I had a craving. It hit the spot like an old asian cafe and worked well in that respect. Maybe when it isn't such a hot day for sure. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Chao long - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Some of the best pho / vietnamese soup I have had. Really affordable for SF but its due to being in a rough part of town. Its cash only so make sure you bring that. The soup is legit though! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It's in the tenderloin which was in full force today with drug deals and people yelling at each other but they ignore you I had the number 5 (fish soup) and number 7 (clear noodles with broth) Got extra shrimp pancake and two Vietnamese iced coffees $41. I gave him $50 cash Everything was good and fresh and fast. read more

A local TL spot that I am ashamed to say I've only been recently despite being in the neighborhood, I would say if you want authentic Vietnamese food definitely come here! I had their Banh Uot Cha Lua and the portion size was big and definitely very filling. The fish sauce is a little on the sweeter end but perfectly complemented the dish. The highlights for me are their desserts and Vietnamese coffee. The Vietnamese coffee is definitely strong so you're not missing out in terms of flavor. Their Che Bap (Vietnamese Sweet Corn Pudding) and the Che Dau Trang (Sticky Rice Pudding with Black Eyed Peas) was my personal favorite as it was sweet but not overpowering, still light enough, and a perfect treat! read more

I got to try Mong Thu cafe whenever my friend suggested that we have lunch here. This was a first time to get a Bun Bo Hue. The place was crowded a bit since the cafe is quite small. I think we ended up waiting for 15 minutes until we got our food. Bun Bo Hue was pretty good. It's full of flavor I loved their Bun Bo Hue soup and the Vietnamese ham. Their Bun Bo Hue soup was rich and delicious. Bun Bo Hue is thicker noodles than regular pho so it's chewy. Customer service was good. I will definitely come back here. Highly recommend it. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Bun Bo Hue - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I'm visiting from NYC and everything we've had in SF have been a little disappointing in terms of food overall. The flavour profiles from a lot of spots have been a huge miss, until I found this cash only hidden gem. Wow. This is an incredible no frills Vietnamese hole in the wall. I got the congee, and my friend got the crab & pork noodles. It was SOOOOOO good. It wasn't too salty, but bursted with flavours. They were also generous with the meat and fillings. We were stuffed by the end of it. My big bowl was congee was $12, I could have portioned if I wanted. Definitely try it out! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

So, so good! Had bun rieu and hu tieu mi, and both were super delicious and also markably different from others I've had in the city. The broth was lighter, but not lacking in flavor--just eating-at-mom's-house fresh! The coffee packed a punch, which my partner loved. Alas, I'm still a lightweight when it comes to Vietnamese coffees--I felt like I had a buzz after just a sip haha. Happy to have a neighborhood spot that is open early enough so I can actually have pho for breakfast and have a proper breakfast of champions. Saw a review that mentioned they take card--saw no evidence of that. NO CASH notices on the menus, the counter, and even the front door. read more

It's unfortunate that this restaurant is on one of the few blocks of the Tenderloin that I *absolutely* avoid (I don't even like driving down this block) because it's detoured me from trying this place. However, I've been volunteering in the area and I finally decided to just brave the streets and go for it, and it was well worth it. The day I went the block was 'cleaned up' and there wasn't anyone loitering, so it felt relatively safer. I was there just before 2 pm and a lot of their menu was sold out (they ran out of bread and a few other ingredients), so go earlier in the day for more options. I really like how they serve dishes that you typically can't find in Vietnamese restaurants in SF. -- I got the Banh Uot Cha Lua because I've been craving it since I was in the OC. The rice noodles were thin and there was a variety of fresh herbs & veggies. The shrimp cakes on top used shelled shrimp which I normally don't like, but they were crispy so I didn't mind it. The nuoc cham could've had more oomph and I would've liked more cha lua, but the portion was really filling so I didn't actually need more. Cash only! The price on the menu is the price you pay (no taxes!). read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Banh Uot Cha Lua - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Service was fine, and they give a generous portion of meat in bun bo hue, but I mainly did not really enjoy the lack of flavor in the broth, tasted very bland and too sweet for my liking. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Bun Bo Hue - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Catching up on reviews Pre Covid... Food: 3.5/5 Ambiance: 3/5 Service: 3.5/5 Overall: Fresh food for sure but definitely out of the way for Vietnamese cuisine. The extended review... Food: Pho Ga - 3.5/5 - It was definitely very fresh. Pretty standard compared to other places I've been to. Banh Mi Thit - 3.5/5 - Again very fresh but nothing out of the ordinary. The price is pretty stellar I have to say though. Ambiance: A very casual place. Service: Standard customer service. read more

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If you're in the neighborhood stop by for a quick lunch/snack. Delicious noodle soups if you're seeking comfort home style cooking. Family owned. Cash only spot. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Hu tieu nam vang (clear noodle soup w pork, shrimp, and fried shrimp pancake). - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delicious, affordable, nice staff, what else can you ask for? This place was recommended by a friend who came here and loved it. It really was incredible! It's a small, cash only cafe that tastes authentic, fresh, and homey. We tried a few things (Hu Tieu Nam Vang, Banh Mi Thit Va Cha, Banh Uot Cha Lua) and truly enjoyed each one. The Vietnamese coffee wasn't my favorite and was too intensely burnt but it was so nice they remade it and it was better. The desserts were good but I would just get more bahn mi next time. Now it's hard not to compare bahn mis to how it's made here (not shown because it disappeared so fast) but I was truly wowed. I'm already planning my trip back. The prices were amazing and it's now my new favorite Vietnamese place to eat at. read more

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It was a local spot when I lived in San Francisco. The food & service was great. Will come again next trip to the bay area.

Super hidden gem! I've had a majority of the dishes on the menu and you literally can't go wrong! The Bo Kho with Banh Mi is one of my favorites. 10/10 Recommend read more

This.. is not an ordinary Vietnamese restaurant.. I ordered #18 (red beef noodle soup - I am not Vietnamese, can't remember the name) and it was OUT OF THE WORLD DELICIOUS. I received a bowl with a very generous amount of meat (noodle to meat was 50:50). The bean sprouts side came with a variety of herbs I haven't seen, and the soup tasted so flavorful with the meat and authentic Asian spices. Noodle was cooked perfectly. I found a hidden gem in the middle of tenderloin! Remember cash only. No tip. read more

Mong Thu Cafe - #18 red beef noodle soup - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Omg. This is the best soup I've had in my life. Flavors were soothing and well balanced. Please please survive covid! read more

Mong Thu Cafe - Hu Tieu Nam Vang (i've been dreaming about this for the last 4 years) - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California